Second hand dress???

I had a second hand dress, it was good as new.

However, I also tried on dresses in the shops including the one I eventually bought. So I knew what size I would require, and that I loved it. I also don't feel like I missed out on the shopping. I didn't try many dresses on actually, but I still went and my Mum got to 'ooh' and 'aah' (or 'nah!').

As a word of caution, wedding dress sizes can be in a league of their own depending on the brand. I am a size 10-12 and my Essense of Australia was a UK size 12 (and even needed taking in!). However, in other brands a UK 12 wouldn't have fitted my right leg! If possible, try some Maggie dresses on in a shop so you get a feel for the sizes and shapes before thinking about purchasing a second-hand dress.

What JoJo said. If you haven't tried on any yet go and do that first. Dresses look completely different on and in real life. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with a second hand dress.

Didn't expect replies so quickly lol - thank you!!

I have tried the dress on in a size 12 in my local wedding dress shop and it was completely different to what I liked in all my wedding magazines like you said! I only actually tried it on because one of my bridesmaids begged me too! I've always though lace was v old fashioned And looked like net curtains- my mum had a lace dress back in 1979 lol. so was shocked at how much I loved it on! The 12 was slightly too small so sat a little high, so that's the only reason I thought a 10 may not be too out of my weight loss league but maybe I am being a bit too optimistic?

I have a sneaky pic of me in it if I can work out how to upload it I will so you can see if I look HUGE in it lol!

Didn't expect replies so quickly lol - thank you!!

I have tried the dress on in a size 12 in my local wedding dress shop and it was completely different to what I liked in all my wedding magazines like you said! I only actually tried it on because one of my bridesmaids begged me too! I've always though lace was v old fashioned And looked like net curtains- my mum had a lace dress back in 1979 lol. so was shocked at how much I loved it on! The 12 was slightly too small so sat a little high, so that's the only reason I thought a 10 may not be too out of my weight loss league but maybe I am being a bit too optimistic?

I have a sneaky pic of me in it if I can work out how to upload it I will so you can see if I look HUGE in it lol!

The dress has been dry cleaned already and it does look immaculate in the pics, I am a bit hesitant about the size that's why I've not gone ahead with buying it. my wedding is booked for the 1st June 2013 so I have approx 10 months to lose stone and a half I want too, but like you said even if I loose this the dress still may not fit. Eek so unsure what to do! Don't want to miss out on a bargain but also don't want to waste £500 if it won't fit!

I bought a second hand dress. It was £1250 plus alteration costs from the shop (they said they wouldn't let me order my size I had to get 2 sizes bigger and pay them to have it altered???). I bought the same dress for £500 from a lady who's relationship had unfortunately broken down so she no longer needed the unused dress and it is just a tiny bit too small.

Personally I would feel really nervous buying a dress that is a lot too small but only you know how good you are at losing weight. I also tried it on at her house before I bought it rather than her posting it. It was quite a journey but definitely worth it.

Another thing to remember with the sizing is, it may be a size 10 but it most likely woud have been altered and unless you are the same shape as them the fit might not be as good or how you would like/prefer.

As already mentioned, it would be better to get a second hand one that's a larger size and can be taken in. When I bought mine I was advised its better to take a dress in rather than have to let one out. Are they close by, could you ask to be cheeky and try it on maybe?

I would be wary about buying a dress to slim into thats all. Have you ever been a size 10? You could loose lots of weight but a size 10 still fit depending on bone sizes etc?

Apart form that no issue with second hand dresses at all!

THanks girls, think I may have to go back to the drawing board then!! I am naturally petit, I'm only 5ft 1" and I was always a size 10 - 12 before my little girl came along and I've just 'let myself go' as they say. I know I can loose the weight if I put my mind to it - I did the same after my son was born nearly 8 years ago and I lost 2and a half stone but think your all right, it may still not fit because of shape etc. damn I was so excited but a little part of me knew it was prob too good to be true!! Plus I'm in Manchester and she is in London so not like I can pop round to try it!

Thanks for your advice girls x

I know there's 2 bridal shops near me (Maria Modes in Macclesfield and Sense and Sensibility in Stockport), both stock Maggie dresses and both have big weekend sales days coming up. S&S is on now and MM starts in Sept, maybe worth giving them a call?

Im having a second hand dress, its too small HOWEVER i loved it so much (and it was free) that i had the zip back turned into a corset! it looks FANTASTIC!

I have a second hand (new unaltered and not worn but I bought it from someone who didn't use it). I would recomend it, however, I paid a lot less than yours and I have managed to change zip to corset and had the hips let out so it fits properly. Really happy with it now.

Do you know what year it was realesed as bridal shops will be selling samples off soon to make way for 2013 dress - can the shop you tried it not sell you the sample (if it fit) and have it altered independantly?

I've just googled them two shops, thank you, one has sale on on 15th sept and I've just emailed them both to see if they stock the mirabella. Neither of them have it on their website. I'm not sure what year the dress was released but I'm struggling to find many about so I'm assuming it's probably a few seasons old. But then I'd have thought it would be cheaper than £1250 if that was the case??? It already has a corset back which I thought would be good as it allows a bit of leeway with sizing.

Thanks for your help girls x

It's at least 2009. There's 'real brides' on the Maggie Sotterro website wearing it from that year. Is the sample you tried on your size or larger? Maybe you could ask the bridal shop to sell you the sample?

V good detective skills missmandymoo - I've looked on the site loads and never noticed that lol!!! The dress is a bit small for me in the shop but not massively, I would defo be able to slim into it!! I will defo speak to them and ask about buying that one if they will sell it to me cheap enough! Thank you!

I have this pic of me in it on my phone - forgive the poor quality I've used my iPad to take a picture of the picture on my phone as I have no idea how to upload it to the iPad! It was slightly too tight across my hips so sat a little high, plus I need to loose my gut lol! Do you think it's do able??? Fitting into it by next June?

Can you see the pic? It's not showing up when I post it?

Can't see the photo's

Why not talk to the shop if it is 2009 dress then you should be able to get a good deal.

Weight wise, I had my hips let out to let my dress drop to where it should be, to be honest I know where this was done, but no one else will know, I am also yet to get it steamed which I beleive can close the thread holes. Ask the shop they should give you an honest view if it is do able.

I can't see the picture either but it sounds do-able. I really hope they will sell the sample to you at an affordable price. Let us know how you get on. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you

My dress was second hand, a great bargain.

But that was after trying lot of dresses on in bridal shops to know what style suited me. I was too in love with a dress, but when I tried it on I looked awful! I tried loads on to find the one I wanted, then sourced it second hand and therefore much cheaper, so if you have only fallen in love from a picture,go and try it on before buying one.

I was the same maxinegallie, I thought I liked a certain style and I've tried on loads but none of them gave me 'that' feeling, then one of my bridesmaids begged me to try on the mirabella - I never would have picked something lace, and before it was even done up I loved it!!! So I definitely know its the one, it was just a shock when I found out the price lol so I've been searching to find it cheaper!

Thanks for them shop names too missmandymoo, the one in Macclesfield has emailed me saying they don't stock it but can order it in and told me they have a 12.5 % of sale coming up or 17% if you buy it outright! So I've asked what their price is........fingers crossed! X

That sounds great - hope they can give you a good price. I know they offer free suit hire for the groom if you purchase a wedding dress from them so you may be able to throw your OH's suit hire budget into your dress ?.

They have dress at same price 1200 but will reduce it to 990 if I buy it on the day. It's only in a few weeks so that's not going to happen! I have email back though asking if it the best price they can offer.

I bought Ian Stuarts Tiger Lily on Preloved saving £1400. It is an 8 and I am a 10 so at the mo it doesn't fit, however I'm far too tight to make an £800 mistake. The dress is beautiful and I'm pleased to bits.

Don't make any hasty decisions though as it would be an expensive mistake to make.

Good luck.

Hi lucieloulabelle,

I'm searching high and low for it, im hoping a miricle will happen and ill find a bargain, ive tried on loads of different dress but i have fell in love with that one! ill try and put pic on, its not a v good pic cos we wasnt 'allowed' to take any so my BM sneakily got one! lol hope picture works!

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