s/o wedding dresses - ? about lace gowns

MaineWifey

My sister purchased a lace gown for her wedding.  The sample she tried on had obviously been worn a bunch of times before, and so it was broken in some. 

Well her dress came in a few weeks ago and when she tried it on she complained about the lace being too stiff.  Part of the issue is that it's not the most expensive lace ever.  But she turned down a different lace dress with softer lace because she was afraid it was too delicate.  Gah!

Now she's having second thoughts about the dress because she doesn't think it's comfortable. This after going to 5 stores all over the state and trying on 100s of dresses. 

So does anyone know if something can be done at a dry cleaners or a gown preservation place that might soften the lace up some? 

I really, really don't want to have to go dress shopping again, and the gown is stunning on her. 

pooh8402

if the bride is not happy with her dress, I'd suck it up and continue dress shopping. obviously, she needs to be realistic about the lace, but if she's not happy when she's trying the dress on, she won't be happy on the day of and it will show. the previous thread about regrets shows that people who caved in to their family and friends were ultimately not happy on the day of.

MaineWifey

pooh8402:

if the bride is not happy with her dress, I'd suck it up and continue dress shopping. obviously, she needs to be realistic about the lace, but if she's not happy when she's trying the dress on, she won't be happy on the day of and it will show. the previous thread about regrets shows that people who caved in to their family and friends were ultimately not happy on the day of.

We are going to look at some more dresses this weekend and re-try on one of her runner up contenders. 

I'm just not sure that she's the type of person who is going to be fully satisfied with any dress, and I feel bad that she loved the "used" one that she tried on, and now she doesn't like the feel of the "new" fabric.     

 

Joanis018

Goldilocks drives me nuts.  I'm a decision maker and can't handle wishy washy- it's too stiff, it's too delicate.  blah

MaineWifey

Joanis018:

Goldilocks drives me nuts.  I'm a decision maker and can't handle wishy washy- it's too stiff, it's too delicate.  blah

LOL! I'm totally going to steal that nickname for her! It is so fitting!

Little Spitfire

Can you guys ask the seamstress what can be done and if she's noticed that lace dresses soften up over the fitting process?  I know that my dress (silk tafetta) was a lot less stiff by the end of my wedding than it was at the beginning of the day, so maybe if your sister wears the dress for a couple of hours around the shop (sounds silly, I know), it might help.  I'd think a seamstress with lots of experience might be able to advise you on whether this is a possibility.   

BethaBoo

Little Spitfire:

Can you guys ask the seamstress what can be done and if she's noticed that lace dresses soften up over the fitting process?  I know that my dress (silk tafetta) was a lot less stiff by the end of my wedding than it was at the beginning of the day, so maybe if your sister wears the dress for a couple of hours around the shop (sounds silly, I know), it might help.  I'd think a seamstress with lots of experience might be able to advise you on whether this is a possibility.   

Yah, I would definitely talk to the seamstress. And Joanis, I love the reference!