Wedding Dress from Overseas

I don't really like it. Don't make the same mistake I made ordering my custom made dress overseas - it turned out to be a disaster that cost my mom about 2k and she wasn't able to get her money back - and I had to buy another dress.

just my 2 cents.

ETA- I'm not sure what "theme" you are going for, but this dress is not my style.

OP - I am sorry for being brutally honest. I wish people were honest with me when I got my 1st dress from overseas. my friends lied to my face saying "its beautiful, bla bla bla" once I told them I was getting another dress, they all came out from under the rock and said my first dress was not pretty, but they felt bad...

That's an awesome dress. Have you been in direct communication with her? Is she responsive and knowledgeable? Does she have good reviews? If so, you're probably fine

@Rachel we have been! She has been answering all my questions :3

Not chance in hell, as the old saying goes. You might get lucky and actually receive a product that resembles the picture or you might receive a disaster like the Bride who posted her bridesmaid dresses yesterday. I'm not willing to risk my money or my sanity if I were to receive some of those nightmare dresses.

If I wanted a themed dress, I would use a local seamstress.

Personally, I'm always a little wary of buying from overseas just because I know so many scam clothing sites with poorly made clothes and long shipping times (that sometimes never make it to you anyways) are generally overseas. Just double, triple, even quadruple check if need be, that this is legit. Has your communication been direction email/etsy messaging system? If so, I'd try to figure out a way to be able to talk to her on the phone. If she refuses then I would look elsewhere.

As a side note, you could probably find a dressmaker stateside who can create the kind of dress you're looking for. It just might require some researching.

ETA: Because I know long distance calls can be pricey, it doesn't have to be a phone call. It could even be skype or something like that.

I was already set to say no. Never overseas no matter how cheap. Then I saw the price. Holy fuck. No way in hell would I pay that much for a dress I buy in store let alone online from overseas. Dude what happens if you don't like it? $1200 down the drain. I also didn't like that dress. Looks more like a Halloween costume than a dress.

For me it has nothing to do with overseas or not, it has to do with the return policy, if in the end you get Crap, you are stuck with it at your cost. I think you would have the same issue with someone local making the dress in their home. Simply stated, buyer beware.

If it's Etsy and they have good reviews which 373 reviews is pretty good! I would go ahead and do it. You can have it altered state side.

It looks like that seller is in the UK. I wouldn't have any problem getting a dress from the UK. It's not like buying a knockoff from China.

But THAT dress? Hell no!! Keep the over-the-top costumes for ren fest and such--and in those circumstances I'm totally a fan! But your wedding deserves at least a tiny bit of dignity.

I have to agree with the other commenters about this being a bad idea. First, this could be a scam. Second, you might HATE the dress in person, it could be poorly made, poor material, or both.

And custom dresses are almost always final sale.

That being said, I really really dislike that dress. It looks like a costume you'd wear to the renaissance fair. There has to be a way that you can work your theme into your wedding dress without looking like it's a costume for Halloween. Sorry for being brutally honest.

It's coming from what appears to be a one-person shop in the UK. If that's the type of dress you want and you make sure you get your measurements taken professionally (in the preferred measurement system of the seamstress making the dress), I don't see much of a problem with it. It's actually really sad reading this because people are essentially going "That's not bridal enough!" while there's also a thread going on about not wearing traditional dresses...

I have directly messaged other Etsy buyers before to ask for real life photos of things they've reviewed. I still wouldn't order a wedding dress I couldn't try on, though. If you're dead-set on this exact dress, be sure you have the time and money to go to Plan B if it doesn't work out.

ETA: typo

I would carefully read the reviews and see if there are any actual pictures from customers. If the seller does not communicate well with you then don't order. If they communicate and the reviews/pictures look good and you are absolutely sure that this is the dress you want then I say go for it.

I just wanted to say I think the dress is beautiful and if you do go for it just have some one local who can make alterations if needed.

I personally love steampunk fashion and like the dress. Also if you love the dress dont get discouraged by people with different tastes. I think a shop in the UK should be fine, but I would insist on a good return policy if you are not satisfied with the quality. I love crown tailors from Bangkok.(they make dresses as well and travel to the US)

(typo correction)

This shop seems reputable. I've ordered fascinators from Etsy shops in the U.K. Before w no issues. If this is the style you like, I say go for it, especially if you cannot find something similar in your area.

I wouldn't risk buying overseas. Have you tried looking at costume shops or in the theater industry for a dress like the one you show above?

I would always be cautious when buying anything custom online. I personally can't shop clothes online because I have stupid measurements and like to try things on before buying. But it seems like you're taking the right steps. Just know it's a huge risk/gamble and $1200 is an amount I would be devastated to lose. Have a potential back-up plan. As for the style/theme, if it's not impacting guest experience, go all in! I'm sure you will rock this dress. Please update us if you decide to order and what it looks like in person!

I agree that it's a bad idea. No way at all I would do it. What happens if you don't like it? Do they have a return policy? I wouldn't take the chance at all.

Personally, this dress is not nice at all. It looks to much like a costume for Halloween. & I wouldn't pay that much for this dress at all. Just being honest.

I wouldn't. Too much of a risk for such a big day. It's a headache and so expensive to return something overseas if you happen not to like it