My dress fiasco

[Kandy]

My dress for the wedding came in yesterday. I had a doctor's appt - so I was off work early and had a chance to go by dh's shop and pick it up. I ran home to try it on, so I could run it up to the cleaners to have it pressed.

I get it out of the package, and it's not a skirt & a jacket like I thought, but a strapless dress and a jacket. I go to try it on, and realize that I can't get it zipped by myself. So I call around, find one of my friends that is at home - and take myself & the dress over to her house.

Get over there, she can't get it zipped either. My ribcage is HUGE, and I'm not exaggerating. I always have one heck of a time with anything that is corsette style top - my ribs are just too big! If I would've known that it was a dress designed to form fit through the ribs, waist & hips, I'd have sent them my measurements!!! So, my friend thinks that if we had one more person (how many women does it take to get a dress zipped up LOL) that it would work since it was only a little section, right in the middle of my back that she couldn't get past. So, we call up another friend, have her come over to help.

So, I'm standing there - these two are trying to get the dress zipped without ripping a seam on it or anything - and I keep hearing "Don't pinch her skin! Watch that you don't zip her up in it!, "Wait a sec, lemme get a better hold" So, I'm trying to make my ribs as small as possible, while bracing for one of them to catch my skin in the zipper, and trying not to laugh - as I can just imagine what we look like. They got it zipped - and then of course I had to test to make sure I could still sit down in it. It'll work for the wedding, but I think afterward, I'm going to have a seamstress put in some stretchy fabric in the side seams where it's supposed to go over my ribs.

I guess it's a good thing that I'll have people staying at my house for the wedding, since now I know that it will take at least two people to zip the dress up. And I don't have to worry about buying any "containment" undergarments - since I would not be able to fit even 1/100 of a millimeter of anything between me and that dress. LOL

[Treener]

oh poor you!!! But i have to be honest it did make me burst out laughing picturing you standing there and the two of them trying to zip you up!! you and angel have to get together and discuss dress stories. too bad the wedding is so soon as you could probably have it changed.

[Melinda]

*L* what a picture that would have made, don't your friends own camera's?? *L* I also have a large ribcage Kandy, so I know where you're coming from. can't wait to see pics of the grooms mom all fancied up!!

[Melissa]

Oh no that sucks! I think your idea for putting in the elastic in the seams is a good one, you don't want to be uncomfortable for the wedding, and once you fill up on wine and wedding cake it might make things even tighter! What colour is the dress? Do we get to see pictures?

[Skryker]

Oh, no, Kandy! That dress has caused you nothing but problems!

It is a funny picture, though-I can envision someone with a foot in your back, trying to get that zipper up!

Are you planning to keep the jacket on the whole time? 'Cause I think you can get zipper inserts sometimes-a piece of fabric with the zipper sides on each side of it, so it can go into the zipper and expand it a little. Don't know about colours and stuff though. Might be worth looking into. Or not-you're probably swamped with last minute things to do!

[Kandy]

The dress is silver. If I had time, I'd have the stretchy things put in before the wedding - but it ain't gonna happen! LOL I was thinking that maybe I need to have the caterer set a plate in the kitchen for me, so I can eat after I get to take the dress off. I don't know if I'll be able to eat and still breathe. LOL And the fiancee is telling us that we have to stay dressed during most of the reception for pix.

I've always had a big rib cage, but then when I was pregnant, I carried my son really high, and it spread them out even further. When I was thinner, my ribs stuck out further than my boobs. LOL

[Kandy]

Originally Posted by Skryker

Are you planning to keep the jacket on the whole time? 'Cause I think you can get zipper inserts sometimes-a piece of fabric with the zipper sides on each side of it, so it can go into the zipper and expand it a little. Don't know about colours and stuff though. Might be worth looking into. Or not-you're probably swamped with last minute things to do!

I may have to go look for one of those. Our walmart has a fabric section, is that where I would find such a thing? And if it meant I could breathe, I'd leave the jacket on all night.

[Treener]

My rib cage is big as well and points forward. When i was younger and had a bikini on my cousins used to tease me and say my ribs were my boobs, as they were bigger.

[Skryker]

Yeah, it should be a sewing notion. I remember my Mom using them at one point. The other place they might be is in with the maternity clothes (sorry! lol). It might also depend on the zipper type.

[Kandy]

My mom is the same way - so I guess I got it from her. At least with the weight I've gained over the past 10 years or so, they don't stick out so bad to make it look like I'm starving, like they used to, but the bottom edges still stick out, even though I'm more than 40lbs over my normal weight. I can't imagine how much more I'd have to gain to hide them completely.