December 28, 2010

Dress Dilemma: Keep and Alter or Return?


I really heeded the input of my commenters who said this MBMJ dress was cute enough to buy and when I had a number of stackable $ and % off coupons for Bloomingdales.com, I decided to pounce. The only problem was that the remaining size selection was quite limited. So although I got this dress for over 75% off, I am torn. The fit isn't great. The only size in stock was a 12. I wore an 8 in my original review but really probably needed a 10. Here's the 8:


The 12 is definitely large all over but particularly so in the waist and arm holes. What should I do? Return or alter and keep? It's a black dress. I don't have a lot of solid color cocktail dresses but I also don't go to many cocktail-attire-requiring places (other than weddings). In the grander scheme of style, there will be many black dresses I covet in the future. I could return and move on. Or return and hope to track down a 10 for a similarly good price. I could have my tailor alter for probably $20. What would you do?

15 comments:

Miss B said...

It is cute. However, if you don't love it and won't wear the crap out of it don't buy it. Another LBD will come along, I promise.

Chrissy said...

It's definitely a cute dress! If you love it, then it's definitely worth the $20 to make it fit perfectly.

If you are on the fence, then I say return it. Black dresses are very easy to find!

Sahiti said...

keep and alter! I love this dress on you!

vingleburt wingeldank said...

Personally, I think the dress is adorable. It sounds like it would be worth the $20 to have it altered, plus it looks super cute on you.

roxyturtle said...

If you can think of 3 times you'd wear it, keep! Else, return.

None said...

You didn't say how much it cost you. If you feel it a fantastic bargain (when $20 is added), I'd keep it, but otherwise I would return it and use the money for something better.

Anjali said...

I think you look beautiful even in the 12, though I suppose if it is not fitting in some places it might be hard to tell because the details of black dresses often get lost in photos for me. If you think you'll love it if it fits better and wear it even 3-4 times, then it's totally worth getting alterations made. If you really do imagine there are equally wonderful black dresses you'll covet in the future, then maybe just return and save for something more exciting? There is nothing the fashion world loves more than churning out new LBDs after all :)

Kate (Embarrassment of Riches) said...

I vote with Sahiti - keep and alter! It's divine.

SunnyDay said...

Definitely keep and alter. It will be a tailor made LBD, pardon the pun, and you will get use out of it for years. It's super flattering on you in the right size.

fshnonmymind said...

Oh, this dress is lovely and flatters you so well.

If it puts a smile on your face when you try it on, I say keep and alter it. When you do have occasions to wear it, you'll know it is in your closet and not have to stress about buying something. Plus since it is black, you can always jazz it up with shoes, a belt, or some kind of sparkly jewelry.

If you aren't completely in love, return and try to find it in a 10 later for a lesser price.

Anonymous said...

keep and alter!

Sharon said...

Alterations for $20? That's a steal! The dress is fab on you--keep!

Carol said...

I think the dress looks wonderful on you, overly big or not. =) I would definitely keep and alter myself, but if you're feeling ambivalent about it, maybe there's a good reason for that? Tough choices...

Marianne said...

Oh my goodness, I so love this dress on you! Seriously, it's so incredibly flattering and just lovely. I would keep and alter.

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

Thanks for all the feedback, you guys. I am still deciding but thankfully Bloomingdales return window is lengthy. If I don't decide by the time I go to NY mid-January I will just bring it and return in person. But I am kind of leaning toward altering.

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