Post all "Knock Off Wedding Dress" questions/comments here

[Bride2012]

I agree with you about the belt/sash, but the dress overall looks GORGEOUS and I think they did a great job
 

Originally Posted by JoanneIreland 

So I finally got the updated pictures from Babyonline! Overall I really like it and think they did a good job. I do however HATE the belt/sash, but for the price I'm not sure I could really expect any more. What do you girls think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lleow3]

The dress is GORGEOUS.

I agree- if possible ask them to remove the sash, or replace it with a simpler sash-- the contrasting textures (beads on sash, lace on gown) seems a bit too much?

 

Now bear in mind Babyonline and all the wedding gown makers are in Suzhou and Chinese brides flock there to buy gowns, and expect to pay about the same amount as you're paying-- up to 1500-2000 yuan for a gown with this level of detail. (which is approx 230-330 USD)- and is considered really REALLY cheap compared to the rest of China. And to be honest, after reading all the Chinese reviews, I'm reasonably certain that Chinese girls are less fussy- they typically go to Suzhou in 1 day, and buy 3 to 4 gowns in a row (chinese weddings require the bride to almost be a fashion show)- get the gown altered within the same day. So the turnover is a lot higher- they spend more quickly than online buyers I think.

 

The fact that these sellers are so patiently helping you customize the gowns like this is really very nice of them.

 

See here for reviews of buying Suzhou wedding gowns.

http://marry.mplife.com/registry/planning/100307/36213977906.shtml

 

http://www.xixun.cn/news-detail/nid-119/

 

 

[atalanta]

@JoanneIreland,

 

I completely agree with what others have said. The dress is beautiful. However, the material of the sash really doesn't go with the dress. I would encourage you to ask them to remove the sash. If it bugs you now, it will always bug you.

 

@lleow3,

 

I would disagree with you about the catering to the consumer being "very nice of them". Businesses need to understand their clientele. When a business wants to attract customers from a different market, the business needs to understand their customers desires and needs. This is why American brides are flocking abroad for their weddings and their dresses. If China stops catering to the whims of American brides, I'm sure another market will emerge to attract that business.

 

 

Originally Posted by lleow3 

The dress is GORGEOUS.

I agree- if possible ask them to remove the sash, or replace it with a simpler sash-- the contrasting textures (beads on sash, lace on gown) seems a bit too much?

 

Now bear in mind Babyonline and all the wedding gown makers are in Suzhou and Chinese brides flock there to buy gowns, and expect to pay about the same amount as you're paying-- up to 1500-2000 yuan for a gown with this level of detail. (which is approx 230-330 USD)- and is considered really REALLY cheap compared to the rest of China. And to be honest, after reading all the Chinese reviews, I'm reasonably certain that Chinese girls are less fussy- they typically go to Suzhou in 1 day, and buy 3 to 4 gowns in a row (chinese weddings require the bride to almost be a fashion show)- get the gown altered within the same day. So the turnover is a lot higher- they spend more quickly than online buyers I think.

 

The fact that these sellers are so patiently helping you customize the gowns like this is really very nice of them.

 

See here for reviews of buying Suzhou wedding gowns.

http://marry.mplife.com/registry/planning/100307/36213977906.shtml

 

http://www.xixun.cn/news-detail/nid-119/

 

 

 

[jennaba3]

Wow! This is beautiful.. I love the shape.. The only thing I could suggest is having ruffles at the bottom but that would be totally your preference! I love it as it is xxxx
 

Originally Posted by JoanneIreland 

I emailed babyonline this morning and said I wanted to cancel my order as they've been telling me for almost 2 weeks now that they would email me pictures but didn't, but magicaly about an hour later I got my pictures, which you can see below. What do you think? I've asked them to remove the second row of beading (had never requested that) :

 

 

 

Any honest feedback would be appreciated! 

Besides asking to remove the second row of beading, do you have any other advice or suggestions?

I also asked them to confirm if boning and if so how many.

 

 

[JoanneIreland]

Thanks! I think they may have already shipped the dress but I emailed them a picture of a sash I had in mind in case they can change. If not I will but something relatively cheap on Etsy and remove the one that is on it, that one just doesnt go with the dress at all!

Once I receive the dress I will have a friend take pictures of me in it and will post them here and will give feedback on the quality and shipping time. It's been 6 weeks since I placed the order so depending on how fast it gets here you need to allow at least a full 2 months, and I would suggest more in case you want to make changes to the dress.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by atalanta 

@JoanneIreland,

 

I completely agree with what others have said. The dress is beautiful. However, the material of the sash really doesn't go with the dress. I would encourage you to ask them to remove the sash. If it bugs you now, it will always bug you.

 

@lleow3,

 

I would disagree with you about the catering to the consumer being "very nice of them". Businesses need to understand their clientele. When a business wants to attract customers from a different market, the business needs to understand their customers desires and needs. This is why American brides are flocking abroad for their weddings and their dresses. If China stops catering to the whims of American brides, I'm sure another market will emerge to attract that business.

 

 

 

 

[atalanta]

@ FutureMrsLewis,

 

Your wedding is in two days. What ever happened with your dress? Did I miss the updated pics?

 

 

Originally Posted by FutureMrsLewis 

I also agree that more length = more "flowy" lines, however I also have to add that the angle of the split looks a little different on both dresses.  On the top "long" skirt, the angle of the split looks very tight and the skirt appears to be wider at the bottom, so it gathers more as it falls away from your hips.  The bottom "short" skirt seems to have a wider split, and the material seems as though it is just barely wide enough at the bottom.  I'm not sure if that makes sense or not, it makes sense in my head at least?  Let me try to attach a paint drawing (don't judge, I'm not artist!  lol)

 

 

Okay, it's a crude drawing, I know.  But it helps explain my point.  It looks like the top skirt opens wider at the bottom (if the material was laid flat and completely spread out) and has a smaller split while the second skirt doesn't open nearly as wide at the bottom and has a wider split.  So I think if they make the skirt wider at the bottom, your problem MAY be solved.  I'm no dress maker, but after watching my seamstress pretty much re-build my dress from scratch, I've noticed how material tends to fall naturally and that's what it looks like to me.  Again, I may very well be wrong, but it's worth a try

 

HTH!!

 

 

[lleow3]

That is true- businesses are always competitive and things always come up to fill the void.

 

I guess I'm somewhat surprised that China brides are paying such similar amounts as us online gown-buyers, and yet the Suzhou gownmakers are willing to do business with the online market, spending so much time in a typically anxiety-ridden(difficult?) communication process, and charge really similar amounts. I'm surprised that they're not charging more?

Maybe it is too competitive (too many Suzhou gownmakers) that they're are better off doing business online/overseas. Maybe?

[prettypigpig]

lleow,

 

Most of the Suzhou dressmakers export to Europe and North America already, and the labor cost is relatively cheap.  That is why most of them are willing to deal with online clients given the incremental variable cost per dress made is so low.

 

As for their local market...Have you ever met a bride/ client from Mainland China? Some of them are like "I would rather jump off the bridge than serving her" type.  Plus, unlike online trasctions, when it is face-to-face transaction, they can't really/ not easy to just give the money back and ask the bride to find someone else+good luck with your dress and your future husband.

Usually, they can charge more to local brides, because brides can see+touch the real dress in real time with all the tiny details.  It is harder to charge higher price to an online client based on a photo.  As a result, some will use cheaper quality materials to make the same dress to compete online.

[[email protected]]

From all of these I saw that the sashes and belts usually don't come out well so I have a back up plan  This website:http://www.shinetrim.com/appliques/rhinestone-crystal?gclid=CJXH_rqXuKgCFRtKgwodSBrSBA

has relatively inexpensive but elegeant looking appliques.  I'll probably be buying the satin, chiffon, or ribbon myself and either hand sewing or gluing the applique on.

 

Don't spend so much mony on the belt.  They've become popular and they are really easy to make.  Just get the right applique and hand sew or glue on.

[[email protected]]

Here is my dress so far from dhgate:

And here was the original:

I asked to be not organza because I don't like the shininess of organze from most of the chinese makers.  The lace is soft and the dress as ordered in light blue.  They made a big deal about the quality of the sash so I'm anxious to see that.  It will need a crinoline to pouf but I figured as much.  I had the top bust made a little higher to accomodate my chest.  I would rather have it altered bc it is too big than too small.  Can't wait to get it!