The Dress

I never thought I would end up wearing a mermaid style dress but after trying on lots of ball gown styles, but this one just fit my body like a glove, showed off all the right curves and I felt so extravagant and special – I mean how often do you get to wear a Vera Wang dress?? It was the one and I never looked back, buying it on the spot!! On the day I felt amazing, it is a one of a kind dress but you can easily move in it, eat and dance…in fact it covers all sins :)

I did remove the lace around the neck from the original design (see dress window pic) as I thought it looked better strapless and I really wanted to wear a statement necklace! The hem was shortened only very slightly so I did not trip - I am 5'7 and was wearing 3 inch heels. This is a label size 10 dress but I am a 6/8 and it fit perfectly...it can be taken in though for smaller sizes. I used the best of the best seamstress - Ann at 'A Stitch in Time' in Beverly Hills - they do all the Oscar dresses and she specializes in Vera Wang. She did add a way to 'bustle' the back of the dress for the reception so that it didn't drag on the floor, these bustle ties have since been removed so you can add your own. I also had bra cups inserted in the dress, so that I did not have to wear a bra with the dress. After my honeymoon I knew that I really wanted someone else to get the same joy out of wearing this dress so I took all the necessary steps to get it back to it's former glory. The dress has been professionally cleaned at 'Longs Dry Cleaners' in Brentwood, and looks the same as when I bought it, minus the lace at the top. I also took it back to Ann at 'A Stitch In Time' to remove the bustle ties and fix 2 slight rips at the back of the skirt where it had come away from the bustle. She also trimmed any fringing that had run together so that it is good as new. It has been pressed and is hanging in plastic waiting for a new owner. The skirt will just need a little steaming before wear to achieve its fullness, which is what I did before my wedding.