The Saga of the Dress, Part 72

On the suggestion of a great reader, I checked out a website that offered custom made dresses for very inexpensive prices. Eshakti offers customization for $7.50. That seemed like a really reasonable price to me on dresses that were reasonable already - think $50-$65 for nice, higher level look dresses.

I need to clarify why I spend so much time buying online. It's tough for me to get to stores with my husband's schedule and kids home, and when I do shop locally, I can never seem to find things that I like that fit me well - I almost always come back with a bad case of body hatred. I find stuff I like online all the time. Plus, there's that whole Package in the Mail!!!! hyperventilation that goes along with mail order.

So I picked two dresses.

Part of the problem I have in buying dresses is that I'm gifted with both boobs and a butt. My measurements are 38/30 (underbust), 28, 38. I also have thicker arms and a broad back, so often sleeves are too tight and the back is snug. I thought that ordering custom fit would solve it.

So I entered my measurement on Tuesday morning. The site said 3 days to create + 3-4 days to ship = arrival in one week. It'd be tight, but I thought I'd be able to get them before I left for NYC. And then I waited.

Thursday at 1 p.m. 48 hours later...

My email showed a message from Eshakti. My measurements didn't make sense, so they RECALLED my order and I needed to REORDER. I flipped out. Called and discovered, on a call that had a three second delay + a non native American speaker + a severe echo, that my bust had been entered as a 28. Not a 38, so my measurements didn't make sense and they canceled it. I begged and pleaded and finally, she agreed to take my measurements and start the order as soon as I'd email a confirmation - but it won't ship until WEDNESDAY. And I leave Wednesday, so I thought about having it shipped to the hotel in NYC - but now I wonder if it will even get THERE in time. And I wanted the blue dress to wear at the Gala - you know, the one for which I am a finalist???

I wanted to know a) why they waited two days to tell me that the order didn't make sense and b) if I could get overnight shipping - I even offered to pay for it in my email. I've heard NOTHING.

And now I'm totally hosed, annoyed, and STILL DRESSLESS. Which is TOO a word.

Comments

[Brandy]

Yikes! I don't buy many dresses, but when I do I buy from Coldwater Creek and Land's End. I wish I could be of more help. Crossing my fingers for you!

[amie]

Oh no! This is getting worse. Any luck at Macys?When are the alterations on the other dress expected to be done?

[KG]

OK, I'm with Amie- try Macy's. Leave the kids tomorrow & just go. Or talk yourself into loving a dress you already have, not nearly as fun I know, but I think the dress stress has taken all the fun out of the new outfit deal as it is. Maybe a new necklace or something instead?
I'd cancel that custom deal. That may not fit either so even if you had it sent to NYC you could still be looking at nothing.
Besides, we all love you even in jeans & a tee! It'll be OK. Although I too would REALLY want the new dress!
Good luck!

[ggroszek]

Why don't you just wear what you do Sunday mornings? I think you look great! OK, just a suggestion:-/ G

[addy]

Gahhhhh - it never ends! Do you have Cache` on the East Coast? A little pricey but very nice.

[A Simple Twist of Faith]

Try Dress Barn, not too expensive and the staff is always helpful. The one by the library has a good selection.

[UKCraftySal]

Oh no! I'm with KG: go with something you already have, and treat yourself to a new accessory. The dress-stress is going off the scale. Whatever you wear, your inner beauty will shine through.

[Megan]

Maybe you could just wear jeans and t-shirts to the Gala...you are giving a speech, right, so make your speech about the dress saga. I bet people would relate like hell and love it.

Seriously, though, I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. And I have to correct what I said in my last comment -- I DO buy figure skating dresses online, since I'd have to travel 2-3 hours to buy them in person, and it goes about like what you've been through. In fact, I don't know why I'm reading this when I should be starting to look for next season.

[Sandra]

if the dresses don't arrive, i say go shopping in one of the best cities to shop in NYC. ;-)

[Kait]

I've ordered a couple dresses off EShakti and while the quality of the dresses have always been good, the actual sizing has not. They've been monstrously huge or way too short or just awful all around.

Which is not being said to further increase your stress but to instead encourage you to have a backup plan.

Regardless, I'm sure you will look lovely at BlogHer.

[tiffany uk]

I remember that post. You really touched my heart with that one because it resonated with me.

[tiffany uk]

I remember that post. You really touched my heart with that one because it resonated with me.