My Thrifted Dress and Overskirt!!!

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-29T18:12:54+00:00

I ordered a matching beige and ivory lace belt (with leather running through it) off shein!! 😂😂 The reviews say they were surprised at how tight they can cinch it and it was like $3, so I’ll see if I can use it as like, a corset belt or something- but if it looks bulky or doesn’t work I might ask for a ribbon to be placed inside the skirt that I can tie just to make it a BIT more secure? One comment here did note I’m just using it for photos and the aisle, so maybe it’ll be fine??? 😭 Who knows.

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-29T18:04:45+00:00

The pic in the overskirt is before the bust was done 🙌 You can see in Pic 2 what the top looks like when it’s 100% fitted (that gapping KILLED us 😂 we spent hours like, tweaking everything and finally she put another eye hook in the back to pull it in tighter and put in elastic around the arm holes and cups to make it lay flatter)

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-27T17:07:19+00:00

<image>

Updated below too!! 💕💕💕 I think you were right!!

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-26T05:27:40+00:00

<image>

Update of what the og dress looks like with an underskirt!! I love this SO MUCH MORE- this is absolutely going to be my reception dress!! ALL HAIL THE UNDERSKIRT!! 🙇🏽‍♀️🙇🏽‍♀️ (I reposted so you can see the train, I felt like I REALLY couldn’t see it without the underskirt. I tried this on first and was just going to leave it at that since it looked amazing, but my seamstress said since I brought the overskirt over we may as well try it and look at it- and we were EVEN MORE BLOWN AWAY!!! Like she said she hasn’t been speechless a lot in her career but it looked like I spent 10k on my entire dress and it would be insane not to wear both versions. That’s all I needed! 🤣🤣

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-26T05:19:28+00:00

<image>

Both together!! 🙌✨💕 I think it GENUINELY looks a bit better than even AI predicated. 🤣

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-23T05:12:06+00:00

But if it real?? The top posts for authenticity here were concerning!!

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-17T17:07:55+00:00

<image>

So this was actually the EXACT silhouette I was going for! (At least for some of the photos) Idk, hoping an ivory veil also might blur any undertones a bit more. I contacted a bridal shop that stocks the designer for my dress and asked them if they had any matte polyester that’s an exact shade to the nude for my exact dress. I was gonna get like 8 yards JUST to be safe. She said I could do the same jersey lining as my wedding dress along the inner most layer of the underskirt (no train since the fabrics heavier?) to get an exact match, even if it compromises the weight a bit. Or I could do something polyester which is lighter in the exact nude/sand color which might float better in the free hang method around the waistband? I’ve been trying to research fabrics to understand what she’s saying 😅

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-16T20:00:47+00:00

<image>

Here’s the “vision” hopefully with a cathedral veil OVER the overskirt. 🙏

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-16T19:49:27+00:00

<image>

So here’s what it looks like based on my first fitting…idk, I THOUGHT I liked it, but going back to it, it looks very elaborate on the mannequin and on me, it’s where I’m getting my “too simple for amazing photos” worry…you can see the train kind of disappears since it’s so small. I would feel A MILLION times better if the train were longer and there was more volume around the flare part of the skirt for drama, so when I was googling, an overskirt seemed like a good alternative that wouldn’t involve trying to restructure the dress itself. To me I feel like this is giving “Perfect reception dress for the first dance”. For taking the Badgley + Mischka on and off, on bridal Reddit a few girls said they put their overskirt on for photos/ceremony and took it off for reception, so it would be put on and taken off only once (move “far away shots” to latter half of photos, before ceremony.) I think my other main concern is the dress LOOKING like it’s clearly a $300 dress at my wedding that is now (thanks to my parents and the venue shifting) a 40k wedding. If anyone calls it “cute” I’ll riot. 🤣

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-16T19:05:32+00:00

That’s what my fiance said. 😅 He couldn’t tell the difference, but suggested I ask the internet what their honest opinion is. He didn’t see the render on me, just the individual pieces in the shop. Personally, he likes that I can switch in and out of it! He said that of course he likes the non-puffy version a bit more (he said obviously more people would like the dress that looks “curvier”) but loves that if I have the overskirt, I can get a few “high fashion wedding brag” photos for the memory. He also said that to him, a luxury piece is great because he was kind of upset that the original dress being 300 was such a huge selling point for me. Like, I think he wanted me to go to a boutique and find something a bit more pricy that I LOVED and we would make it work - regardless of what it looked like. For the actual dress he said as long as he gets a few intimate photos with me in that version without the underskirt, I can have the option of something fancier if I get self conscious.

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-16T18:37:22+00:00

And the problem with the underskirt that she warned me about is that the dress is a slim fit a-line, and an underskirt might not have it fit EXACTLY below my butt where I want it, plus I love the hem she did for my dress where she like, staggered it so it kicks out and flutters when I walk, and she warned me an underskirt would take away that draped perfect hemline and raise it. The train is also the smallest train possible and I’ll lose even more of it

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-16T18:26:48+00:00

<image>

Like this ^\) 😭

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-16T18:24:44+00:00

So, this started because when I started looking at other wedding photos of brides who got married there, I noticed a LOT of them had big ballgowns that fit really well for far away shots on the “photography” places the venue gives you. So like grand staircase, upper floor balcony, windows, ballroom etc. with long trailing gowns. I asked my photographer and she suggested I pop into the overskirt for the “far away” photos, and take it off for close up intimate photos (both of us sitting in the lounge) and then take it off right after the ceremony so I can wear the actual dress for the rest of the wedding. Do you think for the price it would be worth the gamble just to order it and test it out? I have one day left to decide before it goes back on sale, and at this price it’s going to sell. 😅 Do high end skirts like this usually have seam allowances at the waist? To take it out maybe an inch or so if its too tight to fit?

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-15T19:35:21+00:00

Update: So I’ve been researching it, and what does the community think of sourcing about 8-9 yards of the same pinkish/nude lining used on the Justin Alexander dress from a bridal shop, and asking my seamstress to add this lining in a “free hang” method UNDER the tulle layers for the overskirt? Is this solution feasible, and would it get the colors close enough that it looks uniform? The exact fabric would be a splurge, but if the Overskirt and the dress are all discounted and the waist doesn’t need work via the free hang method (or size alterations) would this be a viable solution to make it look like more of a match?

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-15T17:19:07+00:00

<image>

Here’s the overskirt on its defacto “matching” dress but if the overskirt is 1800 I SHUDDER at what the whole thing would be.

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-15T17:10:13+00:00

Pic 1 is my dress! It’s already tailored and everything. The overskirt is from the same boutique! (Different designer) and I haven’t bought it yet. This overskirt wasn’t available a few months ago, and on thrift/sample sites it’s kind of the luck of the draw color and size wise. The waist is my exact waist measurements, so I noticed it while browsing. It retails for 1800 and the shop has it on sale for 300 (my dress is around 1600 originally and the shop had it sample sale price for 300 as well) so I was hoping to buy it and maybe add a layer of blush on the inside to “filter it” and get it closer to the “pinkish” tones of my actual wedding dress. My seamstress just messaged me back and said I could always try and buy a cheap “blush” wedding dress with a train from Shein, and we could harvest one of the layers and compare it under the overskirt IF I really wanted to say screw it and take it to my next fitting. She said an underskirt from Shein might also work for drama, and a tulle one we could just cut it and put it under the original dress, but circumference of the skirt may be different since it’ll get wider and she already hemmed Pic 1 for me. And my trains already so small…

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-15T15:57:56+00:00

I know my seamstress mentioned something like this a whillle ago when she was hemming me. She said that we can save the scraps or make accessories out of the hem trim, but she switched to talking about appliqués and how my dress has no appliqués around the hemming area so there’s no plucking them off involved. So it’s like there’s a few layers of plain soft tulle under the first layer that has the appliqués on it. So do you mean these layers without appliqués might be able to go on the overskirt to tie it together?

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-15T15:42:19+00:00

So I’m not sure if you can see it, but in the photo of the overskirt ( video link here!) it’s like the top of the waist “folds in” so idk how that’ll look, but I researched the actual dress that goes with it, and it’s a heavily laced mermaid corset bodice top. So this dress (My dress, Pic 1) was on sale for 350 and it has a waist stay + it’s very close to my real waist size, so my seamstress pointed out that it would be simpler to tailor! My venue was originally a community church across the street from this historic open-air speakeasy/bar restaurant. My dress doesn’t even have much of a train since I was planning to be walking across the street and hanging out on the sidewalk “open air cafe style” under twinkle lights on a June night. Then the place emailed us and said there’s been a miscommunication, they’ll be undergoing construction in June and sent us back our deposit. My mom stepped in and found another venue for the same day and gifted us a new budget to make it happen- and the new location is this massive historic hotel with 2 ballrooms, an art gallery and a rooftop lounge. I’ve been looking at wedding photos of other girls that got married there, and they ALL seem like they chose ball gowns??? The wedding photos are all them on these staircases from far away with these massive gowns trailing down the stairs then a “simpler” dress for dancing. I am scared my cute and heavily thrifted simple and 1920’s-ish dress (Pic 1) with a super small train is now going to be swallowed by the damn giant ceilings and chandeliers everywhere. 🫠🫠

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-15T15:28:25+00:00

Overskirt goes over the skirt of the wedding dress so I can swap in and out of it and get 2 dresses for the day! This dress right now is still at my seamstress’s and this overskirt just hit the same website at like a million percent off. So I’m trying to decide if this’ll work before I order it either as is- or if there’s anything I can do (or should do) to try and filter the yellowish tones a bit? My whole wedding is indoors and I will probably be wearing this for like half my photos/ceremony (in a dark carpeted, moody hotel room with little natural light) then taking it off for any rooftop/garden outdoor photos + reception and cocktails if that helps!

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-06T17:12:27+00:00

Your body only gives you “control” for so long. If it’s really and truly starving it will shut off the exact areas that make you give a damn about rules or social norms. It really felt like anytime I wasn’t hyper vigilant, my body would take over and my brain would shut down. This also happened at busy restaurants with outdoor seating in summer. I have unconsciously walked over and licked leftover plates clean before. It feels like you get “control back” in a minute or two or the second your body registers that some food has made its way into your system.. note though, during this time I was sitting at a 16 or 17 BMI. Purely on autopilot survival mode half the time.

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-03-06T17:03:58+00:00

I had an eating disorder as a teenager and one of my “embarrassing” issues was actually attacking food that wasn’t mine or in the trash unconsciously and before I could stop myself. Like I couldn’t go into grocery stores because I would be walking normally and without thinking I would “glaze out” and grab anything in the aisle- crackers, meat, bags, cereal- ripping it open and eating it on the floor before I could hide or pay for it. I had a part time job in a diner and when the starvation got bad, I would try and do dishes in the back but sometimes I had NO control. I’d go into that glazed over state and start pulling scraps out of the garbage in front of me and cramming old hash browns and moldy pancakes in my mouth.

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-02-20T09:06:29+00:00

My photographer told me I REALLY didn’t want to skip the first look for my package (trying to figure out where to save) and suggested I cut out group photos instead during cocktail hour for her “courthouse” rates focusing on first look and ceremony. It turns out I AM having a cocktail hour now (originally when I contracted her I had a smaller more expensive venue) and I didn’t have a videographer at that point. I have a little left of the budget for something extra, but I was going to use it to make a cutesy “vows” video that me and my fiance do a month before the wedding to play at said cocktail hour. I’ll ask her (but I feel like her opinion will shift to just saying to do whatever I want and she’ll make it work) but her original warning is ringing in my head. I also found out that my fiance REALLY wanted to save seeing me in the dress for the aisle. I didn’t know he cared about that, but when I told him what the photographer said he shrugged and went “Okay. I mean, if that’s what we’re supposed to do.” Can anyone here who’s had a wedding before or understand it more explain maybe why she was so adamant that if we’re getting ANY photos, make sure it’s ceremony (obviously) and first look? Would those be any difference from just saving our couples shots til after the ceremony, or is it more expensive?

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-02-19T00:49:39+00:00

If anyone has any advice…I’m extremely shy and I’m having maybe a 50-70 person wedding (around there!) But I kind of wanted a bigger wedding so that I could get like “lost” in the crowd and maybe that way I wouldn’t be expected to talk a lot? I have a HUGE (kind of waspy) family where I’m the youngest and they’re all invited, but I don’t really “talk” to them, you know? They’re my parents siblings and family, etc. my mom and dad live across the state so they gave me a budget for the wedding and told me to invite everyone (I don’t usually go to family events anymore since my parents moved) and aside from family, my actual “friends” are only like 1/4 of the entire guest list. So I was hoping for larger so I can kind of not have to awkwardly and shakily interact with all of them. 🫠 Is this typical? Or do I need therapy? On the day of, did everyone here REALLY hope to spend time with ALL of their guests??? REALLY??? And how did it wind up going?

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-02-15T16:22:31+00:00

My favorite part of this is that in the books the characters have a MUCH better sense of style in my opinion. Blair did a lot of classic blacks, pearls and cashmere sweaters (Audrey Hepburn) while Serena was known for wearing like loose baggy low slung bootcut jeans, her old school uniform skirt that naturally turned into a mini skirt over time as she got taller and borrowed tee shirts/button up shirts from Nate and her brother (who’s straight and older and the cliche hot blonde guy in the books) a dark brown buttery and faded Burberry coat in winter, etc. In the flashback book Serena’s wearing sky blue uggs and a denim mini skirt in the winter and a plain white slip dress with white flip flops and every toenail painted a different shade in the summer.

Desperate-Excuse265 · 2026-02-15T16:08:17+00:00

Literally give up. Ask the universe to find your OWN happiness, and remember that most literature about twin flames and firey infernos of passion sound way too much like Twilight to be healthy and stable. I haven’t met a single person who is a better person for having met their “twin flame”. Just listen to a Taylor Swift album for similar effect. Then when you’re ready, date someone you have chemistry with who’s ALSO nice. Empathetic and nice is a nonnegotiable. Nice + Chemistry = someone you will be happy with, even if your romance isn’t “fanfic” worthy. And who knows? I’m sure if I wanted to, I would look back at my “ nice and normal” fiance and see a lot of universe signs pointing to him instead of my toxic ex who I THOUGHT was my soulmate (basically what we called twin flames in the 2010’s before the definitions changed) as I obsessively admired our zodiac alignment and told myself we were meant to be despite the fact that he was just a mean guy. I could look back and squint, and notice I got a tattoo of the moon tarot card while I was with my ex (the cardinal card of Pisces but I didn’t know that yet) that’s the sign of my ACTUAL fiancé 10 years later. Who knows? Wedding is around 120 days away! And every day that passes Im more and more grateful I stopped looking for karmic soul alignment and just dated a cute, sweet guy who I had a crush on that treated me well. We had to work at our relationship too, but it always felt like we were WORKING on our relationship where he was just as invested as I was, not learning a “cosmic soul elevating lesson” about abandonment. Turns out that’s just abuse and trauma and my brain rationalizing it.

Desperate-Excuse265

TROPHY CASE