Ladies, hide your purses. Quel Objet is a French import…
Little Dress…Big Trouble
Here’s the Dolce and Gabbana dress that cost me 4 hours of sleep last night. Despite the description, it does have straps. I’ve pretty much decided not to buy it (sort of, maybe). Here are the pros and cons that have been flopping around my head:
Pro – Gorgeous. Literally, the only thing I’ve found that has worked well. Fits like a dream.
Con – $800?!
Pro – Originally $2,800 (!) and currently 75% off. The bargain factor is cruelly motivating.
Con – $800 🙁
Pro – Pockets!
Con – Kind of funny looking when seated.
Pro – Dolce and Gabbana!
Con – I could probably get something similar from J.Crew for $300.
Pro – I could sell the cool logo belt it comes with on eBay and get even a little bit more money back?
Con – The zipper than runs down the whole back is a little weird.
Pro – I’m not spending that much money on my other wedding dress, so I could splurge a bit. I have the money.
Con – I’m so cheap. Buying it will give me heartburn for a week.
Pro – Love it.
Con – $800.
I’ve bribed Margaret with a ticket to Wall-E tonight to see the dress in person and help me decide. They’ll ring it up first thing tomorrow morning unless I cancel. Which I will…maybe.
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Buy it.
yep. i agree.
its truly something you can wear again, and since you fell in love with it nothing will measure up.
just think of it this way, 800/50+ years of marriage = less than 20 bucks a year 😉
That is a beautiful dress, but I don’t think I’ve ever paid that much for a dress… I’d be scared to leave the house! 🙂
I actually just bought this dress and it wore it out last night… I’m cheap 🙂
I’m thrifty, too, and my first thought was – how about finding a seamstress who will recreate the dress, making the changes (hidden zipper) that you’d want. I can’t imagine you wouldn’t be able to get something custom made that would be half the price.
if you love the way you look in it, then you’ll love the way you look in pictures (of your reception! at your wedding!)
buy it, keep it in the closet with the receipt taped to the bag, and you’ll either get attached to it or know it has to go back (i did the same thing with a too-expensive car – which i kept and adore).
It doesn’t wow me, but if this is definitely the style you want, you could get this custom made for $200-300 easy.
the only reason why you would buy a dress like this is because the fit is amazing and the fabric is gorgeous. i have no problem spending that much money on a dress, but you mention two things that would make me think twice:
1. you think it looks funny when seated
2. you don’t really like the back zipper
if you really love it, then you should buy it. otherwise, a bargain is only worth it if you get exactly what you want.
I just have to chime in on this one. The dress is beautiful! The fact that you LOVE it will definitely show through on your face when you wear it. I generally err more on the thrifty side of clothing purchases but I do make an exception for great fitting jeans and dresses. At the very least, as Jill mentioned above, you now know what style you want and you can find a fantastic seamstress to create something similar. good luck!
you only live once babycakes!
I love it and I think the back zipper is one of the coolest parts. The fabric looks amazing in the zoomed-in pics. I’m a little concerned about the funny-looking-when-seated thing, but I’m guessing you haven’t worn many things with the big inverted pleats in front, so maybe it’s just odd because it’s new? I think the style would be really flattering on you… I spent $800 on my wedding dress and it’s not something I could wear again.
Nice dress but I guarantee you can find a similar dress elsewhere. I personally try and follow the rule that if you have any doubts about something, put the item down. If you find yourself dreaming and lusting after it later, buy it.
I say, if it is in the realm of your lifestyle/funds/independent wealth/etc then get it no doubt, but if it is a stretch- no way. Take the advice above and get one made and buy some nice heals and maybe another dress or two…
heels…oops 🙂
The zipper is not attractive and you will be seen from the rear at your reception as you make the rounds to the tables. For that price it should be totally perfect, I think.
Ehhh.. funny looking while seated and weird zipper are big cons for $800. Since you are wearing a family wedding dress, it’s a splurge you could justify ($800 for a wedding dress is *sadly* a steal these days) But, it’s too much for cons like that, I think.
Another thing to think of: Is it timeless, and do you care? It seems very “of the moment” to me, and that would really bother me in wedding pictures. But! Some people know it won’t bother them at all, and I think that’s cool too.
Buy it and wear it again to the Black & White Ball next year!!
If you love it go for it! Its worth heartburn for a month. You can’t compare J.Crew and Dolce and Gabbana, and the fact that they are only $500 apart (you think) its a steal! You need to splurge on your wedding day attire, if you shouldn’t do it for that what can you? I like the belt idea too.
Get it! It is beautiful and I actually kind of like the zipper thing. It gives a little edgy inside out feel to a totally refined, sculpted dress. I don’t remember sitting down at all at my wedding anyway.
Buy it. It’s your WEDDING – the only time you can justify $800 for a dress.
Hmm, I like it…but I don’t like the exposed zipper. I know it (and the belt) are about the only touches that make the dress standout as designer though.
This is actually a very classic design, in fact this strapless bodice with a tulip skirt would look right at home with a veil attached to the back of a matching pillbox hat. Don’t be swayed by the designer name, just the look and the fit.
For a wedding dress that is a great price though, especially if you do wear it again. But do you think you really would? Historically, that was done on the 1st anniversary but that custom died long ago. But don’t do anything that is going to stress you, go with what feels right.
I don’t feel that dress goes with the whole “feel” of your wedding. The exposed zipper freaks me out. If you totally loved it, you would have bought it then and there!
Just trying to help you make up your mind. The front (minus the belt) is lovely.
I vote no. The zipper does not go with the rest of your aesthetic. The right one will not require you to think about buying it.
I agree with zakary and kate.
I like it a lot. The exposed zipper reminds me of Narciso Rodriguez, whose dresses I love!
Buy it…it’s fantastic. Though, as a woman who owns more than 5 purses that cost over $1000, I’m probably not the best person to give advice. I am a bad girl! It’s on sale…and you would look great in it.
I’m awful at these kinds of decisions… so I have no good advice to share. I just bought a new car this weekend (it was such an agonizing decision – I don’t even buy a vacuum or purse without taking days to shop around, compare and decide). I totally empathize with your dilemma.
Whatever you decide will be the right decision though! Just don’t let it affect any more nights of sleep.
I saw Wall E this weekend too, what did you think? I have mixed feelings. I need a movie with more talking so I thought it was too long, but it had such a cute/touching/important story-line.
Buy it, girlfriend. Four hours of sleep lost is your subconscious telling you’re in love. and it’s short, so you can belt it and wear it again.
I like the Anthro shirt a bit better.. but this is way more formal if you want formal.. it’s really pretty.