So upset. Dry Cleaner shrunk my Shower Dress

I went to the dry cleaner last week. I bought a brand new BCBG dress for $280. It was a bit big so I took it to the dry cleaner by my mother's house.
Big Mistake.

I tried it on tonight (shower is Sunday) and the woman cut off too much material from the straps. It looks like a mini dress now and it's totally ruined.

I've wasted 280 dollars on a dress, 29 dollars in alterations and I have nothing to wear to my shower.

I've been crying and my mom feels so bad. She has no idea that I know my shower is on Sunday... I can tell she is panicking...

wow I'm so sorry...is there anyway you can just return the dress to BCBG, are the tags still on them? they won;t know you altered it. Then maybe go to another BCBG and get that dress again?
Sorry if I am no help.

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Posted by FutureMrsJ08

wow I'm so sorry...is there anyway you can just return the dress to BCBG, are the tags still on them? they won;t know you altered it. Then maybe go to another BCBG and get that dress again?
Sorry if I am no help.

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I wish I had the tags on but they aren't on it. I rarely ever buy any of those dresses full price and now I finally did and it's ruined


Thank you for reaching out.

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Posted by Gigi08

Is it just that she cut the straps too short or the actual fabric shrunk?

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When I tried it on, there was makeup stains on it. It was the only one left at Lord and Taylor so I took a chance.

I had her shorten the straps and dry clean it. It's so short now and the straps are way too short. I'm so sad....

Your welcome...I guess theres not much time...do you have time to go to the mall tomorrow and find something? I know it won't be like the BCBG dress but maybe you will find something you really like.

So just the straps then? There's no way she can do something to extend the a little again. Sometimes when they take them in, they leave a little on the inside, no? There has to be a way to salvage it. It's such an expensive dress. Go back tomorrow and see if there's something she can do if it's only the straps. Maybe she can take fabric from somewhere else on the dress and use it to extend the strap a little. Some seamstresses can do wonders!

Can she take the straps off and make it strapless??

Post a pic of your dress from online, maybe that will help us come up with some ideas!

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Posted by Ayne11

Can she take the straps off and make it strapless??

Post a pic of your dress from online, maybe that will help us come up with some ideas!

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this is what i would suggest! OR could you take a little off the hem and extend the straps??? i'm so sorry this happened!

Hey ladies,

You're all so sweet. I couldn't find a picture of the dress but it's not the kind of dress that you can make strapless.

It's just so upsetting because you all know how it is to save $$ for the wedding. I feel like I've been saving and the one time I splurged, it's gotten totally ruined....

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Posted by Gigi08

So just the straps then? There's no way she can do something to extend the a little again. Sometimes when they take them in, they leave a little on the inside, no? There has to be a way to salvage it. It's such an expensive dress. Go back tomorrow and see if there's something she can do if it's only the straps. Maybe she can take fabric from somewhere else on the dress and use it to extend the strap a little. Some seamstresses can do wonders!

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Thanks so much. You're so sweet.

I'm going to go there tomorrow and maybe she can salvage the straps and make it a little longer.... I hope so... I am thinking VERY mean thoughts about the dry cleaning lady right now......

HEY CINDY!!! OMG I'm so sorry that happened to your dress, how aggravating!!! Please don't get too upset though, I'm sure the dry cleaner will either fix it or reimburse you for the dress, particularly if your mom'sa regular customer!!! Secondly, you're a gorgeous girl and you could wear a mumu and still look like a movie star. Seriously. If there's no 'fix' they can make you'll have time tomorrow to get something smashing as a plan 'B', don't worry about that. And please don't cry, if you're like me it'll just make your eyes puffy til Sunday!!!


Do you think the straps can be changed outright, i.e., go for a coordinating strap or even a jeweled strap? You could buy that at a decent fabric store OR the DC might have something on hand that would work????

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Posted by Colette

HEY CINDY!!! OMG I'm so sorry that happened to your dress, how aggravating!!! Please don't get too upset though, I'm sure the dry cleaner will either fix it or reimburse you for the dress, particularly if your mom'sa regular customer!!! Secondly, you're a gorgeous girl and you could wear a mumu and still look like a movie star. Seriously. If there's no 'fix' they can make you'll have time tomorrow to get something smashing as a plan 'B', don't worry about that. And please don't cry, if you're like me it'll just make your eyes puffy til Sunday!!!


Do you think the straps can be changed outright, i.e., go for a coordinating strap or even a jeweled strap? You could buy that at a decent fabric store OR the DC might have something on hand that would work????

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Collette, you're such a sweetheart. Thank you.... I really appreciate your positive words and I think I'm 'all cried out.'
I'm going to figure out a Plan B and try to remain positive.

You're a doll..... How are you feeling? Is the little one kicking alot???

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Posted by Soon2beAlberti

how thick are the straps? maybe if u show her how she messed up she can change the straps completely if its a simple thin spaghetti strap

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It's a thicker strap unfortunately..... sigh....

Oh GOOD!!! And heck yeah, the little guy is kicking up a storm, usually when I lay down for the night!!!
Let us know what happens with the frock honey, ALL WILL BE WELL!!!!

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Posted by eternitybride

did she keep the fabric she took off? She may be able to add on a flounce or something if its the kind of dress that will allow it, to add some length?

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I tried it on tonight after the dry cleaner was closed. I don't think she is the type of person to keep the extras but thank you for reaching out!!!