Buying Wedding Dresses China Light In The Box Review

by Michelle
(Dublin, Ireland)

I bought my wedding dress from Light In The Box, a Chinese wholesaler. It was sent out 4 weeks later than agreed and, when it arrived this week, it was 2 sizes too small for me. I haven't put on any weight since ordering it and I measured myself just as shown on the tutorial on the website.

It is very pretty and of course I was very upset when I tried it on and it wouldn't fit. The difference was at least an inch and a half either side.

It is now with a local seamstress, who is going to put gussets under the arms for more width. It will cost about another €60 altogether because the zip went, while I was trying to do it up and I had to buy matching fabric from the bridal shop. The seamstress showed me that despite what the website is claiming about having an inch each side to let the dress out, that there is only about 1cm so this is not an option.
With VAT/ import duty and these alterations, the dress will have cost €350. I could have gotten one from Debenhams cheaper.

I know it is not a lot in comparison to some of the dresses being sold out there but it is not cheap either and the stress of it all just 3 weeks before the big day!

I would advise anyone thinking about ordering a Chinese Wedding Dress to get themselves measured by a professional seamstress and add a cpl of inches. It's easier to take the dress in than to have to put in the gussets.
Also although I do like the style and colour of the dress, it is so different to see it and try it on for real than on a website page.

There is no doubt it is one of the cheaper options when buying a wedding dress but give your self plenty of time (at least 6 months), when ordering, get measured properly including your underbust etc and add an inch or so either side. Most of all, be prepared to have patience and that it most likely will not look exactly like it looks on the model on the webpage, unless you are her ;-)
Good Luck xx



Hi Michelle,

Thank you so much for submitting this review of your experience with Light In The Box. Yours is the first one I have received that spoke of this company shipping out later than expected. Most brides had been saying they received their dresses earlier than expected. It just goes to show, like you mentioned, you need to give yourself plenty of time before your wedding to order your gown, just in case they run late in shipping the gown.

It's so strange that even though you sent in measurements that the sizing was that off. Something doesn't translate accurately when it comes to converting the measurements, because this complaint is consistent across the board from brides about wedding dresses bought from China based websites. Those brides who do okay with the sizing, do as you suggested because of reading reviews like this, know to go up a size or two above the size they measure for. Good thing you were able to find a sewing professional to alter your wedding gown to fit you.

Thanks again for submitting this information. I am sure your submission will be helpful to other brides thinking of ordering a dress this way.

Desiree
Perfect Wedding Dress Finder