As the Marketing Director for Watters, the manufacturer of this Watters & Watters bridesmaid dress, I came across this complaint in September 2006. Although it is 6 years later, I would first like to sympathize with this bridesmaid who had such a horrible experience with the purchase of her dress. There are a few important points to make regarding this comment:
• This report is almost 6 years old
• We no longer do business with Bridesmart
• Bridesmart no longer exists—the chain was bought by Alfred Angelo
However, maybe there is something here that other potential Watters customers could learn from this.
As a manufacturer, we strive to train our retailers properly on taking the most accurate measurements for the best size and fit. Since we all come in different shapes and sizes, we do our best to make our garments look great, whether it's a size 6 or a size 16. Without knowing this bridesmaid's measurements, I cannot comment on what the proper sizing should have been.
Here are some things to consider for those brides and bridesmaids-to-be when having your measurements taken by an authorized Watters retailer:
1. One's normal bra or jean sizes will not determine the size of your bridesmaid dress
2. If you have a large cup size or broad back, the size of the garment must be adjusted accordingly
3. The style of the gown will often determine size as different silhouettes fit various body types
4. If measurements fall in between two sizes, the largest measurements must be considered first as well as the style you are ordering.
The authorized retailer will help determine which measurements would be the easiest to alter (and least expensive for you). Remember, it's always easier to take the garment in than to let it out when making alterations. And while it's always good to think positive, try not to overestimate the results of a diet program.
While we always expect the retailer to handle any customer service issue with the customer directly, we stand behind our product. We never deny customers who call us with problems that cannot be resolved with the retailer.