Dress Style Suggestions?

[EricaR]

I have my first appointment to try on dresses this weekend at David''s Bridal, mostly because their big sale is going on and I loves me a bargin!

The problem is that I have NO IDEA where to start! I am not a skinny minnie at all - I wear about a US size 12 and am rather busty. I am worried that a strapless dress wouldn''t give me the support I need, especially since I really need to be wearing a bra. I don''t seem to have a photo of myself on this computer, but can post one this afternoon. We are getting married on a beach and want to be barefoot, so something lighter and breezier would probably fit the location best.

Anyone have some style suggestions for me? Or even specific dresses? The dresses I am most drawn to are soft, maybe lacey, not so much with the huge poofey skirt and I while I think the mermaid style dresses look really nice I don''t think they would work on my body shape. Help!

 

[sunnyd]

The first thing that popped into my head was a V-neck in front and back with wide shoulder straps. Other than that...I got nothin. But the dress gurus will! I have faith in them!

 

[ladyciel]

My suggestion is to just go and try on EVERYTHING. You may be surprised about what works and what doesn''t, and furthermore, just because one dress of a certain style doesn''t work doesn''t mean that STYLE is the problem. Sometimes it''s just that particular dress. Also, as for the girls, you''ll be pleasantly surprised just how much support most of the dresses already have built into them. It''s as if they''re designed to stand on their own and hold you up at the same time (rather than vice versa). A good bustier can also make all the difference if you find a dress you love that doesn''t hold you up well enough.

Have fun!!!

 

[Erin]

If you are rather busty, the thing you''re going to have to consider first and foremost is how the top portion of the dress fits.

If you don''t think you can hold up a strapless without a boustiere then mention that to your sales lady so you can wear one during all your trying on.
Otherwise, halters can look great as long as they don''t smoosh.
I am a 36 D/DD depending on which one you''re talking about - okay TMI - but I chose a regular sleeveless tank style top.
I sometimes envision what it would look like if I altered it into a plunging Vneck with more than enough coverage...
The idea is to maximize your smallest measurement - your waist. This will balance out your bust and hips proportions.

 

[EricaR]

I figured I''d also post a few links to dresses that appeal to me...

Love the shape of this one, but it might be too stiff for a beach wedding: Dress 1

This one feels light and breezy, it is a bit too long in the back: Dress 2

Same as above with the feel, but it is a bit too short: Dress 3

I wish my quilting skill transferred over to sewing clothing because I am soooo picky I almost wish I could make my own dress!

 

[EricaR]

Wow! Fast replies!!!

By busty I mean 36DDD. And I don''t ever lose weight in that area.

I am in the process of losing about 30-35lbs, but my overall body shape doesn''t change when I''m skinnier.

Luckily I do have a bit of a curvy body so my waist is fairly slim...

 

[Haven]

I second the advice to try on EVERYTHING.

I''d also make sure you try on dresses from multiple retailers before making your decision. I was shocked at how different the dresses looked on me from different stores. (I was a bit depressed for a while during my first dress shopping trip because I thought I looked awful in everything. Then I went to a different store and looked thin and gorgeous in every dress, so don''t get discouraged!)

I thought I knew what I wanted before I went dress shopping, and I ended up buying a completely different dress than I had envisioned. I''m also busty, (34D or 36D, depends on the brand, street size 6 to and I chose a strapless Melissa Sweet dress in the end. I purchased a dress from DB originally that was also strapless, but that one didn''t hold up as well as the MS dress. Some strapless dresses are cut well enough that they just stay up there, and others make you feel like you''re going to want to tug them up at the bodice all day long.

I hope you find some dresses that you love! Take lots of pictures and post them on PS. That''s what I did and I couldn''t thank the ladies enough for all of their helpful feedback.

 

[ladyciel]

Date: 3/10/2008 12:22:20 PM
Author: EricaR
Wow! Fast replies!!!


By busty I mean 36DDD. And I don''t ever lose weight in that area.

I am in the process of losing about 30-35lbs, but my overall body shape doesn''t change when I''m skinnier.


Luckily I do have a bit of a curvy body so my waist is fairly slim...

Hmmm. Have you found any strapless bras before, longline or not, that could hold you up? I did a quick google search and came up with this: http://www.biggerbras.com/catalog/bras-and-lingerie-by-size.cfm?size=36DDD
It looks like they have at least a handful of bustier/longline type bras that might have a chance of doing the trick. If you have any specialty lingerie shops near you they might also be able to help. I think your biggest problem may be that you''ll have to order your dress to fit your bust and have it taken in everywhere else. The flowing styles you''ve posted may be much easier to alter that way than a really structured, boned dress. I have my fingers crossed for you that you find something you love!!

 

[EricaR]

So far I am planning on trying dresses on EVERYWHERE! But at the same time, if I find a killer deal this weekend I''ll probably pick it up. My plan is to re-sell my dress on eBay or Craigslist, so even if I end up with two dresses I don''t expect it to be tooooo difficult to offload the "extra". I''m in an area that is filled with bridal boutiques so I have lots of options.

 

[surfgirl]

I echo Lady Ciel, try on every style they have (not every dress, just all the styles) so you can narrow down which cuts and styles work best on you. You will find that dresses you love look like crap on you, and dresses you loathe, will look fabulous. Wedding dresses are a crap shoot, you just never know...Have fun!

 

[EricaR]

I figured I''d throw up a photo of me, just in case.....

I am planning to try on every basic style of dress, but since they only give you an hour in the store I want to make the most of my time. This photo is about a year old, but you can get the basic idea of what shape I am.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Based on your body type, here are my suggestions:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3580&prodgroup=10-mermaid shapes are good if the trumpet at the bottom doesn''t come up too high and this one has some lovely lace
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3334&prodgroup=10 For ladies lucky enough to have such a large endowment, empire waists can really look good and they often make people look taller and leaner
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2977&prodgroup=10 This my favorite. It is flowy for the beach but still special with the beading. I think the shape would be killer on your body so you should really consider something like it.

I think straps would be great on you. They give a longer line with is slimming to the body and more flattering to most face shapes that strapless, plus you get better support. I would especially wary of strapless is flimsyer gowns like what you want.

 

[Laurenj915]

Fun! I want to help. Your dress number one is my wedding dress. I don't know if it is good for a beach wedding but if you go to Alfred Angelo try it on. The fabric is very light. It looks very different in ivory. I posted it below


I like these dresses at Davids
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=3355&prodgroup=10

I love the back of this one and the front looks terrible on the hanger but I thought it was pretty on.
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2836&prodgroup=10

 

[SarahLovesJS]

So exciting! I really like the first dress you posted. With your body shape I definitely think you could pull off most dresses. Personally I would try on everything like most of the girls have said, but a mermaid dress might look great. Try some dresses with sweatheart necklines and halters, they tend to be more flattering. I am quite busty myself and I ended up going with a sweetheart strapless dress. Hope that helps!

 

[Harleigh]

Hi Erica!

I really like the first Alfred Angelo you posted, as well as the last Oleg Cassini that b_i_h posted.

The Alfred Angelo is very similar to the Casablanca 1831 I ordered myself, but it has regular straps, not off the shoulder, which is something I continually have a problem with (my shoulders already slope, so didn''t want to be restricted with that type of sleeve!) This seems to be a similar look to the one you posted...

I am also getting married in a garden overlooking the beach in Maui, and I don''t think it''s too heavy...the fabric is a lovely tafetta and though it may not look very flowy, the material moves really well. There are a few other brides on here with the same dress that have shown their wedding photos, so you may want to do a search.

I went back to one of the salons and took some more (better) pictures of me in the sample gown, so maybe I''ll post them tomorrow (meds are kicking in and I can feel myself starting to nod off already! Sheesh, being sick and this time change might kill me!) so you can get a better idea.

Good luck, and can''t wait to see your dress try-ons!

 

[bee*]

I adore the first dress you posted-it''s beautiful! Definitely try on everything and anything. I haven''t started dress shopping yet-I''m waiting until the summer as I want to lose a bit more weight, but I''m definitely planning to try on all styles even ones which I''m not too keen on, just in case they suit my body type.

 

[EricaR]

I like quite a few of the ones you guys posted! I never thought about halter tops before, but they might be very flattering for me. The friend who is going with me is soooo excited that it is infectious. I''m going to try and get her to take photos to post since I know you gals will give me your honest opinions.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=2997&prodgroup=127 is one I would try on. Its a style that flatters my figure and I have more curves than I know what to do with.

Peice of advice: Do not impulse buy.

There are dresses at Davids that cost more than what I paid for mine. If you don''t fall in love, don''t buy just because it seems like a good bargain.