Any brides my size (12-16)?

[LuluLovesDisney]

Well, I have been trying on dresses bride: ) but I seem stuck in between because all the demo dresses are 4, 6, 8 and 10 OR plus size 22, 24, 26 and I am 12/14 on top, 14/16 on the bottom right now. Everything looks pulled and bunched or else stands out 12 inches from my chest or hangs like a bag. So, it is frustrating. I can't tell you how many times my mom said "its hard to tell" about a dress!

Did anyone else have this problem?

What styles are flattering on a "borderline" plus pear figure like mine?

Pictures are nice.

 

[ElleBren]

I know exactly how you feel!! When I was shopping it drove me crazy that I could not try on the dress I liked in my size. It was really nerve racking when I was expected to order my dress without every seeing it on me. If you want to look as certain sizes check Davids bridal, while you may not get the dress there you can see what styles look good on you. They have just about all the dresses in all sizes, it was really helpful.

 

[adisneygal]

I am a 12 and I do find it ridiculous that sample dresses are 10 and under. and they run small so it's actually more like an 8. what is with the bridal industry thinking only tiny girls get married???

I am a pear shape too and I went with a princess style. Made my waist look the smallest while hiding my hips.

 

[Skylarr29]

I am the same size. I wear a 14 street clothing and sometimes a 16...well I don't buy 16's I look for another style that I can get into a 14 LOL. I bought my dress in a size 18 and then it was altered down to fit. How tall are you? Here are some photos. You can buy mine for a few hundred bucks lol. I have nothing to do with it. I had a similar problem where it was embarrassing to try to get into an 8 sample and then they wanted to put you into a 20 and you are like wth? I went into to one store and they carried there samples in 0, are you kidding me... I know I am fluffy but I don't know very many people who wear a zero. I walked in and walked right back out.

 

[RangerPooh]

When I started looking I called and asked a bridal shop if they carried any plus sizes in stock to try on in the 16-20 range as I didn't want to "visualize" an 8 on my frame. Thankfully they did. But I still ended up trying on 12s and 22s becuase the 14-20 range wasn't there. In the end the dress that I wore was a 2 piece by Venus. Like you (at the time) I was a size smaller uptoip than down below and this worked perfectly. As my dress had a corset back top I was able to synch it down to my size (almost lost too much weight for it, lol). HTH.

Here are a few picture (sorry if they are big and the bottom has an extra full crinoline...would not do again):

 

[CinderelliT]

I am exactly the same size!!! I am a 12/14 up top, and a 16 on the bottom. Dresses (and shopping for clothes in general) is a nightmare, because I am not really plus sized either! I can never find the right size.
I do pageants every year - I am currently the reigning Mrs. Arcadia - so I go through the dress ordeal every year. (I'm a bit crazy) I have learned that it is best to custom order it. I am going with a princess style ball gown. It is a Maggie Sottero, but I am going to have a talented seamstress I know make a copy of it, that is custom fit to my body.
In the past, I have had to order size 18 gowns, and they were way too big. So I ended up paying more than double the price of the gown to have it taken in. It almost doesn't seem worth it.
I would suggest either finding a dress on consignment, that is the right size, or having one created for you.
The two pieces with the lace up backs work really well too!!!
Good luck on your quest!!
I have two hot pink dresses, and an orange ball gown that would fit you!! LOL! No white though...

 

[CinderelliT]

Well, I have been trying on dresses bride: ) but I seem stuck in between because all the demo dresses are 4, 6, 8 and 10 OR plus size 22, 24, 26 and I am 12/14 on top, 14/16 on the bottom right now. Everything looks pulled and bunched or else stands out 12 inches from my chest or hangs like a bag. So, it is frustrating. I can't tell you how many times my mom said "its hard to tell" about a dress!

Did anyone else have this problem?

What styles are flattering on a "borderline" plus pear figure like mine?

Pictures are nice.

Flattering styles are going to be a-line skirts, ball gowns (princess style), and empire waists - with flowing fabric like chiffon. Corsets w/ a big poofy skirt work great b/c they make you look small and narrow up top, and you can't tell what's underneath the big skirt.
Stay away from sheaths, mermaid styles, and anything form fitting from top to bottom!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Wow, you guys are the best. I was afraid no one would post!

Melissa, you looked gorgeous! I might take you up on that offer depending on how my dress hunt this weekend goes!

CinderelliT- I can't believe you're the same size! It is tough! I used to have to go to Lane Bryant for pants, but have my mom take in the waist and then have to go to "regular" stores for tops so I always bought separates, cause nothing could be a "set" lol Now, at least I lost a few lbs. and can shop in regular stores for pants as well which makes it a little easier. But, I know what you mean, we're not true plus sizes, either, which kind of makes you feel like you fell between two mattresses pushed together lol.

RangerPooh, you looked gorgeous!!

ADisneyGal and Elle, thank you so much for the advice. It is nice to know others suffer along with me and truly looking at all you gorgeous girls has made me feel much more confident after a pretty frustrating experience so far.

 

[lpizzuro123]

I would also suggest going to Davids Bridal to try on different sizes and styles. I did this on my first dress outing and they have all styles in most sizes. This might give you an idea of what style works on your body. At first I did not want a strapless dress - I figured it would never stay up - I tried on a halter style at Davids (which I thought I wanted) and it made me look too broad on top. I tried on a strapless and from then on that was all I wanted. I did not get my dress at Davids but it was great for sizing.


Linda

 

[Ember]

*Hugs*

Hang in there, I'm a size 12/14, too. I have no idea why bridal gowns run small. Everywhere you go, they tell you this. But why?! Because making a bride take two sizes larger makes her feel good?! I think they should just normalize the sizes and have done with it.

Anyway, you'll find your dress, just keep looking.

 

[torsie24]

This thread has made me sad for dress shopping - what a shame that dress shops don't have in the average size?!?! ***?

I'm a UK 14 (US 10) but surely if they come up small I'm going to be a UK16/US12 and not be able to try any dresses on in the right size?!?

What a joke! 16 is the average size of a british woman!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

In July 2007 when I went to Alfred Angelo to try on the dress I saw on their site...they only had a 16 sample and I had lost some weight at that time, but was still a firm 18..
I am holding the dress up with my arms because it wouldn't zip!

I waited to order the dress until January..this is the 16 (which I ordered because it fit perfect and was told they could take in 2 sizes but only let out 1..i was afraid I wouldn't lose more or gain!)

By May, I had it taken in to probably a 12-14..

I think the rule about taking in applies to most dresses, since 2 different seamstress told me this..Mine was HEAVY appliqued and I didn't know how they would do it, but they did a GREAT job!

 

[CinderelliT]

Everyone looks so beautiful in their dresses!!
The whole weight issue with me scares me. Depending on how busy I am depends on how much junk I eat and exercise I get. This means I can range all the way from a size 14 to 18 over the course of a couple of months.
Getting a dress now, and then having to wait a year is agony!! Who knows what size I'll be then...I'll have to shoot for the middle size, and hope!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I got my dress! I just wanted to let you know how happy I am and I was able to try on a 10, which def. didn't fit but the bottom did, since it was full and I got a decent idea! It comes in, in July or August! I measured as a 16 but the bust line will need to be taken in a size or two. Just wanted to update you girls, since you REALLY helped me!

 

[Kashmir104]

I can completely understand. I'm a 10/12 on top and in the waist, but a 16 in the hips! It's very annoying. I ended up with an A-line dress by Augusta Jones. It had a deep V-neck front and back with beadwork stopping right at the hip, which I feel accentuated my smaller waist and drew everyone's eyes away from my large bottom. When I was trying dresses on I tried to squeeze myself into the sample sizes, but it didn't work. It at least gave me a decent idea of how the dress would look until they could order the correct size (they ordered an 18.) When it arrived, it needed A LOT of tailoring on the top, so the best investment I made was in a good tailor!! You can see some pictures in my signature. Good luck and remember you aren't alone!!!!

My only suggestion is not to have a dress with too much fabric and go with clean lines in order for the best slimming effect. Oh and spanx are a girl's best friend!

 

[D&R love Disney]

I'm a 12 and my dress was an 18. Had only a small alteration on top and had to have it shortened even though I'm 5'7" and wore 2" heels for the wedding.

Luckily the shop I went to even though they only had the small sizes were able to make the dresses I tried on look good and I found "the dress" when I tried on my 3rd one.