Dress shopping today--ugh I am so depressed!!!

[tmli]

I went to every shop in my city and there was not even one dress i wanted to try on. I want a dress with short sleeves....never dreamed I would have better luck finding a unicorn or winning the lotto!! There was not one.

I have a "full figure" and NEVER go sleeveless (not even a tank top!) Every dress is strapless or tank style. Yes I know I could go on a diet before the wedding and join the gym, blah, blah, blah.....truth of the matter is for the first time in my life I am comfortable in my own skin and know my DF loves me exactly as I am. Of course i would like to lose a few pounds but I will not by a dress that I will only be able to wear after i lose x number of lbs.

I saw so many gorgeous dresses--all strapless. Many styles that would be flattering to my body style and I would feel great in except they were all strapless.

Some offered to have a jacket made...or i could wear a shawl...but I really don't like either option.

I was so depressed by the time I was done i just wanted to come home and cry over a big old piece of chocolate!!

While I am whining....am i the only one having a hard time justifying at least a $1000 for a dress I will wear once??

 

[princessdisneybelle]

You have some time. Could you find a dress in a Bride Mag that you like and have a seamstress make it for you? Yeah I had the same issue but I decided I really liked the little jacket. Not sure how much I will use it in July

 

[wendy46001]

Don’t give up....do some online research and find some examples...maybe there is another store a little further away...Also check with some designers or dress shops they can sometimes add a cap sleeve to a strapless dress...

Good luck....and I love to hear about a girl who is comfortable in her own skin....
Congrats on everything...You'll find the right dress don’t worry

 

[cryssi]

hi! sorry you had such a bad time! so you didn't even try on any dresses? I've seen many full-figured brides who actually looked better in strapless dresses than with sleeves! I'm of course not telling you to do something you're totally uncomfortable with, but maybe you'd like to just try one on for the heck of it? I am a firm believer in trying on everything b/c you never know what you will really like!

I was totally dead-set against strapless and ended up with one! lol My BM had to convince me to try it on b/c she thought it would look good on me...I wanted long sleeves (tried one on and YUCK!).

I agree to do research, and then find a shop that has it or that will be able to order a sample for you to try on. You'll find something! Don't worry!

good luck!

p.s. yes, you will only wear it once, but it IS your wedding day, after all! make sure you get what you like!

 

[disprincessatheart]

I know the designer that my dress is coming from will customize the dress. If you find one you like with straps, they will add sleeves to your specifications. Also, the dress is custom made to your measurements - no need to loose a single pound if you don't want to!

the designer is Casablanca bridal. Take a look at their website and find a store near you that carries their line. Try on some with cap sleeves or wide straps and see if there's one that you'd like and just order it with sleeves. Hope that helps.

 

[tmli]

Thanks everyone.....of course you are all right!! I do have time and other options available to me.....I have actually been considering trying the strapless on at least. I may be surprised. I will be doing some research online while i enjoy my xmas chocolate--LOL!!

Some of the shops were saying 4-6 mths to get a dress in that has to be ordered!!!! Guess I need to at least start trying some stuff on so I have an idea of what i like/don't. Perhaps a shopping trip to the States will be in my future!!

 

[myprincessgirlisa]

No worries.......

You will find a dress you love and looks great on you(no matter what size you are)....just have fun ....this is supposed to be a once in a lifetime experience.

I know its easier said than done, but as long as you feel good, you'll look good....and at your fitting...take lots of friends/family.....they are more helpful than you think when it comes to picking out dresses.
Short story: I always managed to pick things out & when I tried them on the looked better on the hanger, but my grandma would pick out what I thought was "nasty", and she would tell me "just shut up & try it on" & I would &....can you believe....she picked out something that looked awesome on me....who'd of thought my gram was such a fashionista

My advice is if you have the time, dont worry over it to much and take your time & have fun planning.....and chocaolate is EXCELLENT therapy....cheaper than a psychologist

If you want some easy online help if your looking to loose weight....Discovery Health has their 8 week challenge & its free to sign up at their website & get free online menus, workouts, etc...its kinda neat

Best of luck

 

[JandJ]

I know the designer that my dress is coming from will customize the dress. If you find one you like with straps, they will add sleeves to your specifications. Also, the dress is custom made to your measurements - no need to loose a single pound if you don't want to!

the designer is Casablanca bridal. Take a look at their website and find a store near you that carries their line. Try on some with cap sleeves or wide straps and see if there's one that you'd like and just order it with sleeves. Hope that helps.

My gown was Casablanca as well (gorgeous gowns! http://www.casablancabridal.com/) and they totally customize since they don't make your dress until you order it and they make it exactly to your measurements. I had 3 inches of material added to the top in the back and you would never know, they made it look like it was always designed that way! At the boutique where I got mine, my consultant said a girl chose a strapless Casablanca and they added sleeves and a higher neckline to make it "temple ready" so I know it can be done - and for less than $1,000! I was completely against a strapless gown too, I'm small and thought it would look ridiculous. I ended up with an off-the-shoulder dress and could not have been more happy with it. Try on and see - I tried on over 20 dresses and even after I found The One I kept trying just to make sure. You'll know it when you're in it! Best Wishes

 

[Moonpie]

I understand exactly how you feel. It was also really important to me to have sleeves on my dress. I feel very uncomfortable, and "exposed" when I'm wearing something strapless, or something that shows all of my arms. And it was important to me to feel comfortable, and confident on my wedding day. But most dresses these days either have no sleeves, or super huge long "1980's" sleeves that made you look like you've been eaten by a lace monster.
I was actually considering buying a blouse, or shirt that I really liked, and then getting a full skirt made to go with it. It turns out that the dress that I eventually found is also a skirt and blouse combination. The blouse wraps around the front, and the ribbon is worn as a belt. It was very comfortable to wear, but, if I hadn't have found that dress, I would have worn a long sleeve ivory blouse, with a skirt.

This is the dress I had originally wanted...

 

[seaprincess]

Please keep the faith! I am a plus size girl who never thought, not in a million years that I would go without sleeves. I am only 5'4" and short waisted. We are doing a Vow Renewal on 12/01/07 and looking back at my original wedding pictures, I found that sleeves actually made my arms look heavier due to the detail on my dress and the sleeves.

Anyway...I went shopping last weekend. After what seemed like 10 stores, we drove to a boutique in Raleigh that carried some plus size dresses. There was a ivory tank style dress with beautiful swarovski crystal detailing that was hanging there. I did not think much of it at first until it came out of the zipper bag. Then I tried it on, then came the veil, the tiara, the jewelry and I walked out and my Mom cried like a baby. (mind you she did not react this way for my orginal wedding so this was a big deal!!) I was so overwhelmed by her tears and I took a look in the mirror and was so surprised,( I actually liked myself without sleeves). I shed a few tears myself!!: I truly felt like a bride. It was a moment I will never forget. I actually am now thinking about purchasing elbow length gloves....this is too scary.

I digress...please keep looking! There are so many beautful styles and some actually do have sleeves..beleive me I have been looking too!

Best of luck in your search and have a wonderful evening!!

Sea

 

[FoodLover]

I went to every shop in my city and there was not even one dress i wanted to try on. I want a dress with short sleeves...

I have had the same problem. It's very frustrating! For my 2000 wedding I finally ended up with a dress from David's Bridal that had cap sleeves. For my upcoming vow renewal I ended up buying a long silk skirt, tank top and a sheer silk blouse to wear over it.

If there is a David's in your area, I recommend going in and trying on different styles, even if you don't plan to buy a dress there. David's has a full range of sizes and designs in stock. That way you can see what styles look good in your actual size.

Here's a site that carries wedding gowns in sizes 16 to 32. There are some with sleeves:

http://www.plussizebridal.com/

I would bet that most of the gowns on that site are also made in smaller sizes.

On a side note, I actually read an article in the paper a few weeks ago that mentioned the MAJORITY of women polled would like some sort of sleeve on evening wear/gowns. The writer then interviewed a (male) designer who basically said "too bad, women don't know what looks good on them and I'm going to keep designing strapless gowns." That kind of arrogance burns me up!

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[tmli]

Thank you for the links. I have seen some good options...I need to get out and try some on to get a better idea of what style feels best. There are some dresses/shops that are not available in Canada so a trip across the border may be in order....we don't even have a Davids Bridal!

I will keep you all updated on my quest!!

BTW....I was feeling pretty crappy today...you have all helped me get over it and i feel I have options now--thanks!

 

[seaprincess]

Plussizebridal.com is a wonderful website. Ironcially, they are also located in Burlington, NC about 30 miles from where I live. They do not have a store, everything is done over the internet.

I actually called one day to ask some questions as to whether they could get a dress in my size since I did not see it on their web-site. He was so accomodating, called me back within 30 minutes and told me it was no problem. The best thing is that if it does not fit, or not to your liking the dress is totally returnable!! Something you do not see a lot of. They do have quite a few dresses in both short and long sleeve!!

Good luck!!

PS-Mary you are awesome!! I love my Mousesavers!!

 

[tmli]

I just finished going through the dresses on that site....there were some great ones. Their shipping to Canada was also reasonable...our issue when ordering from the states is the duty/taxes our gov't charges us!!

A couple of the dresses on that site were dresses I saw in the stores today...would be great if I could find a dress online that i could try on here...at a better price!!

 

[calanniebu]

try Alfred Angelo. While I ended up with a strapless dress - and felt amazing in it - I can totally understand where you are coming from.

Don't worry, you'll find a dress!

 

[jojoandhb]

You could just try on a strapless dress or two and see. You may like it. I have seen plus size girls in strapless dresses, and they always look great.

 

[tmli]

I have an appointment tomorrow at a shop in the city that I didn't know about and is fairly large. They specialize in larger sizes as well and seem really nice. I will bring my sister and mom with me and have them take a photo of each dress so I can see for myself. Of course I am my own worse critic, but at least i will e able to see for myself how they look...mirrors can be deceiving!!!

Will keep you up to date on how it goes!!!

I can't post them because my DF reads the boards all the time....

Hi Honey

 

[tmli]

I found it!!! The one!! It is a halter style....funny thing is I tried the one with the sleeves and hated it.

I felt incredible in it....as a bonus my parents offered to pay half!!

here's a link...hopefully it will work!

www.bestbridalprices.com/images/privatelabel/fall06/gowns/large/1245.html

 

[princessdisneybelle]

OH wow that is soooooooooooo pretty! I'm so happy for you.

 

[cryssi]

congrats! you're going to look great!