What do you think about a "plus-size" gal wearing strapless?

[seaprincess]

Hi everyone!! I have been scouring the internet along with every bride magazine avaialbe for the perfect wedding dress to wear for our Vow Renewal. One thing is certain...strapless gowns are abundant. I am a plus-size woman and I scared to death about wearing strapless. I am currently starting my fitness regimen along with everyone else trying my best to tone and firm and loose the unwanted poundage!!

My concern...the stigma that haunts "plus-size" women...Should "she really be wearing that?". I want to feel like a princess but I don't want to look ridiculous. I wore a long sleeved gown for my wedding, but it alost seemed to "add-on" pounds with all the beading. Should I go for it??

What do you think??

 

[krissyh]

A strapless could look wonderful or terrible on a plus size or a size 0 - it depends on the dress and the girl!
I do think that if you are at all uncomfortable about how you look, you won't look or feel your best.
While trying on dresses bring your two most brutally honest friends and make them swear to tell you if you think something doesn't look right for you.

You are the bride, you will be beautiful whatever you wear.

 

[ItGirl753]

I have a David's flyer with a section of plus-size women. I think some of them are strapless. You could see if there are any pics on the website, just to give you an idea how it looks. I don't think it's a problem. If you love a strapless dress and you like the way it looks, then go for it!

 

[Honeymooners1021]

I am a little bit on the bigger side and my wedding dress is strapless and I don't care. I look good in it and it makes me feel beautiful and my Fiance loves it! I bought it at david's and the sales lady kept trying to get me to buy a vail to cover my arms (it looked ridiculous!). If you have confidence to wear a sleeveless dress do it! I agree that sometimes if you try to cover something up it looks bigger or more obvious. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Moonpie]

I looked, and looked for a dress that would cover my upper arms, but wasn't long sleeved. I finally found a short sleeved dress that I love, and feel so comfortable in! You will want to feel your most confident on your wedding day, so look for a dress that you have no doubts about!

 

[Mary626]

I've seen some gorgeous "plus size" women wearing strapless and never gave it a second thought!

I myself wore strapless and felt pretty uncomfortable in it though. I hated the sleeved dresses I tried on though, and thought the same thing, they just seemed to "add weight" on me! So I wore strapless. I felt kind of uncomfortable in it, and a lot of times wish I had worn sleeves... but I probably would have felt uncomfortable in a sleeved dress too, that's just who I am I guess!

So don't worry about what other people may or may not think, just be sure you're comfortable in it! Because if you're not comfortable and think you might feel self-conscious the whole time, it won't be very much fun.

 

[Tinkerbellz]

Seaprincess,

You are right and there is an overabundance of strapless dresses. However, I did bring my most brutal, honest, best friend who would always alert the "fashion police" in case of emergency with me to try on. She actually liked the strapless ones best!

I don't have problem with it! In fact, I'm very comfortable with me. (not that I won't try to lose some weight before the VR ).

Wear what feels comfortable and be confident in yourself.

BTW Mary---you looked absolutely gorgeous in your strapless dress!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Well I was a US 20/22 when I got married and I have to say I had no worries at all about wearing a strapless wedding dress at our wedding. It's whatever "you" feel comfortable in

 

[seaprincess]

Thanks to everyone who responded!! I guess I needed a "boost" of confidence. It seems like every bridal magazine features ultra thin models wearing the gowns and you never see plus size models featured. I think I started to panic!!

I have not actually gone to a bridal salon yet, but feel better after getting some feedback. I want this day to be as perfect as it can be and the last thing I want to do is fidget in my dress and be self-conscious!! I am certain I will find the right one to hide those "imperfections".

I can always count on the people on this board for a boost!! Thanks for caring enough to answer!! Have a great day!!

Sea

 

[Error_kitten]

I'm an 18/20 and i personly hate sleevless on me.
My dress is long sleeve but I have trumpet sleeves that are amazing.
Like everyone else said wear what makes you feel beautiful its your day!

 

[TinkerDaisy]

I wore strapless and I looked GOOOOOOOD!!! Wear what you want. Cant see it too good but my wedding pic is in my sig.

 

[KT27]

I was on the bigger size 16/18. I wore a strapless dress. I had a corset back that made em feel more comfortable. In fact because of that dress I have worn a few strapless tops & sundresses.

 

[smoof]

Do what you are comfortable with. I NEVER thought I would be able to wear a dress like the one I actually chose. Have fun, try everything on.

 

[kimnkel]

Sigh...we women make ourselves crazy fretting over stuff no one else really cares about. I have three older brothers and my best friends are men--and I don't know if this makes you feel better or not, but I can say men are not half as critical about our bodies as we are. I have a good friend, a swimmer and gym rat, and she HATES her upper arms. This makes no sense to me, but I can't convince her that she has great arms. Me? I hate my legs. The fact that I can leg press 800 pounds, and then run 3 miles, doesn't matter. I think they are too big, and too short.

Try the strapless on, and if you like how it looks and feels, then by all means get it. But whatever you wear, I hope you wear it with confidence, because as they say, the absolute best fashion accessory is not a pair of Manalo Blahnicks or the perfect handbag--the perfect accessory is CONFIDENCE.

Good luck in the dress hunt! It can get stressful, but it is also lots of fun...and if you can't find anything you can always investigate custom made!

 

[Deesknee]

Thank you so much for posting this. I am going thru the same thing, only for a VR dress. All the formal dresses seem to have spaghetti staps (if that is what they are still called these days.).
Anyway, I have done exactly what the PP stated. I emailed 2 of my most honest friends. (notice I did not say best friends - although they are right up there). I will go with one one day, then the other another day, but the final decision will be mine. I must say though, part of my issue is not just my size, but my age.
Good luck and please, when you decide post pictures. I love looking at everyones wedding pictures. I wasn't able to marry in disney. I love to see how beautiful you all look.

 

[ead79]

The thing I discovered about wedding dresses is that you can't really tell what will flatter you the most until you've tried on several different styles. For example, I thought I wanted a dress with an A-line skirt, but the princess style skirt made my waist look much smaller, so the dress was more flattering overall. The most important factor in looking pretty in the dress is that it fits properly. My mom always told me that no one can see the size of the dress, but everyone can see if it's too tight. Just be sure to get one that fits and in a style that flatters, and you'll look absolutely beautiful! Just try on dresses with and without straps/sleeves to see what you feel the most comfortable in. Also, many plus sized brides are wearing strapless these days and looking gorgeous! Wedding dresses tend to be forgiving and hide extra pounds (at least mine sure did, LOL).

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Hi

I agree that you have to try something on before you know if it's right for you. I am also trying to lose weight, as you can see from my ticker. I used to be very slim and I wore dresses that are strapless/spaghetti straps and thicker straps, but I've found that even when I was slim the strapless and spaghetti straps especially, didn't suit me as much as the thicker strapped dresses. It depends on the build of your shoulders and upper arms. Some girls can be on the larger side but strapless can look wonderful on them. Me, I'm more concerned about my chest in a strapless gown I'm tall, losing the weight but my chest is somewhat on the large side, my concern is falling out when I'm unaware, for that reason alone I'm terrified of going strapless

I'm sure when you try the dresses on, you will fall in love with one, and it will be perfect on you. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[seaprincess]

Let me start out by giving a huge to all of you. It means so much to me to have people who are candid and honest to help me go forward with my decision!! I am excited and nervous about going to the Bridal Salon but I think once I am there my fears will slowly melt away!!

I truly would like to wear a strapless gown. It has been my dream to wear the ball gown with gloves..yes the Cinderella story...since we are splurging on the Vow Renewal I wanted all my dreams to come true!!

I promise I will post pictures once the final decision has been made!!

The sister hood I have felt on this board is wonderful !! Thank you all so very much for your help. I will think of everyonewhen trying on the dresses and smile with a big helping of confidence!!!

 

[TinkBride]

Strapless or not, when you get "your" dress on, you will know immediately. I am a size 20 (for now ) and I refused to try on strapless dresses, but my wonderful sister begged me to try on a strapless one........guess what is hanging in my closet? As soon as I put the strapless one on I started crying and said, "this is it" and walked out of the store 10 mins. later.

Thank God for seamtresses, they can tuck and let out and so on to make a strapless dress feel so fitting and secure and comfortable on you that you will not feel like you are going to pop out.......trust me my chest was so big I had a breast reduction......I know about popping out! lol.

Try on all kinds of dresses and go with your heart, that is the only way you will feel the most beautiful! Good luck!

 

[Madeese]

Hey there -

I think you should try on whatever dresses appeal to you and don't worry about anything else!!

I recently wore a one piece strapless pant suit to my engagement party and felt great in it - and it was a size 18!

You will look and be fabulous in whatever you choose! Most women, nowadays are plus sixed (IMO)... Go for it! Wear whatever gown makes you feel like a princess!!!