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Original poster

Multi-way dress & big boobs

64 replies

summerlovingvibes · 03/02/2025 21:39

Need advice.

Have to wear a "multi-way" dress for a wedding. Wouldn't have been my first choice of dress (or colour) but it is what it is.

I have big boobs - 40EE probably. Am size 16. Have lost weight and continue to lose weight but boobs still look a bit like 2 coconuts that have just been plonked onto my chest.

What is the best way / style to wear with these dresses for big boobs? Also hate my flabby arms / basically just hate feeling "exposed".

What have other people worn?

OP posts:
Mamahotfoot · 04/02/2025 09:12

Also this from Next …

Pic to follow

Mamahotfoot · 04/02/2025 09:15

And this from Wolf & Badger

Namechangefordaughterevasion · 04/02/2025 09:33

It's a lovely dress and the colour is flattering to most people but it won't give any shaping or support. You need to provide that for yourself.

Style 2 is best. Get yourself to Bravissimo (or other reliable lingerie supplier experienced in fitting curvy girls) and get fitted in a decent high support, high uplift body suit. That will give you a flattering silhouette. Then you could use the off cuts of the dress to make a boob tube or modesty panel if necessary.

I agree that your bra sizing sounds off so definitely get this fitted. You probably need a bigger cup size and smaller back size to look your best. Having this fitted transformed my figure from sack of potatoes to Marilyn Munroe.

Do NOT go to M&S. Their range of sizes is very limited and they will shoehorn you into anything that covers you just to make a sale.

Interested in this thread?

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Clothing
Curryingfavour · 04/02/2025 09:39

The dress in the 2nd photo would be wearable , the other ways of wearing it look really awkward 😬 I can’t imagine me putting it on properly .
Another poster above mentioned length but I see it also comes in petite so that’s not an issue .
If you absolutely have to wear this dress I’d take it along to a good shop that does bra fitting and see what they can sort for you .
Agree with others that you likely need a smaller back size

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 04/02/2025 09:47

I'm a bridesmaid so this is the dress that has been chosen. Before this was picked I have looked and tried on a lot of the other suggestions and unfortunately the bride still wants to go with this style. Originally she wanted a tight satin fit and I pushed her away from that as absolutely no way was I wearing that!

So I'm stuck with the dress.

Will try the second style again and will get a bandeau made up to go underneath.

Will get a bra fitting.

Length wise it's ok - i have tried it on with wedge heels and it just skims the floor at the front, slightly too long at the back so will get seamstress to alter the length if needed.

Stuck with the dress and just wanted opinions if other people had worn similar as to what styles look best. There are so many with this type of dress, so just didn't know if there was people that had worn it.

OP posts:
Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 04/02/2025 09:47

Can't attach a photo but have looked up and there are about 15 ways that these can be worn - the next website only shows 3-4.

OP posts:
Redcrayons · 04/02/2025 09:57

The sleeve option looks the best, but I can’t work out if it’s backless or not. I wouldn’t go anywhere without a bra, so I’d really struggle with it.

Is the mesh version the same dress just different fabric? There’s options to wear as a bandeau style so you could get a strapless bra, though wouldn’t cover your arms.

Namechangefordaughterevasion · 04/02/2025 11:30

If you are gong to a seamstress/tailor for the length they could also sew the fabric into a fitted flattering shape with any excess fabric removed, tucks added so it fits on bust and hips and fastenings added for a smooth, secure fit.

Maddy70 · 04/02/2025 11:54

I love that dress! Get some decent underwear that supports you well

GoodVibesOnlyPlease · 04/02/2025 16:14

Can you not borrow the dress and have a few practice runs tying it in a way that will cover a bra?

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 04/02/2025 16:25

@GoodVibesOnlyPlease yes I've got the dress so can practice

OP posts:
GoodVibesOnlyPlease · 04/02/2025 16:36

@summerlovingvibes I had them for my own bridesmaids, (although a different make and they came with a bandeau) who were both postpartum, and they found them really flattering. We did have a good few trial runs in the lead up though!! There's a lot of tutorials on insta 😊

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 04/02/2025 22:44

GoodVibesOnlyPlease · 04/02/2025 16:36

@summerlovingvibes I had them for my own bridesmaids, (although a different make and they came with a bandeau) who were both postpartum, and they found them really flattering. We did have a good few trial runs in the lead up though!! There's a lot of tutorials on insta 😊

Thanks I hadn't thought of searching on Instagram. Will have a look!

OP posts:
LadyGAgain · 04/02/2025 22:49

Always go for the V neck and balance with sleeves. I too have a chest and v necks and sleeves really balance me.

LadyGAgain · 04/02/2025 22:52

summerlovingvibes · 03/02/2025 23:05

My plan is to use some of the excess material from the lonnnng neck bits to cut and create a "boob tube" that I can wear under the dress. This will cover back / sides under arms. Some of the multiway dresses seem to come with them and some without.

Do not "cut off" the v shape plunge though!

Also agree with PP. M&S are Awful these days for bras. Bravissimo and look up the boob or bust measuring guide. It really works.

Laurmolonlabe · 04/02/2025 22:53

I would go for image 2- it has the best coverage and you can wear a good bra underneath- the deep V is the most flattering for your body shape.
I sympathise I've had this problem since I was 16, I thought losing weight would help, but it made it worse.
The very best advice I can give is go to Bravissimo get fitted buy a bra that fits you perfectly and you will instantly look 10 times better in any dress.
Whatever you do don't go the "boob tube" route-it will give you an incredibly unflattering mono boob. I wore a very similar dress to a black tie function and ore a corset under it-it worked really well, but a good bra would work too.
Feeling exposed- you could find diaphanous wrap in a similar colour which would help with flabby arms. Good luck.

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 04/02/2025 22:56

@LadyGAgain what do you mean by "cut off" the V plunge?

OP posts:
BlessicaBlimpson · 04/02/2025 22:57

I have a similar dress and always wear it as per pic 2 - covers upper arms and shoulders and isn't too booby.

Laurmolonlabe · 04/02/2025 23:06

Using a boob tube underneath will cut off the V- plunge which is the most flattering style for you.

LadyGAgain · 04/02/2025 23:19

summerlovingvibes · 04/02/2025 22:56

@LadyGAgain what do you mean by "cut off" the V plunge?

If you add a boob tube underneath you might cut off the point in the V which is the most flattering with boobs.

Diva66 · 05/02/2025 00:36

Sorry, but I think that dress is absolutely horrible! I’d definitely be speaking to a seamstress as per a previous comment.

LlynTegid · 05/02/2025 07:27

Has the bride got no style? Multi-way dresses were a fashion that seemed to last about one summer, some form of practical joke by someone.

If you are OK with that, hope one of the suggestions works for you.

Original poster
summerlovingvibes · 05/02/2025 07:40

I'd just feel so crappy saying to the bride that I refuse / don't want to wear it when the others seem ok with it. But then again they are both perfect size 10's albeit one is pregnant but it still fits fine.
She has searched and searched and we have tried on loads of dresses and for her it's down to the colour - this is the exact colour she wants (don't know why tbh) so I can't really ask her to change it now.

So will just have to make it work.

Will get a bra fitting, will sort something out to go underneath, will wear it with the shoulders like in second pic, will get a good set of Spanx etc. Will practice before the day. Have taken all the advice on board, thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Laurmolonlabe · 05/02/2025 08:09

Well done for biting the bullet for the sake of friendship- I used to alter wedding dresses for a living and saw lots of weird ugly bridesmaid dress colours, it's just a fashion- personally I like all white best, then everyone has a huge choice, but then I'm not fond of being centre stage. Good plan Spanx are good, I went the corset route because before the pandemic I made costumes for stage and screen-so not so scary.
A good bra fitting and an excellent bra will transform you-I promise.

RomainingToBeSeen · 05/02/2025 17:25

Just to add to the other great advice... if you have someone on hand with a needle and matching thread ask them to put in a few invisible stitches to attach your bra/straps to the dress. It'll be much much more comfortable if you know that you're not going to pop out or spend all day adjusting your dress.

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