Aibu - wedding dress shopping. Busty experts desperately needed

[Workyticket]

i need serious help! I'm due to get married this July and still have no dress.

Went shopping today and left empty handed and really knocked confidence wise.

I'm a high street size 16 and a 34j

Literally everything I tried on i was hanging out of. They only had sweet heart necklines but honestly - unless you're REALLY busty it's impossible to explain. It really was awful. She kept trying bolero cover ups but they still showed acres of boobs.

I had a little cry when I got home but really need to get sorted. I also have a big saggy tummy which I thought would have been my major hurdle - corsets dresses are amazing for that area.

Can anyone recommend a dress I can buy maybe from a high street store? I just don't feel bridal shop dresses are for me.

Have you looked at house of mooshki? Dresses are tailor made to your measurements and come in a variety of lengths (tea length, full length, high low etc). Super flattering for larger brides (I’ve attached a pic of a recent plus sized campaign they did). Dresses normally take a few months but they have relocated recently and are selling off stock so you might get lucky

I had mine made. I'm big on top and I know what you mean about showing too much.

Hi Worky. I was a bridal consultant for many years and have dressed hundreds of brides. I would recommend something like the Alma dress by Pronovias. It was a perfect dress for our larger busted brides as it provides great support and has full cups, it also provides support around the tummy. Counter-intuitively, fishtail shaped and more structured dresses work much better floaty, chiffon/satin more lose fitting dresses. Good luck in your search. Try to remember it's the happy and comfortable bride not a dress, that makes a wedding memorable.

www.coastfashion.com/curve-embroidered-long-sleeve-maxi-dress/ACC96040-1.html?color=133

My friend got a strapless dress but had a lace top added to it- it was gorgeous, and you couldn’t tell it wasn’t part of the dress. So you still saw the neckline but she didn’t feel exposed. You could ask about that?

What's your budget?

Suggest v neck. Try a larger curve size and have it taken in?

www.chichiclothing.com/collections/wedding-dresses/products/chi-chi-curve-bridal-anna-dress

So, I got far too excited with your OP.

Illusion High Neck
Halter
Looks very secure around the boob area
Nice coverage with straps
Halter with deep V neckline
So classy
Can't see boobs escaping this
Should work too
Cap sleeve
www.davidsbridal.com/highneck-crepe-sheath-8vw351263-8vw351263-34749--1 No breasts to see here]]

Contact the shop that specialises in larger brides, was on tv, think Essex? I know you are a long way from them but they might have links to stores near you or suggest a good mail order option - you do need a good alterations person though. Finally try oxfam, they have bridal dresses, and use a good seamstress

I would second the Maggie Sottero suggestion- they have a beautiful range of more “modest” dresses that don’t feel like compromising.

And you shouldn’t compromise- if you want a boutique bridal dress, you should have one, rather than settling for something you don’t love.

Allure Bridals and True Bride also have modest collections that suited my ask (I am a 28J and 100% did not want even a speck of boob on show!). I found dresses online that had enough coverage and then used the “find a supplier” tools on their website to find shops that would definitely have a choice of a few things to suit me.

Don’t bother with anywhere where some petite shop assistant tells you how you will just feel like you don’t need a bra once you feel how amazingly supportive the dresses are. I actually asked one it she knew what my boobs weighed and if the dress could defy gravity.

Ended up buying from a shop run by a gay couple who did not once question my need for a bra!!!

allurebridals.com/modest/styles?limit=48

www.maggiesottero.com/maggie-sottero/pearson/17675

I’ve gone for this... you shouldn’t not have something special because some shop assistant doesn’t understand your shape...

www.maggiesottero.com/sottero-and-midgley/allen-lynette/15696

@Workyticket hugs. And congratulations too!
I'm also generous up top! 34HH so similar to you. I have a lovely dress which I'm considering selling if you're interested? I was conscious for the same reasons as you- don't mind a bit of flesh but don't want to be flashing all and sundry!

No idea how to add here but if you'd like to see a photo please pm me x

Honestly, avoid wedding dress shops unless you want to come out with the strapless corset backed generic ‘fat girl’ dress they try and sell to anyone over a size 10.

Lots of high street shops have more flattering dresses for bustier women.

Have a look at monsoon, phase eight, whistles and ASOS.

Here are a few you might like:
www.monsoon.co.uk/kate-beaded-floral-bridal-dress-ivory-14998046.html

www.whistles.com/product/eve-silk-wedding-dress-25069.html#cgid=Bridal_Wedding_WW&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=eve-silk-wedding-dress-25069&pos=10

www.asos.com/prd/22947858?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

Sorry OP! Forgot to tell you the dress. It's Sophia Tolli Carson in French Beige. It's beautiful

This is similar to the one you said you liked from Monsoon upthread. But it’s two piece and made to measure and even better it looks like you still have plenty of time 😊

gorgeous off shoulder two piece

There are a few Johana Hope type bridal dresses online at Simply Be.and not too expensive.

Feeling more human after my amazing 11 hour sleep! Covid jabbed Sunday but didn't hit until last night

Pity party over. I'm working all day but I promise I'll look at every suggestion tonight / tomorrow. I so appreciate you all 😍

Hi OP

If you are looking for a modest neckline then might I suggest searching for abaya's instead?
They are maxi dresses with long sleeves and modest necklines.

There are loads of websites that do them and if you venture into the Asian areas of where you live, there are stores that do lovely dresses, ranging from simple to embellished.

There is my personal favorite website acacialabel.com/dresses.html
You can buy off the rack or have them adjust according to your measurements. So if you wanted shorted sleeves, they could do that for you.

I mean look at that stunning peach one

Best of luck, I am sure you will look amazing in whatever you choose.
And congratulations.

I've just been shopping and there were tons of higher neckline dresses, couldn't swing a cat for them, seem to be very fashionable at the moment. I can only suggest you try some different shops. Worth noting, that ANY dress can be altered, so if it's strapless they can change the neckline to suit you - a good shop would tell you that.

Also some shops are more specialist in dresses for curvy girls - I know of at least two in my area that advertise this.

Sent you a pm with a person who might be able to help with alterations

I often find a highish square neckline makes me look a bit less busty - the sleeves on this would also distract a bit whilst the nipping in under the bust would emphasize that you are slimmer than your bust suggests.

www.jjshouse.co.uk/A-Line-Square-Neckline-Floor-Length-Chiffon-Wedding-Dress-With-Ruffle-Beading-002207446-g207446

I was a 32G when I got married. Had a strapless dress, much to my amazement it genuinely was the most flattering one I found and I went to a lot of shops!

It had inbuilt corset that was made to measure and it was blooming fabulous. It was by www.augustajones.com but a local stockist.

This was mine, made by Atelier Tammam - was very simple but that’s what I wanted and the silk was gorgeous. I was about a 36F or maybe a bit bigger then but you wouldn’t know it from these pictures as the corset top was so effective and prevented giant shelf boob because it was made for me. Was a separate corset and skirt which I think is easier when you have any particularly big bits (fortunately my biggest bits are hidden under the skirt 😬)

If you can get something designed for you I would really recommend it. The few bridal shops I went to, I left in tears as I looked awful in everything.

Sorry, no idea how that posted twice!

Don't go for strapless! Go to monsoon and ASOS for proper dresses. Can always wear a corset/ shapewear underneath it