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.

Converse not only now do wedding trainers but wide fit. Have a look on the official site.

My bust is 34 G and I chose to wear a v neck style dress with thick straps. It was also v shape in the back. Didn't wear a bra and it wasn't very 'booby' as I call them. I didn't want strapless.

https://www.hebeos.co.uk/sheath-column-satin-sleeveless-v-neck-sweep-brush-train-wedding-dresses-pon1506ev964.html?ref=googleplauk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1cHmiXO8AIVGp7VCh1m7AQBEAQYEyABEgLUxPDD_BwE

Cut on the bias helps

@littlebillie

[[https://www.hebeos.co.uk/sheath-column-satin-sleeveless-v-neck-sweep-brush-train-wedding-dresses-pon1506ev964.html?ref=googleplauk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1cHmi]]XO8AIVGp7VCh1m7AQBEAQYEyABEgLUxPDD_BwE

Cut on the bias helps

Haha - I'm a J cup! My father in law would have a heart attack of i wore that 🤣

I had a larger size wedding dress for the cup size, but had it professionally altered to fit my waist and hips (I had a waist then!)

Some nice ideas here: www.pinterest.co.uk/kenneth_winston/wedding-dresses-for-big-busts/

I would find a good local seamstress and get your own vision made. It does not need to be expensive materials etc, just well fitted and made but sharpish as not much time. OR
Have you checked our Bombshell HQ online? Great for busts but take all your measurements as a high street 16 is more a 18-20 with them. Sale or return but think they may have open end near you and are just heavenly dresses

I was a size 18/20 when I got married with huge boobs (to the point where the woman in the bridal shop said "you don't get many of them to the pound!) - I got my dress out of Wed2B and loved it! I bought it off the rack so left with it that day and just got some alterations done, but I would highly recommend them!

Hi op same size as you and 16 years ago I did the same trip and came back feeling exactly the same. I was saved my a local dressmaker who took bridal outfits and modified. It was a two piece as this helped fitting and returned my waist, so a long skirt and a corset type top. I never ever thought it would work but it was truly beautiful. To help save costs, I bought a skirt online (as it was just a size 14) and then invested a lot into the corset and having it reboned and adjusted to accommodate those big boys. I hope that helps. Unless you are sized this way, people don't understand why a size 16/18/22 just don't work off the shelf!

I’m the same size as you. 16 and a 36h.

I would recommend you look at corset back dresses made by Maggie Sottero. Long lead times so I’d find a stockist locally and see if they are selling samples, or buy second hand. The corset back means a 16 will fit a 14/16/18 so precise fit isn’t needed, just hem adjustment, so a resold dress would be relatively safe.

This designer started life making corsetry and bras for bigger boobs. Her dresses are incredibly flattering and my H cup boobs didn’t need a bra - without one they are on my knees. And I didn’t look too booby either - they kind of squished down! Was incredibly flattering. I really would see if you can find somewhere to try one.

www.coastfashion.com/jewelled-bodice-maxi-dress/ACC98549-184-56.html?istCompanyId=ea18716d-5d4c-45d1-97b5-44f5ccef03c7&istFeedId=804fbb78-ffa6-4f49-ab7a-570411b233ee&istItemId=irxlttlwq&istBid=t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvqqq8J_W8AIVyZrVCh1k7gjvEAQYCSABEgLl9fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I too am big of boob. I wore this and it was very flattering. Comes up higher than your average strapless, corseted at the back and with gathered fabric over the stomach for distraction.
As it’s corseted the two that I tried on before I bought both fitted, even though one was a size 10 and one was a 16!
www.myweddingdressforsale.co.uk/product/olympia-2/

I had this problem. I ended up ordering a size 18 and having it reduced by the dressmaker to a size 12 just to get enough room for them.

It was OK tho. I would err on the side of getting the big size a n d reduced down elsewhere

Hi
I think monsoon are good too, but not sure they are great for fuller busts- I'm a 34g.
Have you thought about bravissimo?
I found this in your size, with a corsage and maybe even a pretty bolero, it would look sweet. They often have new bravissimo stuff online, eg ebay, which are very dressy. Good luck!!!
www.bravissimo.com/products/gabby-sheer-stripe-dress-pd738/#white-pd738wht

Glad you’re feeling a bit more positive. I also did panic wedding dress shopping and am pretty ample in the bust area 32H.

So glad you’ve got a seamstress and really hope you find/she creates something which makes you feel utterly beautiful and bridal in.

If you’re wanting to hide a bit of a tummy and ensure boob coverage have you considered having your seamstress alter a (and hear me out-seriously no offence intended) maternity one to fit you?? Feel free to shoot that idea down, but I always found mat stuff had better boob coverage than normal and a more empire line can be pretty flattering. I’ve actually altered a couple of my occasion maternity dresses as they’re lovely and it seemed a bit of a waste not to. 😂

So glad you found a seamstress. I'm 32 h & I got my dress made. Corset type top with boning & laces could be pulled tight, my boobs have never looked as small

I'm still not convinced I'm doing the right think. I worry I've jumped in because she said she could fit me in 🙈 i think it's because I don't actually know what the hell I want!

I'd usually go for a wrap dress for nights out so have shown her this...

We used to have a curvy bridal shop in town which has now become one with the 'regular' shop. Maybe search specific curvy/plus size bridal boutiques in your area, give them a call and see if they think they can help. There are definitely dresses out there. I remember trying dresses on and I was average ish 14, but always had to have the panels shoved in as all the dresses were 10ish, it's crazy, a small % of women are that size! Good luck OP

That’s a beautiful dress to send her for inspo @Workyticket

What a beautiful example for the dressmaker , I bet it will fit beautifully and you'll look lovely.
Good luck and have a lovely wedding

Gorgeous!

I'm quite busty (HH) and a size 12/14 and I was worried I wouldnt get a wedding dress to fit my boobs. Defo thought strapless was a total no no but i ended up with a strapless sweetheart neckline dress and I wore it without a bra (!!) it wasnt particularly low cut and had boning and a bra claspy bit built in to the back. I bought it off the rack from a bridal shop and had it altered to fit (was actually very roomy in the bust) so didnt need to wait months for one to be ordered in.

I was very worried about "shelf boobs" or my boobs flying out of it when I was dancing but it fitted perfectly and I felt very secure.

@LouLou789

I would suggest not strapless so you can wear a good bra. A v type neck can balance out a larger bust (in my busty experience)

As someone well endowed in the chesticle department I second the V neck suggestion. Always the most flattering I find.

Def going to alter the pic I sent her to include straps and a v neck.

I wanted a corset but she said that'll push my boobs up and out.

I need something to support / such my low hangy belly in.

Waist trainer??

It doesn't need to be a proper corset. Mine definitely flattened mine & as it was laced, I was able to pull it really tight.

The dress you've shown her looks beautiful. I'd be wary of a sweet heart neckline as that can make your boobs look bigger with cleavage