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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this unflattering for a bridesmaid?

567 replies

Froum · 09/04/2025 22:02

My bridesmaids range in size from 8 to 12. No one happens to be plus size.

Would this dress flatter most of the women do you reckon?

We are late 20s

i have chosen to show the image of the plus size model as I think it highlights that it works on bigger sizes. What do you think?

Is this unflattering for a bridesmaid?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
48
AliceMcK · 09/04/2025 23:48

Why can’t the bridesmaids pick their dresses themselves? They are the ones wearing them after all and they need to be comfortable on the day.

My MOH picked her own, she went a completely different colour and style to the flower girls and only other adult bridesmaid, I picked these as other BM was all grunge uni vibes at the time, so said she was happy to wear what I wanted as if it was up-to her she’d never put a dress on. I paid for alterations to make it fit her comfort at the time, MOH picked a style that suited her and complimented my colours. I will admit she studied fashion design at uni so very good at coordinating.

I think it’s so nice when I see weddings with bridesmaids in different dresses.

murasaki · 09/04/2025 23:49

RampantIvy · 09/04/2025 23:44

The way the OP writes about her "colour scheme" makes her sound like the Instagram effect is more important to her than just getting married.

Agree, it sounds like it's all about the wedding pictures not the marriage. And making the bridesmaids look shit in the process to make herself look better.

mumzof4x · 09/04/2025 23:54

They are adults not children they need to pick their own dresses? Just provide them with colour scheme perhaps?

Winter2020 · 09/04/2025 23:55

This is a bit different but perhaps the length is wrong if the wedding dress is full length?

Is this unflattering for a bridesmaid?
Grammarnut · 09/04/2025 23:55

That does not work on the model. It makes her look shapeless. The dress is obv made for slim people. Choose again.

Silverstars21 · 09/04/2025 23:55

Poppyseeds79 · 09/04/2025 23:43

The problem with the style/material you want OP is that it'll hang terribly on most people...

https://prettylavish.co.uk/products/piper-maxi-bridesmaid-dress-matte-mahogany?variant=40514536505437&utm_source=webgains&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=ShopForward&wgu=276265_1347475_17442382858422_4ea95595fa&wgexpiry=1775774285

This model is stunning, and it still resembles a crumpled potato sack on her.

Lovely as the OP probably is I don't think even 10 pages (so far) of negative thoughts will convince her this material along with this style is awful. There are so many reasonably priced dresses which are far more flattering for bridesmaids that don't crease badly after sitting, or show bits you'd rather hide.

WhatWouldChristineCagneyDo · 09/04/2025 23:56

As a slim size 10 with decent boobs this would look terrible on me. The bias cut and cheap shiny satin will cling to every single imperfection on my body. It will be hellish trying to find a bra that works with it. My torso will look like it is 90% of my height with stumpy little legs making up the remainder.

The colour would make me look recently deceased (pale but yellow undertones). If I fake tanned then I would still look recently deceased, just a bit more orange.

A lot of the dresses you seem to be drawn to have difficult necklines or are backless, it's going to make it really difficult for anybody who needs a half decent bra.

PinkElephantsOnParade2025 · 09/04/2025 23:57

It looks really cheap and flimsy. VB has set this nighty trend off and they don’t look any better on a slim person in real life either.

MeliusMoriQuamServire · 09/04/2025 23:59

Jesus no. The fat model looks atrocious in it, the slim one obviously better, but the bust area still looks like a nightie. The colour is nice.

The third dress you posted would be nice, I'd wear that. The cut is great. Buuuut the fabric is shit. Crumpled even in professional photos.

All the other floaty dowdy dresses with those awful angel sleeves posted here are horrible and dated.

Also, ask them to fake-tan? I'd honestly tell you to fuck off and to stuff your wedding, if you'd say that to me. Would you tell a black person to whiten up? So what makes you think you're entitled to request pale people to change their skin colour?

Stravaig · 10/04/2025 00:02

Gods I feel about a hundred years old, but why not just invite your guests to get dressed up in their favourite clothes and come along to witness your marriage vows and celebrate afterwards with you. Give a posy or corsage to any special attendants if they need to be made visible in some way.

LilyJosephine · 10/04/2025 00:02

Eep even when I was a size 12 as a youngster I would have felt a bit uncomfortable in that - it still would have been a shapewear underneath situation, probably a big search to find the right bra not to show through and begging you to let me have a shawl to cover my upper arms. But maybe your bridesmaids are more body confident? I personally don’t think it looks great on the “plus size” model - although she might be a 16 and you say your bridesmaids are a 12 max.

While as a larger woman I do own a few Ghost style satin dresses like the one you pictured OP, I tend to go for the styles with sleeves or lace/chiffon on the upper body part at least, as they are a lot easier to wear (as you then just need smoothing/seamless knickers).

TaggieO · 10/04/2025 00:03

It doesn’t fit properly on the bust on either of those models?

rosemarble · 10/04/2025 00:06

Grammarnut · 09/04/2025 23:55

That does not work on the model. It makes her look shapeless. The dress is obv made for slim people. Choose again.

It wouldn't look good on someone with small breasts. I know for sure I would not fill out the cups.
I think BMs look good in the same colour, fabric, length and overall look but in a style of their own choice. If they're not comfortable or feel self conscious it will show.

TaggieO · 10/04/2025 00:09

Wed2b have a range of dresses in that colour. Why don’t you let the bridesmaids pick a style they actually like?

Is this unflattering for a bridesmaid?
Uppitymuppity · 10/04/2025 00:17

I would drop out of being your bridesmaid if you got me that dress, sorry

PluckyBamboo · 10/04/2025 00:22

Looks like something that would stick to my legs with static, definitely wouldn't suit my size 10/12 figure.

l3tsdanc3 · 10/04/2025 00:25

Dreadful. Why not pick a shade and ask them to choose their own dresses in that shade? Lots of specialist bridesmaid places offer that - they can choose a suitable style they like in matching material and the same shade. Thats what I did.

Please don’t make them wear that, it’s hideous.

TryForSpring · 10/04/2025 00:27

TaggieO · 10/04/2025 00:03

It doesn’t fit properly on the bust on either of those models?

But it does fit the scheme...

Wildegeese · 10/04/2025 00:31

My concern would be the fabric. Satin dresses look lovely for a few minutes at the start but as the day goes on, it creases and crumples and doesn't look as elegant. It also easily picks up moisture stains from sweat/ drinks/ coming into contact with most anything. It's not ideal for something you want to look good in pictures throughout a long day and reception.

ClairDeLaLune · 10/04/2025 00:35

You’re showing the plus size because ……….. you think a size 12 is big??!! If so you most definitely ABU.

Joystir59 · 10/04/2025 00:45

It looks like a nightdress. Vile.

Stinkbomb · 10/04/2025 00:48

It wouldn’t work on me, even as a size 12.
if you want the colour, I’d look for different styles

user1492757084 · 10/04/2025 00:49

No, there is no room for any bumps.
If I had to wear that dress, I would have it professionally lined by a dress maker so that it was not figure hugging every crevice.

Sayithowiseeit · 10/04/2025 00:51

No it looks awful

viques · 10/04/2025 01:19

Even on the very tall, very slim professional model who has been styled and fitted into the dress looks grim and badly cut. I imagine that after a day when it is creased and probably marked with food/ drink it will look even worse. That colour will show every mark and won’t suit many skin tones.