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Original poster

bridesmaid nightmare!

34 replies

allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 22:48

Hi all,
i'm getting married next year and having huge problems getting dresses for my sister who is prob size 18/20 with huge knockers and dh's sis who is stick thin size 8 with no tits at all, both will be bridesmaids. Any suggestions on where to get outfits for them for the big day without making either of them look a fool?
cheers

OP posts:
FromGirders · 30/04/2007 22:57

Why not choose material and suggest they have dresses made to suit them individually? If the material is the same then that will tie it together enough.
Actually when i think about it, they'd have to see a seamstress and choose an approximate style first, so that the seamstress could advise how much material to buy.

FiveFingeredFiend · 30/04/2007 22:58

Go to a large department store.

Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 22:59

that would be good, but doubt budget will allow and my sis lives in manchester and other in east sussex so high street would be best option

OP posts:
thelittleElf · 30/04/2007 22:59

Where about in the country are you?

hester · 30/04/2007 23:00

I like FG's suggestion. If you want to go the quick/easy/cheap high street route, I'd suggest somewhere like Monsoon - lots of dressy dresses, good for larger sizes.

Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:01

hi FFF i've looked in usual wedding places on high street and nearly everything is strapless, that's a no no for my sis, i will have to just keep searching all high street shops i suppose!

OP posts:
Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:01

east sussex little elf

OP posts:
moondog · 30/04/2007 23:02

Sorry to snigger but great description.
Have no constructive advice other than to say good luck to you.
If you pull it off you're a bloody genius.

Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:02

hadn't though of monsoon, thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:02

cheers moondog, i think i'll need it!

OP posts:
oranges · 30/04/2007 23:02

Can you give them a colour and let them pick their own dresses, and not worry too much about them being in identical outfits? They could have matching shawls or bouquets to look coordinated. Because, to be honest, your sister is probably going to be tetchy about whatever outfit you pick.

moondog · 30/04/2007 23:03

shawls??????

Lordy,it'll end up like a chinwag around the village well.

Don't go with the shawl idea,I beg you.

oranges · 30/04/2007 23:04

this?

moondog · 30/04/2007 23:05

That's pretty.Terrible name though.

Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:05

funnily enough oranges it is the rake sis in law who thinks she's fat and my sister isn't so worried. good idea about colour and flowers.
also is it bad form to ask bridesmaids to contribut towards their own dresses?

OP posts:
Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:06

cheers orages, that dress is lovely and could be a good candidate!

OP posts:
oranges · 30/04/2007 23:06

hhhm, point taken about shawls. I personally think it looks silly to see grown women squeezed into matching dresses that they are not comfortable in.
Or, this is a bit more offbeat, saris may work as you can get a blouse made for them very cheaply, and the sari is just a piece of cloth wound round and will suit any figure.

thelittleElf · 30/04/2007 23:07

Have you heard of a branch of dress shops called Tiffanys? They have several large branches, and i'm sure there's one in Chichester somewhere? They have a big branch in Salisbury, if you fancied a run out there? They do LOTS of different dresses in lots of sizes/styles etc .
Not sure if they have a website, but might be worth a google
Good luck!

FiveFingeredFiend · 30/04/2007 23:08

i would personally go for a nice tailored shiny evening trouser suit. rather than a dress. Adult women in frilly dresses are Rubbish!

fireflyfairy2 · 30/04/2007 23:08

look here

How about the Pink Long Bridesmaid Dress
Price: £59.50. They come in sizes 6 to 22 & they have nice wraps if your sis might want to feel a little covered?

Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:08

they are so different in shape that am beginning to think that i should do the kind thing and let them pick their own, under my supervision of course, can't be upstaged by a very skinny pretty bridesmaid in a knockout dress!

OP posts:
Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:10

cheers fire fairy

OP posts:
oranges · 30/04/2007 23:11

i agree about not liking frilly dresses, but I like this one

Original poster
allthegearnoidea · 30/04/2007 23:11

what do you all think about bridesmaids buying own/ or at least contributing to dresses? is it not the done thing?

OP posts:
FiveFingeredFiend · 30/04/2007 23:13

Not unless they offer. twice i have been Matron of honour. Both times i refused point blank any frillyness or silly looking dresses. Therefore i bought my own.