Bridesmaid dress - help!

[KevinKlineSwoon]

My lovely friend has asked me to be her bridesmaid. I'm really touched and delighted to be part of her day. The dress she has chosen is lovely. But it will look hideous on me. I'm really worried about it. It's halter necked and backless so I can't wear a bra. I'm a 34/36JJ, have lost several stone and I have had two children so my boobs are very saggy.
She said if I didn't like it I could choose another from the range in the same colour. But there are none I can wear a bra with. They are all either strapless or one shouldered. What on earth can I do? has anyone with massive boobs ever found a supportive bra without straps?

I've found decent strapless bra's, but I'm only a 32E, so not in the same league I'm afraid.

Could you explain your issue to her and get a white dress professionally dyed to the correct colour, I'm sure your friend wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable.

It only goes to a J, but this curvy kate can be used as a halter so might be worth a try www.bravissimo.com/products/superplunge-multiway-bra-black-ck155blk/

Because of the multiway back strap you might be able to get away with the 36 or even 38 in the J. Worth a try - I'm normally a stickler for perfect fit but needs must.

Can you say what the range of dresses is?

Thank you! I’m trying dresses on tomorrow so hopefully there will be something that will work. They are Vera Wang dresses in a specific colour. It’s quite unusual so I think it will have to be from this range In order to match but I’m not sure. There is one I might be able to wear a normal bra with but it’s the only one the bride isn’t keen on. But she says she would rather I was happy in a bra!

Could you wear a corset? I find them more supportive than strapless bras.

Most shops can tailor dresses to suit. Have a look at the strapless options and see if 'straps' can be added. Either made from the fabric cut off the bottom when shortening the length or a co-ordinating tulle etc. Have an honest chat with the sales staff when trying on.x

Thank you...it never occurred to me that straps could be added. That could be the perfect solution since I would feel much happier and more confident with a bra and slightly covered shoulders.

I'd had the same thought re adding straps, it's easier on some than others but if there's a simple strapless it might be the easiest option. If its the white by vera wang range I can see a couple of options which I reckon could have decent straps or even cap/half sleeves added - at min there's a few straight across strapless and there's a v neck which is slightly pleated in the bust and currently has spaghetti straps

If you can't have straps, go to a proper lingerie shop and get them to fit you a strapless corsety thing (has a different name I've forgotten sorry).

I have huge boobs and had one for my wedding and it did the job perfectly. I couldn't actually believe it.

Have you checked to see if any of the bridesmaid dresses have inbuilt corset. I’m a FF and wore a strapless bridesmaid dress with an inbuilt corset a few years ago. Def didn’t need a bra. Although was v v uncomfy by end of night!

Either add straps, or get one of those bras that you can change the straps on and use clear straps on your bra if needs be. I definitely would have, I’m 34G and no one will ever catch me braless in a dress I would look ridiculous.

I'm around ops bra size and the clear straps are agony, they just roll up and dig in. I've gone strapless in a corset, but a proper bespoke one with steel boning! The plastic boning in a dress looks ok to begin with but just bends under the weight and ends up looking awful on my size of boobs. I have managed it in a one shoulder dress as that was enough to stop it collapsing.

If its a bridal shop they'll sort it for you. They'll be very used to addressing similar concerns.

@KevinKlineSwoon how did the dress trying go?x

I'm a wedding registrar and have noticed a few bridesmaids in your situ háve gone for clear straps. No one seemed bothered at al, barely noticeable. One strap dresses seem to be all the rage this year so that makes it more difficult to wear a conventional bra with straps.

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_152010509886_-1
These are great.

Good seamstress should sort you out though with boning or support in your dress. I wore a backless wedding dress, no bra. Worked out fine.

@Kiki275 I tried four and they were all nice. The bride just needs to choose the colour.

The dress has been chosen and it has one shoulder so I need all your best bra options! It's actually really lovely on so as long as I can sort the boobs I'll be fine. I am a lumpy size 18 but it does look nice. Thinking I'll fake tan and grow my hair between now and then so I feel a but less exposed.

I think the Curvy Kate Luxe is probably your best bet. You could wear one shoulder strap at least which would help. An underbust corset is also an option worth considering as it stops the bra sliding down, orchard corsets do a longline one

If it is the type of dress you can wear a basque under do that. Try the elomi Maria basque.