For a long time, I’ve wanted a way for full-busted women to be able to share their dress finds for brides, bridesmaids and wedding guests so that when it’s time to find that special dress, we don’t have to start at zero. When I discovered Pinterest a few weeks ago, it seemed like the perfect platform, and last weekend I received this email from a reader that kicked me into action:
I’ve suddenly stumbled across your blog and others who have big busts and it’s such a relief. I feel like a freak of nature sometimes, but I’ve slowly come to terms with my H cups.
Do you have any advice or suggestions for fancy [special occasion] dress shopping? I would love a custom made wedding dress, but I’m on a budget and New York is a tough city to find affordable dressmakers. I could be happy even finding a gorgeous non wedding dress, but evening gowns are just as problematic.
Both trips to David’s Bridal resulted in weird looks from the saleslady when I told her my bra size. I had a strapless bra with me, but they looked like the programming in their brains was about to break.
Although large dresses do zip up, it’s always clear that the cups in them are too small. One dress was lovely, but the seam for under the bust was directly through the middle of my chest.
This reader has budgeted $750 for her wedding dress, but she’s willing to go up to $1000 for “something really worth it”. I’ve already emailed her some suggestions, but I know there’s strength in numbers. Help her out!
Also help out anyone who has bridesmaid duty coming up this summer and anyone else who’s going as a guest. Even though I’ve asked you to help this particular reader, I’d also appreciate your coming up with dresses for multiple budgets and venues. And to give you an incentive, each contribution that you make counts as an entry for the Va Bien giveaway I announced yesterday.
You will be able to see your and other dress contributions on the Say Yes to Dresses for D Cups and Up board on Pinterest.
Here are the rules:
- Contribute one wedding dress, one bridesmaid dress and one guest dress for a maximum of 3 extra entries to the Va Bien giveaway.
- Make you contributions by either (a) linking to them in the comments to this post or (b) emailing me a photo of you actually wearing one of the dresses at Darlene [at] hourglassy [dot] com. (We would love to see the dresses in action on truly D+ women . . . let me know if you want me to crop out your face for privacy.)
- The deadline for contributions is midnight, Pacific time, on April 17, 2012.
Please remember that to be eligible, you must also “Like” the Va Bien Facebook page, and then comment on Hourglassy that you’ve liked their page and under what name.
Let me know if you have any questions!
P.S. You’re also welcome to pin your contributions directly to the Say Yes to Dresses board by letting me know how to follow you on Pinterest so that I can add you to the contributor list.
P.P.S. You’re welcome to pin more than three dresses to the board. Three is simply the maximum for giveaway entries.
http://www.trashydiva.com/shop/Dresses-c11/
Trashy Diva came out with a Bridal line this past spring! I’m a 28F and have had pretty good success with their dresses (ideally would need some tailoring to be picture perfect, but they’re well within budget). Their sizing varies by style, but they have individualized sizing charts – the silk ones in particular should be a good fit. And they have white for weddings 🙂
If it was my wedding: http://www.trashydiva.com/shop/Honey-Dress-p2557.html Either that or the Dottie halter . . . so many options.
Bridesmaids: http://www.trashydiva.com/shop/Annette-Bow-Dress-p2589.html
Guest: http://www.trashydiva.com/shop/Sadie-Beads-p87.html
Brilliant–I never would have known about their bridal line otherwise. Thanks!
I’d recommend a dress with laces or something else that’s flexible. It would make the alterations cheaper. I was about an F cup when I got married, and I got lucky with a sample that fit like a glove. David’s is NOT the place to shop. Their dresses don’t fit anyone without a lot of alteration. She should go to a real dress shop! I just got “fitted” at David’s for a bridesmaid dress for this summer. $100 dress, $80 of alterations to take in the armpits, waist, and skirt. Had to buy two sizes up to fit the boobs.
Could I just suggest Ebay? There are many sellers, mostly out of China, who create dresses based on your measurements for about $200 (search “custom wedding dress” or similar). I got a prom dress this way with good results, and many companies will recreate a style based on a picture of your dream dress. If you feel nervous, order a formal dress (you could probably get one for around $100, including shipping) based on your measurements to test the company out and see if you like their fit, design, and quality. You’d get a useful formal dress out of the bargain and save a lot of money if it works out!
Your “practice dress” suggestion is great!
Despite David’s pretty poor reputation, I had great service and found a fit and flare that actually fit my 30Gs and only needed a hem … and a couple tacks to ensure my longline stayed hidden (the wires were a little long on the sides)- sending you a picture of the sewing process since it shows how well it actually fit in the bust but also it’s just funny.
I’ve seen Vivian of Holloway’s dresses on busty women and I think they would be great for bridesmaids in a retro/rockabilly wedding. http://www.vivienofholloway.com/en/category/50s Halterneck Satin Dress/ their Grace wrap dress also looks like it would great for a more conservative wedding party http://www.vivienofholloway.com/en/category/wrap-dress/
Shabby Apple’s Top Gun (or Tuskegee or Skymaster depending on what colorway you want) is really flattering- but because it’s silk you can’t really wear a lacy bra. I wore it for Christmas this year but would definitely wear it for a wedding. https://www.shabbyapple.com/p-912-top-gun.aspx
It’s good to hear about David’s–I actually posted a book excerpt from a large busted woman raving about her great experience. I’ll link to it again on Monday.
Another H-Cup wearer here! I used a dressmaker, and it worked out to be much less expensive as compared to going the bridal-shop route.
I’ve also found (and bought) a bride appropriate dress at Lee Lee’s Valise in Brooklyn NY. Proprieter Lisa Dolan carries beautiful clothing for size 12 and larger, in addition to lingerie (Up to H cup. Yay!) and fab accessories. If you’ve ever seen What Not To Wear when they did a make-over for any woman of size, they have taken her to Lee Lee’s Valise.
This is so encouraging Catherine. I’ve heard of Lee Lee’s and have wanted to visit.
Just to your reader (I’ll look for submissions in a bit) but for my wedding dress the seamstress was able to take it in enough in the waist that I was able to go braless. It also had a corset back which helped a lot in terms of support and she added some thin straps (it was originally strapless) for extra support. In the end you really can’t tell that I went braless in it but it did take some serious alterations for a perfect fit (and I got married in Brazil so I have to admit the alterations here are CHEAP).
Ok, First I love WHBM because their sizing is generous. I am NOT smaller than a 10- but in their stuff I am! I just love the fit. Here is my wedding dress suggestion:
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=8&pageId=1&productId=570009462&viewAll=&prd=The+Alexandra+Bridal+Gown&subCatId=cat4749277&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=8&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts+WeddingWedding+Party&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=
Bridesmaid:
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=6&pageId=1&productId=570043817&viewAll=&prd=Halter+Maxi+Dress&subCatId=cat4749277&color=&fromSearch=true&inSeam=&posId=1&catId=cat210002&cat=&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=
Guest:
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=14&pageId=1&productId=570043813&viewAll=&prd=Trailing+Embroidery+Dress&subCatId=cat90006&color=&fromSearch=&inSeam=&posId=14&catId=cat210002&cat=Dresses++Skirts+EveningOccasion&onSale=&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=
I know- crazy that the guest dress is more than the wedding dress!
oh, and here’s one more wedding dress suggested by a friend-
http://?www.gownforbrides.com/?411-789-large/?sheath-column-v-neck-scallo?ped-edge-cap-sleeve-non-st?rapless-satin-wedding-dres?s.jpg
Love the faux wrap look.