I need your help finding a great dress for my body type

Hello all!

I need help...finding a great shaped dress for this body of mine!

I have a really poor self image...and am dreading looking for and trying on a bunch of dresses I just fear will never look good on me. I know some of you will wonder how I even came to be engaged...with such a poor outlook of myself...and I can't say for sure, except my FI is...incredible.

ANYWHO...on to the dress.

I am about 5'5", 180lbs (lost about 60lbs within the last year or so), and HATE my arms!

I've read that A-Lines or Empire waisted dresses might work well on me...and I am wondering if you all can give me your opinion of the following dress. Because of my arm issues, I have photoshopped the pic to have 3/4 length sleeves...

If you think the sleeves look...awful...or the dress a bit much for my description...maybe you could offer me a few suggestions of things to look for to make the whole dress hunt...more enjoyable?

Thank you everyone for taking the time!

1-FIRST-PICK.pdf

1-FIRST-PICK-mock-sleeves-1.pdf

I think the dress is beautiful with or without the sleves!

Another option, since you're getting married in May, and sleves might be too hot is a long veil, that helps cover the back of your arms...or even carry a light airy wrap...think shiffon. You'd be able to do different things with it and if you got too hot/drunk, you'd be able to take it off

Could you do something like this?

David's Bridal - Bridal Gowns CT229 Beaded lace mermaid gown with bolero jacket.

Ok first I want to say that I COMPLETELY understand where you are coming from. I have gained so much weight in the last few years that I'm pretty much unrecognizable. I would even post pictures before and NOW to help others feel better.

I too dreaded trying on dresses. I'm not going to lie- it still wasn't fun. I felt horrible that they didn't have a lot of dresses in my size. If I were you, I would start with David's Bridal. They carry a lot of sizes so you don't have to feel like a fat hog when you try to picture what the dress would look like if you got it over your thigh. Ok that's a little exaggeratory but that's what I felt like. IF you don't find the dress there, you at least have an idea of what different styles of dresses look like and you can go from there.

As for being insecure about arms- I get that too. I hardly ever expose my arms, but oddly enough, I jsut got over it while we were in Mx. It's so hot and I wanted to be comfortable. My arms got REALLY tan which helped them look better. By the time the wedding rolled around, I felt great. I didn't once think of myself as a fat blob on the wedding day. The feelings I felt totally over-shadowed any insecurity I had. I think it will do the same for you.

I recieved my pics and while there are a few pics that I despise how I look, I had enough to be happy. I promise- you won't feel as bad as you think you will.

I love the 1st dress you posted. It's so charming and I think it would be very flattering.

First of all, I'm impressed with your photoshop skills!

I think the dress is beautiful with and without the sleeves! It looks great!

OK, forget about the dress for just a second here. CONGRATULATIONS on losing 60 lbs. THAT IS AWESOME!

Congratulations on your weight loss!!! You rock!!!!!

I also hate my arms but didn't want anything with sleeves because it is going to be HOT! I opted for strapless but am going to get my dress altered to a sweetheart neckline because it is more flattering.

There are certain ways you can stand with your arms so that they look smaller, this could be an option for someone that doesn't like their arms (like you and I).