Dress suggestions for thin, busty girls?

[ann_e]

Hello!

 

I'm looking for suggestions about where to look, as well as what types of dresses work best with my body type.

 

I don't really know much about dresses or even really dress up that much (even though I love to). I usually wear a size 4 dress, and wear a 32DD bra size. Most smaller-sized dresses I've come across seem to be designed for smaller or regular-size-chested women, and the bigger-sized dresses will swallow me whole!

 

Do most people shop online? If so, where can I look? Will I need to have it altered?

 

None of my friends have this problem so I haven't been able to get any suggestions. And I'm worried that if I go into a store they'll be so inexperienced with my body type (like what happens at Victoria's Secret, etc.) that I'll end up with something totally unflattering.

 

Any ideas? Thank you!

[JanineA]

If you're shopping for a wedding dress I say do go into the wedding shop. You may just be pleasantly surprised since they see women in all different shapes and sizes and the consultant may be able to tell you right away what looks good on you. Across the forum some of the ladies shop on-line and some of them do go into stores where they buy their dresses, but even the ones shopping online usually say they have gone into a nearby store to try several dresses and see what fits their frame. The advantage of going into the store is that you can try on different styles and options and see what works best for you. I remember when I walked into Priscilla of Boston I thought I knew exactly what I was going to get and walked out with something completely different. Try it, you have nothing to lose.

[karielk]

A quick response, then a bit of a vent for myself:

 

I'd recommend dresses with a corset back, which give much more freedom to customize the size to the body part. Alterations can also help I'd guess, but if you have a corset back, you won't need as much. I tried on corset backs, and they give a lot more support too.

 

As for myself, I just went on my first wedding dress shopping trip. I'm a bit frustrated because I'm much bigger on top too. I'm a 36 H bra size and wear street size 10 dresses; in bridal; I'm around size 10 or 12 at waist and hips and size 16 or 18 on top. The problem is that with the dresses in the store (usually sample size 12s), I can get them on, but I have no idea how much cleavage I'll end up showing in a size that really fits. I just want to make sure I'll feel comfortable on my wedding day! Any ideas?

[carolina24]

the key when shopping for a dress is to have it fit the biggest, or widest, or fullest part of your body and then the rest can be taken in (within reason of course).

 

i bet a halter type style would look really good on you b/c it'll give you support and coverage and will still show off your thin frame. a strapless with a corset back would look great as well, but you have to becareful that the neckline isn't too low or it'll look trashy.

 

definatly look online at different site and in magazines so you can have an idea of what you like before you go to a bridal salon.

personally, i'm a maggie bride and i LOVED every dress that i tried on. it was a hard decision for me b/c she really knows how to give every woman a beautiful silhouette

 

Designer Wedding Gowns Featuring the Best Fit in the Industry - Maggie Sottero Bridal

[AishaB]

I agree with the other ladies go to the store. I am a size 0-2 and wear have the same bust size as you do (petite from my mother, breasts courtesy my father's sister). What I have found in life to be true about all of my shopping - GO TO THE STORE and try it on. When they are making adjustments, make certain that they take their time and do the measurement correctly (this is very important). When you are petite and busty, your clothes must fit well, for them to look perfect!

 

The trick that I have been implementing is buy bigger and make smaller. It has been working for me. I bought a size 8 wedding dress (strapless). That way my breasts fit, but the rest of the dress has to be drastically altered. I have to do this with all of my dresses and it usually works out fine.

 

Good luck!

[Sax Lady]

I too know about being busty but I am much bigger than you ladies but mostly do to the girls. I agree go into the stores. I got a halter and corset back and that seem to fit me much better but when you do your measurments it should fit your body type. I went and tried on dresses but i got my dress from and ebay seller.

[Cindy*]

Hi ladies, I am in the same boat. Dress size 8 but wear a 32/34 F depending on my weight. In order for my wedding dress to fit in the chest, they had to clip in the waist and hips so needless to say I will have to have it altered when it gets in. One suggestion though, if you are ordering a new dress, the designer may be able to increase the bust. For instance, even on the dress size that fit me, the bust still did not have enough material to properly cover my girls so when we ordered the dress I paid extra and had them add an extra two inches to the neckline of my dress. My dress is Mikaella but I'm sure lots of other designers will do this too. Here is my dress:

 

[karielk]

Cindy, that's a beautiful dress!

 

I'm still a bit confused, though. Did you order the dress in a size to fit the bust and then still add inches on the neckline? Or was it the size to fit your waist/hips etc.?

 

It sounds like a great option--thanks for the tip!

[jerri-lee]

I had the same problem! I actually ended up with 2 dresses, one -a mermaid style for my ceremony at home which was incredibly flattering, and the other was sort of empire but still flattering, its from davids bridal no less, i had a black sash sewn into it and it was also very flattering. your body type will look good in almost any style, don't worry!

 

I got the dress a little big then had them both taken in at my waist and hips! always works like a charm!

[*Heather*]

I have the same thing - size 0/2 but a 32D. For my wedding dress I ordered the size to fit my bust and then they took it in everywhere else. For an every day dress though, I usually can't get dresses unless they have that stretchy part at the back, or if they are flowy and thus it's not a big deal if they fit the boobs but are loose everywhere else.