Attire & Accessories Forum

How are dresses tailored to look figure flattering?

Here is my dress (below). When I tried it on, I loved how I looked in the mirror, and my sisters and mother loved it as well. After buying the dress, I looked at the photos of me in the dress, which my sisters took at the shop, and could only stare at the big bump of my stomach in the tight, form-fitting area below the belt -- especially the pictures of me from a side angle. I haven't had a fitting yet, but is there anything that the tailor does to make the belly pooch/bump not look too noticeable? I feel like every time I see a picture of a bride, her stomach looks flat and lovely (like the model's below). I am really nervous I got a dress with the wrong material and shape for my curvy figure.

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Re: How are dresses tailored to look figure flattering?

  • The pooch is caused by the dress being too tight across your hips/butt - it pulls that part and makes the part just above look loose in comparison. A dress that fits you properly will not do that. Mine had to let out the seams on the sides and then bring in those two darts in the front. 

    So don't worry about this! They'll get your dress to fit you beautifully.

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  • I should have added this too but my wedding is still a year away and I am in beginning phases of a new diet and exercise regime to help look fitter all around. I'm just really nervous about that pesky belly bulge.
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  • Was the dress you tried on too small?  If so, then that will make your stomach area more noticeable since the dress is too tight.  When altered correctly this area will not be too tight but rather fit to your shape.  Also, I swear by shape wear (Spanx and the like).  They help to smooth things out and slightly flatten the bits that may seem too plump for your liking.  Also, if you get the shape wear that are shorts they help with thigh chaffing, especially when it is a bit warm.

    Please remember that the model in the picture is most likely below average in regards to her weight compared to her height and that the picture has most likely been photo shopped like crazy, so don't compare yourself to models in a picture.

    Finally, stop freaking out.  You said you loved the dress right?  You thought you looked great in it right?  Then don't worry about it, because you are most likely over analyzing the pictures of you in it.  Once your dress comes in, try it on.  If you feel like you think your stomach is still noticeable try some shape wear.  But I am sure you look fab.

  • Shapewear helps a ton, too.  My stomach is not flat, but with the right corset for what have you it can look flat.
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  • peachy13 said:
    I should have added this too but my wedding is still a year away and I am in beginning phases of a new diet and exercise regime to help look fitter all around. I'm just really nervous about that pesky belly bulge.
    Just know that some people will always have that stomach bulge and that is okay.  That is just their shape and may just be your shape.  I know I have that shape.  If I am wearing something tight around my stomach, like a tight dress, I wear my spanx because it makes me feel more comfortable/confident in my outfit.

  • thanks everyone! I can't wait to invest in a good pair of Spanx, but in the meantime, your helpful comments made me feel better.Thanks!
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  • Dresses are tailored to fit, not to hide flaws in your body.  If fabric pulls, then the dress is not fitting you correctly.  Comparing yourself to models (photo-shopped) is unrealistic.  I hope you chose your dress because you loved the way it looked on YOU.  A good seamstress will make it fit you properly, but she cannot change the style of the gown in most cases.
    I have known photo fashion models.  They told me that they often fasted and purged for two days before a photo-shoot.  This is unhealthy and unrealistic.  The lady I knew left the fashion industry at the age of 28 because of dangers to her health.
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  • The pooch is caused by the dress being too tight across your hips/butt - it pulls that part and makes the part just above look loose in comparison. A dress that fits you properly will not do that. Mine had to let out the seams on the sides and then bring in those two darts in the front. 

    So don't worry about this! They'll get your dress to fit you beautifully.

    This is definitely the problem. I had this with most of the dresses I tried on. I have a very small waist to hip ratio, meaning my waist is quite small and my hips and thighs are bigger. Although I could see a little stomach bulge in person, pictures highlighted it terribly. While I do not have a perfect model stomach, my stomach is actually pretty flat. I ordered my dress this weekend and was measured and sized to accommodate my hips. My alterations will very likely include taking in the waist and ultimately my actual dress should fit significantly better than the too small samples. Assuming your dress was ordered in the appropriate size or your seamstress can let out the hips a little, you should be just fine.
  • Spanx, and lifting heavy weights and no soda.  but don't starve yourself, you want to be healthy and strong :)
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