What to Wear - Dress Shopping

[Deleted User]

Are there any particular undergarments I should wear when going dress shopping? My plan is to just wear nude underwear and a nude bra.

Any other tips and/or advice?

emmaaa

Definitely nude underwear and bra. Also, if you are wanting to wear a specific bra or Spanx or any of that, take them with you.

I also wore some of the jewlery I wanted to wear on my wedding day.

Oh, and shoes. I know some people have a certain pair of shoes they really want to wear. Be sure to take those.

lildropofsunshine

I went with a regular bra, straps tucked in (I don't have any strapless bras that fit right now), regular underwear and nude spanx because well, I always wear spanks under dresses and skirts, no matter what. 

The first place I went (Alfred Angelo) gave me a corset and petticoat to wear and pretty much insisted on it. The second place I went (David's Bridal) gave me the option of using on of their corsets, but I was more comfortable wearing my own stuff, so that's what I did.

Other than that, wear stuff that's easy to take off and put back on, because after trying on dresses, which aren't the easiest to get on and off, you'll want that!

Also, make sure you eat before you go, and bring water with you. You don't want to be hangry or get dehydrated. Oh, and if you want pictures, make sure you bring a camera and ask if taking pics is okay (it was at both places I've been)...and if pictures are okay, take lots of them!

Congratulations, and good luck!

southernbelle0915

It might be helpful to bring one of those convertible bras where you can change the straps around.

Ditto on the Spanx if you plan to wear them. It'll help you determine if a dress is too hot since Spanx do add an extra layer. 

You might also bring shoes in the general height you'll likely wear. They have shoes there, but who knows how often (if ever) they sanitize them.

cgss11

I knew I would be wearing my grandmothers necklace, so I was sure to wear that. Besides that, I just wore the corset and slip that David's put on me.

laurad75

southernbelle0915 said:

It might be helpful to bring one of those convertible bras where you can change the straps around.

Ditto on the Spanx if you plan to wear them. It'll help you determine if a dress is too hot since Spanx do add an extra layer. 

You might also bring shoes in the general height you'll likely wear. They have shoes there, but who knows how often (if ever) they sanitize them.

Ditto!  Plus bring an open mind and a positive attitude.  :-)

[Deleted User]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I don't own any Spanx or a convertible bra, so hopefully I can just...not wear a bra when I try on something strapless. I definitely keep forgetting that I'll need to bring shoes. This was super helpful!

lildropofsunshine

abcdevonn said:

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I don't own any Spanx or a convertible bra, so hopefully I can just...not wear a bra when I try on something strapless. I definitely keep forgetting that I'll need to bring shoes. This was super helpful!

If you have a regular bra that fits well you can just tuck the straps in when trying on dresses thus making a "strapless" bra. That's what I did and it worked out just fine!

I didn't bring shoes with me even though everywhere I looked online said you should, but I have absolutely no idea what type of shoes I want to wear for my day, so I just tried everything on barefoot.

pinupbride6189

abcdevonn said:

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I don't own any Spanx or a convertible bra, so hopefully I can just...not wear a bra when I try on something strapless. I definitely keep forgetting that I'll need to bring shoes. This was super helpful!

I think just about every shop I went to offered me one of their strapless bras. The one that didn't just said not to worry about wearing one.

[Deleted User]

pinupbride6189 said:

abcdevonn said:

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I don't own any Spanx or a convertible bra, so hopefully I can just...not wear a bra when I try on something strapless. I definitely keep forgetting that I'll need to bring shoes. This was super helpful!

I think just about every shop I went to offered me one of their strapless bras. The one that didn't just said not to worry about wearing one.

Whew. The bras I have are all basically the same style in different colors, and, unfortunately, they are really high on the sides so I probably couldn't tuck the straps down without rendering it useless. I guess I'm not too worried--I occasionally don't wear a bra depending on my outfit so it won't be the end of the world.

Jeannine12

I went in spanx, strapless, no makeup (not to dirty the dress) except mascara, and a some jewelry and kind of pulled back my hair a bit how I wanted to wear it that day

redheadbride15

I went in seamless nude underwear - I wanted to make sure a dress would work without needing too much spanx-like stuff (this allowed me to quickly rule out "clingy" dresses). For a bra I just wore a regular one with straps because I knew this was just something I'd have to address when I decided what kind of neckline/back I wanted. (I ended up with an open backed dress - the seamstress sewed in cups. On my wedding day I wore NOTHING under my dress - scandalous! But only my H knew.)

primafaba15

Wear a bra that fits well and that you will remember which one it was (even if it's not "the" bra). This ended up being important for me because Alfred Angelo laced my dress very (too?) tightly and when the actual dress showed up the back had dropped like 3-4 inches (so my bra didn't show under the sample but showed way too much on the real thing).  So when it came time to buy a bra, I was able to show them exactly where the new one needed to hit. 

I agonized over my shopping outfit and in the end it mattered not at all. But wear something that is comfortable and you can get in and out of. Underwear also didn't matter (but don't wear a ratty pair you wouldn't want the store clerks to see :-)). 

As a side note: I pushed back on Alfred Angelo with the corset. I could not get out of the petticoat, but I insisted on my real bra when I tried my dress on for the last time, to make sure it felt right. So if you don't want a corset, don't be afraid to push! 

[Deleted User]

Thanks, everyone! I went yesterday and wore the nude bra/underwear combo, brought shoes but didn't put them on. The one store I went to let me keep my regular bra on, and the other put me in one of those longline "bridal" corset bras. 

All I can say about the experience is, wow, all the fluff in those dresses is HEAVY.

kimmiinthemitten

I wore spanx, a strapless bra and brought heels.  However, I'm clumsy and had a hard time getting in and out of the cupcake dresses without losing my balance so I said screw the shoes LOL.

My stylist advised me to just make sure I have the shoes, or shoes of the same height for when I place my order and they take my measurements and for every single fitting.

Have fun!!

augsum15

Jeannine12 said:

I went in spanx, strapless, no makeup (not to dirty the dress) except mascara, and a some jewelry and kind of pulled back my hair a bit how I wanted to wear it that day

Such a good idea no make up; only reason I say this is because I bought a sample dress and there's a couple little stains inside the dress from make up. Luckily the shop I bought it from is dry cleaning it for me as a courtesy. 

[Deleted User]

I would wear whatever undergarments you feel most comfortable in.  I wore spanx because I'm not comfortable standing in front of a stranger in just my panties and bra.  The spanx gave me more coverage and I felt better getting in and out of the dresses.  

randomslove

I just wore a normal, covering pair of undies. They were black, but I knew I wouldn't even try on a thin gown (winter wedding). No bra. I don't wear bras. I took off my shoes for it, since I don't have the shoes yet... All gowns are long on me and will need to be hemmed anyway.

I think it's more important to wear the stuff you'll be wearing for the fittings anyway.

Blackbird230

Please no thongs. That's like the biggest thing I've heard. I had a strapless bra and a pair of nude hipster underwear (comfy for me). One time I also wore Spanx.