Need high-neck dress to cover heart surgery scar

fujiapple

I have a bad scar from heart surgery that I always keep covered up. I just got engaged this month and it looks like dresses with higher necklines (like collar bones or above) are really hard to come by. I've only been engaged for 3 weeks and I'm already depressed about this... it seems like I will never find a dress (plus I am a size 20 so that makes it even harder).

A couple of friends have suggested I have a seamstress customize a dress so that it will cover my upper chest.  But I'm having a hard time visualizing this.  Can anyone suggest a bodice style I could start with.. and what changes could be made so that it would cover my chest without looking dowdy and granny-like? 

I want to be beautiful on my wedding day, just like any other bride. I've had this bad scar my entire life (had the surgery when I was an infant), and ever since I was a little girl I have worried that I wouldn't be able to find a pretty wedding dress.  Well, my day has come at last. But I'm a bride-to-be with nothing to wear to my own wedding...

Please help me think outside the box! Thanks.

laura and david

Take a look at Eden Bridals style #5080.

jamiefour

Have you seen Ivanka Trumps dress.  This style is very popular and beautiful!

jamiefour

Here is a pic

schuttlbug

You might want to look at lines that allow you to make custom changes.  Take a look at lines like Casablanca and Jasmine bridal.  Jasmine even shows some sketches of their temple ready collection which might have some neckline options that would work for you.

swim1011

I don't know how bad your scar is, but I went to a wedding recently where the bride also had heart surgery when she was younger.  She worked her dress like a pro, her scar was visible- and nobody cared or noticed.  I understand this may not be an option for you, or something you're comfortable with, but I did want to say that if you let it go, no one else will pay attention, either. 

Here are some links I found, good luck!

http://admin.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/wedding_dresses/vendor/?f=106%3A109&f=92%3A96

http://www.projectwedding.com/wedding-dresses/high-neck

cellarius

though i agree with swim.. there are plenty of high neck dresses & i'm sure you'll be able to find one. whether the boatneck, short sleeve or cover up kind like ivanka's or halter grecian/asian types.. i think it's a trend right now

skippylouwho

Also try Googling modest wedding gown or modest wedding dress

jessNlane52804

I saw an episode of Say Yes to the Dress where the Duggar family (the one with 18 kids) was at Kleinfeld's trying to find modest dresses. They have very strict modesty requirements and Kleinfeld's had these insert things that cover the shoulders. I think in the end they just attached it to the top of a strapless dress.

I do agree with a pp that if you felt comfortable showing your scar hardly anyone would notice. If they did, I'm sure they would admire you for all that you have overcome. A make up artist may also be able to disguise it.

K Byte

I was just thinking of Michelle Duggar's dress! She purchased a strapless style, but had a higher neckline and sleeves sewn into it as part of alterations. Here's a pic from when she went to try on dresses. Now it looks like the "sleeves" are ivory and the dress is white lol, but I think that was just for trying-on purposes as Kleinfeld has a need for sleeves/necklines for modest brides. When they modified the dress, everything matched perfectly. http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/say-yes-dress/slideshows/michelle-duggar-wedding-dress-14.html

ros3392

Try Googling "Queen Anne Neckline Wedding Dress."

Not sure how high of a neckline you need, but these came to my mind whenever I read your post. Good luck!

http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49978992&currentIdx=37&subCategory=-49999486|-49998999|-49978992&catentryId=6110589&sort=

http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49978992&currentIdx=33&subCategory=-49999486|-49998999|-49978992&catentryId=6110590&sort=

http://www.davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49978992&currentIdx=82&subCategory=-49999486|-49998999|-49978992&catentryId=6166439&sort=

K Byte

You may unfortunately just have to order online without trying on. Unless you live in an area with a large LDS/very conservative religious population most regular bridal stores won't carry any modest gowns as they're considered to be too specialty. Here are some from the "modest" web sites that seem to cover the upper chest a bit more:

http://www.beautifullymodest.com/store/wedding-dresses/b3023/

http://www.beautifullymodest.com/store/wedding-dresses/sale-/3794m/

http://www.totallymodest.com/gTMG3222.html

http://www.latterdaybride.com/rockingham-details.php

http://www.latterdaybride.com/hamilton-details.php

http://www.latterdaybride.com/bradford-details.php

http://bridal-expressions.com/bridal/evan.shtml

http://www.thesilverhanger.com/?p=491

http://www.bridalimage.com/gown_pages/gown20.php

http://www.bridalimage.com/gown_pages/gown22.php

klmbbb

Are you getting married in the winter?  Would a shawl or fur wrap work? 

*tinkertoy*

I immediately thought of this dress...this isn't a great picture, it was before they fitted it but I think this is such a pretty dress.

http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/say-yes-dress/slideshows/season-4-wedding-dresses.html

**dang that didn't work, click on slide 25**

*tinkertoy*

Jim Hjelm Bridal Gowns: Style jh8904

meredithl618

I LOVE this dress. It is by J. Crew and the one that Emma wore on Glee. I don't know if it's available in your size, but it could be good inspiration for your search. 

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WeddingParties/Wedding_Bride/gowns/PRDOVR~11636/11636.jsp

Look for a lot of batteau or high neck dresses that are sleeveless, as this is a popular style. 

hildeedee

you could also get a jacket to go over your dress. look on etsy, there's tons of designers out there that could custom make something for you that goes up to your collar bone.

danielle16_17

http://www.pronovias.com/index_entrada.asp?idioma=us

http://www.pronovias.com/index_entrada.asp?idioma=us

deepcovejackie

I love the Maggie Sottoro Destinations gown that swim posted.  It's right up to the neck, with a band around the neck and then a halter style that leaves the shoulders bare.  Lovely!  I think you'll have lots of choice!

mbe

The easiest way is to get a strapless or thin strap dress. When you go to your local bridal store, tell them up front what you are looking for...trust me they have seen it all. You can easily order extra fabric and sometimes lace and doodads when you order the gown and a seamstress can custom make a jacket that snaps onto the gown so it looks as if it is part of the gown.