Am I plus-size bride?

rockchalksarah

In street clothes, I'm a size 14, and I may be more like a 12 by the time I go shopping for wedding dresses. I know dresses typically run smaller, so I'm a little worried. Do I need to go to a place that has a wide selection of plus-size gowns, or can I go to just any bridal shop?

jagore08

I'm a street size 12 and I was able to try on dresses down to size 8 (couldn't zip them though).  The only ones I really had issues with were the fit and flare styles.

harpsdesire

 Wedding dress-wise, a 16 is usually considered 'plus'.  You should be fine at most shops.

I'm a 'little less than 14' myself and I had no trouble, although some places had all size 8 samples and they didn't zip so they had to be held in place to see how they'd look ordered in the right size.

PattySmith101

i am a street size 6 but my wedding gown was ordered in a 14... which was the sample size i tried on which fit almost perfectly... they go by the biggest measurement they take which would be my Boobs! my dress is allure... i think you will be fine trying on dresses just dont expect them to close in the back.... they might have to hold it for you to see how it looks....most shops carry dresses in sample size 12 or 14< i think> bridal sizes can be so weird! i wouldnt expect you to be in plus sized dresses! call the shops you plan on going to and ask their opioin and be careful some places may try to get you by saying you need to order a "plus" size so they can charge more for extra fabric or alterations you wouldnt need if you ordered in a non " plus" size! and remember dont go by the size on the dress dont even think about it , i know that kinda thing can get depressing! i actually couldnt get into one of the dresses < it was so small  like a 4! and in bridal sizes thats like a 000> you will look beautiful in your dress no matter what size it is!

good luck!

achiduck

The shop that I went to (and the other shops I planned on going to) had dresses to try on up to 30W. I think it's pretty common for stores to have more than just "sample sizes" to try on. If you're really concerned about it call the stores you're interested in going to and ask them what sizes they have available to try.

AurorasEnvy

Like you said, bridal gowns tend to run smaller in sizes - I would say that the average sample size of the dresses at the shops I went to ranged from 10-16, with a select few that were bigger or smaller.  I'd say that you'll probably be fine at a regular bridal shop, you just might not be able to zip up the dresses.  I wouldn't sweat it though, most brides don't get to try on samples that fit them well at all & it works out fine!  (I'm a size 2 petite, so needless to say it was hard to visualize a dress when it was 2 feet too long and had enough room in each bust "cup" area to fit my head into!)

QueerFemme

I am a street size 14 and the dress I ordered was a size 20W, because I have a huge chest...    So, I think it just depends on your body style/shape and what type of dress you are looking for. In one brand, I tried on an A-line and got into a 16, but the dress I got was a strapless fit & flare, and I had to go much bigger to accomodate my chest. 

My suggestion is to call the salons you are planning on going to, tell them your "street size" and make sure they have samples of at least your street size.  if you are a 14 and they only have size 8-10 dresses... you are going to leave feeling crappy.

libbynmike78

most places you go to have dresses that anyone can try on and then they use those big industrial clips to fit you! they'll definitely have up to size 12 or 14 in most gown shops!

chasemamabear

I went to 3 shops and was shopping "off the rack" and every shore had plenty size 14 which is what i bought and it fit perfectly! I also think that corseted back dresses are more forgiving size wise if you are into that

cqbride

I have a friend who is a 14, and she had some trouble finding places that carried plus sized samples. Indeed you are plus-sized, and should make sure that whereever you go has plus-sized samples available before you go.

amymaysa

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_am-i-plus-size-bride?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:081a8583-0d0d-4416-9d07-ee9ff02df074Post:d1d440fb-7ebf-4919-b1c0-f4e607d29ddd">Re: Am I plus-size bride?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm a street size 12 and I was able to try on dresses down to size 8 (couldn't zip them though).  The only ones I really had issues with were the fit and flare styles.
Posted by jagore08[/QUOTE]

Same situation as me.
The salon I went to did have some size 12s and it was nice to be able to zip...

You should be okay!
Good luck!

FaithCaitlin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_am-i-plus-size-bride?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:081a8583-0d0d-4416-9d07-ee9ff02df074Post:13c5468e-3637-4d36-90c9-a3633a8e22c7">Re: Am I plus-size bride?</a>:
[QUOTE] Wedding dress-wise, a 16 is usually considered 'plus'.  You should be fine at most shops. I'm a 'little less than 14' myself and I had no trouble, although some places had all size 8 samples and they didn't zip so they had to be held in place to see how they'd look ordered in the right size.
Posted by harpsdesire[/QUOTE]
This!<div>
</div><div>OP: you should be fine! I am a 12 and was a little worried but everything was fine. They had all sorts of sizes and you'll find that some sizes run big, small, etc.</div>

Noelle&Tyler

I'm a size 12 in street clothes and the place I went to had plenty of dresses in my size and up.  I ended up being a size 14 for dresses, and the dress I bought was a size 12 in the store so I had to order it in a 14. It was still a little snug but I've been losing a little weight and alterations will help too!