Dress shopping in a week, and need some serious help!

aluaevolver

Okay, I just made an appointment to go with my MoH and one of my bridesmaids that are in town, to go shopping for a wedding dress. When I made the appointment, they didn't tell me to bring anything...So I wondered.

I googled and I guess I didn't really think about the whole "I'm going to be dressing in front of someone else" who just happens to be a total stranger.  I feel like panicking already.

Google said to bring a strappless bra (which I don't own) and plain white undergarments (which I may or may not own.

They don't allow you to wear shorts or a tank top while trying on dresses, do they? I'm not worried because of my apperance, I just don't want to be running around a shop, mostly exposed.

Do they have bras that I could borrow for the dress tests?

[Deleted User]

When I went to try on dresses I wore a strapless bra and boyshort undies and other than that I brought jewelry and shoes I planned to wear on the wedding day (that I don't recommend you buy until you have YOUR dress in retrospect...)

And don't worry you're not going to be "mostly exposed" in front of the whole store, they take you in a dressing room! The consultants are used to seeing girls in their undies and should be able to make you feel comfortable.

I think it would help if you went out and bought a straples bra so that when you're looking at yourself in the mirror you aren't trying to imagine the dress without your bra straps hanging out   But other than that I wouldn't worry, just have fun!

cnf2013

I wore a nude colored strapless bra, but you can always just pull the straps down if you need. Some places will offer you a bustier. I didn't have any not colorful underwear, so I popped into Walmart and picked up a $5 pack of Hanes with a nude pair in them. Honestly though, my mom was the one in the dressing room with me at all four boutiques I've been to and all the dresses I tried on had enough layers that underwear color ended up not mattering, so it wouldn't have ended up making a difference. One place I went a girl was trying on dresses over her clothes. I thought it was a little strange, but she looked of Oriental decent of some sort, so I figured maybe it was a cultural thing. I'm sure they'd let you wear a camisole and some spandex short if you really wanted. 

Also, bring water. It gets hotter than all get out trying on those heavy dresses, 

daubachsgirl23

I wore a nude strapless bra and some sort of modest underwear.  It was just me and my consultant in the dressing room and it wasn't awkward or anything.  You won't be running around the shop in your underwear or anything, so I wouldn't worry about that.

I assume that most bridal shops have bras you can borrow.  I highly doubt a girl wearing a strapped bra would be an unusual sight for them.

Definitely bring a bottle of water, a hair tie (if you have long hair) and maybe a small snack.  Trying on dresses is HOT.

aluaevolver

Thanks for the tips!

I will definetly remember to bring water! Funny, nothing was mentioned about that on Google. I will remember to wear my hair up and bring a snack too. It's in a mall, so there is a food court, but snacks are good.

I guess I might try and find a strapless bra in less than a week. I have white underwear but they have designs on them. I guess I will have to ask my fiance or probably bridesmaid if we can go to walmart or somewhere and then shoo him off. I never by undergarments around him. Lol, I usually order online and have it shipped home. I can't drive because I get seizures so the docs won't let me.

I suppose I could rush the shipment...

I don't think I'm going with a strapless dress though. I'm so afraid it won't stay up and that would be embarassing.

monkeysip

All 3 of the stores I went to had bustiers for me to wear (I had wore a bra with straps).

And yeah, it's just you and consultant in the dressing room.  It's really not embarassing.

But since you're the customer, and you're the one paying their commission, I'm sure you could wear anything you wanted to.  It just might not be as fruitful because the more clothes you wear under the dress, the harder it will be to see how it truly fits you.

aluaevolver

What about leggings? Those are skin tight....would that be okay? I have some that are  capri length. They're black though.

kd.joseph

I agree with everything PP's have said, dont be nervous,you will not be in front of everyone in the salon.

One person will take care of you and she's a professional and has done this many times.

I brought a strapless bra, but ended up needing the long line bra with most the dresses I tried on, and you can borrow those. Just wear full coverage panties and buy a simple bra.

And I also agree, dont buy shoes or anything else until you get YOUR dress. Than you can visualize what you'll want.

loca4pook

I wore normal underwear that weren't white for dress shopping. Don't buy new ones just for that. I didn't try on a single dress where you saw my undies. Don't waste your money.

I agree with bringing water. I got hot and felt like I wanted to pass out on one occasion.

Tabbie11

I didn't even think about it and wore bright undies... no big deal though when only trying things on as long as you can look past it! Although after starting bikini waxes I'm not embarressed by much I think its more important to have the right under garments when you go for your fittings

amymaysa

Just wear normal underware, no need for leggings. If you can get a strapless bra great, but not a deal breaker.

I wasn't in the store exposed in any way. I was in the room and put the dresses on and then when I needed to be zipped up, the consultant would come in. She saw  part of my back, that's it. I wouldn't stress.

monkeysip

I would add that you should be vocal with your consultant about what you're comfortable with.

At the first shop, the girl only came in to zip me up (actually, clip me up since nothing would zip, haha).  So she never saw anything but my back.

At the second and third shops, the women were in there practically the whole time.  They saw a lot more, BUT that's only because I didn't care at all, and didn't say anything.

If that's uncomfortable for you, then just speak up and let them know you'll call them in when you're ready to be zipped up.

aluaevolver

I can do that?! Seriously! Okay, I feel a ton and  a half better now. ^_^

Thank you, all, beautiful ladies for your tips and assurance! Here's to no more stressing about the dress shopping.

annieoldfield

If you dont want to have to buy a strapless bra, try all the ones you own with the straps just tucked into your bra and see if they hold up ok. 

gailpete

What my DD found really helpful was to wear a Spanx to try on dresses.  It helped in 2 ways 1)  It covered and helped smooth out the bumps, 2) since it is a smooth fabric it helps the dresses slide over the hip area a little more easily if the sample size is a bit small.

Don't stress out.  You are the customer so just let them know what you are comfortable with.  If they won't accomodate that, find a new salon.

BostonGIrl4732

I had my sister help me into my dresses and it wasn't an issue.  I also wore a convertible bra (I hate strapless bras) and just removed the straps when I wanted to see how it would look in the mirror.  It's all about what makes YOU feel comfortable.

dvenice721

I wore a strapless bra and spanx.. that way im totally covered

Peledreamsofrain

Just take a deep breath and relax, your consultant is there to sell you stuff, and they'll bend over backwards to make you comfortable.  It'll be your rules and your way, all the way.

I personally wasn't as thoughtful as you, and just stampeded into the store on a whim, high with the joy of being engaged just 24 hours prior.  Yeah..... I ended up having a good laugh at myself when I realized that I had my bright orange pair of undies that day.  My consultant was a good spirit though, and rolled with it.  The attendent will stay in the booth with you while you swap dresses, but honestly you're in so many layers of frufru undergarments, you might as well be fully dressed.

If you don't have the type of undergarment (bra) that you need for the dress you are trying on, they are MORE than happy to supply one for you (in the hopes you buy it).  I did end up buying the one they supplied for me that day (because who has a corset?).

Enjoy the process, come to the appointment in whatever you feel comfortable in, and they'll cater  to you and your needs.  You're the one in charge.  They