Opinions, please!

RedJess31

Okay, I need some help.  I have found this beautiful Jasmine Bridal dress.  It is gorgeous and elegant, everything I'm looking for.  I really think it's "The One".  My BM got teary eyed when she saw me in it.  Now, to be sure, I'm trying on this other dress I really like, but it's really just to be sure.  The other dresses I've tried on have been pretty - some have looked really good on me.  But this one...*sigh*.  Anyhoo.  My problem is my arms.  I am a plus sized bride and I hate my arms.  I have very thick limbs.  And they've always been like this, even when I was waaay thinner my arms were still large and meaty.  This dress I love is a sleeve-less vneck.  My BM said my arms were fine and said the dress would look lovely on me.  But a friend said that it would make my arms look horrible, so should wear a strapless dress becuase it's better for plus-sized brides as it doesn't accentuate the arms as much.  Any plus-sized brides who don't like their arms have any opinions as to which is better (or non-plus sized brides) (strapless versus v-neck)?

goldgold

I think that if you felt great in it, then there shouldn't be any concern! What did the friend who SAW you in it think? You might be able to add sleeves if you really want sleeves. Can we see the dress?

spenceweb

I have never been to a wedding where I said "Gee, look at the bride's arms."  If you love it and it looks great on you, I wouldn't be too concerned about your arms (coming from someone who doesn't have great arms either.)   In my opinion, go for the dress you love. 

mbcdefg

There's really no across-the-board answer here. All plus-sized girls are shaped differently, because different people carry their weight in different spots. For me, strapless looked better than V-neck, and halter tops looked pretty good as well. But I've seen tons of plus-sized brides that look awesome in V-neck, and even sheath dresses. It's all about your individual body. Go with what YOU think looks best. And if you want additional coverage, you can order a jacket or a shrug, or have a seamstress make some sleeves or alter the straps a bit. The friend who said to go strapless - has she even seen you in the dress? If not, why the heck is she commenting on it? She can't possibly know how the V-neck will look on you unless she sees you in it.

emuliz17

It's your wedding, if you are comfortable and love the dress than go for it! I have thicker arms and I tried on several dresses with straps...without straps. I decided on my dress because it makes my waist look tiny. My mom had opinions on the dresses but in the end I made the decision. Good luck deciding!

momofayden

I have found that a sleeve-less v-neck or halter top accents your should and arm area.  Would you consider making the dress a strapless with a sweetheart neckline.  That way your curves are more accentuated rather than your arm area.  And yes i think curves on a woman looks fantastic as we are not all stick figure people.

RedJess31

My BM said I looked great in it.  The friend saw the link and saw the pictures I took of me in the dress, but she didn't see it on me in person.  Also, the dress I tried on wasn't my size, so it didn't fit quite right.  It doesn't look as good in the pictures as it did on me, in person.  But perhaps the right size would fix that?  Here's the link to the dress:http://www.jasminebridal.com/J_1_1_1_1.aspx?sqno=JPN2008092510027&j_style_no=STYL20080821002&j_line_no=LINE20080821006&j_line_season=BJasmine does custom orders, maybe I could get sleeves on it, but I don't know how that would look.

Heeeyhoney75

I don't normally post on this board, however, I was lurking and I share your same issue. I have large arms as well that I'm really uncomfortable with.  I really liked the sleeveless v neck I tried on. It was my second runner up. I liked that it covered up the pudge around my armpits in back and in front. I didn't think that it made my arms seem any smaller or larger. Sometimes with plus size girls and strapless dresses it looks like they are spilling out the top. The dress I went with is strapless. Luckly my dress fits me really well, so I don't have much of that pudge stuff. I don't think I look like I'm spilling out the top! I came to the conclusion that my arms are going to be my arms no matter what and I wasn't willing to sacrifice the dress of my dreams to hide them. I'll just do some extra pushups and some toning. I say go for the v neck. I'm sure it looks gorgous on you. Noboby is going to be paying attention to your arms. They are going to see the overall package!Sorry that was so long...it's a rough subject for me!

cathyehrlund

ya know, it isn't just a plus size issue, either. i'm a street size 4, but whenever i put on a strapless i get this strange pudge by my armpits, and it looks awful! i'm going for a halter. i wouldn't say that it accentuates the arms as much as it draws the eye up to the face, as do the straps of a v-neck, and i can tell you that i'd rather have people staring at my perma-grin than my dress. i guess what i'm saying is that you shouldn't feel boxed in to one style based on what  people say is appropriate. i would, however, say that the one thing that i'm most excited about with the halter is i won't be pulling it up all night. you will be able to dance the night away with your v-neck and not think twice about it! and if it is "the one" don't let anyone take that away from you.

eacottle

I bought a dress almost exactly like the one you posted, by the same designer, neckline, straps, etc.  I am a bigger girl and have bigger arms and I don't think it looks bad at all, neither has anyone else who has seen me in it.  I agree with the other ladies, you should wear what you love regardless of what anyone else thinks.  As long as it makes you feel beautiful you should go for it!

swim1011

The only time I have *ever* had problems with a style like that is when the armholes were really small.  That makes my arms (which is not where I carry my extra weight) look enormous.  Not to mention, uncomfortable.  The dress is beautiful!  If the friend who was with you said you looked gorgeous, and you felt that way- go for it!

karenannmark

Hi that is a beautiful dress....mine was similar but an a-line drop.....so comfortable, il try and post a picture!!http://lh6.ggpht.com/__lJAenbI3uM/SsppFL4DBUI/AAAAAAAABcA/GPKN3IMU8R4/s128/100_0492-m-k-exit-1.jpg

RedJess31

Heeeyhoney75 - this "I came to the conclusion that my arms are going to be my arms no matter what and I wasn't willing to sacrifice the dress of my dreams to hide them. I'll just do some extra pushups and some toning."  really put it in perspective for me.  Thanks!  Thank you all for your advice and your perspective!!  It has helped alot!

RedJess31

karenannmark - oh that's a beautiful dress!  You looked gorgeous!eacottle - How did you like your dress?  You said it was the same designer as mine...how was your experience in ordering it and the way it fit?

Heeeyhoney75

I'm glad I helped a little! Best of luck with everything!

key-lolo

Hi, I don't normally post to this board but I completely understand what you're going through.  I have large arms also, but the difference is when I was dress shopping I was actually looking for dresses with straps.  I think you should embrace the body you have and find something you love and feel beautiful in.  One thing that I constantly told myself was that as long as my fiance thinks I look great (big arms and all, lol) and I think I look great that's all that matters.  Also, keep an open mind.  Even though I was looking for a dress with straps, I ended up buying a strapless gown I absolutely fell in love with.  And just remember people are going to be so busy looking at your smiling face and having fun they won't have time to be worried about your arms  

vjcjenn1

I think if you are plus sized and showing that area anyways, go with your favorite dress! I don't want to sound harsh but I am not a fan of most people in a strapless dress, kind of feel you should have the right figure for it (I did NOT) so I would err on the side of straps

millenia98

The dress is beautiful. Look how you feel about it! It's crazy beautiful and you love it. So I have your same problem. I'm a size 14 and I HAAATE my arms. I know that when I get down 30lbs, I'm still going to have bigger arms. What I've been doing for the last year is heavily working my arms. My arms don't bother me enough NOT to wear a certain dress. They are what they are and I will not sacrifice my dress for it. Work on your arms and tone them up a lot. Even though you have fleshy limbs, your arms will tone if you do calisthenics and lift. Enjoy your dress!