How to get an accurate idea?

Summer2011Bride

In my street clothes, I wear a size 10-12. I am actually really happy with that size for right now because I lost 75 lbs to get there
But the problem is, this is not the average sample size for wedding gowns. As I did some preliminary browsing, I found many dresses I liked but they were size 6 or 8 (and I know bridal even runs small). Sure, they can order in a bigger size, but how do you get an accurate idea of whether or not it will even look good on you if it is that much too small for you? I don't want to spend that much money on a dress I love on the hanger but not on me. Or am I relegated to only choosing from dresses larger than my current size because at least I can try them on?

TheCranberry

I wear a size 6-8, but my hips/butt area can go up to a 10.  I didn't have much trouble trying on dresses (even fitted ones).  Many of them needed to be closed with a clip.  So I doubt you will have much trouble. I've heard that the number on wedding dress sizes are usually smaller than street clothes.  I didn't actually look at the sizes on the dresses I tried on so I don't have personal experience with that.

opalsky007

More and more stores these days are carrying samples in larger sizes than a 6, so you should at least be able to try on a few in your size (which will probably be a 14 or so in bridal). 

If you want to try on a gown that won't zip, you can step into the gown and the consultants have alligator clips with a little elastic band in between that can hold it together to try on. This works for pretty much everything but super-tight mermaid gowns. 

If you can't step into a gown that you like, another good option is to try on one in a similar silhouette in your size, and then hold up the one you like so you can get an idea of what it would look like on you.

Beachy730

I think it just depends on the store you go to and what they carry.  The bridal shop I went to and a lot of size 6 and size 12.  I only tried on 4 or 5 but they were all 12's.  it is really hard to guess what it will look like on you in your size, but you can always get similar ideas from dresses that have certain features.  For example if you love the pickup skirt on one dress but it doesn't fit, try the pickup skirt in another dress just to see the style.

I definitely recommend calling the shops before you consider going in.  Ask what the average dress size they carry, and ask what kind of selection they have around a size 12.  Then from there decide if you want to go or not. 

artbyallie

David's Bridal carries a wide variety of sample gowns, in all sizes. They also have gowns specifically geared towards larger sizes (i.e. not designed as a size 2 and scaled up)

leduxiemerenard

I typically wear a size 10-12, but every single shop I checked out either had gowns that fit me rather well, or were able to make the gowns appear to do so using the clips PPs have mentioned.  Also, most of the dresses I tried on were labeled as anywhere between size 8 and 14.

aerinpegadrak

I'm about the same street size, and I had no trouble with the samples.  Granted, the only place I shopped was David's, but we didn't have to do too much clipping or stretching, most of the gowns were pretty close to my size.  The one I ended up purchasing was actually a sample.

richelleleigh11

I'm the same size and I went to at least 15 different bridal salons (!) looking for a dress. I never had a problem fitting into the sizes of the sample gown and like pp's have said even if the dress wouldn't zip all the way they can use clips to give you a really close idea of what it will look like.