Plus size dresses WITH SLEEVES??

Darciella

This is my first post...

I am not engaged yet, but know that that will likely happen January 2011. We know that we will want a short engagement, and because of that I am trying to get a head start on some things. Mainly I want to have the resources to go to at the last minute!

What I want to know is, who decided that the majority of brides want to go strapless? I have found several gowns that I love, but I am not willing to put 'the girls' at risk of spilling out of a dress because they have to be held up in a strapless bra. As a plus size woman, this is a substantial concern. I also would be way more comfortable with at least something covering my upper arms. They are not the most toned in the world, and I would rather not show them off

Any ideas for direction?

opalsky007

The only designer that I know of that carries a range of plus size gowns with sleeves is Bonny. Check them out, because they do have some beautiful stuff! A couple of other options come to mind, since dresses with sleeves aren't that common :

You could get a dress with straps, and then add a bolero jacket or shawl to cover your arms.

You might also look into "temple ready" gowns, which are popular among ladies from conservative religious groups. Most have at least short sleeves, some longer. I believe Alfred Angelo has a temple ready line, as do a few other designers.

gottahavashorti

You can definitely add straps or cap sleeves to a lot of dresses. There aren't a ton of dresses with sleeves on them already, but remeber that you can always add straps so you can wear a better bra, then add a bolero.

tidetravel

Also - make sure you get fit for a good longline bra, even if you go with a dress with sleeves or straps.  They work wonders for keeping "the ladies" in their proper place.

schwoebr

I agree with all the previous posts!! You can easily add cap sleeves to most any strapless gown. You could also do something like this-

http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Short-sleeve-tafetta-jacket.-SSTAF

hope this helps!

fairy_diva

Alfred Angelo carries sizes 2-30 in all of their gowns.  I am blessed in the chest dept too. I have a DDD chest.  Huge conern for me when I started shopping. None of the bustiers held me up adequately but that in combintion with the structure of my dress supports & hold the girls in perfect    Plus my dress has a corset back which helps pull me in and hold everything in place.  Any good seamstress can alter the dress to make the bodice lay flat.

I am also not happy wih my upper arms, I plan to wear a lace bolero jacket with mine.

Darciella

Thanks for the suggestions. I will investigate the options you mentioned

srkropf

First, don't count out a dress that's strapless-- that was what I was considering, but then I tried on a strapless dress and loved it-- though I am not a plus size woman and don't have to worry about my small girls going anywhere. Second, there are lots of strap options and you can start working on your arms now (i am) -- if the only reason you're considering sleeves is to cover up arms-- shawls and jackets can also work well-- as mentioned above. But early congrads and have fun! As long as you love your dress and feel beautiful in it-- you will be the beautiful bride of your dreams-- and you FFI will love it too!

Muffin'sMom

My daughter is also plus sized.  She found a Venus dress that had little sleeves...but she wanted to cover her arms.  So, since she didn't want a long trail, she had them trim the train and take the extra fabric and make a second layer to the sleeves.  You can see it below.  Also, many lines will let you order extra material and you can design some sleeves!

Muffin'sMom

Sorry...I meant an extra two layers.....

fairy_diva

BTW, all of Alfred Angelo strapless gowns come with spagetti straps or a halter strap option

reculp

I got my dress at Davids Bridal.  I wasn't dead set against strapless, but once I tried my dress I knew it was the one!  It has what is called a "portrait neckline" so it accentuates the shoulders but hides the arms.  This does not seem to be a very popular neckline and I have not seen very many dresses with it offered, but I recommend that you try it!  My dress is Oleg Cassini for David's Bridal, CMB321.

dana0212

I also wanted my arms covered but I went with a strapless dress with a small jacket.  When I tried it on in the store it really looked good to together.  That way since I am getting married in August if it gets to hot I could take the jacket off for a while. 

awarm014

You could also find a seemstress in your area to make a dress for you. I too am looking for attached slevees, and even though I have liked strapless dresses on me, I have had incedences in the past, many times with prom dresses, of the dress not staying up. I don't really care how well it is made or how good your bra is, when you are larger it just doesn't work. I just asked around and called seemstresses to find out if there was someone out there that could make the dress exactly the way I wanted it without the designers ideas that everyone wants strapless.