What did you wear... under there?

shannonalise

I'm clueless. When I tried on bridal gowns, I brought some loose fitting (for some reason) Spanx and a long line bra. When my gown arrived, I put it on with the same under-garments and you could see the long-line bra coming out over the top of the back of the gown.

I am scheduled for my first fitting, but I've lost some weight and need new under-garments. Do I get those first and then the dress is altered to fit those? Or do I get the under-garments and return them if they reveal outside the gown?

Where should I begin looking for under-garments? Should I be looking for a particular cut? I'm pretty full-chested, so I need lots of support up there, but I also want a smooth line because my dress is pretty fitting to my body.

Thank you!

september's bride

I had a regular strapless bra sewn into the cups of the wedding dress to add to the support of the dress. My seamstress also changed the boning for me so that helped as well. I found that all of the foundation garment type things showed up under my dress so I opted out of them completely and just wore regular underwear.

ETA: I think it's better for you to find a bra that works for you and then get the dress altered to fit that. Plus, don't cheap out on it, especially if you've got something in the boobage department. You'll kick yourself for buying a cheapy thing that stretches out, I promise you.

ZoeTheDog

YES get the undergarments FIRST!  My friend's mother is a full-time seamtstress who is kindly doing my alterations and she threatened my life if I came to her without getting the undergarments first.  It's apparently a tailor's worst nightmare. 

Don't go to a David's Bridal or Macy's lingerie department for this, especially if you are top-heavy (I am jealous that you have that problem...I will probably be putting socks in my corset the night before just to see how they look LOL).  Find a mom & pop, specialty or boutique shop that does this.  You will be amazed how the personal attention of a one-on-one bra fitting will change your outlook on your shape and undergarments in general. 

sarahmk5

Nothing 

Just kidding.  Seriously, I'm just going to be wearing nude underwear.  I'm tossing around the idea of wearing spanx, but no bra.  I'm held in pretty good by my dress, but my boobs aren't that big, either.

Maybe talk to your seamstress about what would work best for you.  Sewn in cups may help.

shannonalise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_did-wear-under-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:68b16af0-8f88-4f41-8558-e3cfd4e482d8Post:2c23b7f5-29a0-4a6b-99fb-e3a641c14d18">Re: What did you wear... under there?</a>:
[QUOTE]YES get the undergarments FIRST!  My friend's mother is a full-time seamtstress who is kindly doing my alterations and she threatened my life if I came to her without getting the undergarments first.  It's apparently a tailor's worst nightmare.  Don't go to a David's Bridal or Macy's lingerie department for this, especially if you are top-heavy (I am jealous that you have that problem...I will probably be putting socks in my corset the night before just to see how they look LOL).  Find a mom & pop, specialty or boutique shop that does this.  You will be amazed how the personal attention of a one-on-one bra fitting will change your outlook on your shape and undergarments in general. 
Posted by ZoeTheDog[/QUOTE]

Wow! Thanks so much for the excellent advice! Out of curiosity, would I be looking for a lingerie store? Or... Do you know?

shannonalise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_did-wear-under-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:68b16af0-8f88-4f41-8558-e3cfd4e482d8Post:579177e6-69d8-4005-b7e3-71145f6a97d9">Re: What did you wear... under there?</a>:
[QUOTE]I had a regular strapless bra sewn into the cups of the wedding dress to add to the support of the dress. My seamstress also changed the boning for me so that helped as well. I found that all of the foundation garment type things showed up under my dress so I opted out of them completely and just wore regular underwear. ETA: I think it's better for you to find a bra that works for you and then get the dress altered to fit that. Plus, don't cheap out on it, especially if you've got something in the boobage department. You'll kick yourself for buying a cheapy thing that stretches out, I promise you. :)
Posted by september's bride[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much! This is great advice. I like the idea of having cups sewn in.

ZoeTheDog

Hey Shannon, I would google lingerie or undergarments and the town you're in.  Some specialty dress shops will offer this service as well.  Also try googling Lady Olga - this is a specific line that shops will carry and that might be easier if you can't find lingerie shops near you. 

Do not skimp on this haha...the advice I got was, 'The dress will only look as good as the bra holding it up!" 

AmoroAgain

I bought the full on spanx.  The one's that go from your bra down to your thighs.  Love. Them.  Weird though, I could still see my freaking belly button through the dress, but I think that's because I didn't wash them between my fitting and wedding day- they weren't as tight I needed them to be!

But yes, definitely get a great bra fitting.  You might have to go above and beyond, but you'll be amazed at the difference in your rack.  It's never flattering to see a woman with boobs coming out of her stomach. lol

beatlesgirl25

You might try VS. My dress had a deep V in the front, and an even deeper V in the back, and VS had the only bustier that fit underneath it without showing and looking completely pokey and unnatural in the boob area (I'm smaller up there though). It was around $60 I think, and the more pricey ones at Macy's and Nordstrom's failed to fit the same way. I wore Spanx-like shorts over the bottom of the bustier to smooth out that line and everything else below it. Those were about $12 at Macy's.

aallenba

I am wearing a spanx type undergarmet that goes from mid belly down to thighs and then I had cups thrown in. You may want to talk to your alterations person beforehand to see if they may be able to put cups in your dress, I'm a small B but it may not work as well for bigger girls.

Good luck!

shannonalise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_did-wear-under-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:68b16af0-8f88-4f41-8558-e3cfd4e482d8Post:08c5f116-42a6-4276-8a88-9d30308683b0">Re: What did you wear... under there?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hey Shannon, I would google lingerie or undergarments and the town you're in.  Some specialty dress shops will offer this service as well.  Also try googling Lady Olga - this is a specific line that shops will carry and that might be easier if you can't find lingerie shops near you.  Do not skimp on this haha...the advice I got was, 'The dress will only look as good as the bra holding it up!" 
Posted by ZoeTheDog[/QUOTE]

Thank you, thank you!! That makes perfect sense. Thanks for steering me in a direction! <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" />

shannonalise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_did-wear-under-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:68b16af0-8f88-4f41-8558-e3cfd4e482d8Post:4502b2c3-7941-4e5d-b0f4-ebdb6a86a822">Re: What did you wear... under there?</a>:
[QUOTE]I bought the full on spanx.  The one's that go from your bra down to your thighs.  Love. Them.  Weird though, I could still see my freaking belly button through the dress, but I think that's because I didn't wash them between my fitting and wedding day- they weren't as tight I needed them to be! But yes, definitely get a great bra fitting.  You might have to go above and beyond, but you'll be amazed at the difference in your rack.  It's never flattering to see a woman with boobs coming out of her stomach. :D lol
Posted by AmoroAgain[/QUOTE]

HAHA!!! Never flattering at all. I don't want any knee shooters. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" />

fallbride1109

I had cups sewn in also.  I found the bras added too much extra material and my dress already had boning, so I didn't need spanx or anything.

I wore the silk "blushing bride" undies from TK and I loved them--they felt great.

ggmae

I wore a longline, lace bra and cute blue underwear from Aerie.

LesPaul

I wore a strapless VS bra and a wonderful Spanx that went from just below the bra to mid-thigh.  Felt very comfortable all day, and the Spanx didn't roll up on the legs or down on the torso.  I had the bra first, it worked with the dress I chose, and I added the Spanx later.

shannonalise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_did-wear-under-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:68b16af0-8f88-4f41-8558-e3cfd4e482d8Post:52c9413b-c299-4ce3-a7b9-48fae694798b">Re: What did you wear... under there?</a>:
[QUOTE]I had cups sewn in also.  I found the bras added too much extra material and my dress already had boning, so I didn't need spanx or anything. I wore the silk "blushing bride" undies from TK and I loved them--they felt great.
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

I'll have to look for those! Thanks!

tlv204

This is one of the reasons I really wish I had chosen a dress with more structure to it. I ended up wearing a long line bra with giant boob to knee spanx over it, and could still see my belly button unfortunately. And I was even thinner then than I am now, but oh well.

Anyway what I did was buy several undergarment options, brought them to the fitting, and tried them all on under my dress before they actually pinned it for alterations and such (leaving tags on and wearing my own unders under those so it wasn't gross), then returned the ones that didn't work.

My long line bra showed at first in the back of my dress (which was a deep V), but if you just undo the first 2 or 3 hooks at the top of the longline bra, then tuck those new loose flaps down under the rest of it (to make the top of the bra a V too), it shouldn't show anymore since it's lower and fits the shape. We sewed the little flaps down, but you don't have to.

shannonalise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_did-wear-under-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:68b16af0-8f88-4f41-8558-e3cfd4e482d8Post:79239e66-f375-4438-98fd-fe79008ef99e">Re: What did you wear... under there?</a>:
[QUOTE]This is one of the reasons I really wish I had chosen a dress with more structure to it. I ended up wearing a long line bra with giant boob to knee spanx over it, and could still see my belly button unfortunately. And I was even thinner then than I am now, but oh well. Anyway what I did was buy several undergarment options, brought them to the fitting, and tried them all on under my dress before they actually pinned it for alterations and such (leaving tags on and wearing my own unders under those so it wasn't gross), then returned the ones that didn't work. My long line bra showed at first in the back of my dress (which was a deep V), but if you just undo the first 2 or 3 hooks at the top of the longline bra, then tuck those new loose flaps down under the rest of it (to make the top of the bra a V too), it shouldn't show anymore since it's lower and fits the shape. We sewed the little flaps down, but you don't have to.
Posted by tlv204[/QUOTE]

That's a really great idea. Thanks!

ZRex

I vote nieman marcus.  They have some nice stuff that is under $200, and very sleek (no seams, etc).

shannonalise

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_did-wear-under-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:68b16af0-8f88-4f41-8558-e3cfd4e482d8Post:871a3fc4-d188-4bbd-8859-8c7ce7e5ed23">Re: What did you wear... under there?</a>:
[QUOTE]I vote nieman marcus.  They have some nice stuff that is under $200, and very sleek (no seams, etc).
Posted by ZRex[/QUOTE]

Thank you! I'll give it a look!

ladyooh1

OMG I am getting married at the same time as you...

missmandy1984

As far as the chest support/bra situation goes, II highly recommend looking into the nu-bra.  They are silcone cups that stick right to you, and peel off with ease (no sticky mess).  The added benefit is they are completely reusable and washable.  I purchased mine from Macy's, but VS and other department stores carry them.  They are around $65, but I lucked out and got mine on clearance for half off!  Good luck!

Zekina734

I am big chested as well and I have always had troubles with boobs getting the right support.  But I have found that the women over at Victoria's Secret to be VERY helpful.  When I was a hostess at my cousins wedding, I had to get a bra that was low enough in the sides yet supported my overly ample bust.  They helped me get the right bra.  I'll be going back there to get the bra and such for my wedding dress as well.  They also have a great line of seamless undies and bras that don't show underneath clothing and body slimmers.  My suggestion: get a Victoria's Secret credit card then go to your local Victoria's Secret and tell one of the girls working there what your needs are.  Many are certified bra fitters and know their products extremely well.  You should be able to find all that you need there.  And best thing about having the VS Credit card is that you don't have to pay cash for everything now.  You can make payments of the credit card, saving on your bridal budget now.  You can go to www.VictoriasSecret.com to browse their selection to see what they have and in what sizes.  That way, when you go to the store itself, you'll already have an idea of what you are looking for. 

Ashley9_1_2010

i dont really have much advice i just want to thank you for starting this post because i was wondering what to.... wear under there as well.

however when i was younger we had a bare necessities store in the area and my oldest sister was very top heavy so that is wear my mother took her for her bra's after seeing the care my sister got she ended taking all of my sisters and my self there and i mean all 6 of us girls. Not only did it make me feel not as scared  geting my first bra, but they have bra's for anyone in size A  to a custom size Z if the person needed it. (yes i know there is no size z but you get the piont)
my sister also got her wedding knickers from there aswell.
Sadly the plaza it was in was sold but hopefully i can find a new one a town over. Either wa the direct care is worth every penny and it is so much cheaper there than at VC or FoH.
I hope this helps a little.

Cate.Murillo

If you leave in the San Francisco are there is a nice little boutique that I bought my undergarments from and it is named Dutchess in Campbell, CA. This is a wonderful little store that will help you find the right undergarments to wear. If they don't have it the will order it. Hope this helps.

kzohorsky

I would wait until after your first fitting. I bough a $125 bustier and that also came out of the top of my dress a little bit.  When I had my fisrt fitting the seamstress said she would sew cups in the dress for only $25.  Which ended up looking better and was more comfortable, 1 less layer was a lot cooler!

jviesetnz

You could check at Victoria's secret, they carry some corsets and specialty bras. There are even ones that stick onto you and are very smooth and backless. I'm a D cup and these have all worked for me! As far as panties, they have a variety of options for seamless thongs or bikini's so just ask an associate! If you want some support, they also sell great spanx-type undergarments. I bought the high wasted boy cut one for under my very tight fitting bridesmaid dress and it worked amazingly!!!

sbrabec

I called a few special ungarment stores and told them about the wedding gown and situation, like my body and what I want and don't want (oh god, falling out in front of the in-laws).  I also called seamstresses for wedding gowns and explained the same things.  The conclusion is, get your underware first and shoes before your fittings.  I'm sure things will vary widely depending on your dress and body, also what you want.  I think your seamstress would be the most knowledgeable resource here.  They are the person you entrust to cut and sew the gown and in theory they have years of training and experience.
I hear you about the weight change issues.  I'm freting about it, too.  Hence, all the phone calls that I already made.  When I bought the dress, just after the Holidays, I told the girls that my weight would change, it always does.  It seems to be a popular theme with brides, the seamstresses I called knew it all too well.

gorgeouz

I agree with what most of the other ladies are saying, get the bra before the first fitting and don't go cheap. I'm also top heavy and I've tried those paste on bras, they don't hold much. They're good if your an A, B or C cup not if you're anything over. If you're going to do the corset/bustiere I have a few suggestions. Go with one that goes more towards the hips. I wore a shorter one (stopped at the waist) for my best freinds wedding and the boneing left bruises. Fredricks of Hollywood has some good ones that support well but I don't know if they have any deep V in the front ones. They do have some that have a deep V in the back and still support. Good Luck!!

hh581842

I recommend the Nordstrom Lingerie department to buy your lingerie.  I used to work there and I can tell you that they are very knowledgeable and are very well trained vs. other lingerie stores.  Macy's isn't going to have the same quality lingerie and Nordstrom definitely tops Macy's and Victoria's secret when it comes to service, knowledge and selection, especially for a bustier bride.  Nordstrom has options for bra sizes all the way up to G and possibly H by order. I would definitely go in there for a fitting and see what they can do for you.

As far as Spanx, it really depends on what your dress is like when choosing this undergarment, but a Nordstrom rep will be able to help you.  One hint though: You want your spanx to be on the small side.  Loose fitting spanx? those aren't going to do anything for you. If you normally wear a large in clothes I would try on a Med is spanx, and if you can breath in them lol, a small.  The idea is you want them to suck it all in for you, so they should be tight.  Not loose!!! that defeats the purpose.  For a corset type dress you can get an undergarment with boning, or for a thinner material they have ones that go from just underneath your bra and then into a thong, which eliminates lines.  Also, because this is for a  very special event, you can consider having spanx altered and having lace sown around the edges to eliminate lines even more. 

hh581842

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_did-wear-under-there?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:68b16af0-8f88-4f41-8558-e3cfd4e482d8Post:48eaf57a-c788-4391-954e-797309c09fc7">Re: What did you wear... under there?</a>:
[QUOTE]As far as the chest support/bra situation goes, II highly recommend looking into the nu-bra.  They are silcone cups that stick right to you, and peel off with ease (no sticky mess).  The added benefit is they are completely reusable and washable.  I purchased mine from Macy's, but VS and other department stores carry them.  They are around $65, but I lucked out and got mine on clearance for half off!  Good luck!
Posted by missmandy1984[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>yeah but these are not going to work for a bustier bride. These don't really provide support that someone with more than a C needs.  Don't get them.</div>