Don't like image in wedding dress

keleejo3

So, this is my second wedding. I've been a plus size for a few years. I've been to two bridal stores and have tried on a few dresses. I liked one dress in one store and a totally different dress at the other store.

My issue is that I don't like how I look in either dress. One - neither are in my size. Second - I just feel so big in both dresses. Should I go for more of a plain dress or more of a lace, applique kind of dress? Not sure how to add pictures from my phone here....

heroeswearbrown

It's entirely up to you what type of dress you choose.

I know that I was more concerned with cut than with detail to be honest. I didn't think that the things on top of the dress affected my body shape or image as much as the cut did.
My dress is a lot more form fitting than I would have figured would have looked good on me, but I love it!

reppunzel

I don't know what your figure-type is like compared to mine, but I fell in love with boning an a corset back!  A custom fit without a lot of alterations (and it showed the right curves in the right places!) while the boning gave structure and held things up and in.  I haven't felt as good in other dresses I've tried that weren't as structured.

JoanE2012

I loved lots of dresses in pictures, but just not on me.  The dress I finally chose has nice detailing that pulls in at the smallest part of the waist.  I also chose an A-Line which I think is the most flattering for me.  Trumpets, dropped waists, mermaids, etc do NOTHING except enhance the parts I want to hide!  And flowy dresses looked like nightgowns.

Honestly, if you have time, I would keep looking.  And without knowing much more about what would look good on YOU, I woud say go for a dress with a little more detail (rather than plain).....it usually adds a "wow" factor.

keleejo3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_dont-like-image-in-wedding-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:6f3f0cd6-4cbf-4cc1-8a2c-b0bc679a8ee0Post:a1f7f6e7-d951-4fcd-99cc-9c668387ae5c">Re: Don't like image in wedding dress</a>:
[QUOTE]I loved lots of dresses in pictures, but just not on me.  The dress I finally chose has nice detailing that pulls in at the smallest part of the waist.  I also chose an A-Line which I think is the most flattering for me.  Trumpets, dropped waists, mermaids, etc do NOTHING except enhance the parts I want to hide!  And flowy dresses looked like nightgowns. Honestly, if you have time, I would keep looking.  And without knowing much more about what would look good on YOU, I woud say go for a dress with a little more detail (rather than plain).....it usually adds a "wow" factor.
Posted by JoanE2012[/QUOTE]

I have seen a few A-line dresses that look nice, but those dresses I tried on were not A-line dresses. Unfortunately, I'd like to hide my belly the most so corset dresses do not do it for me. I do have time, so I will keep looking. I saw a couple of posts where others are selling dresses that might fit, but I would like to try them on first. My mom said it's a second wedding and told me to buy something at Macy's or Nordstrom, because I don't need a lot of detail on a dress for the amount of people attending (<40 people). Thanks mom! <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-frown.gif" border="0" alt="Frown" title="Frown" />

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_dont-like-image-in-wedding-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:6f3f0cd6-4cbf-4cc1-8a2c-b0bc679a8ee0Post:9ccd8fe3-3ebb-4305-9004-e3a92eb0231f">Re: Don't like image in wedding dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Don't like image in wedding dress : I have seen a few A-line dresses that look nice, but those dresses I tried on were not A-line dresses. Unfortunately, I'd like to hide my belly the most so corset dresses do not do it for me. I do have time, so I will keep looking. I saw a couple of posts where others are selling dresses that might fit, but I would like to try them on first. My mom said it's a second wedding and told me to buy something at Macy's or Nordstrom, because I don't need a lot of detail on a dress for the amount of people attending (<40 people). Thanks mom!
Posted by keleejo3[/QUOTE]

Definitely try the A-Line on.  And honestly, don't worry about your belly.  Most dresses are going to be pretty fitted anyway (and the corset pulls you in nicely and will be forgiving of a few pounds either way unlike a zipper!).  I really don't think you want a "loose" dress.....I tried on some of those flowy ones and it looked like a nightgown and made me look BIGGER than I really am.

Here is a dress that has a similar waist to mine.....the material pulls into to the point where an applique is.  No matter your size, it makes your waist look small!

<a href="http://www.alfredangelo.com/collections/productdisplay.aspx?productID=90cc2df9-22f2-4c3c-bff3-1789e3f9699a&categoryID=1af402e9-205f-4b7b-9d22-6fec77b3d187&pg=1&colorId1" rel="nofollow">http://www.alfredangelo.com/collections/productdisplay.aspx?productID=90cc2df9-22f2-4c3c-bff3-1789e3f9699a&categoryID=1af402e9-205f-4b7b-9d22-6fec77b3d187&pg=1&colorId1</a>=

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_dont-like-image-in-wedding-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:6f3f0cd6-4cbf-4cc1-8a2c-b0bc679a8ee0Post:9ccd8fe3-3ebb-4305-9004-e3a92eb0231f">Re: Don't like image in wedding dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Don't like image in wedding dress : I have seen a few A-line dresses that look nice, but those dresses I tried on were not A-line dresses. Unfortunately, I'd like to hide my belly the most so corset dresses do not do it for me. I do have time, so I will keep looking. I saw a couple of posts where others are selling dresses that might fit, but I would like to try them on first. My mom said it's a second wedding and told me to buy something at Macy's or Nordstrom, because I don't need a lot of detail on a dress for the amount of people attending (<40 people). Thanks mom!
Posted by keleejo3[/QUOTE]

Ugh. First of all, ignore your mother.   Look on recycledbride.com for dresses that are in your size that happen to be in your area, if you can.  Most people selling used dresses will let you try them on, but they aren't going to ship them to you to try on.

I would consider A-lines.  They are flattering on almost everyone.  Depending on your body shape, a Fit & Flare looks good on people with smaller waists and bigger hips.  (In my opinion).  If you have a larger belly, I would consider an empire waist or an A-Line.

Keep looking.  There are thousands of dresses out there.. you just have to find the one you love.

keleejo3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_dont-like-image-in-wedding-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:6f3f0cd6-4cbf-4cc1-8a2c-b0bc679a8ee0Post:8f4e1c76-5486-48a9-9a5d-a7ce1be8c777">Re: Don't like image in wedding dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Don't like image in wedding dress : Definitely try the A-Line on.  And honestly, don't worry about your belly.  Most dresses are going to be pretty fitted anyway (and the corset pulls you in nicely and will be forgiving of a few pounds either way unlike a zipper!).  I really don't think you want a "loose" dress.....I tried on some of those flowy ones and it looked like a nightgown and made me look BIGGER than I really am. Here is a dress that has a similar waist to mine.....the material pulls into to the point where an applique is.  No matter your size, it makes your waist look small! <a href="http://www.alfredangelo.com/collections/productdisplay.aspx?productID=90cc2df9-22f2-4c3c-bff3-1789e3f9699a&categoryID=1af402e9-205f-4b7b-9d22-6fec77b3d187&pg=1&colorId1" rel="nofollow">http://www.alfredangelo.com/collections/productdisplay.aspx?productID=90cc2df9-22f2-4c3c-bff3-1789e3f9699a&categoryID=1af402e9-205f-4b7b-9d22-6fec77b3d187&pg=1&colorId1</a> =
Posted by JoanE2012[/QUOTE]



I did overlook that dress. Maybe I should try it on...

anakenzie

I'm going to second, or third trying some A-line dresses.  I also went into it thinking I would look best in certain styles, and ended up with this:
http://www.alfredangelo.com/collections/productdisplay.aspx?productID=7ec2404b-b333-400a-bbaa-c8777335718e&categoryID=32e5a88c-cbf1-498f-afcf-dbfca138c5d3&pg=3&colorId1=

Which was way more flattering than I thoguht it would be.  Be open to trying on anything that is suggested.  You never know until you try it on :-)

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_dont-like-image-in-wedding-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:6f3f0cd6-4cbf-4cc1-8a2c-b0bc679a8ee0Post:8f4e22df-e496-41ea-b51a-e761769cd43d">Re: Don't like image in wedding dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Don't like image in wedding dress : I did overlook that dress. Maybe I should try it on...
Posted by keleejo3[/QUOTE]

Yeah, and even if you don't like the overall look of it, keep that waist in mind.  My dress has a similar waist (where the material comes together to a point in the middle with an applique) and I knew it was my dress immediately. 

I thought for sure I'd get a dress with rouching to hide my stomach, but I found the material bunching actually made me look bigger.  It's hard to explain, but I realized rouching was not good for me. 

Keep looking.  To me, dress shopping was stressful because I wasn't happy with the way the dresses looked on me.  But when I found my dress, I felt incredible. Yours is out there.

keleejo3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_dont-like-image-in-wedding-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:6f3f0cd6-4cbf-4cc1-8a2c-b0bc679a8ee0Post:99397269-b9c5-4caa-9675-f1dfd7820ade">Re: Don't like image in wedding dress</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm going to second, or third trying some A-line dresses.  I also went into it thinking I would look best in certain styles, and ended up with this: <a href="http://www.alfredangelo.com/collections/productdisplay.aspx?productID=7ec2404b-b333-400a-bbaa-c8777335718e&categoryID=32e5a88c-cbf1-498f-afcf-dbfca138c5d3&pg=3&colorId1=" rel="nofollow">http://www.alfredangelo.com/collections/productdisplay.aspx?productID=7ec2404b-b333-400a-bbaa-c8777335718e&categoryID=32e5a88c-cbf1-498f-afcf-dbfca138c5d3&pg=3&colorId1=</a> Which was way more flattering than I thoguht it would be.  Be open to trying on anything that is suggested.  You never know until you try it on :-)
Posted by anakenzie[/QUOTE]

That is a gorgeous dress!

keleejo3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_plus-sized_dont-like-image-in-wedding-dress?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:973cdc6f-961e-4fb0-a628-bef2bb559697Discussion:6f3f0cd6-4cbf-4cc1-8a2c-b0bc679a8ee0Post:0a6c89e8-2984-4a1a-b865-3f61cee23925">Re: Don't like image in wedding dress</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Don't like image in wedding dress : Yeah, and even if you don't like the overall look of it, keep that waist in mind.  My dress has a similar waist (where the material comes together to a point in the middle with an applique) and I knew it was my dress immediately.  I thought for sure I'd get a dress with rouching to hide my stomach, but I found the material bunching actually made me look bigger.  It's hard to explain, but I realized rouching was not good for me.  Keep looking.  To me, dress shopping was stressful because I wasn't happy with the way the dresses looked on me.  But when I found my dress, I felt incredible. Yours is out there.
Posted by JoanE2012[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your kind words...  I still have time, so on to look at more dresses and try some on!

Kate61487

Definitely keep looking and stay open to different cuts and styles.  I went in thinking I wanted a satin, A-line, very sleek, off the shoulder dress with like no embellishment.  Thanks to my mom pushing I tried on the dress I ended up getting (lace, trumpet, v-neck) and it was definitely a huge difference.  Suddenly instead of "this dress is pretty" it was "I am pretty in this dress".  So keep trying!

MarjieD60

I am not just plus sized, but short as well.  I found my dress in David's plus sizes.  Was able to try on my size, which helped, and found one very flattering.  It is strapless, could easily have straps added.  I'm going to wear a shrug with it.  Don't like my arms.