Plus Sized Gown Help????

luv2teech7 · May 2011

Help!!! I thought I was all set by making an appointment at Vows in Watertown to start my search for a gown, but what they don't make clear on their website is that they don't carry many dresses above a size 18 in the store. I want to go somewhere that I am able to try on dresses...physically put them on my very own body!! I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. I've put off shopping because I've had health issues that delayed the wedding, but recognize I can't keep delaying this as I'm getting married April of 2012. I'd appreciate any help you can suggest, but keep in mind I want to actually try on dresses. Where can I go? Willing to make a day trip somewhere if necessary.

eveyishappy · May 2011

I would call them to check. My friend had a great experience with them. Plus, even if the dresses don't fit all the way, you'll probably get a very good idea of what it will look like.

luv2teech7 · May 2011

I came on here only after finding out they only have a few dresses larger than an 18. I don't want my first experience with dress shopping to be one that makes me decide to call the whole thing off. It's something that "normal" sized women could never understand....but not being able to try on your own wedding dress just defeats the entire purpose of a wedding. It's horrifying enough....but without dresses in my size, it's nearly impossible.

DirtyWater · May 2011

I'd call Alfred Angelo and Bella Sera in Danvers. I tried on sizes 12, 14, 16, and one or two 18s at Bella Sera. You can look at the designers they carry and narrow down ones you really want to try on and give them the style number.

I know exactly how you feel. I've been going between 12-18 my entire life and hate that nothing is ever available to try on and you end up paying a fee to have it brought in for every dress you think you might like or would look good on you.

seprincipe · May 2011

Give The Wishing Well in East Providence RI a call. They had a very large selection of larger sized gowns in store - but I'm not sure if the sizes were 18 or something larger...

JBs_Bride · May 2011

A friend of a friend got her dress at Botticelli in RI. She said the shop girls were really nice and very helpful.

noodle_oo · May 2011

I'd definitely call some stores and ask. DB has a lot of sizes in store (have you tried them already?). I also think Marry and Tux in Nashua, NH has more sizes to try on (try calling to be sure!). Maybe Madeliene's Daughter as well?

megandjared14 · May 2011

If I were you I would stay clear of Wishing Well in East Providence, I went there first and left in tears. This is just my opinion. I went and got my dress from Botticelli's in North Providence in Mineral Spring Ave. I have had nothing but great expeiences every time I have gone there. The womans name is Jan, she is just terrific and goes out of her way to make you feel so comfortable. I have had health issues that have caused me to gain weight, and as self-concious as I am, she cracks the shell and really makes you feel awesome about yourself. If you need any more information let me know. HTH

Magdala9 · May 2011

I bought a size 20 petite at Priscilla of Boston in Back Bay.

Patsfn12 · May 2011

I would try Platinum Bridal in Southboro. The store is amazing, the owner is fantastic and they have a wide range of sizes to try on.

karmellah · May 2011

I had a wonderful experiance at the david's bridal in Danvers. I got a stunning cassini dress. Ask to be paired up with Cynthia. Shes amazing.

RivelAmy · May 2011

I'm a size 24, and I got an amazing dress at DB in Danvers, right on Rt. 1. Not to mention I paid less than 50% of the original price! I have Jiojhia (It is pronounced "Georgia") and she was great! So patient and listened to every need/want/complaint of mine!

berty2011 · May 2011

My dress came from Wishing Well bridal and they had a great selection. I am plus size and I wish stores would carry more plus sizes. It makes a big difference to actually put the dress on and not have someone hold it up on you. I had a great experience there. GL

nmcf77 · May 2011

I ,like you, wanted to actually try on dresses that are my size. I had luck at Alfred Angelo in Danvers and at David's Bridal. They both carry dresses in sizes up to 28 and have many to choose from to try on in plus sizes.

chrispygal · May 2011

I'm a size 20 bride myself, so I feel your pain. My biggest dread was dress shopping and I cried pre-visit numerous times because I was so nervous. It ended up being a GREAT experience for me!

I second Botecelli's in Providence. They ONLY carry plus size gowns and will have the largest selection for you to try on. They carry two or three makers though, and that's it. BUT it's a great way for you to see what looks good on you, what works for your body, and what doesn't. If you make a trip down this way you can also hit the Alfred Angelo shop in North Attleboro, MA or you may have one near home too.

I got my dress at House of Brides in Woonsocket, RI. The store owner, Linda, is plus size (probably an 18 or 20) and she carries tons of larger sizes. She was very sensitive, made me feel very comfortable and amazingly got me into dresses I wouldn't dream would ever fit (once I had tried on many that fit well, we braved into some dresses we knew would be too small but I wanted to see on me). I bought my dress from them and the sample I tried on was 4 sizes too small. They had to cut down the seam to get me in it, but Linda said after she knew it was perfect and it was her pick for me. It was nervewracking and I did second-guess my decision after the fact, but I was thrilled when the dress came in and I LOVE it.

Take your time and go as many places as possible to try on dresses and figure out what you like. I think Boteccelli's should be your number one stop personally. It's the only place I know of with only plus size gowns. Good luck!

luv2teech7 · May 2011

You ladies have been FANTASTIC!! I can't thank you enough. MegandJared, I want to avoid your experience. I've made 3 appointments and subsequently canceled them all. First because they told me I need a strapless bra. I don't own one, nor do I want to wear a strapless dress. Next because I just couldn't face it. The third time because I realized that Vows doesn't really carry plus size samples. I'm a size 16 or 18 right now, which I expect means I'll be around a size 22 or 24 dress. I'm not expecting to be this size in a year (my medical issues have been addressed and will be hopefully be moving back down the scale....) BUT I don't want to avoid this all together just because it's going to be unpleasant.

I'm going to David's in Dedham in June with two of my close, sensitive, thoughtful and kind friends. (I don't have a bridal party) Once I've had a few drinks at PF Chang's first, I'll be ok.

I'm absolutely going to make a trip to North Attleboro and Providence. I can't thank you all enough. You've made my week! Thanks!!!

DirtyWater · May 2011

My street clothes are between 14's and 18's depending on the year I bought them. The dresses at David's and Alfred Angelo I have found to be right on the money with my street size. You might be surprised when you start trying them on and see a smaller number. Good luck. I made a list of places to go.

Thank you for posting this

chrispygal · May 2011

I found most dresses to be very close to street size as well and trust me, at the size you're at you'll be fine! I'm telling, go to House of Brides. They had TONS in that size range! Good luck, and have FUN! (P.S. If you are going to to down to North Attleboro and Providence, there is a David's in North Attleboro right down the street from Alfred Angelo. You might just want to venture all the way down and hit them all at once.)

HockeyFan4 · May 2011

make sure you get to the david's in dedham early for your appt...the parking at that one is horrible. Out of all of the David's I have been to...i like that one the least (no parking...and it is always swamped!)

Sharkdiver1980 · May 2011

Hi! I'm a little late, but you should also check the actual Alfred Angelo store. I am a size 16/18 in regular clothes, and went to Alfred Angelo in North Attleboro (there is also one in Danvers, Ma).

They had a TON of dresses over size 18 in the store. I fell in love with the 3rd dress I tried on, which was strapless, and going into the appointment, I had NO IDEA that a strapless dress would look good on me...but it does! I would never have through the dress I bought would have been the one I ended up choosing.

I ordered my dress in a size 20, because the size 18 I tried on, Just fit. also, the sample in the store was Ivory, and I wanted white. all in all, worked out great. They do have lots of different dresses in the store over size 18.

Seriously, my advice is to make an appointment, and go in with a completely open mind. Try absolutely anything on...you just never know!

also - Alfred Angelo is great...they make a 2 hr block of time for an appointment, and you have you own dedicated person totally there JUST for you. It's also not crowded like David's tends to get, and I found the quality of dresses to be way better than David's, and the prices are also great. If you're curious, check out the website:

www.alfredangelo.com

I bought dress style #1963, and it was less than $800.00

(also, if you buy your dress there, all the bridesmaids get like a 20% discount on BM dresses, or MOB dresses, or flower girls...just sayin.)

aschmidtboston · June 2011

I had a great experience with Wishing Well. Curious to know why some others didn't...

luv2teech7 · June 2011

Update for all of you---Went to David's in Dedham on an arbitrary Tuesday night. (Appointment scheduled 2-3 weeks in advance!) Parking was rough--even on a week night. Figured I'd walk from Chili's if I had to, but did find a space, albeit tight. We arrived and it was suggested we look at the rack on the wall of the dresses in my size---all 6 of them. I had tagged photos of dresses I liked online so they could see them. You'd think they'd have pulled the dresses right before I arrived, but no such luck. Overall it was the experience I expected---you get what you pay for! They provided me with a longline bra to wear while trying on, but the "consultant" wasn't all that helpful. Most dresses weren't in my size, which was horribly frustrating. Wouldn't it make more sense to order one of each dress in a size 20 or 22 and then clamp it like they do on TV??? Nope. So I had on dresses that couldn't close---no clamps. Just had to press my arms down really tightly to keep them up...all the while hoping no one was seeing my exposed back fat and horrible bra they lent me.

BUT, I did accomplish my first goal--to get over the initial angst about this and just try some on to see what styles I liked, and to find out if some I previously ruled out might be of interest.

I'm headed to North Providence next week to try Bottecelli. I've e-mailed a few times to make my appointment and am very impressed with the woman I've been in contact with thus far. (I think she may be the owner...?!) Regardless, they're having a sample sale that starts on the 24th of June in case anyone is interested. I'm headed down a week ahead of time to find out if I'm even interested in any of the dresses as it's our last day of work on the 24th, so it's tough to get the day off unless absolutely necessary!

http://www.botticelliri.com/

Thanks so much for your help. Am really in love with a few of the Mori Lee Julietta collection dresses. It seems as though they have a plus sized woman designing them---wide straps, lots of space for cleavage, great silhouettes, with lots of variety. Haven't figured out if anyone carries the plus sized samples in my area yet, but will do so soon.

My last promise to myself is that I'm going to head to the top of it all--Kleinfeld's in NYC---if I can stay on my workout/eating plans. I have set a realistic goal for Labor Day and will reward my hard work with a day trip to NYC if it goes as planned. Enjoy this beautiful weather!!

Plus Sized Gown Help????

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