Size 14 and dress shopping...advice, experience, thoughts???

jpierce · February 2012

I'm no skinny mini, but not like a Biggest Loser contestant either (size 14), but I'm SO nervous to go dress shopping! Some designers have"full figured syles", but I haven't been crazy about any of them online. I want a cute Jim Hjelm or Judd Waddell or something along those lines, but am I going to feel like the fat kid in gym class or not be able to fit into anything. Am I going to leave in tears? I'm really dreading this. Any ladies out there have any experience with this that can talk me down from the ledge here?

notyetavet · February 2012

I'm a size 12 and the salon I went to worked out just fine. I fit into the samples well enough to know whether or not I liked the dress. I tried on a lot of corset backed dresses that were quite forviging and the ones that zipped were big enough for me to wear.

I know that not all salons are going to have a variety of sample sizes, but 14 is not at all an unreasonable request. Don't worry, you're going to look beautiful!!

OliveOilsMom · February 2012

I'm a similar size too and I went to Macy's bridal salon. They feature gowns by Demetrios which has many different collections of gowns. Of the 20 gowns I tried on, only 2 didn't fit enough where I would not leave the dressing room to show my mom. See if there is a Macy's bridal near you. They frequently have trunk shows as well and you can save 15% off the dress if you purchase during the trunk show. Also my consultant said I could try on as many dresses as I wanted as long as if she didn't get another appointment that evening.

msuprincess04 · February 2012

I wouldn't dread it, but I'd go in with realistic expectations. And make sure to find a store that carries extended sizes. A 14 in bridal is a 10 in real life. Instead of focusing on a brand, I suggest focusing on your body style, what you think you look good in, and the style you want. The label really isn't that important when it's the cut, color, and fabric of your dreams.

ceh789 · February 2012

I think the first thing you should accept is you'll be trying on sample gowns in probably a size 20, and you'll probably be ordering an 18. Try to digest that idea before you go so you don't waste your entire first shopping trip outraged at bridal sizing like I did

When you go in - bring a couple photos of dresses that you like, then try on every dress the consultant brings - you'll likely be suprised at which ones you like on.

jpierce · February 2012

Thanks Ladies! I kinda figured ceh789 that would be the case (it still sucks). When I was a bridesmaid last year they ordered me a size 22 and I wanted to throw up! But at least I feel like that was the first rip of the bandaid. I just want to be able to actually try things on and not walk out discouraged because I could on try on 3 or 4 dresses. Do you think I need to tell places first what my street size is?

amymaysa · February 2012

My dress is a 14 and I had no [roblem finding dresses..sample sizes tend to be small, so keep that in mind, but that shouldn't cause you to think you can't find a dress.
No one will know the size. Focus on what styles you like and how you feel and that will make all the difference.
Good luck

Phantom&Tessa · February 2012

Hiya J. I'm a size 14 too, in the UK. I got my dress from a local bridal store. I went there with no real ideas other than trying a few dresses on. I randomly picked two out from the sales rack, thinking 'huh, they're nice'....then i tried the first one on and was blown away by how gorgeous it looked on me, and how amazing it felt. I tried on the other one on and although it was good, I knew the other one was MY dress.

I bought that dress that day and took it home to hang in my room. I keep a set of 2lb dumbells and work out with them in the kitchen while cooking (I put some fast music on like Eiffel95 album and just dance madly).

I also joined a gym. I may have the dress I adore but I joined a gym anyway as there's one across the road from my new workplace. I work out every day after work and keep a photo of myself currently in the dress, on the treadmill dashboard to remind myself that although I look great in it, there's things I can do, like reduce my 'bingo wings' and trim down my stomach area. It's hard but so, so worth it and I feel great afterwards. My fiance followed suit and joined a gym too in his area, so we share the pride of knowing that we're trying.

So don't be afraid to try on dresses. You never know what'll happen.

meg65 · February 2012

I was the exact same way, freaking out over being "plus sized " (also size 14) and not fitting anything. I was really pleasantly surprised to find I looked great in EVERYTHING! I felt so relieved, so empowered, so sexy. I actually ended up getting a really form fitting dress and I love it. My advice to you is to just relax. You are not the first curvy girl bridal stores have seen, and they know how to dress your body. Have fun! You'll be fine

jpierce · February 2012

I love you guys! You are making me feel SOOO much better!!! I'm still going to go my spinning class twice a day until literally the day before the wedding, but you really have helped me. THANK YOU!

ceh789 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_size-14-and-dress-shoppingadvice-experience-thoughts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:48e7eb7f-7b86-43fd-8e77-2ac86a53fa30Post:50c65c71-884a-4c33-b083-d6a02620207b">Re: Size 14 and dress shopping...advice, experience, thoughts???</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you think I need to tell places first what my street size is?
Posted by jpierce@suffolk.edu[/QUOTE]
They'll ask when you make an appointment.<div>
</div><div>Dont' worry about them having samples - if you're a typical size 14 you'll fit into the size 20 samples well enough to "see" the dress - if they run small they may need to clip it to your bra and it might not come together in back but you'll get the idea. Most places carry a variety of size 20-ish samples. The gals who have a really hard time are people in a street 20+ - they really get the short end of the stick.</div>

dawnp917 · February 2012

Keep an open mind with styles. I went in with very specific ideas about what I thought I wanted and ended up with something completely different. It flatters my figure and is absolutely perfect.

scstar17 · February 2012

I posted another reply but I'm a dumbass and didn't remember I wasn't on the Chicago board anymore. ANYWAY here's my input:

I'm a street 16, was a street 18 when started my dress shopping. I made a post very similar to yours, worried I'd not find anything or be embarrassed at shops when ther's nothing that fit.

When I called stores for appointments, I was honest and said "I am a size 18 and looking for a lace dress, will you have samples that will fit me?" I could get in anything from 14 up. The workers were always very honest right back, and some places I didn't make appointments at because I knew they catered to smaller sizes. No one was rude! Just don't waste your time if you know they won't have anything you fit into. You might want to start with the David's Bridal-type shops if you have those in Boston, because they give you such a wide range of samples to try on. You can at least find the most flattering style there, even if you don't get your dream dress from them.

singing_lyn · February 2012

I'm currently a size 14-16 depending on the clothes, I got a Sophia Tolli dress in a size 14 and it fits perfectly. There are some designers that do make their dresses in the same sizes as street clothes. I also was thinking going in that things would not fit me in store and I'd leave dissappointed but instead I was able to most of the time squeeze in as low as a size 10 so that I could see how a dress looked and went up to a size 18. One of the dresses I tried on was a Maggie Sottero and it was very old hollywood glam and simple and form fitting and it made me look like a million bucks. Just go in with an open mind. The dresses I thought I would like I hated on and the ones I didn't think I'd like I loved. I'm also still trying to lose weight and have been working out almost every day for the past 2-3 weeks and have lost a bit of weight and I almost wish I had gotten the 12 because of that as the dress I ordered was a size 12 in the sample size I tried on and didn't fit that badly.

Also as a pp suggested look at corset backs they tend to be more forgiving and easier to try on and that's what I ordered.

FaithCaitlin · February 2012

I'm a 12 and had no problems! I'm sure you'll be fine.

kwest714 · February 2012

It was lovely shopping for a size 14 but that's probably because I used to be a size 28. I had 0 problems finding a dress. I did have to order a 16 though, because my dress is in international sizing (or that's what they told me anyways). Don't sweat it, you'll be fine!

jpierce · February 2012

kwest...That is amazing! I dont even know you and I'm proud of you! You must have worked your tail off! Very impressive girl!

Thanks again ladies, I'm certainly feeling much better...thanks to YOU!

Size 14 and dress shopping...advice, experience, thoughts???

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