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What to wear dress shopping

hstutz2002hstutz2002 member
First Comment
in Wedding Etiquette Forum

I have an appointment next weekend to go dress shopping with my girls, and frankly I'm more freaked out than Ishould be!  One of my stresses, randomly, is that I have no idea what to wear shopping.  I know most girls wear a strapless bra, but honestly I'm not a small girl and my massive chest doesn't generally play well without the support.  More than likely I'm going to have to special order a strapless corset for the wedding and until I know what my dress will look like, I'm not really interested in shelling out the cash... ALSO.. I don't really want to spend the time that I'm not in a dress hanging out in my undies in the dressing room.  I was considering taking a bath robe with me so I feel a little more concealed.  Worth it or just too much baggage to worry about?

Any other girls, big or small, concerned about this or have any advice?

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Re: What to wear dress shopping

  • Summer2011BrideSummer2011Bride member
    5000 Comments Third Anniversary 25 Love Its Combo Breaker
    I don't know what you consider "big" but I am a size 12, so bigger than a lot of girls I guess. I wore a strapless bra and brought some Spanx with me to keep me a little more covered in front of the consultants and to give me a smooth line when trying on gowns. However, they are used to doing this and would not judge you regardless. I think a strapless bra and full-cover underwear (i.e. not a thong) would still be perfectly fine. Some stores will give you a slip to try them on with, but some did not also. I would try not to stress about it too much. THey do this for a living and you will only be in there with one other woman.


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  • opalsky007opalsky007 member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    I would take along a strapless and change into it as you're about to start trying on dresses. You'll need one whether you bring it or not, and having your own is better than using one of the dingy, ill-fitting ones at the salons.

    I wouldn't worry with a robe--you'll either be in a dress, or actively changing into one, there's really not time to hang out in the changing room.

    Make sure you wear modest undies!
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  • lisalou402lisalou402 member
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    When i went shopping, i just wore my regular bra and tucked the straps.  I'm a bigger girl.  Once i knew the type of dress, i went and got the undergarments for my first fitting.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    10000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    The first time I went dress shopping I just made sure I had white undies on, no thongs and a white strapless bra with me. My Mom was the only one with me, which honestly was more weird than the lady seeing me half naked. I got over it quickly, though and didn't let it hinder the fun I had trying on dresses.
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  • LoopysevenLoopyseven member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    I got my dress at the running of the brides at Filene's Basement.  I was in boyshorts and a strapless bra getting in and out of dresses in the middle of the store, and now that I think about, I think I left my socks on :).  
    The girl next to me. had a sports bra type thing, a strapless bra, a leotard with tank top style straps, and maybe two different colors of pantyhose that came really far up her waist... I am not sure what was up with her get up.  She is the ONLY other person in that whole thing that I even noticed what she was wearing, and just cause it was SO bizarre.  Trust me, the consultant has seen it all.  Wear undies that cover your bits, and either wear or bring a strapless bra.  You really won't be hanging out in your underwear, it will just be changing dresses - don't stress about it.
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  • LoopysevenLoopyseven member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    And as for support.  While they might not fit perfectly - wedding dresses have a TON of support for the girls built in.  Even if you're clipped into the dress in back, the dress will help support what a strapless bra might not be enough for.
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  • squeakyducksqueakyduck member
    100 Comments
    I also found that in addition to full coverage undies, dress up a little. Maybe it's just where I live, but I found the consultants were a little judgey when I just wore jeans and a tank top. I was treated so much better when I wore a dress. 
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  • Beachy730Beachy730 member
    5000 Comments Fourth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wear-dress-shopping?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:bd456404-147e-4e36-b03a-6299f3cb7feePost:561755d9-aaca-4197-81b5-cb5fd1a0a193">Re: What to wear dress shopping</a>:
    [QUOTE]I also found that in addition to full coverage undies, dress up a little. Maybe it's just where I live, but I found the consultants were a little judgey when I just wore jeans and a tank top. I was treated so much better when I wore a dress. 
    Posted by rentaduckie[/QUOTE]

    Seriously?  I wore jeans and had no issues whatsoever.  If a bridal shop is only going to be nice to me if I'm dressed up I would easily take my business elsewhere.
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  • Beachy730Beachy730 member
    5000 Comments Fourth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wear-dress-shopping?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:bd456404-147e-4e36-b03a-6299f3cb7feePost:6ae53bfb-b7ec-42ad-a6ab-2c573c3d7fd7">Re: What to wear dress shopping</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: What to wear dress shopping : Really? Was Richard Gere there? Was it 1990? Did you tell the it was a big mistake? Huge.
    Posted by The Mel and Todd Show[/QUOTE]

    First you have to ask if they work on commission though. 
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  • squirrlysquirrly member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments Name Dropper 5 Love Its
    Strapless bra, full coverage undies, heels, and a clip for your hair so you can see it pulled up. 

    If you have Spanx already, take it with you JIC.  Don't go buying it before trying dresses on, though.

    A robe will be pointless. 

    Have fun!
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    Mom to H: 2014

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    Dresses may be easier to take in than let out, but guest lists are not. -- kate51485
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  • srkropfsrkropf member
    500 Comments
    When I went to DB they had a try-on corset and slip-- so I wasn't really exposed. I would just ask your salon what they provide and I never thought of the robe, but sounds like a good idea
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  • chrissyjakechrissyjake member
    100 Comments Second Anniversary
    I went to DB as well.  I wore clothes and undergarments I wear any other day.  They gave me a bra and slip and stepped out while I put those on.  My MOH did stay in the room to put the bra on for me WAY to many hooks on those suckers.  She came back in after.  I never felt exposed (except with MOH of course).  Guess it depends where you go.
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  • kmd0501kmd0501 member
    100 Comments Second Anniversary
    so I went dress shopping for the first time the other day, completely by accident and was not prepared at all with undergarments.  In fact I was in a push up bra and a thong!  I had no intentions of trying anything on and stepped in to look at bridesmaid dresses (well I'm sure we all know how that goes!!! LOL).  So when I was asked to strip down, surprisingly I was ok with it.  The consultant was super nice and considerate and I just thought about how many girls (some less dressed than me) she probably sees every day and I was fine.  Im a size 14 so I can understand your concern but just relax and be excited!!!  No need to stress...and ocne you see yourself in THE dress, all your worries will disappear. Good Luck!! 
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  • ShadowAPShadowAP member
    10 Comments
    I'm a size 18 and went dress shopping at Alfred Angelo's - I brought a strapless bra with me but wore a regular one there; I didn't need either because they gave me a better strapless bra to wear while trying on dresses (theirs was full-torso coverage).  I wore jeans and a t-shirt and modest underwear.  I'm a big girl who won't even be seen in a bathing suit, but I wouldn't worry about a robe or anything - it really isn't -that- awkward to try things on with the consultant there - they're pretty professional, they're not going to stare at you, they've probably seen it all (I don't even think I shaved my legs - who cares?), and they will definitely step out of the room during any super-private changings (like when I had to switch bras).  My consultant was so nice that she even offered to let my mom help me put dresses on instead of her if that would make me more comfortable (it didn't, because I'd rather have strangers judge my weight than people I know, lol), but yeah - don't stress too much, it'll be fine!  If you're worried about being too busty for a strapless bra, I'd say just wear a regular one - the dresses you try on are not going to be anywhere close to your size, so everything you see is going to be only an approximation of what you'll look like in your actual dress, so having some straps won't ruin everything; just imagine what the dress will look like without them.
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  • kno0004kno0004 member
    First Comment
    I can relate to your anxiety.  I am a curvy girl, definitely not a sample size, and with a large chest.  I was pretty stressed the first time I went dress shopping as well.  However, I quickly realized the bridal consultants do this every day with girls of all shapes and sizes.  I wore some nude colored panties and took a strapless bra with me to change into, but the store I'm actually buying my dress from urged me not to wear a bra at all!  I had my reservations but a strapless bra actually added more bulk and the dresses gave me plenty of support and actually fit better without one!  As soon as I started trying on dresses I completely relaxed and began having a lot of fun - I think you will too!  Enjoy the moment, it will only happen once :)
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  • cmsvb06cmsvb06 member
    First Comment
    The shop I just went to today provided the corset for me while I tried on dresses.
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  • hstutz2002hstutz2002 member
    First Comment
    You guys are amazing!  I feel a ton better, when I get back this weekend, I'll post and let you know how it went! 

    Thanks again!!
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  • hstutz2002hstutz2002 member
    First Comment
    Wedding Dress shopping was a huge success, not only did I find the PERFECT dress, I also had a blast!  No stress needed!
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