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What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on?

LADY324LADY324
2500 Comments Combo Breaker
in New Jersey
So I went dress shopping with my mom this past weekend.  I am by no means fat but I do have a big chest size D and wear size 10 pants.  I could not fit into a size 10 dress.  I could only get the size 12 over my head or by stepping into it.  I was able to get it on just not zip up the back. 

It makes it so hard to imagine a dress on you without being able to put it on.  Do you think I will have this problem a lot!! 

Also my mom did not help the situation when we left the store by saying "not to be mean but maybe you should try to start losing some weight now since you are going to start trying on dresses in the spring" that upset me a little bit but I decided not to say anything. 
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Re: What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on?

  • peaches85peaches85
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    At all of the stores I went to, the only sizes they had in the dresses I liked were 12 and up, which made it difficult for me because I'm very petite (as in, I barely have a chest, I've pretty much been the same weight since high school, and I'm only 5'2"). 

    Don't worry about the dress sizes though, because your street size will almost always be a size or two (if not more) smaller than the appropriate wedding dress for you.  I was told that it's because most wedding dresses are made in China... not sure how true that reasoning is, though.
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  • goaliegirlgoaliegirl member
    Eighth Anniversary 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I wear a size 12 pants and D size chest and I went to Davids Bridal and had no problems trying on dresses that fit right.    In fact, the dress I tried on fit exactly and I ordered that size, which incidently was a size 12 as well, and didn't have to get any alterations except the bustle.   I think it really depends on the store as to what size they carry in samples and the designer of the dress may vary as to how it compares to your street size.
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  • cutiepie12702cutiepie12702
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I'm not sure what size dresses I tried on...I know some fit me really well so they may have been a 6 or 8, but the sample of the dress I actually picked was a 12 - so it can vary from one dress to another. I'm thinking 10 may be the average, but clearly some are smaller and some are bigger. You shouldn't have too much trouble - and it also depends on the cut/style of the dress as to how it will fit, so you can't always go by the size.

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  • GolfChick78GolfChick78 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Well, first of all . . . tell your mom to settle down!!!  Sheeesh, this is supposed to be a fun and special time between a mom and daughter.  She ought not to wreck it.

    I've only just barely started shopping dresses so probably can't offer much insight.  I'm a 12 and also a little busty.  To some extent, I think sample dress sizes may be driven by style; I think some dresses are simply intended to be "skinny" dresses, if you know what I mean.  I was brought a few in the 10 and 12 range which I can make work well enough just to get an idea of how they'd look on me.
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  • cindy91788cindy91788
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm pretty sure I've heard that the average sample size is a 10 or 12 (aside from David's bridal which has all sizes).
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  • ellevellev member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'm a street size 10 or 12 in pants/ skirts and most of the 12's were snug on me, but I'm pear-shaped and only a B/C cup. Yay! Wedding dresses hide all my jiggly bits! Anyway, I think the rule of thumb is that wedding dresses often run 2 or even 4 sizes bigger than your street size.

    You might try calling ahead to make sure that the store carries samples in your size. I went to one store where all their Maggie Sotero and Lazaro samples were 4s or 6s. Reeeal helpful.
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  • ahhndreaahhndrea
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    the sizes are funny and don't relate to much. I'm a street size 4-6 and the size 10 sample fit me perfectly!
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  • ev4149ev4149 member
    500 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    The places I went to had mostly 8s and 10s.  But, as PP said, they run small.  I am normally a street size 10, and had to order a 14. 
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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I'm a street size 6-8, obviously davids bridal usually has all sizes of the dress or close to it.  All the other stores I either just sucked into since they were a 6 or they were too big, like a 12.  
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  • LADY324LADY324
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_avg-size-wedding-dress-stores-try?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:827115c6-2bb1-4f81-9e2d-7ee71b909c0ePost:88211287-ae3d-4f05-84ea-3d382671e5e2">Re: What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Well, first of all . . . tell your mom to settle down!!!  Sheeesh, this is supposed to be a fun and special time between a mom and daughter.  She ought not to wreck it. I've only just barely started shopping dresses so probably can't offer much insight.  I'm a 12 and also a little busty.  To some extent, I think sample dress sizes may be driven by style; I think some dresses are simply intended to be "skinny" dresses, if you know what I mean.  I was brought a few in the 10 and 12 range which I can make work well enough just to get an idea of how they'd look on me.
    Posted by GolfChick78[/QUOTE]


    Thanks!  I had to bite my tongue so bad not to say anything.  I don't think she meant it to be mean.  I think she just wanted me to be able to try more stuff on in the 10 range since they had so many.  I decided to hold off until March to go again.  I have plenty of time and would like to try to drop a couple of pounds!! 
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  • mbcdefgmbcdefg member
    10000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Do we have the same mom? :)

    The first salon I visited only had samples in sizes like 6 and 8. No way those were fitting on my size 16 body. And like PPs said, most bridal gowns run small to begin with. (Mine was in my street size, but it was a two-piece gown with a corset back so that might have had something to do with it.)

    I asked on this board for recommendations for other salons, and I wound up going to Park Avenue Bridals in Verona. They had a lot of samples over a size 10.

    Russell's in Linden also gets good reviews here. I tried on one gown at True Love Bridal in Matawan (only place i found that carried that particular sample that I wanted to try), and they had some size 10+ samples.

    You can also try David's Bridal - even if you don't want to buy your dress there, you can at least narrow down the styles you're interested in.

    And I went to the Group USA in Jersey Gardens Mall to try on some dresses, and they have a variety of sizes available. The gowns were actually very nice, but I hate Jersey Gardens so I wouldn't recommend that particular store just because the mall itself sucks.
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  • LADY324LADY324
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_avg-size-wedding-dress-stores-try?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:827115c6-2bb1-4f81-9e2d-7ee71b909c0ePost:6b79ec7c-f1d2-4f37-a5ba-4895baa04d3d">Re: What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Do we have the same mom? :) The first salon I visited only had samples in sizes like 6 and 8. No way those were fitting on my size 16 body. And like PPs said, most bridal gowns run small to begin with. (Mine was in my street size, but it was a two-piece gown with a corset back so that might have had something to do with it.) I asked on this board for recommendations for other salons, and I wound up going to Park Avenue Bridals in Verona. They had a lot of samples over a size 10. Russell's in Linden also gets good reviews here. I tried on one gown at True Love Bridal in Matawan (only place i found that carried that particular sample that I wanted to try), and they had some size 10+ samples. You can also try David's Bridal - even if you don't want to buy your dress there, you can at least narrow down the styles you're interested in. And I went to the Group USA in Jersey Gardens Mall to try on some dresses, and they have a variety of sizes available. The gowns were actually very nice, but I hate Jersey Gardens so I wouldn't recommend that particular store just because the mall itself sucks.
    Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]

    Thanks!! I went to Hollywood bridal so they didnt have a huge selection.  The next 2 stores on my list are Russell's and RK bridal in the city.  So hopefully they have a bigger selection!  I will definitely look into the other stores that you have suggested. 
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  • kristen8040kristen8040 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_avg-size-wedding-dress-stores-try?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:827115c6-2bb1-4f81-9e2d-7ee71b909c0ePost:0bbbe606-ba9d-46a8-bc68-a812e6f53ba4">Re: What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on? : Thanks!  I had to bite my tongue so bad not to say anything.  I don't think she meant it to be mean.  I think she just wanted me to be able to try more stuff on in the 10 range since they had so many.  I decided to hold off until March to go again.  I have plenty of time and would like to try to drop a couple of pounds!! 
    Posted by LADY324[/QUOTE]

    <div>Trust me, my mom was just as bad, especially since I got a sample dress and it was a bit snug.  The other day she told me I better get back up to their house since more money is due on the dress and she wants to make sure it fits before she "drops money down the drain."  Gotta love moms :)</div>
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  • LADY324LADY324
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_avg-size-wedding-dress-stores-try?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:827115c6-2bb1-4f81-9e2d-7ee71b909c0ePost:fb019096-024b-41f8-9d57-19123f077505">Re: What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on? : Trust me, my mom was just as bad, especially since I got a sample dress and it was a bit snug.  The other day she told me I better get back up to their house since more money is due on the dress and she wants to make sure it fits before she "drops money down the drain."  Gotta love moms :)
    Posted by kristen8040[/QUOTE]

    Lol thanks for sharing this with me at least I know I am not the only one with a mom like that.  She never really says things to me about my weight since she knows it's a touchy subject.  But if she says something through the next round I might have to say something.  It's supposed to be a fine time and now she has me so stressed out to lose weight from that one simple comment!
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  • altimat873altimat873 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011

    I am an 8 - 10 in normal clothes with a D chest and I had to order a dress size 12, tag shock for me, some of the 10 samples were tight on me depending on designer and how stretched out they were. . . I would say most samples are 10 or 12.

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  • mbcdefgmbcdefg member
    10000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    My mom was commenting so much on my weight, that the saleswoman helping me finally said, "Wow, Mom, you're really concerned about weight, aren't you?" :P
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  • hcer0708hcer0708 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Its crazy how diffrent the sizes run.. Dont let your mom stress you! Russell"s in linden had sizes between 10-14 to try on.
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  • JandP51212JandP51212
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am a  street size 8-10 and have tiny girls lol. I went to Russell's in linden and a lot of the dresses I tried on were too big on me, they were a size 12 and up. Except my dress, it fit me like a glove ( it was a sign lol). It was a size 12, but I ordered it in a 10 since I knew I had 2 years to lose weight ( which I have, I lost 7 pounds already YAY! ) I was so surprised my mother kept her comments to herself, well most of them. She told me that the dress looked great, but would look better if my arms weren't so "SOFT". Like kristen8040 said "Gotta love mom's" They say what is on their minds whenever they want.
    I think you should definatly go to Russell they have have a large selection of dresses to pick from. I'm sure you will find a dress that fits you perfectly.Wink
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  • LADY324LADY324
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_avg-size-wedding-dress-stores-try?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:827115c6-2bb1-4f81-9e2d-7ee71b909c0ePost:14971e33-d6f6-4831-9d35-1ce3509ee922">Re: What is the avg size wedding dress they have at stores for you to try on?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I am a  street size 8-10 and have tiny girls lol. I went to Russell's in linden and a lot of the dresses I tried on were too big on me, they were a size 12 and up. Except my dress, it fit me like a glove ( it was a sign lol). It was a size 12, but I ordered it in a 10 since I knew I had 2 years to lose weight ( which I have, I lost 7 pounds already YAY! ) I was so surprised my mother kept her comments to herself, well most of them. She told me that the dress looked great, but would look better if my arms weren't so "SOFT". Like kristen8040 said "Gotta love mom's" They say what is on their minds whenever they want. I think you should definatly go to Russell they have have a large selection of dresses to pick from. I'm sure you will find a dress that fits you perfectly.
    Posted by JandP51212[/QUOTE]


    Thank you!!  I am def going to wait until March.  This way I will feel better about myself after working out hard core for 3 months.  I work out a lot now but I need to cut back on my chocolate :)  I have a feeling that I am going to find it at Russell's my cousin got her dress there as well as a ton of girl on here!
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  • adrezneradrezner
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    All wedding dresses run about 2 sizes bigger than ready to wear clothing sizes -- the rest of the clothing industry has changed over the years to make us feel better about ourselves, but bridal attire never did!
    Definitely don't feel bad about yourself - it's them, not you :)
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  • carlaspeedcarlaspeed member
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Same here, I am a size 10 in pants and my wedding gown was a size 16!
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