Dresses for plus size bridesmaids

Rasada62 · February 2014

Hey all, I wanted to pull on your expertise. My two best friends are on the heavier side. When I asked them to be a part of my bridal party, both individually slipped in a comment about trying to lose weight for my wedding. I know how hard it is to diet, and I know that they criticize themselves; I want them to feel beautiful and comfortable at my wedding. What styles of dress look more flattering on heavier women? Fabrics more forgiving? Specific designers are also welcome advice. The plan currently is floor length and dark blue, and I would love to provide them with options that each can pick her own dress. Help me make them realize how beautiful they are.

themuffinman16 · February 2014

My girls are wearing navy, and they are full figured women, as well. They are wearing a strapless dress (spaghetti straps are included) at David's bridal. If the wedding is in the summer, go with a nice flowy fabric like chiffon. My girls are wearing empire waist dresses, which will highlight the smallest part of their figure (just beneath their bust). Empire waist is good for people with tummy issues. Also, look for gathering beneath the empire waist (will conceal tummy issues). If you are going for a more structured material, go for ruching. It has a way of slimming your figure, and drawing eyes away from the middle. I want my girls to be comfortable, look beautiful, and feel confident.

My girls were adamant that they not wear the shorter dress I had, originally envisioned. That made it harder to find dresses in my color in their price point. So, I went with David's bridal. I would ask first if they mind the length (you have a lot more options in shorter lengths for $150). But if they want the length (issues with legs or whatever, and are on a budget, go to david's bridal or alfred angelo. Note, the navy dresses online look almost like a navy teal. This is not the case. I went into the store and got a swatch of the dress and it looks just like navy. Good luck to you and your maids

aurianna · February 2014

Alternatively, I am a big girl and look horrid in empire waist. I look very pregnant.
I also could never do strapless because I just have more going on up top that I'd prefer to have strapped in.

My best look is an A-line (because I'm very hippy) and a very structured top (darts are great). Rouching also tends to work for me (but isn't for everyone). The criss-cross in the following links also works well for me.

These are some I'd personally try on first for this particular designer:
http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/498
http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/762
http://www.billlevkoff.com/style/bridesmaid-dress/167 (I actually wore this in a wedding and it looked good!!)

So with that said... you have two very different views. It really depends on the type of heavy body. Pear shaped? Apple shaped? A larger hour glass?

You might consider going with a color, length and fabric and letting the girls wear the style that suits them best.

kmmssg · February 2014

I am a bigger, sturdier girl myself and I look horrid and pregnant in an empire waist. Why not ask your girls what they find flattering?

QueerFemme · February 2014

Consider picking a designer, color, length and fabric and letting them picky their own dress.

Ven&Radio · February 2014

There is no "magic bullet" style or fabric to help make plus sized ladies look/feel beautiful. We come in many different shapes and sizes. I agree with QF that picking a designed, color, length and fabric is the best way to go.

Rasada62 · February 2014

Thank you for the input. I was already thinking to give them a color/length/fabric combination that they could pick their own dress, but I was hoping to do some research into designers or stores to see how many options were available in those styles and within their price range. All three like the idea of a dark blue and long dress. It's a late fall wedding so I was thinking a satin but I see much more chiffon on all the websites I've checked out.

My MOH is rather clueless with dresses so she didn't know how to answer me when I asked her preference. My other best friend had linked me an empire dress she had tried on for another wedding and loved but admitted it was outside her budget. She is currently tied up being MOH for another wedding, so I wanted to figure out possible dresses for them to try on once this other wedding wraps up.

I looked at David's Bridal but online only lists one dress in Navy, which I thought was odd. I'll head into a store and check out the fabrics in person. Thank you for the links and suggestions - I'll also check out Levkoff and A. Angelo collections for A lines and empires and let them pick which they feel more comfortable with (I'm perfectly happy letting them wear different dresses). Any other designers/suggestions are welcome! Thank you all again for your input!

thelastdreamer · February 2014

@Rasada62 David's Bridal navy is called "marine." It's the same thing.

Rasada62 · February 2014

Navy and Marine look different on the website. I'll compare them side by side when I get to a store.

artbyallie · February 2014

I let my bridesmaids pick dresses in any fabric and any shade of blue. The two curviest women chose jersey and cotton sateen. I think satin is not very forgiving and the shine can accentuate problem areas.

mlg78 · February 2014

I totally recommend google-imaging whatever color you end up with. I did that when I was debating shades of purple at DB and changed my mind after doing this. Here is the one for marine: https://www.google.com/search?q=davids+bridal+marine&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=o1oFU6H8N8GSyQHo34CgBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=754
You can see real weddings and how they photographed. Marine looks like a great navy color. You can see how it's more of a royal blue in the actual DBs pics. I think Marine is fine.

doeydo · February 2014

These are navy from David's Bridal but doesn't show up when you look under 'bridesmaids': http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Metallic-Lace-Cap-Sleeve-Long-Jersey-Dress-XS4667W_Bridal-Party-Mothers-Special-Guests-Plus-Sizes
http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Lace-and-Chiffon-Jacket-Dress-with-Empire-Waist-99626_Bridal-Party-Mothers-Special-Guests-Plus-Sizes
Some from Macy's: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/adrianna-papell-plus-size-three-quarter-sleeve-ruched-gown?ID=583610&CategoryID=37038&LinkType=#fn=COLOR=Blue&SPECIAL_OCCASIONS=Bridesmaid;;Evening/Formal;;Guest of Wedding&sp=1&spc=57&ruleId=2&slotId=32
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/adrianna-papell-plus-size-sleeveless-tiered-empire-waist-gown?ID=651432&CategoryID=37038&LinkType=#fn=COLOR=Blue&SPECIAL_OCCASIONS=Bridesmaid;;Evening/Formal;;Guest of Wedding&sp=1&spc=57&ruleId=2&slotId=25
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-plus-size-long-sleeve-sequined-lace-gown?ID=1230635&CategoryID=37038&LinkType=#fn=COLOR=Blue&SPECIAL_OCCASIONS=Bridesmaid;;Evening/Formal;;Guest of Wedding&sp=2&spc=57&ruleId=2&slotId=52
Alfred Angelo: http://www.alfredangelobridal.ca/Collections/Bridesmaids

Rasada62 · February 2014

Thank you for the advice and links! You're right - the marine is gorgeous. I'll keep the satin shine in mind, too, and check out those other fabrics when we go to the store..

rlmasel · February 2014

My MOH is plus sized, so me and her went out to find the dress that worked the best for her, we found that criss crossed rouching with a dropped waist in satin with a thick strap worked best. From seeing it in person a empire waist and chiffon fabric just makes most heavier girls look pregnant, and spaghetti straps don't look good on many people I know all my BM told me they wouldn't wear a dress that had spaghetti straps. But you should go out with them and find the dress that looks the best on them individual and if you go with just the girls that are heavier you can be really supportive by telling them how beautiful they look and boosting their self esteem.

Dresses for plus size bridesmaids

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