Weddingbee boards

I think you should try a dress with less rouching. I had the same issue, as I am also an apple. I found a little bit of rouching at the waist made a big difference, but too much and it accentuated my middle.

In the second dress, the waistline is so high that it makes your boobs disappear. I think something that doesn't cut you off under the breasts also would make a difference.

We are in the same apple club, so I totally inderstand the dilemma!

This is my dress:

Oh hello my apple-shaped friends. Isn't dress buying fun? (No. No it isn't. I know this.)

@Lalinshi: I think the first dress you posted is the best shape for our shape. It is roughly the shape that I ended up with too.

Here's the rub - Drop waists can accent the mid-section and most dresses are drop-waisted right now. Especially the majority of the Maggies. But if an empire waist is draped wrong, it just veers away from flattering and straight towards pregnant. At least on me. Maybe my apple belly is worse or something tho. Anyway, that's my fear with the second dress.

However that first dress is right at a natural waist and that is the best place to be. At least on my apple shape it is. I found the tops with the sweetheart necklines and rouching above the waistline tended to go best. Basically that first Maggie picture is what I would consider to be ideal.

Oh I really like the one @Stressedbride2be posted!

I really like this one, and it has a sweetheart neckline :) http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Beaded-Tiered-Tulle-Gown-with-Sweetheart-Neckline-9SWG9902_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Size-Plus-Sizes

If you want something less poofy and with an empire waist I thought this one was light and flowy looking, classic http://www.davidsbridal.com/Product_Strapless-Taffeta-Ballfown-with-Bow-and-Brooch-9T3039_Bridal-Gowns-Shop-By-Size-Plus-Sizes

Good Luck! Keep us posted :)

I would say that the empire dress would be great on you.  The picture of the second dress looks great on you and its almost an empire style dress.  I would try on more dress and find the one that looks great on you.

I love the ballgown and definitely think it's the best of what you've posted.  It is adorable and I think it looks lovely!  I agree that natural waist is the best with a belly. 

The Maggie gowns you posted are all pretty.  If I could have found the 'Joanna' any where near where I live I'd have tried it on.  The 'Penny' and "Khloe' are also pretty, but I have no idea if they would work for an apple shape--I'm bad at picturing those things.  I've tried on the DB 9V9743, and it was a contender for me, although I'm pear-shaped, so it hid my hips.  I found a couple other Maggies and one Alfred Angelo that might fit what you are looking for.

I really love the 2nd Maggie you posted as well as the wedding dress underneath the bridesmaid gown.  For some reason, I think that flowy type of material (is it chiffon?) looks better on you than the highly structured satin w/rouching.  I think you look beautiful in that ballgown one, especially if you cinched in the top more because it looks a little big on you.  And like another bee said, you could probably make that into a sweetheart neckline rather easily.

You and I have very similar body types, so I appreciate you posting these pics on here because it gives me a very good idea about what I need to try on and/or stay away from. 

I don't know if they have any places in your area that carry larger sizes in designers like Maggie Sottero, but Miss Pamela's in Rochester, Indiana ONLY carries "plus size" samples, and specializes in designers like Maggie Sottero. (I REALLY think a Maggie might surprise you- their corset backs do amazing things for almost every figure. And you seem to like that designer, too :) )

The samples start around a size 12 and go up from there. I have a friend who is getting her dress there, and I think my MOH and I are going there to look for her b/c they carry the B2 by Jasmine dresses, and my poor MOH can't fit into their size 10/12 samples that all the other stores have! 

I know that's a 4 hour drive for you, but maybe it would be worth it to at least try them on? 

Also, you might check around the salons near you to see if they have any plus size trunk shows. The salon I got my dress at occasionally has trunk shows for the designers they carry that bring in the larger sample sizes. 

I really feel like that's the biggest issue in the bridal industry- how can a girl who wears a dress larger than a 12 or maybe a 14 find the dress that fits her best when the salons don't even have a sample in her size? It's completely unfair how they underserve so many women. 

Oh, also: Of all the dresses you posted of yourself, the last one is my favorite so far :) I love the lightness of it. 

@Lalinshi: It might not hurt to call and ask. Also, if you do decide to go, you might call in advance to see if they have some of your favorite styles in stock. 

I do know from experience thought that sometimes it can be worth it to travel. I found my dress because I went to visit a friend 6 hours away and went to a really large store near her.

The exact same dress was at a local salon I hadn't tried yet (I ended up ordering from there) but because I wasn't looking for that gown, I would have never found it had the consultant at the other store not thought it would work on me. 

I just love the idea that Miss Pamela's caters to a more voluptuous body type. If my MOH don't find anything while we're in Chicago next weekend, I will almost certainly be making a trip up there so she can find a dress she loves (and it's a 2 hour drive for us!) 

Here is the website, just in case you want to call and talk to them: http://www.misspamelasplus.com/

Whatever you decide, I really hope you can find a dress you love! 

Have you considered a dress with straps and a v-neck line?  The straps providea  lot of support then if you find a dress with embellishment rightunder the bust, it will accentuate the smallest part of your waist.  Just a thought - that is what looked  best on me. :)