Taping the "girls" in lieu of a bra
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Bridesmaid dress awkwardness

posted 1 year ago in Bridesmaids
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    1.
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    Newbee
    Fantabulous    July 15, 2013   Coon Rapids, MN

    Hi, I'm not actually getting married (yet!), but I am a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding in April.

    The BM dresses she picked have a diamond-shaped opening in the back.

    Bridesmaid dress awkwardness :  wedding 9932 X1

    I'm a "full" D cup, and I forget why now, but I thought I would be able to wear a strapless bra, no problem. But the open back of the dress shows through the bra back. Not a very good look.  So that's out. A seamstress told me that sewing in bra cups wouldn't work; the only thing she could do would be to cut up a bra and tack it in. She suggested looking for a specialty bra. I don't know where to begin with that, and I'd prefer not to spend $100.

    I don't know the other bridesmaids at all, and I don't know what they are doing.  Hopefully I'm not the first to encounter an issue like this!

    Smile

     
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    Busy bee
    kermie    December 20, 2011  

    As a large busted woman myself I would just like to share with you how screewed you are :D

    Sorry, to make light of your situation, but thats such a tough one.

    Depending on how much support you need you could consider a few things.

    1) using those sticky cups in a C (because thats as big as they go) and preying for the best

    2) getting a low back long line bra (although I don't think they will be LOW enough)

     

    Thats the best I have. GOod luck.

    I've often wondered what I would do if a friend picked something like this.

     
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    Blushing bee
    dfurst    July 24, 2011   New Hampshire

    maidenform backless bra

    Bridesmaid dress awkwardness :  wedding Unknown

    you can even buy straps to attach to any bra you own and attach it like this...

    Bridesmaid dress awkwardness :  wedding 71mr17fWIuL. SL1500

     
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    julies1949      

    That is an unfortunate choice for the "girls" It is really meant only for an A or B cup.

    There have been several previous posts here on wedding bee. Use the search feature on the upper right and search for "backless bra".

     
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    Sugar bee
    Ms Hedgehog    July 10, 2011   Dallas/ Ft Worth TX

    The backless bra will do you no good. It is really intended for small busted women. Being a D cup myself, I hate to say it but you need to talk to your bride and explain that you simply can't wear the dress, atleast not without your bra showing. Sorry.

     
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    Worker bee
    phxbride87    March 5, 2011  

    I'd go for the long line, low back route- I know they are incredibly difficult to find in stores these days, but try searching online and make sure you order from somewhere that allows returns! 

    This might gross you out, but maybe ask around to any friends your size and ask to borrow? I have a bra like this from my mom, that was kinda the big deal in the 80s, if that may be an option for you. 

    I think the second best option would be to tack a cheapo bra inside. 

     
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    Buzzing bee
    kaylee26    January 1, 2014  

    Oh, that would be really difficult if you are busty, which I am. In my case, I'd also be concerned about back fat.

     
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    Bumble bee
    Dragonsus    December 19, 2009   Lexington KY

    Could you convince the bride to let you wear a bolero or jacket so that you could wear a bra??  otherwise I would call the company to see if you could get some extra matching fabric and have a seamstress fill in the back for you - cheating ,but still it's unfair to make you uncomfortable just for a wedding.

     
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    Sugar bee
    ellabee    July 3, 2011   Virginia

    2 ideas from a DD sister:

     

    1. low back bra, the kind that goes under your boobs and down by your waist to buckle really low in the back and the straps are way off the sides of the back. I used to have one--don't know where it went. It was great.

     

    2. get a flesh colored tank top to go underneath it. They have some really really "naked" looking ones out there. Then you can wear a *real* bra, and have a nice, solid color, skin-like, open diamond in the back.

     
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    Worker bee
    phxbride87    March 5, 2011  

    Also, have you considered asking the company the dresses are made by if they happen to sell/have suggestions for bustier girls wearing that dress? I'm so sorry this is such a pain for you! :( 

     
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    Sugar bee
    ellabee    July 3, 2011   Virginia

    option 3. duct tape.

     

     

    (joking. but it *does* work. highly NOT recommended)

     
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    bells    June 26, 2011  

    Sorry to say this but i think the bride is a bit inconsiderate to choose a dress like this.. because honestly all the good bras or other options will cost you much more money than you probably want to spend. She really needs to rethink this dress. But if her wedding is in April surely its getting  abit late to figure this out?

     
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    NDBee    March 10, 2012  

    I am far from a D (you lucky bees, you!) but I like the suggestion of one PP about seeing if you can wear a nude colored tank with a nude colored bra (that's rather seamless so you can't see the 'bump' from the hooks).

    The other thing that comes to mind is the pageant trick of taping your boobs. Not sexy, not glamorous, but it gets the job done and keeps the girls up. I know a lot of people say duct tape (ouchies!) but medical tape should do the same if applied to a clean, dry chest. Good luck!

     
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    Busy bee
    kermie    December 20, 2011  

    http://www.freshpair.com/Carnival-Bridal-Splendor-Low-Plunge-Longline-Bra-203.html

    this MIGHT be low enough.

    and actually looks comfy

     
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    Worker bee
    porterhouse      

    Don't use tape, except as a very, very last resort.  Been there, done that.

    Would something like this work?

    http://www.very.co.uk/intimates-solutions-backless-convertible-bra/656845404.prd

     

     
    16.
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    Worker bee
    porterhouse      

    Here's another one.  It doesn't have shoulder straps and has a low back.  I'm not sure if I would be low enough in the back, however.  Probably not, but it's hard to know for certain.

    http://www.brabarella.com/floatpages/brafloats/carnival203.htm

     
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    Busy bee
    blondilocks    June 11, 2011   Atlanta

    This is exactly why I picked the color and designer and let my girls have at it.  They each picked a gorgeous dress that they were comfortable in and it made them feel good. 

    Im so sorry you have to even deal with this.  I feel like a lot of brides dont take others into consideration when they pick out BM dresses.  They have a dream in mind but dont really think about how everyone else will look or even feel in the dress. I can honestly say that I have not liked a single BM dress I have ever worn.  They promplty went straight to goodwill or the trash right after the wedding and I never thought twice.

    Good luck with this.  I wish that I could think of something that would help but Im out of ideas other than possibly trying to sew a bra into it but it doesnt look tight enough for that.  Just a thought. 

     
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    Wannabee
    eleanorL    June 19, 2011  

    Oh honey, I feel your pain!

    As a DD myself, I have so been there. The best solutions I've come up with are:

    1. Hie thee to a lingerie shop and throw yourself at the mercy of the most experienced employee there. Humiliating? Yes, but they've usually tackled the same situation before and can point you in the right direction if there is one.

    2. Shop around for a good price on bra-installation services for your dress. I've done it myself once, poorly, then threw a real bra and sweater on immediately after photos.

    3. If your dress has a big hem or a generous seam allowance, can you beg your bride for a permission to have a stylish "accent" added to the bottom of the back to cover a backless bra? Just as a last resort....

    Good luck!!

     
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    Bumble bee
    Birdie Love    May 7, 2011   CA

    I am in the same boat; could never wear a dress like that.

    Years ago I was a BM and the dress had a very deep V in the back. Some BMs went braless, but i had to wear the kind PPs mentioned; backless and fastens at the waist. Not the most comfortable, but its do-able.

     
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    Worker bee
    mrsch2b    October 16, 2010  

    I had a similar situation a while back, so I really feel for you.  That dress is REALLY difficult to wear a bra with!  Wow.

    The best option is to get another dress.  Have you spoken to the bride about the situaiton?  If for some reason another dress is not feasible, I would try some of the low back options listed above.  As a last resort there are stick-on bras and even tape, but those are typically neither supportive or comfortable.

    If you do find a bra, you'll probably have to have everything positioned just right to avoid having it show.  It's going to be close.  I suggest having somebody keep an eye out so that a quick adjustment can be made if a wayward strap does peek out. :)

    I will see if I can find any possibilities (in addition to the prior posts).  If I do, I will post links.  Good luck!

     
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    Newbee
    Fantabulous    July 15, 2013   Coon Rapids, MN

    Thank you so much for all the advice and assistance.  It seems like there are a lot of possible options, but it seems like the best options are the ones that are most likely not to work with this dress.  I didn't realize that this would be such a problem, to be honest.

     

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