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I have broad shoulders and a wide rib cage, but not a long back. (Short torso) I think wearing your hair down will help, but it depends on what style gown you're wearing. If you're going with a strapless, for example, that would be great. I would think you'd want to avoid anything with buttons, etc, which would just help lengthen your back out.
My gown is a corset back because my rib cage is so broad. On the up side, it flairs out at the end of the corset, which helps my hips balance out my shoulders, so I actually look more houreglass than anything.
Hope that helps!
@ORella2012: Awesome Yes, thanks for the advice!
I had a really weird time dress fitting, cause my bust measurements were absurdly large even though I would be considered average or on the thinner side.
I have a few dresses on hand, but I'm picking a strapless, so yes, I will probably stick with a hair down.
I was told strapless was the way to go with broad shoulders/ribs from an athlete's body, although like @ORella2012 , I'm short with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, not tall.
For me: the morning before our wedding I'm planning on doing a medium-intensity back workout, to really help emphasize the definition in my mid-back, because it will be on display all day.
Argh trouble posting this - apologies if it shows up multiple times:
Oh, man, I can TOTALLY relate. My shoulders are the size of a truck, and my torso is like 1/2 of my body height. Here's some pictures of me in my dress:
I know it looks a little squished sideways which is kind of not the most flattering thing ever, but that went away after a few minutes of wearing the dress. Unfortunately all of the super close up pictures of my back are right after putting it on when my skin is all squished up. Ah well.
Here's a close up where you can see my jacked up arms and shoulders:
I was so sure I wanted something half-up, half-down at first to break up the line of my shoulders/deltoids/biceps and make me look more feminine and less severe, but I actually went with a full updo, leaving a few tendrils down and curled. That was plenty to break it up, I think, and the updo went better with your dress.
My advice:
1) sweetheart neckline x1000 for broad shoulders. the lower neck also helped break up my torso especially from the front.
2) show your back! that also helped keep the shoulders from looking too linebacker-ish, and broke up the length of my torso
3) updos are fine, but leave something down to look feminine and break up the space.
also, maybe wait a few minutes to take pictures so your skin's not pulled all weird from zipping the dress up. oh, and maybe I should have worked on that sports bra tan a little more.
I have broad "swimmer's" shoulders and I really didn't like myself in strapless dresses. Dresses with straps (as long as they weren't halter) seemed to break things up. (Note: I don't know that the back of my dress was the most flattering for my back/shoulders, but I loved the style of it so I went with it anyway).
I don't think I have my actual wedding photos on my work computer, but I have the ones of me in the store saved in my weddingbee gallery, so I'll post them for ya!
@Entangled: you look beauiful in your dress!
I did not know that about sweetheart necklines, but that makes sense. I knew I wanted a sweetheart neckline from day 1, but I thought it was just to give me the illlusion of more boobs.
@Ivorybuttons: great idea, I've been totally working the upper body lately!
@Entangled: So glad Im not the only one !! LOL I can't see the pics though, maybe they will show up eventually. Great tips!
@78h2o: You look stunning! I love the straps, you don't look swimmerish at all :)
@Ivorybuttons: Thank you! And, yes, the sweetheart necklines are GREAT with athletic body types. They're so flattering.
@Eva Peron: Argh! I tried to click and drag them and that caused all sorts of issues. These are actually uploaded to WB though so hopefully they show up soon.
@78h2o: I love your dress on you, ESPECIALLY the back. I think that there being tags and stuff and it not being altered is messing with the effect a little, but the low, low back is stunning on you.
@Entangled: Now I see them! You are so right, it looks amazing! What a cute dress, you have an amazing body, I can see you take care of yoruself ;)
@secondchances: Now that is some gorgeous long hair!! Love it, thanks for the inspiration ;)
@Eva Peron: Thanks! I don't know that it's take care of myself, though, so much as abuse myself in the name of trying to get stronger and faster.
@Eva Peron: 2nd on showing your back or a V back... I had a straight across and b/c I always had my hair down, I never noticed how unflattering it was. In some pics my hair is moved off to the side and that straight line really cuts me off at the wrong point.
@Eva Peron: sorry, I just re-read your post and realized you already have your dress and your big day is soon!! I wore my hair up but I think you could go either way. I doubt your back is too long, but if you are worried, then I think wearing your hair down is a good idea. Are wearing a veil? That would soften your back as well, I think. My veil got stuck in my hair so I actually wore it the entire night. It never bothered me though! I'll see if I can find a pic to snag off facebook to show you...
I DO have swimmer shoulders, I promise! I swam in college and always get comments about them being broad...but I'm glad you don't think they look that way in the dress! :)
@jjmomma: Interesting so your saying, do wear it down?
@78h2o: yeah I will probably try to soften with a veil!
@78h2o: My dress is very similar. I like the look of the straps to help break it up.
@Eva Peron: Not sure if I will do hair down/half down in the back, or do something curly to the side to sort of create a visual in the front and break up the line(backer) of my shoulders. Hahah.
This is my dress:
and 2 possible hair styles (sans flowers):
@NDBee: LOVE the low back on you. I am totally into the first hairstyle as well.
@NDBee: Ah your dress is gorgeous, who makes it?! I love the hair too, a looser version for the carrie underwood is what I have planned so far. Adding either a flower or a veil.
@Entangled Thank you! Once this crazy semester is over and I have a month off before the next starts, I'm kicking into gear so my back is seeeexxy :-) Hehehe. I don't have bangs, but I really like that 1st style as well. If I did the 2nd, I'd incorporate a braid or two, since Mr.ND really likes my hair braided (it's very long).
@Eva Peron: Thanks! It's Maggie Sottero M@ri!yn. (Blocking the googlers, lol). It was discontinued right before I bought it, so I got it half off! I think the 2nd hairstyle would look great with either a flower or a veil (or do veil for the ceremony/first dance/cake, and then flower for getting down!). :-)
I totally have broad shoulders! Here's a pic of me at another wedding and one of me in my dress. I'll be wearing my hair down because I feel like it softens them. (Sorry for the massive pics!)
I have shoulders and back like a body builder and like I have the world on my shoulders I hate it..I get it from my dad's side. I tried on a dress with straps and it looked horrible (see below).
So I went for sweeheart strapless with corset back and it balances me out more
I think wearing the hair down would work or If wearing hair up wear a longer veil.
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Hey Bees!
I Have a nice dress and a nice back to show off, and my concerns aren't back fat or armpit pudge but just the overall length of my back. It feels like an empty plain that goes on forever.
Would a hairstyle that goes down my back instead of leaving it open, help to break things up visually?
Any "broad shoulder" brides have pictures of them in their dress to share of how they chose or are choosing to go for their big day!