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I had a similar issue, I'm a street size 14. The dress I ordered was a size 20! The best experience I had was at Pronovias Flagship store in NYC. They carry most dresses in 2 sizes so you can see yourself in most dresses. It really made a big difference, and I loved my experience there.
Another good choice is David's Bridal cause they carry all sizes. I went there so I could get a feel of what kind of dress I wanted most, and what styles flatter me best.
Either way good luck, it's a little disconcerting sometimes when you are larger than a size 8 to go shopping but good bridal shops will make the most of the situation and willl help you through the process.
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Dress sizes are SO messed up. You'll probably want to try on at least a 16 or 18, depending on where your weight is distributed and how the skirt falls. An a-line is typically the most flattering on women with hips. Ballgowns, too, but that's if you want the big ole poofy dress. If you're *unproportional* (i am, too, so i mean that in the nicest way!) anything with a corset back will be nice b/c you can adjust it to fit you better without trusting a seamstress to fit it to you. Most of the places I went to had sample dresses in size 6 and size 16's, though. It's so hard to get an idea of what they really look like that way, though! But I wear a 8 in pants (at least now i do...i used to be a 10, 12) and i ended up with a size 10 dress, so sometimes you just never know!
Dress sizes are SO messed up. You'll probably want to try on at least a 16 or 18, depending on where your weight is distributed and how the skirt falls. An a-line is typically the most flattering on women with hips. Ballgowns, too, but that's if you want the big ole poofy dress. If you're *unproportional* (i am, too, so i mean that in the nicest way!) anything with a corset back will be nice b/c you can adjust it to fit you better without trusting a seamstress to fit it to you. Most of the places I went to had sample dresses in size 6 and size 16's, though. It's so hard to get an idea of what they really look like that way, though! But I wear a 8 in pants (at least now i do...i used to be a 10, 12) and i ended up with a size 10 dress, so sometimes you just never know!
Before I started looking at dresses, I felt the same way you did. At the time, I was a 14 and fairly well-endowed, so I was worried that I wouldn't be able to try anything on. I will say that the sizes of most (maybe not all) designers do run smaller than street sizes. The actual dress I ended up getting was 2 sizes larger than what I usually wear, in order to accomodate the bust.
Honestly, there was one store I went into where I couldn't try anything on. The sample 8's simply wouldn't go over my hips so I was pretty frustrated. However, that was the only time I had that experience. Every other store had at least some range in sizes, so I could get an idea of the dresses. The good thing is that you're definitely not alone in not being a bridal sample size. Most good consultants will be familiar with working with brides of all sizes, so they should be prepared to help you.
Also, when you find the dress you love, don't let the size you end up ordering bother you. I was disappointed at first when I saw the number, but as long as it fits and looks amazing, no one else will even know the size on paper.
Best of luck to you and let us know how the shopping goes!
I too am a street size 14 and ended up ordering a size 20. My main area where I needed it larger was in the bust area. My dress hasn't come in yet, so I'm anxious to see how much alteration if any I will need. Most places that I went to had a variety of sizes, but most of the dresses were a size 12, which they will more than likely get you into and then use those pretty little clips to help stuff you in, but it isn't bad at all. I wasn't excited about trying dresses on for that reason of not finding the right size, but the salesladies I had were really great and helped me find the right one!! My advice is to relax and have fun with it. You will find the right one!! Good Luck!
I'm a street size 6 or 8 and there were some boutiques where the dresses were too small for me! i think there is some serious discrimination when it comes to wedding dress sizes! The dress I ordered is a size 10 and fits me like a glove. I hope you can find a great place with some variation in sizes because trying on dresses is so much fun. :)
I'm a street size 12, but I'm pretty tall at 5'9" so my proportions might be different than yours. I can fit in most sample dresses size 10-12, I have some trouble with mermaid styles, ball gowns are fine but when I go to order I'll probably have to get a 14 or 16. If its an 8 it won't zipper it up and as a result doesn't look right. I have noticed that some salons carry a few selections in larger sizes but don't get pressured into only looking at those styles.
I'm sure you'll be fine, just try to enjoy it! Good Luck!
I had the same worry when I bought my dress over a year ago -- I was much heavier then than I am now and I was dreading it. We went to Alfred Angelo and they have a variety of dresses in a variety of sizes. I had a great experience. So just be patient and don't get frustrated :)
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If you're ever concerned about the sample sizes at a store being appropriate for your body type, you may want to call ahead. The only reason I really say this is because I wear a street size 4 and, like august15bride, I had some trouble fitting into a few sample sizes that a store I went to had. This store did have some samples in larger sizes though, so it sounds like they covered all their bases. I don't know if this is normal practice or if smaller boutiques may not be able to do this.
Happy dress hunting!
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<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">i'll be starting my dress search soon, and am unsure about the samples that stores usually carry. What are the usual sizes? I wear a street size 12 or 14, but in the past when I have ordered dresses I have had to order quite a bit up to accommodate my hips…I’m just concerned that when I get to a place they won’t have any dresses I want in a size that I could even try on…any thoughts?