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Do not worry one bit! Most sample sizes are actually size 8 or 10. Dress stores fit brides of all shapes and sizes. Just be happy and confident and have a great time!
Most of the sample sizes I tried on were at minimum a 10 because they need something to show you. I know some stores have larger sizes to try on. I am guessing they are going to look short on you but being someone who is only 5ft they all looked really long on me and I was afraid of tripping all the time. Even if the dresses don't fit in the store you should be able to get an idea of how it will look on you. If a store is rude and isnt trying to help you then leave they don't deserve your business or time. You will find the right dress. Go to a few stores and let yourself have fun, I didn't think I would find mine when I did. HTH
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If the dress is too small for you they'll still use those clamps but instead use them to make the dress bigger by using a fabric panel. I actually wouldn't be surprised if you can get a better idea of how the dress will look on you if it's a bit small rather than too big. I know there were a few dresses where I was really interested in the back but couldn't see anything because it was all bunched up. Either way, don't get hung up on the number on the tag. They are all over the place!
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
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I am a size 20. My hyperactive mom dragged me to a Priscilla's and I was bracing myself ready to be totally mortified. As if a high-end store would bother stocking stuff for the plus size masses, you know? It ended up being a really positive experience. She had tons of stuff for me to try on and she never once made me feel out of place. She even had samples in a size 14.
Priscilla's and David's both had measured me for 22s-24s. Their sizing is generally a little closer to standard sizing. In other designers, I noticed my size was a little higher. It might be good to brace yourself for that if you're sensitive about it.
I don't know if you ever shop for vintage clothes, but the same thing happens there. Stores have been vanity sizing for a while now, and today's 4 is not the 4 of the 60s or 70s. Bridal sizes seem to be more consistent with vintage sizes.
I feel your pain. When i went around looking for dresses i thought that i would be the only plus-size girl looking for a dress that was MADE for a plus-size girl. But eventually i found a boutique and dress i LOVED. Just beware of the dresses they have on the "misses" manaquins but they say they carrie it in the larger sizes. . . sometimes they may CARRY it in your size but that doesnt mean it looks good in a larger size. And most importently HAVE FUN
I went to a claire pettibone trunk show and all of the dresses were sizes 2 and 4. Luckily that is my size, but there was a girl who came in after me to look at the collection and there was no way she could have tried anything on. I felt bad for her, and I thought it was weird that they only offered the very small sizes-I mean of course I was thrilled because usually there is never anything in my size-but maybe you don't expect to try stuff on at a trunk show? It is the only one I've been to so I dont know.
Flamingred - I find your post is irrelvant and not helpful at all.
Putting that aside....
I really wouldn't worry about trying on dresses if I were you. Almost of the dresses I tried on at stores were size 10 or 12 so you won't have a problem at all. The thing with trying on the dreses is that they don't normally fit anyone!! They're going to be too small or too big for probably 90% of the people that try them on - so don't worry if they don't fit perfectly. Good luck! and have fun!
@agrosses - OMG, I hear you. I am 5'10", and street size 8-10, and I went on my first dress-shopping excursion a few days ago. The first store we went to was huge and had tons of styles, but guess what: nothing in my size. Well, maybe 2 of the dresses I tried on actually fit. The lady told me to get things a size or two up, but they had pretty much no 10s, 12s, or 14s. The store was full of 4s, 6s, 8s, and 16s. She put me in a few 16s and pinned the back, but I also had to cram in to a lot of too-small 8s. They actually got me stuck in one and had to cut me out!! Not a great experience. If your hips are narrow as you say, you'll probably be OK though. I have wider hips and this was a problem for me since I was mostly interested in form fitting (mermaid and sheath) styles.
David's Bridal did have a lot of gowns in 10-12 and that was a better experience than the other store, but the lengths were mostly too short (over an inch off the ground, barefoot). I read somewhere that most dresses are cut for a 5'7" woman.If it's lace it can't be hemmed either. But my attendant said you could usually order it to be made longer in the first place.
Anyway, good luck to you!
I am naturally a busty gal, so I always go up several sizes for dresses. Trying on wedding gowns was awkward, because while I normally wear a size 10/12, I was squeezing my chest into size 16 gowns that were too big everywhere else. At first I was uncomfortable, but I had a great bridal consultant who actually was really supportive and made me feel gorgeous and helped me pick out a great dress. I would definitely not be scared- the consultants' job is to help you find a great dress- if they make you feel bad about yourself, take your money somewhere else! Almost everywhere i went I found helpful, supportive consultants.
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Pronovias usually stocks sample size 14. Don't worry about going to fittings, you'll be fine!! I was super worried (I'm a 12/14!!) and self-conscious, but the woman who helped me didn't pull any size 2 dresses out so I never felt awkward.
Go have fun!! (And take pics!)
Women in the bridal shops are experts at making things work... both of my sisters were above sample size and had good experiences finding their dresses. There are always a few nasty sales people out there, but they're few and far between. I've had several people tell me that they like fitting to taller and curvier women because a great variety of dresses look good on them.
Can't wait to see and hear about your experiences.
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First, let me give you the love you need regarding sleeves and not-waiting-for-an-ark-to-float-by pants. It sounds like I am about your size, but a tad shorter; I'm 5'8", and wear a size 8 in street clothes, also have the shoulders of a linebacker and a 26" waist.
I didn't have a problem at any of the stores I went to, surprisingly. I seem to have had the opposite experience of marquisemiss. Almost every dress I put on zipped up, and was pretty close without clips. (and incidentally, don't worry about that---I saw way more women who couldn't zip the dresses, than who needed to clip them in---so don't feel embarrassed if that's the case.) I also found the dresses were all waaaaay too long, so I don't think you'll find that a problem either. And you can order dresses with extra length--definitely ask if that's an option, if your sales consultant doesn't mention it. Oh, last thing, regarding the swimmer/tiny waist thing---you should order a dress based on your largest measurement--so if your waist is a size 6 and your bust is a size 10, you need to order the 10.
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a lot of other posters have said it already but i do think you're at a great advantage -- you're very close to the usual sample sizes stocked in stores and you'll be able to get a pretty accurate idea of how the dresses fit...in fact, you might even be able to get a deal on a sample dress if you decide to take that route! bridal consultants should have plenty of experience fitting women of all sizes so don't stress out too much and try to have fun =).
Any bridal salon worth its salt should make you feel beautiful and valued no matter how the gowns they have in stock fit you (and honestly, if they're good, they should have dresses in a range of sizes for you to try on. Not every dress in every size, of course, but there should be representative samples of different sizes and styles).
That said, when you put the right dress on, you'll almost certainly know it's the one, whether there's a panel in it to help it cover your athletic shoulders or clips on the back to keep it from falling down. I've seen brides in all sizes know THE ONE when they put it on! :)
I hope you have fun. Try to go into this experience with a positive outlook, and if it will make you feel more comfortable, do a little preparation before you go. Think about what dresses you already own you like the best, and then figure out why. Is the halter top on that sundress particularly flattering? Empire waist on a favorite church dress? Look at the cuts that you like on yourself, then maybe start there with your wedding dress search.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
I'm a 12 normally and a little busty, so I totally feel where you're coming from. I was completely anxious that I'd go into the stores and not be able to try anything on and would end up miserable. Especially because bridal sizes are general IMO a size or even two smaller than regular sizes (i.e. the 10 is really a 6 or an 8), I thought I'd never find something that fit on me. I'll be honest, there was a store I went to where I could only get one dress on. I looked through samples that I liked but I didn't even take them into the dressing room because I knew I'd never even get them past my hips. ;) It was kind of disheartening, but it was the ONLY time that happened. All of the other stores had at least a small range of sizes and you could get close to your regular size to try something on, at least with clips and stuff. The consultants are used to helping people make the sample sizes work, so they'll be able to make it work for you.
As an 8/10 in regular sizes, you should have plenty to try on in stores. You'll definitely have options to try on! They might be a little short on you, but you'll get the general idea. Oh and you do definitely have to order based on your largest measurement. My dress is much too big in the waist/hips, but my chest wouldn't fit into the smaller one! Anyway, good luck!! Try a lot of styles, take a friend and have fun! :) And let us know how it goes after you're done!
how does it work, though?
if you don't fit into the sample how do they add a fabric panel? does it come out looking somewhat like it will once the dress comes in- in your size?
i'm just concerned since my hips make me need to order dresses a couple of sizes up...i'm not a size 4 to brgin with, either...
@ agrosses I'm 6ft, and a street size 16 with swimmer shoulders as well and they knew I was a curvy girl so they actually had size 20 dresses that they pinned in the back so I could see what it would look like. And she measured me and is actually ordering me a size 14W. I was very nervous myself, esp about my shoulders but she knew what she was doing and picked out the dress I knew was the one! I hope you find someone as nice as I did...she made me feel very comfortable...if you live in Philadelphia or the area please see Michelle at Country Bride and Gent in Bensalem. The dress I got is an Allure. :) Good luck.
Sounds like you should be able to pull off a lot of great designer looks.
I am a big fan of my Maggie Sottero dress, it gave me curves in places most dresses don't. The corseted back is great for making the shoulders and hips appear more curveavous. However, I would think you'd look amazing in a silk sheath.
It depends on what you want to spend and where you are looking. But the best thing is going to be dropping or scheduling an appoinment at a bridal store. They know their merchandise and know the look on the brides face when she feels amazing in what she is wearing.
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I am a 5'10", size 8/10 woman with swimmers shoulders and narrow hips. I normally, and have since I was 15 and super-skinny (and already my grown height), always gone up sizes in dresses, the only article of clothing that has ever fit me (tall girls trying to find long enough jeans (and sleeves) in the the early 90s, please give me love!) Looking at all the blog entries/dress listings, I am afraid to go look for dresses - everyone seems to be a size 4 with lots of clips holding dresses in place. What are they going to do when l walk in, normal to larger-than-normal sized (thyroid disease having kissed the slenderness goodbye) and can't fit into the sample dresses? And what is that going to do to my psyche?