Post # 1

Member
1093 posts
Bumble bee
AKA, reassure me bees!
I didn’t want a strapless dress. I am a 30G bra size (yeah, you read that right), and thought strapless wouldn’t work. I fell in love with a strapless dress, though, and everyone assured me that once I have a good bra and it’s fitted it’ll look great. Well, I tried on the sample again when I went shopping with my girls for their dresses, because I wanted to see all our dresses together. I had my good bra with me, but I still feel like I look kinda saggy in the dress. I had to buy it a little large in the chest to make sure it could be altered, and I haven’t started alterations yet (wedding isn’t til October).
Any large chested ladies, especially with smaller band sizes, who wore strapless have before/after pics of their alterations? I can only imagine alterations make all the difference, and I have been repeatedly reassured that a good seamstress can work miracles and I won’t feel at all iffy about the straplessness the day of, but I need reassurance… Thanks!
Post # 3

Member
265 posts
Helper bee
Hey there. So I am about 34E and this was a concern. I haven’t gotten my dress in yet so I have no photos to share yet but it is strapless. Does your dress have a built in bra thing? My has two stretchy bands that can be fastened and then it zips up. I tried on others like this (one dress that fit me perfectly in the sample size) that had this-sans bra and it worked out well. I am probably going to wear something else with that too though-a long line bra or a strapless if i can find a good one since i think that would be more comfy. My dress had to be ordered at least 2 sizes larger to accomodate the bust and I am counting on the seamstress making it all fit well. I have seen it done so I think it will work out. On a side note I am also trying to diet and exercise to shrink the girls down just a bit. 🙂 If and when I get pics I can share them-dress coming in this month!
Post # 4

Member
46323 posts
Honey Beekeeper
You could always have a seamstress add some lovely cap sleeves like this as a backup plan. It won’t change the bra situation but you can tuck them inside your dress and bring them up if need be.

Post # 5

Member
235 posts
Helper bee
Im in the same boat. Im a 32G, and have only tried it on with a bra. Im hoping that having the seamstress sew cups in will do the trick.
Post # 6

Member
328 posts
Helper bee
I’m a 32G and wore a strapless dress without problems. I bought a high quality bustier (you want that instead of a regular bra) and that combined with my alterations kept me “locked in” and comfortable all night. Don’t worry! I promise your dress will look and feel completely different once it’s properly fitted.
Post # 7

Member
6394 posts
Bee Keeper
Hey! I was totally worried about that, too! I looked saggy in that area too (34G), until my seamstress had cups sewn in. Unfortunately, she also made the front a bit too low for my tastes, but I ended up happy with it overall.
Here’s me in the sample:
And at the fitting:

And on the big day! Sorry for so many pics, but I hope it helps reassure you!

Post # 8

Member
1093 posts
Bumble bee
Thanks for all the imput, girls… I had a minor heart attack last night but looking at the pics again it’s pretty clear that the sad saggy look has more to do with the dress than the girls and how it’s not fitted properly. I did have to order a size up, and my waist is actually probably two sizes smaller than what I ordered.
I’ve read about having a strapless bra actually sewn into the dress rather than cups- my dress has a little bit of boning but otherwise very little internal support, so I was thinking of having my strapless bra sewn in to provide underwire support. Hopefully that will work, and if not I’ll have to figure it out.
Thanks!
Post # 9

Hostess
11168 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
My Maid/Matron of Honor is larger chested and wore a strapless dress for her wedding and she looked amazing. Between the alterations (seriously these people work miracles) and her strapless bra she looked fantastic. I will say that she had her dress made into a sweetheart neckline and that helped tons versus a straight across shelf, that didn’t flatter at all.
Would you consider perhaps having a corset put into your dress? That along with cups sewn in might give you the support you need PLUS it will compensate for the difference in size between your chest and your waist.
Post # 10

Member
64 posts
Worker bee
Hi!! I’m a 32F/30G and I tried on some super awesome dresses that had a built in inner corset that was under the zipper, I have to say it made me feel like I’ve been missing out on life and should have that for every outfit 😉 But yes, I can’t wear a strapless bra (I own a few, I try them on with strapless tops, take it off immediately… you know the drill), I feel like we are in the same boat. I also tried on dresses that had boning down to the hips and you could also feel the support coming from your hips and not from your upper back like normal. I haven’t been through any fittings yet to see what happens with my actual dress I bought, but if there’s any way to have your seamstress add one of those built in corsets you’d be in a good place but also wearing a separate corset bra would be my vote. Best of luck to you :)!!
Post # 11

Member
4 posts
Wannabee
I’m also a larger chested woman, so it’s reassuring to me to read these posts so I know what to expect when I go in for my fitting. I haven’t had my first alterations yet, and my dress is strapless. However, I’m going to have the spaghetti straps that came with the dress sewn in for some support with holding the dress in. Last time I went in to try my dress on it didn’t work too well for me to have just a strapless bra, and the long line bra added too much bulk for my dress to feel comfortable. My dress is a corset style anyway. Would you all say that having built in cups versus a built in bra works better? Or vice versa?
Post # 12

Member
5 posts
Newbee
whats a good wuality 30G bustier?
thank you
Post # 13

Member
5 posts
Newbee
whats a good quality 30G bustier? thank you
Post # 14

Member
181 posts
Blushing bee
Me! I’m a 30E. I was freaking out after my first fitting because my boobs weren’t filling out the dress. my dress is very structured, and they were just resting in the bottom of the bust instead of filling it out. My seamstress added cups And took it in a ton up top. Even when she pinned it at the first fitting I wasn’t sure it would work (Because she was taking it in so much). I had my second fitting last night and it fit like a glove! I’m not even going to need to wear a bra with my dress (again, the top of my dress is super structured and fitted).