Post # 1

Member
1842 posts
Buzzing bee
I’ve got a lot going on in this post.
Some background – 39 yo, second wedding, normally a size 6 bottom and small on top except for 36D chest (breast implants).
I found and bought my Maggie Sottero Phillipa on Ebay in a size 8, zip up back (no corset back) and it is too small (zips fine up to my waist but there is approximately 5 inches of zipper at the top that won’t zip – approximately 3″ across at the widest point). I’m the heaviest now that I’ve ever been. With working out and running, I know I can lose 10 pounds, probably more (I am currently 137 pounds, 5’5″ tall). I have until September 2011 so I have plenty of time.
I’m asking for several things here:
Maggie brides without the corset back — please post what street size you typically wear and what size Maggie dress you bought/wore. I tried to use the online measuring system when I purchased the size 8 but obviously I was off. I would be interested to know what some bigger chested brides did as well (bigger size dress but had the waist taken in? or did Maggie fit you)?
Augmented brides (brides with breast implants) — would love to see photos of you rocking your dress. Advice on what you did to have the correct size up top for your gown. Any other advice/words of wisdom.
Anyone — if I need to have the Maggie taken out up top, how many inches of flexibility is available for a seamstress?
Anyone — is it likely/possibe to lose enough weight around your ribs/chest area to lose 3 inches? Granted the implants are there, they aren’t going anywhere, but I do have my own breast tissue/fat that could potentially be lost with weightloss.
I really can’t imagine having any dress but this one and am adamant about making it work. Am I dreaming? Do I need to be more realistic?
All weight loss would be done with exercise, eating well, and drinking lots of water. I’m a health fanatic who has eased up these past few years (but could get serious about it again if it means fitting into that dress).
Post # 3

Member
7581 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I’m not augmented but large chested. I am a 36DD. I am a street size 10. My dress is a 16, in order to accomdated the bust. Those girls are so packed in that I probably could have used an 18.
In discussing this with the seamstress at one place, she basically told me that I could add a corset back to any dress that I purchased and that anyone with a larger chest should always purchase a corset back so that it doesn’t have to be taken in to much at the waist and ruin details. (I didn’t listen to her)
The average dress has one inch of let out space.
And I would ask yourself the if losing 3 inches is feasble for you. Have you ever been a 32D?
Post # 4

Member
979 posts
Busy bee
I would go for the corset back. It is much more forgiving if the dieting does not work out. Plus you don’t need a long line bra.
Post # 5

Member
1525 posts
Bumble bee
I have had a breast aug and just from experience trying things on I would actually suggest that you have a seamstress put a corset back in the dress you bought. It is actually quite simple for them to do and would be much cheaper than having all sorts of alterations to adjust for not fitting your bustline and fitting your waistline. Just a thought.
O and to answer your original question about weight loss, yes you have plenty of time but you will probably still have alteration costs
Post # 6

Member
287 posts
Helper bee
There is a relatively new picture on the Maggie Brides website which might be an inspiration for you:

Post # 7

Member
3613 posts
Sugar bee
@natalila: While she is definitely pretty, I would say this is exactly the way NOT to go on your wedding day. My eyes went to her boobs before the 6-feet tall harp.
I have a larger chest than the rest of my body, my entire mom’s side of the family does. It did create a problem with wedding dresses. My first wedding 10 years ago I’d worn a corset top Maggie that was a size 8 sample even though I’m a size 2. Combination of alterations and corset had looked great. This time I wore two dresses, both sweetheart necklines, no corset, and not really allowing a bra. I had to buy both in size 6 due to chest. In my ceremony dress we added bra cups and added a tulle modesty panel. With my reception dress I only had 1 week to alter the dress, so couldn’t do anything about the boobs and it was a problem. They looked a bit squished and hung out more than I’d like them to.
[attachment=1390545,176629] [attachment=1390545,176630]
Post # 8

Member
1842 posts
Buzzing bee
@meliss: Yes, this is more the look I’m going for.
While I do have implants, they’re not at all obnoxious or over the top. I breastfed my two children and was left with a lot of excess skin but nothing to fill them up. My implants fit my body type and most people don’t even know they’ve been augmented.
Sounds like a corset back is the way to go. I may try one of those Spanx suits as well (although I’m not sure they make one specifically for the area I’m trying to minimize (ribcage).
Posting a pic – really, they’re not at all obnoxious (or at least I don’t think so).
Post # 9

Member
1842 posts
Buzzing bee
Whoops, bitmaps won’t work …