Post # 17
Member
3696 posts
Sugar bee
See if you can find a Brides Against Breast Cancer event near you! They carry gowns in all sizes, the volunteers are great, and it’s so much better than going the retail salon route, in so many ways (IMO, at least): no body-shaming, much better prices, the money you spend goes to a good cause, a wider variety of gowns than the same old strapless you see everywhere …
They have a mix of pre-owned and new gowns (donations from individuals, shops and designers) and they travel from city to city and hold events, usually on the weekends and usually at a hotel or conference center. Most prices range anywhere from 25%-75% off retail. And the volunteers who staff the events are wonderful to work with!
http://www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org
Post # 18
Member
370 posts
Helper bee
@jatelynn: Thank you! Yes, I will try not to focus on the label size. It’s how I feel in the dress that I will try and focus on. I may try out DBs to get an idea of what I like shape wise.
@Lyndzo: You look stunning! Love your dress!
Post # 19
Member
2450 posts
Buzzing bee
I wear jeans in size 20 or 22 depending on the brand. My dress ended up being an 18.
I was able to try on most dresses, but I ended up buying one that I didn’t get to try on. My husband (FI at the time) told me that was the dress and he could see in his mind that it would be perfect on me. He was right.
Here’s me in all my glory, kissing my hubbie on his cute nose.
Srsly… I look damn good in that dress.
Post # 20
Member
370 posts
Helper bee
Ya’ll have really uped my confidence in being able to find something that will work. Thank you so much for the encouragement! I will keep you up to date about my shopping experience! So glad to find such a good support group.
@rosworms: You do look amazing in your dress! Your hubby has good intuition!
Post # 21
Member
705 posts
Busy bee
I am a street size 18-20. I still haven’t found the “dress” but I haven’t been to a dress store where there isn’t at least one thing that will fit me. The hardest part is that a lot of gowns do come in sample sizes, and most of them run small. I would suggest finding the cut that looks best on you and working from there. Good Luck!
Post # 22
Member
109 posts
Blushing bee
@amallama: If you’re located anywhere near northern virginia, you’re really going to want to try Curvygirls Bridal. My experience there was WONDERFUL. My dress is a size 24, though I’m a street size 18. the 24 is a tad big on me but works great because I have 38G breasts.
Post # 23
Member
1268 posts
Bumble bee
budget for alternations no matter what dress you buy– thats where the awesome comes from
Post # 24
Member
413 posts
Helper bee
Take a look at michiru4evers dress, it’s gorgeous, and lace!
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/my-dress-is-in-plus-size-lace-trumpet-pics
Post # 25
Member
322 posts
Helper bee
I’m an 18/20 street size. Here I am crammed into a size 6 (!!!!!) sample of my dream dress! I’ve posted it a million times but I love any excuse to post it again 🙂 I’ll be ordering it in a 16.
Post # 26
Member
370 posts
Helper bee
@HUstrawberry: Unfortunately I am in the midwest. Not so plus size friendly, but I will try and find a few places! Thank you for the suggestion.
Post # 27
Member
370 posts
Helper bee
@jennyinstereo: This dress is gorgeous!! I have seen a picture of it already and I swooned, totally would love to try something on like that if lace doesn’t work for me.
Post # 28
Member
370 posts
Helper bee
@retreadbride: My best friend is a professional seamstress! She will probably take care of my alterations!
Post # 29
Member
35 posts
Newbee
@amallama: I have a ton of pictures of me in that dress! lol Please pardon the bad hair day. Long, humid story. FYI, the flower that normally comes on the waist is detachable. The only reasons I didn’t buy it were because it only comes in the one color and I like the allure better. Where are you in the midwest? There’s a place called Bombshell Bridal outside of Detroit that specializes in plus sizes.
Post # 30
Member
370 posts
Helper bee
@sopraffina: I am in serious love with that dress. I am located in Omaha NE. I haven’t looked yet to see if there are any curvy places here. I may have to do a quick hunt to see if I can find anything.
What size are you, if you don’t mind my asking? I have large boobs(38G) so not sure how the Justin Alexander will look, but I totally want to try it on now
Post # 31
Member
35 posts
Newbee
@amallama: I am a size 24. That dress was a size 22, and they had to squeeze me into it. I’m a 40 DD. I think you might have to order a bigger size to accommodate your chest, but then they can take it in elsewhere to make it look good. It’s really sturdy, so I think it would be a good dress for that. I felt like I was locked into it.