The Ultimate Guide to Plus Size Wedding Dress Shopping By Allison Mcgevna

Ladies, this is admittedly a long post. If you're looking for something specific, skip ahead to the bullet point you find relevant. This post is based on my experience alone, which was a largely positive one. But that was because I was prepared. I hope this guide helps you a little. And to my readers who have already gone through it, please share your tips in the comments below.


For those asking, my dress is from Paloma Blanca Bridal and the style number is 4512. Visit their website for information on where to purchase.

Here we go:


10. START EARLY

I admittedly waited a long time to find my wedding dress and while I was lucky to find mine under the gun, I felt a bit rushed and therefore the process had its stressful moments. Understand that some dresses can take several months (up to a year even) to come in and then you need at least 2-3 alterations appointments. So you need to plan ahead.

If for some reason, you got engaged and are planning to wed quickly, you can certainly rush your order, but be prepared to pay a hefty fee for that. You can also buy off the rack, but the fact is, even though there are more options than there were a few years ago, they are still far more limited for plus size women.

I recommend starting with a chain store and then calling around to local boutiques to see if they carry your size. The last thing you want to do is walk into a store when you are in search of arguably the most memorable garment of your life and have the saleswoman tell you “we don’t carry your size.” 

On that same note …

9. UNDERSTAND BRIDAL SIZING

Let me tell you this and please understand and absorb it. Chances are, your wedding dress size is going to be about FOUR sizes bigger than your normal dress size. Accept it. Know it. Embrace it. That means if you wear a size 14, chances are your dress will be a size 18. If you wear a size 18, expect to buy a 22.

Also keep in mind that if your hip measures in at their 22, they’re going to tell you to buy that size 22, even if the rest of you is a 16. From there, you will need to have it altered to your measurements, which will cost you another few hundred dollars. So plan for that and be prepared.

If you opt to buy a smaller size believing you will lose weight, many boutiques will make you sign a waiver saying you went against what they recommended. This, of course, is fine if you know yourself and know you will actually accomplish getting to the size you want to be on the big day. But it’s best to be at least within reasonable distance of that size. Trust me, weddings are stressful as hell. It’s better to pay a little extra for alterations than to order a size 10 dress when you’re a size 18 and then you’re left eating nothing but broth and lettuce for two months to get into it. Or worse, not fitting into it at all. But obviously, to each woman her own.

Many bridal boutiques carry up to a size 22, with a few more carrying a size 24.

Here are a list of designers who make their dresses in extended sizes. Keep in mind, it is not for every gown that they go up to this size.

REMEMBER IT’S BRIDAL SIZING, SO YOU WILL BE 4 SIZES BIGGER, ON AVERAGE.

Maggie Sottero: Up to Size 28

James Clifford: Up to Size 24

Paloma Blanca (my designer): Up to Size 22

Alfred Angelo: Up to Size 30

Allure: Up to Size 32

Bonny Bridal: Up to Size 32

Jordan Bridal: Up to Size 30

David's Bridal (various): Up to Size 26, but note that gowns by the big designers like Vera Wang and Zac Posen mostly only go up to a bridal size 14 (more like a size 10). I personally think Oleg Cassini has the nicest plus options at David’s Bridal.

Morilee: Their plus line is called “Julietta” and goes up to 32W

Dina Davos for Kleinfeld’s: This is the name of their best known, exclusively plus collection. It ranges up to a size 22 I believe. Fyi - Kleinfeld's is famous and famously pricey!

Sydney’s Closet (exclusively plus): Up to Size 40

Wtoo: Up to 32W

Of course, there are many more options to consider, but this is a start.

8. DO YOUR RESEARCH

Do your research on bridal boutiques and designers by joining sites like The Knot, Wedding Wire or even just Googling it. Know who carries your size and who doesn’t. Read other brides' experiences and decide for yourself where you want to start looking.

(A bit on my experience)

Not to be biased, but I can’t recommend my boutique, Bridal Reflections, enough. If you’re in the tri-state area, (for my non East Coast readers, this means NY, NJ & CT), I HIGHLY recommend visiting one of their 3 boutiques. They are located on 5^th Avenue in Manhattan, which houses their most expensive, couture dresses. They also have locations in Massapequa (on Long Island) and Westbury, both of which have their second-tier, more affordable prices (Keep in mind ladies, “affordable” for wedding dresses is NOT THE SAME as affordable for like, say, Forever 21. Please don’t do it to yourself because your jaw will drop when you get quoted a price – be in the know). They’ve dressed celebrities like Lala Vasquez and were recently seen on MTV for Snooki’s wedding (I know), but don’t be intimidated by this. They treat every bride like a celeb!

I paid a visit to their Massapequa, NY location because one of their stylists came HIGHLY recommended by an industry insider. I called and asked for Nicole by name and it was by far, the best decision I made during this process. When I arrived, I was the ultimate skeptic about finding the dress I would like. I had prepared myself with “no one is going to tell me what I should wear as a plus size woman” game face, but she eased my fears and made me relax immediately. She listened to me and paid attention to details. With some kind of styling magic that even I don’t understand, she used pins and elastic bands to show me how the sample size 8 would look on my body.  Above all else, I felt comfortable with her and that made it easier for me to say “yes” and “no” to the options she presented.

This is a family-owned business, so everyone who works there has experience and cares about you -- They aren’t just another hourly employee. They make you feel SPECIAL, as every bride should feel. It took me 2 visits to find my dress, but my stylist went above and beyond. I mean, Nicole emailed me from her PERSONAL email with information, after hours. She also Googled my blog to see my style and then tailored the options she showed me at our next appointment based on what she thought I would like. That is some seriously attentive service. I can’t gush enough about her. If you go and visit her, tell her I sent you. (Note -- I did not get paid for this, they didn’t sponsor me in any way – this is just my honest opinion).

7. UNDERGARMENTS MATTER

Ok – so here is the question I know will come – what kind of undergarments did I wear? My dress was completely sheer in the back, so I wore a strapless longline bra from Dominique, style number 6377. It had a low, scoop back and gives you an extra bit of shaping at the waist. The dress had construction in it, which gave me additional support (which was needed). On top of that, I wore a pair of my beloved Spanx in the bike short style. But that was it. I did not want to be in a corset or some crazy shapewear all night. I know many brides that do it and lord knows there are some magic girdles out there -- and that’s all up to you. I wanted to be able to sit and dance, so I felt great. I get claustrophobic with too much shapewear on. Decide on your desired level of comfort and stick with it.

Once you’ve decided on your dress silhouette, get a bra that can be your “fitting bra” and wear it to every fitting, and of course, the actual day. Ask your seamstress or stylist for a recommendation. For your first trip, wear a good-fitting bra that you already own, ideally in a nude shade so you can get an idea of how a dress will look. Please do yourself a favor and don’t come in with some rinky-dink strapless and some old grannies. First of all, you will most likely get undressed in front of the stylist (There’s no need to be shy, but you’ll feel better if you aren’t wearing your old undies with holes). Second of all, different bras changes the fit of your dress. It’s important to keep this in mind because you obviously don't want that. Some boutiques will carry undergarments as well, but it’s up to you to get measured and to purchase the proper undergarments.

My bra cost about $40 and my Spanx were about $30. So $70 is reasonable. I bought my bra on Amazon after speaking with the seamstress about the best option.

On that note:

6. YOUR SEAMSTRESS IS YOUR BEST FRIEND

Continue reading from here

 

Image, opinions and suggestions are Allison Mcgevna's