I don't understand how wedding dress shopping works

sarah_elton

So confused.

So, it seems like all the dress shops carry samples, then you order one you like in your size.

Surely this means you can't try on your dress before you buy it? I'm an hourglass shape and have always had trouble getting dresses to fit, and also find that what looks great in the pic/on the hanger may just not suit me at all. I need to try a dress on before I buy, but how does it work? I'm a size 12 - will there by any samples in my size?

I don't want to spend hundreds ordering something that doesn't look the way I pictured when I put it on.

shellsuit

You should find plenty of choice being a size 12

Tigerlilley1980

Hi there, I guess it all depends on what style of dress you try on. If you try a lace up back the chances are it will fit because there is a good leeway in the fastening. They do carry samples in your size but also if there is a particular dress you want to try they may have to order it in, sometimes cosrting around £30 to do this. Although they will knock the £30 off your dress price if you order! I haven't actually been and tried on in a bridal shop because I ordered from China, but did go in and they told me about the charge to order a sample in! Hth Tiger xxx

jillie1974

all the good shops have panels that they attatch to the dress at the back. this will give you an indication of how it will look from the front and sides. some will try and squeeze you in as well try several shops as different stores have different sizes.if you find a dress you really like.google the stockists and you may find one who has your size. but size 12- you should be ok.
i thinkits the larger sizes that have more problems

Littlemadam83

I think with a size 12 you have a good range of sizes you can fit into. They will prob squeeze you into and 8, and you can go all the way up to a 16 to get an idea of how the dress will look.

I am a plus size, and tried loads of dresses on, to find the last, most gorgeous one would not go on. It is my plan B if my China dress goes wrong, but without trying it properly I too am nervous.

But go, try some on! enjoy the experience!

xxx

emma.b123

When I went shopping for one, they usually find ones that are larger then pin you in whilst wearning the dress so you get an idea how the dress will look fitted to your size.
I'm an hourglass too, and I found this worked fine and got a really good idea of what would suit etc.
I'm a small size 10, and I ended up trying on a gown in a size 22 - they just pinned half of it back for me to get an idea of how it would look from the front (unfortunatley i couldn't see the back detail as half the dress was pinned up!)
Like other MSE'ers on here, I ended up getting mine a made to measure shipped from China at a fraction of the cost - this way i gave them all my measurements for them to make ther dress from scratch - its just in the process of being altered with a seamstress as i over-estimated my measurements to be on the safe side!

chatnoir

im an 8 and no dress shops had my size i was drowned in size 16s...they just stuff the back out with cushions...some samples they only had size 20 so no point in even attempting to try them on!

cleomolly

as others have said above, they will pin you into the dress and make it look as it would in your size, then if you order they measure you and order the closest fitting size, eg 12, then you will have to have it altered to suit once it arrives. so the dress you try on will be the same just not your size, could you imagine if they stocked every dress in every size! I think you'll find you will be lucky in that a lot of the shops stock sizes 12's so you'll get a good idea.

the dress I bought recently is a size 12, from a sale shop and to give me an idea she put a car sponge down my back, which really made the dress fit tight around the front! they come up with all sorts (be careful, some will pin you in, if so don't bend down - oouucchh) x

sarah_elton

Thanks all, that makes more sense now.

Am sort of looking forward to it, but I always have an absolute nightmare buying dresses (e.g. evening dresses) as I'm an F cup and they never fit up top! Either too big on the waist or won't do up all the way.

Have started looking online and in mags for the sorts of styles I like, but am dieting for a couple of months before I go shopping for it. I like strappy dresses with lower necklines. With strapless, (1) even boned I'd need scaffolding-like underwear and (2) my broad shoulders would look even wider! I live in v-necks and scoop necks; will be going for the little bit of cleavage look, in an elegant way of course. :rotfl:

floss2

Don't forget that wedding dress sizes aren't the same as "standard" high-street sizes.....so don't be upset if your perfect-fit frock is actually a 14 or 16!

Also, what about halter-neck? or sort of cap-sleeved to "disguise" your shoulders?

sarah_elton

Thanks floss - because of my shape my clothes range from a 10 to a 14 anyway lol. Doesn't bother me what the label says if it fits and flatters.