Bridal Fitting Factors, Corsets, and These size charts are ridiculous!

I am going to have my mother transform my zipper back into a lace up back because I have gained some weight since I bought the dress. It fits everywhere else but the bust or body area. I don't have any answers for you other than they can give you a little more wiggle room than a zipper back. I did find this site of s seamstress who may be able to answer some questions.

http://www.leanna.com/stitch/index.shtml

I just went for my first fitting and my bra was too long in the back and she was pinning all over like crazy. If you ask me they do it on purpose so they can get more $$ for alterations. Also the bra I bought is from davids bridal and their stuff is non returnable so I either have to pay to have that altered or buy another one!! Uggh it just never ends. I will have a corset back on mine and it helps being larger chested so you dont have to pay for the dress to be taken out if you size fluctuates at all.

Thanks everyone! And thanks Doddie for the link!

I had my first fitting back at the end of Dec (10 months before my wedding)! So I didn't have anything yet... shoes, bra, etc. They seemed shocked that I didn't have them. I didn't realize I'd need them so early! So definitely bring all that stuff with you. I'd assume that a corset back is more adjustable than other backs though I have a zipper so I can't help you there. Good luck!

Thanks Sarah!

Gina C the bridal charts really piss me off too. IMO, they should make brides dresses smaller, not bigger. As in if your a street size 8 make the dress size a 6, not a 12. You don't have to change the actual dress, but just the "size". Brides already have enough pressure. And most brides always talk about losing weight before the wedding. IMO you should make people feel better, so make the sizes smaller.

I try to look at it this way. I had to order a size larger because my bust is too big. I said to myself it's not that I'm fat, it's that my boobs are huge. That makes me happy.

The corset back really helps with the size. My dress is a 16 but it fits like a 14 in the boobs, a 12 in the waist and basically any size hip I could imagine (A-line). I would've had to have a zip up dress taken in, but I don't need any alterations on mine except the bustle.

Seriously Mrs B! I don't understand why they do that! And thanks for the info Pumpkin's Sunshine, i myself just like to think i'm pleasantly plump lol

Bridal dress charts are written for a very close to the body fit. There is no wearing ease in the garment...the amount the garment measures compared to your body measurements. So if you gain any weight...oops. Rarely, is a bride sized to the chart, which are sized to approximately with the waist 10" smaller than the bust, and the hips either the same size of the bust or 2 " bigger.

So, the bridal shop must order your dress according to your largest body part. You can't rely on the dresses having enough seam allowance for letting out. Many of the draped styles with the ruched bodices do not have side seams. So if there is any adjustment, it must be done at the zipper. So, if your waist Bust is a 8, your waist a 12 and hips a 10 because you may be short waisted...guess what...there may be the best option to order the 12.

I've been on that other side of the desk trying to figure out which size dress to order. Believe me, I didn't want to order the bride a larger dress because

My dress has a lace up back and the consultant told me that it could be tightened/loosened one full size up or down. So I could gain or lose a little weight and not need to worry about alterations. And, I can tighten it tight where I want it and loosen it when I need to. Win win!

Just a random note- bridal sizes seem to be the same as pattern sizing, which is what sized used to be before they tried to make people feel good by making them smaller.... Anyone whose ever sewed something for them self knows that the sizes in commercial clothes are no where near other sizes. I'm like a 2-4 in street clothes, and a 8-10 in patterns.

/rant

Alterations did not make my shop any money. Generally, we would advise that brides have their fittings starting 3 months before the wedding at the same time of the month of the wedding. That way, your fittings line up with both the wedding, and your menstrual cycle and wedding.

When having your measurements taken, try on another dress by the same manufacturer in a similar style in the size that is closest to your measurements to check for fit. This can be a way to see how the companies size chart compares to their actual dresses. Bras can be altered too. David's is not the best place to buy a bra. They need to be fit by someone experienced in bra fitting. Most full service salons will fit bras.

Really, salons don't want to rip you off with unneeded work. We don't have the time to do a lot of extra work at our busiest times of year. A good seamstress is hard to find, and they have to be paid well to keep for such fine workmanship. This is a dying art.

I really don't know about the corset top VS zipper thing, but I did read some tips for when you do go try on dresses. And one of the things I remember from that article is to make sure you are wearing exactly what you plan to wear on your wedding day that way you will see what it looks like with everything on so if you plan to wear a certain bra - make sure you have it on. If it shows then you may want to try on bras to find out that you like that doesn't show then buy it or order one just like it. Another tip is to wear whatever shoes you are going to be wearing on your wedding day. It does make a difference and it could change the way the dress looks on you/fits you.

I can honestly say my dress would not fit right now if I had bought one with a zipper back. The corset back is the only reason it worked. I've only gained 5 lbs, but I was in between sizes to begin with. Also, they're more flexible if each of your measurements isn't true to size. For example, maybe your waist is a little bigger than your size and your bust smaller- the corset will allow for that where a zipper won't. I didn't try mine on with shapewear until my actual dress came in- the same with shoes. I didn't know what shoes I would want until I had the dress I wanted. I happen to love the look of a corset back too, but that's an individual thing of course.