Plus size dress shopping

Sounds like an awful consultant, they can be pushy and arrogant at times. I have had an experience something like that before. Keep trying and dont give up, I cant tell you how many gowns I tried before I found the right one and now have two, trying to sell one of them.... GOOD LUCK!

I was like, you are kidding, right? You expect me to buy a dress from THAT?

The second store had exactly 11 plus size dresses, and most of them were 16/18. They also had none of the dresses I wanted. I tried on pretty much the only three that would come close to fitting me.

Seriously, I had a better experience at Davids then both of these stores, even besides the lack of plus size dresses. I was just so frustrated that my friend and family had to come all that way pretty much for nothing. And because I specifically asked when I made the appointment. There is also a shop near my parents that claims they specialize in plus sizes so I might try it out.

Anyone have any suggestions? I live in Central PA and my wedding is in Southern DE.

I personally got mine at David's bridal. It was the first dress I tried on. And I am a 30 in this dress because I have big boobs. stupid boobs. It will work out. Maybe try David's bridal again?

this is my dress.. :o) not me wearing it.. but still it's nice and simple

Beth, I feel your pain. I'm also a 24/26 in normal clothes. But because of boobs was a 30 in my gown. I tried the boutiques but they didn't have any dresses in my size that I liked. All bling and ridiculously girly with lots going on. I ended up at DB and AA and found some options there to try on. I think consultants should be trained on improved listening skills. They all wanted to put me in huge blingy ball gowns. I know it sucks but you will get through it and look fabulous on your day! You have tons of support and I'm sending good positive dress finding vibes your way.

Tyra, that's how I felt. I wish she would have just said, I don't thing we have what you are looking for, instead of keep putting me in stuff I obviously didn't like.

Stephanie, I tried that dress on and I really liked it. I looked fantastic in it. I haven't ruled it out yet, but it's honestly just not what I had envisioned for my wedding. I might end up with the same dress though.

I was definitely not a girly girl... to be honest my FH is looking forward to seeing me in a dress period.. it's a rare thing for me to wear dresses... LOL

I DO wear dresses all the time and I am a little girly - but I like, soft, romantic, lace, pretty dresses, not blinged out glamorous, satiny, sexy dresses.

Ugh, I am COMPLETELY freaked out about dress shopping because of this -- like most of you, I wear a size 26 and have a large chest. I'm also looking at styles similar to Stephanie's dress (I really don't want strapless).

Photo-wise, one of my favorites is a gown from Allure (#2320), but it doesn't look like it'll be easy to find to try one. I agree, that is a crap load of $$ to spend for something that you just hold up in front of you!!! No way, Jose!

I found mine at david's and picked up in November and I absolutely love it. people have had mixed experiences there (I have had good and bad at two different stores) but they were one of the few in my area that had a good selection of non-blingy dresses that have straps (I don't mind wearing the strapless torsolette that they use when you try it on, but I want the actual dress to have straps so that I don't feel like I'm slipping all day). I only knew that I wanted lace.

I tried two stores. I'm on the smaller end of plus sized at an 16/18. The first store was a nightmare because of bad customer service, and then I went to David's. I was worried about not being able to try gowns on because of my size. Luckily they had plenty for me to try on, my store stocked several sizes of the same gown, and there was another plus sized woman there who was about a 30 trying on gowns easily.

I know people knock David's a lot, but I had a great experience, and they had plenty of gowns for larger women to try on. So you're not left feeling miserable. I liked that. It made dress shopping enjoyable!

Mrs. K - you know, I really do need to go back to Davids because when I went the first time I thought I wanted something totally different. Now I am looking for lace and v-neck. I LOVE yours, we might end up being dress twins! haha.

I was very apprehensive about trying dresses on, I am a 22. I found a place that is one of the very first plus size wedding boutique's, they were AMAZING! I had the best consultant ever, they were very patient with me. I ended up going back 3 times and finally found my dress! They called me after my second visit to tell me that they were getting in the 2013 inventory and thought there would be 2 that I would love, and they were right. I had a very hard time choosing between the 2. But, anyway, they were great. I did visit a DB and 2 other smaller boutiques that claimed to carry "lots" of plus size dresses as well. DB was very accommodating and friendly but like the other 2 did not have a very large selection to try. If you are willing to travel, this is the place to go. They are in MN.

Good luck and don't give up, you will find your perfect dress!!!!

That's beyond frustrating. I guess that's why there's a store in NoVa with a "brilliant" concept - their target market are plus size brides. They carry dresses from size 0 - 30. Although most samples in the store are around size 20, there're definitely plently of dresses in other sizes as well. You would think, given the market, that other bridal salons would think of it too.

Hi there, I must say, I was not looking forward to dress shopping at all because of my body. My first stop was David's Bridal, I knew they had plus size dresses there and I would be able to get something on my body. I just didn't love their dresses or staff. However, I was very successful at Alfred Angelo. I too, did not want strapless but I still tried some one because they can add sleeves or a belaro to anything. I found my dress, it is sleevless but I purchased extra lace to have sleeves made. Your perfect dress is out there, promise! It just may take a little tweeking to get it the way you want it. Good luck on your hunt! Please keep us updated!

I'm not a 24/26, but I had problems even looking for 12/14. There were a couple of places I went where they wouldn't even SHOW me dresses like what I liked because they said I was "too big."

I had a bad experience at David's Bridal with my consultant, but honestly - they had the BIGGEST selection of all sizes I have seen so far. I think I tried on like 20+ dresses while I was there.

MRs. S - do you know what that store is called? One of my BMs lives in NoVa, so maybe a road trip is in order. There is supposed to be one near my parents too and I am going to check it out, but I am not impressed with what is available on the website.

It's Curvy Girls Bridal, in Fairfax: http://www.curvygirlsbridal.com/

They have a nice selection, but it's a small private salon so I think they have fewer gowns than AA or DB. But at least they will have dresses for you to try on. Maybe you can at least sent the BM to check it out before you make the road trip?

I got my dress there. I loved the experience, the prices were reasonable and people were very nice. But if you get the dress there, do not have them do alterations. That was my biggest wedding nightmare.

That's so frustrating, but don't lose heart.

Wedding dress websites are disappointing. Shops certainly don't do themselves any favors by posting a limited selection.

This is why looking for a wedding dress is last on my list....I'm not even looking until October.

I'm guessing right now I am a 16/18. I do not want to wear that size on my wedding day.

Let the weightloss begin! : )

Thanks Mrs. S. I will have her check that out for me.