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Master April 2019

Shapewear for dress shopping?

Brittany, on April 26, 2018 at 9:01 AM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 27

I was just reading an article about things people wish they had known/done before going shopping for their dress. One girl said she wished she brought shapewear with her. Did anyone do this when shopping for their dress? I guess I didn't think it was necessary just yet because the samples aren't going to fit me perfectly anyway...I was just going to go in my nude strapless bra and seamless nude undies.

Now I'm overthinking it and not sure if I should get some Spanx or something before my first shopping experience next week? Help please! Share your experiences with me!

27 Comments

Latest activity by Randa , on April 26, 2018 at 4:36 PM
  • Pegs
    VIP July 2018
    Pegs ·
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    I personally did not bring spanx. All I brought was a nude strapless bra and a nude seamless underwear. I had no issues with my dresses. If you're concerned about certain areas, say your tummy for example, you can absolutely bring it just to have it with you. There's no right or wrong answer! I hope everything goes well.

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  • K
    Expert May 2018
    K ·
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    I personally did not bring spanx to try dresses on. I wore seamless nude panties though.

    I did purchase some shape-wear to smooth out my tummy area and wore those to my alteration appointments.

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  • Munchkin9218
    Master September 2018
    Munchkin9218 ·
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    I brought shapewear with me when I shopped because I knew that for my personally I would just feel better overall with it on and I wouldn't have to worry about panty lines and I even if they had to clip me in to the dress I would get a good overall feel for how I would look and it would just make me feel more secure and comfortable. I just wore a pair I already owned - i didn't buy a new one. I made sure I had a strapless bra with me as well.


    It's totally a personal thing - if you're super secure in your body and don't think you need/want it its definitely not required. I felt like I would be very self conscious without it. Its really about how you feel and what you want.

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  • Kristina
    Master August 2018
    Kristina ·
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    I didn't bring anything to mine lol. I had on a bright blue bra. I found a dress that fit me like a glove, though!

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  • Alysia
    Devoted September 2018
    Alysia ·
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    I brought shapewear and wore it while dress shopping and honestly thought it was a little pointless. You really only need the shapewear for your alterations appointments.

    If you 100% know that you're going to wear shapewear the day of your wedding and you think it will help you envision how you'll look the day of a little better, get it. But I think you're ok holding off until you've found the dress you love.


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  • HJKvr
    Expert September 2018
    HJKvr ·
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    I had on seamless nude undies and took a nude strapless and backless bra. I didn't need any of it. Most dresses have so many layers that it didn't matter what color underwear I was wearing. And all of them (except the ones at BHLDN) had built in bra cups, so I didn't need to wear my bra either. I toted around my bag of bras and heels all day for nothing... LOL

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  • MrsV1027
    Master October 2018
    MrsV1027 ·
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    If you plan on wearing spanx the day of then wear them to the fitting. You never know when one of the dresses will be available in your size. I tried on 3 different size dresses and the one I loved actually was my size and didn't need to be clipped. The clipping also if done right will give you a good idea of how it will look.

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  • Mrs. H
    Master September 2019
    Mrs. H ·
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    It's all about what you feel comfortable in and the kind of dress you are looking for. Personally, I didn't feel I needed shapewear for my mermaid-style dress, so I brought a nude bra and nude underwear.

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  • J
    Dedicated November 2018
    Jennifer ·
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    At DB they put on a bustier and slip on you before you try on any dress. I really liked that, makes everything stay in place and the dresses look a lot better! My first try on was at a different bridal boutique and I was not feeling any of the dresses I think the undergarments really help.
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  • Jen
    VIP July 2018
    Jen ·
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    I did bring/wear shapewear when I shopped though I ended up selecting a dress that was too large for me (they didn't have a smaller size to try one). So i sort of left thinking it really didn't matter what I had on underneath.

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  • MrsSnez
    Super October 2018
    MrsSnez ·
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    I didn't wear anything special for my dress appointments. I think it really only matters for alterations. You also may want different kinds of shapewear depending on the style of dress you choose, so I'd wait til after you purchase a dress to decide on shapewear.
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  • S
    Super August 2019
    Saydee ·
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    DB gives you a torsolette and slip to wear and I think it makes a big difference. I was dead set against wearing a strapless dress until I tried on one in the store with their undergarments and was wowed. I would at least have a strapless bra because not all dresses have built in ones and even if you are not well endowed, it will complete the look
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  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
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    Daughter wore a nude strapless bra and bought a pair of nude Jockey brand "bike short" style underwear at Target for like $10 to wear to dress appointments. She has no need for "shapewear" per se, but she's fairly modest, so the idea of wearing her usual thong with the bridal shop consultant made her kind of uncomfortable. She tried dresses at David's and at three different salons. Each was a different experience regarding how "hands-on" the consultant was with helping her in to and out of dresses. (In one salon, the older woman/owner literally pulled the dressing room curtain all the way open so that daughter was pretty much "exposed" the whole time she was trying on dresses -- although, there was no one in the store at the time but us.) As pp mentioned, DB will likely have you put on a bustier and slip before they hand you a single dress.

    If you have longer hair, be sure you bring something to tie it back/put it up, both because you'll likely get really hot trying on dresses and it will help you imagine how different hair styles might look with dresses you're considering. Also, something to consider bringing would be shoes the height you'll most likely will want to wear for the wedding. For trying dresses on, daughter was barefoot, but when she was considering a possible "contender," trying it on with shoes helped her get a sense of whether hem alterations would be needed (she's 5'10" barefoot).

    Also, bring water, make sure you eat before you go to appointments, and don't over schedule. The most we did was two in a day, and that was PLENTY! By the time we were done at the second, we were both exhausted. (If at all possible, try to make appointments at quiet times -- like mid-morning during the week -- SO much better, than on a crazy weekend day.) Enjoy! Daughter found her dream dress, and we're thrilled about that, but dress shopping was one of our favorite parts of the planning process, so take time to enjoy it and have fun! Smiley heart

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  • Brenda
    Savvy November 2018
    Brenda ·
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    I wore shapewear to my appointments. Although, most of the sample dresses had to be clipped because they were all too big. If your planning on trying on fitted dresses, then I do suggest that you take shapewear. I'm also planning on wearing a corset the day of my wedding to make my waist look a little smaller.

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  • D
    Just Said Yes March 2019
    Dominique ·
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    I brought spanx for mine and I wore it. Made me feel more confident about my dress
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  • A_Mart
    Super April 2025
    A_Mart ·
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    I did not bring shapewear to try on dresses, the consultant at David’s bridal put me into a corset and slip to try things on. I did get shapewear and a sticky bra before my alterations though!
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  • starsinwaves
    VIP November 2018
    starsinwaves ·
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    I brought Spanx but didn't bother with them. You can't really try dresses on properly with shapewear and like you said, the dresses likely won't fit right anyway. I also didn't wear a bra because of all the different styles I was trying on. The one recommendation I have is to wear underwear you're comfortable with the stylist seeing you in. That's all I wore when trying on dresses.

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  • B
    Master April 2019
    Brittany ·
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    Thank you everyone for the responses Smiley smile for those who have worn shapewear to try on dresses, what kind or style did you have?

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  • Munchkin9218
    Master September 2018
    Munchkin9218 ·
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    I just wore my basic every day ones. They aren't Spanx brand but they are the high waisted tummy tuck ones that come over your belly button and go down to mid thigh.

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  • BrandiWeds18
    VIP May 2019
    BrandiWeds18 ·
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    I wore spanx but to be honest it's only a confidence booster sort of because a lot of the dresses i tried on had low backs and see through spots so the spanx didn't help there. The dress i chose is see through so no depending on spanx when its go time! Mine was the panties with the tummy control. It was nice to wear this a strapless bra because i didn't feel weird when i had to change out of my clothes. Felt like i was wearing a one piece. I go this shapewear at target about 2 years ago for a wedding i was in.

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