Smaller sample sizes

I haven't had any problems with this yet but I would recommend trying to shop for dresses closer to your size. In my case it would be like buying a dress I couldn't get over my hips. You have no idea how it's truly going to fit.

Why would you get shamed for asking that?

It sounds like I have the same build as you. Bridal size I'm a 4. A good stylist can clamp you in to show the shape of the dress on you. You need your imagination. I had a stylist who clip front and back so I could the details on the back "fitted" as well.

The consultant will clip you into the dress; that's standard.

I am a size 4 (size 2 in the bust) and the sample was a size 10... And I still fell in love with it. They used clips or pillows to pull back the extra fabric. Have an imagination and try to picture yourself in the dress when it's fitted.

I am a bit smaller too. They have plenty of clips and pins the consultants should know how to help fit it to your size as best they can just so you have an idea how it will fit. Also if you go to an experienced professional place they should know how the dress should fit certain body types. The consultants are there to help guide you to the best dresses for your shape and style.

A sample size 8 is pretty much standard in bridal. More designers are starting to send out samples in both smaller and larger sizes, but in most shops you will just have to be clipped in to a dress. A good consultant should be able to do their best to clip the gown how it should fit you.

We almost always end up having to clip you into the sample. It's pretty normal.

They should clip it to give you a better idea of how it's going to look. Unfortunately this is something everyone goes through no matter what their size. It's hard to fall in love with a dress that doesn't fit well. But your probably not going to find your dream dress in your size. If your regular dress size is 0-2 you're going to be at least a 4-6 in bridal so an 8 isn't really that far off.

@JMA another person posted something like this a few weeks ago and was criticized for asking. Long story short, she was told by some that she should stop complaining because she could be facing the opposite issue...not being able to fit in any sample dresses.

A bridal 8 is a 4-6 regular. If sample sizes went any lower, there's a portion of the population who wouldn't be able to put the dresses on at all. In your case, the fix is easy -- clips.

I thought I was going to be a 2 but am actually a 0... the first place I went doesn't carry samples smaller than a 4 and they didn't have many of those even, so I was trying 4, 6, 8 and 10. The clips definitely help. I tried on one dress that, no matter how it was clipped, was obviously not meant for someone as small busted as myself. I had zero idea what it would have actually looked like in my size.

For people who are asking why she would get shamed, in my experience (never on this forum, the people here are wonderful) you tend to get told to shut up and told that you don't have any real problems because you are smaller. It's kinda sucky cause, yes, we do have body/clothing issues too.

I went to my first dress shopping yesterday, and they had a sample size 4. I still had to be clipped in, but it was fine.

CK that's the point. EVERYONE has issues. The last post about this turned into a giant who has it worse argument and really there is no point. Unless you are perfectly average weight and hight you're going to have to use your imagination. Bridal salons can't carry 20 different samples of the same dress so everyone can try on there perfect size.

I know that, I'm just saying maybe she doesn't understand that and maybe she was shamed on a different forum and thinks that this one will be the same. I know the people here would never do such a thing.

I was able to try some on that fit, some that were too big, and some that were too small. David's actually has a really good size range, and you can often get close to your size with your sample. The dress I ended up buying actually fit perfectly at the salon, but had to be taken in later after I lost some weight.

ETA: OP, body shaming isn't tolerated here, so you should never get any grief for being a smaller size.

I went to David's Bridal to try on dresses, I'm normally a size 4. My dress ended up being a size 4 as well but they only had a few dresses in this size for me to try on. The rest were 6 and they just clipped me in, it still gives you a good idea of what the dress will look like. They also offered to order my correct size and try it on before purchasing.

Thanks guys! I've had very negative experiences on other boards when I mention being a size 0 (especially not short) to the tune of what others have said about how dare you complain or have concerns. It's really important to me to get an idea of how the dress fits in the top especially as my church has certain dress code requirements (no cleavage, no strapless). Glad to know good places should be able to help. I'm still new to wedding wire so I'm glad to know its not like that here.

I work at DB and the consultant will clip you into the dress if the samples are too big. They usually end up having to anyway, and like a PP they can clip the front so you can see the back. Where I got my dress from the only sample size they had of my dress was an 18 and I'm a 10 or 12, they needed like 5 clips or so to get the dress to stay up lol. Also OP, at DB they can add different types of straps to a strapless dress, since you mentioned cleavage being a concern. DB would be a good starting place.

It's unfortunate you had a negative experience in the past. Everyone definitely has their own struggles with clothes, and I feel like that's almost amplified in the bridal world. Good luck!