A delicate question about larger ladies and strapless dresses...

Some of the dresses are so good you don't need a bra as the corset is inbuilt. I'm not a big fan of strapless bras, but my dress is strapless. I went to Bravissimo for a bra fitting - told them my concerns and they found me a pretty decent strapless bra. Give them a go ?

Yeah I have a bravissimo strapless bra and it does the job but it's not terribly comfortable and doesn't give my boobs the nicest shape. Methinks it'll be a case of trying dresses on!

I was in a similar situation to you sammyjay, size 14 and a 36E. I spent hours in Debenhams, with a very patient assistant until I found the right bra.

I found one that was so comfortable, I forgot I had it on. Must admit though, it wasn't a 'pretty' bra, it was actually very plain, but it gave me a great shape.

You're right though, try some dresses on, talk to the shop assistants about your concerns, they're the experts after all. Good luck!

I'm a size 14-16 and am 36E....I can assure you most of the dresses I tried on had so much structure to the top half that you wouldn't need to wear a bra anyway! I don't think I would need one with my dress but I have found a lovely soft cupped yet supportive strapless bra (it's dead comfy!) and have decided I'd rather wear one than not just in case! The make is Panache Venus, and although its been discontinued in the shops it's still readily available online. I'd recommend it to any larger busted girl with a dislike for strapless bras - it gives a great shape and support despite it's soft cup and delicate appearance! xxx

I am a size 20 and when I got married I wore a strapless dress. It was well boned and corseted, I never wore a bra just knickers. I never even noticed I did not have a bra on as the dress fitted me so well. I have a large chest of 38 F and it was no problem at all

HTH

Excellent, thanks ladies!

I have a number of friends who are all bigger girls, and I've listened to this conversion many times when we go to the local balls and wear cocktail frocks.

After all these continous conversations, they all now swear that the best thing to do is wear a well shaped and supportive dress and no bra. As long as the dress is cut right they say, its the not only the most comfortable way, but the safest and most flattering way.

size 16 aint that large! Try the dress without the bra and see how it goes. I did go for a strap gos i hate strapless as they drive me mad. Im a 32e or f so kinda hard to get them too!

definately try on both tho,, cos more than enough the dresses are available as with or without a strap. I personally find the strap more comfortable, and it doesnt give me the extra set a boobs that some strapless ones did!!

I am an 18 and a 40F so I also was looking for a dress with straps. However, when I put my dream dress on (strapless) it was corseted so tight and well that nothing was going anywhere!

I am going braless now

I hate strapless bra's they are horrible!! Im a size 10 and my boobs are a 34F so i find most tops/dresses really difficult to fit me, i need a much bigger size for my chest but smaller for everywhere else. I found the best style of dress for me was a corset, it was so boned it held me in perfectly.

Try some dresses on like that and see how comfortable you are in them! x

I'm a size 16 and a 32J, I found the cut of dresses with straps much less flattering than corset style strapless dresses so I'm having straps put onto a strapless dress for a little more support. I also found one of the most flattering shapes for me was halterneck, have you tried those?

I was adamant I didn't want a strapless dress at first as I've seen so many photos of brides with big boobs in dresses tht obviously don't fit them and look horrible, but I had to eat my words when I found one I liked!

x

Sammy can i just say size 16 doesn't make you a larger laydee!!! Naughty girl!! Mwah xx

I'm a larger lady and I did originally pick a strapless dress that had detachable straps.....I ended up wanting the straps on, partly as I lost some weight between the final fitting and the wedding, and partly so I wasn't tempted to keep pulling it up as I was so paranoid about it slipping!