Dress shopping tips

I always had an idea of what dress I wanted ... Long lace sleeves, buttoned back & long train! I searched & searched the Internet for a dress that was the same as I'd dreamed ... No such luck!! Then one day I had been to York with work overnight, getting off the train I thought I'd just pop into the wedding shop next to the station (I had a good experience with this shop during my brothers wedding)... So I was tired & wearing an ugly bra ... Described what wanted looked through tons of magazines & the rail of dresses ... nothing I liked!! The owner of the shop then pulled out a dress from the sale rail, saying this is similar to what you want so try it on! I was a bit dubious as I didn't want sparkly bits on the lace & I didn't want satin! But anyway I called my mum .. She came & met me & I tried the dress on ... It was a perfect fit, suited my figure & I fell in love straight away!! Bought it there & then ... Soooo hours & hours of trawling the Internet I randomly went into the shop & found so something I liked even more!! I also bought it 15month before the wedding & I still love it & haven't seen anything I prefer!! So you don't really need to prepare, just have an idea of your dream dress & try on dresses until you find the one you love! Hope this helps

I like your suggestion Kelskiii. I think its better to set up our mind and feel free before purchasing. Because during purchasing I was always confused about dresses.

I called up the shop near me just to see if it was open and was told to wait 20mins because she was with someone. I went in just to have a look at a few styles but as soon as I got there I was whisked behind a curtain to try dresses on. I was wearing too small knickers and when I took my bra off nursing pads fell out, so I wouldn't bother about shaving your legs, haha. Yes they will help you into dresses but they'll ask if that's ok first. If not, maybe you could take someone with you to help you out?

I was really nervous about dress shopping - I didn't know what I liked, despite browsing the web and looking in magazines, and I didn't know what suited me. But I really enjoyed the whole experience once I got in the shops, and quickly saw what looked good and what didn't flatter my figure.

Don't worry too much about getting your kit off - just think about the fact that those women have seen it all a million times before, every size and shape of people, and they probably have exactly the same worries themselves about getting mostly naked in front of a stranger!

If you have a good strapless bra, it's a good idea to go in that, but I didn't and it wasn't a problem, I just tucked my bra straps in to the dresses. If you have white/cream underwear, it's best to wear that because if your bra strap is higher than the dress back it's less distracting to look at, but if not its no problem.

I don't think my legs were shaved for all my dress shopping, but if it makes you feel more confident then go for it . And try not to worry too much - it's not awful, promise ?

Wear a strapless bra and please don't worry about what the shop assistants think, they have seen it a hundred times before. Try on lots of styles so you find out what suits you as dresses on the Internet look really different in real life. Get the shop ladies to suggest styles too. If you find something you love go back another day and try it on again. Don't let them pressure you into a sale. Have fun!

I am going to my second shop tomorrow and i have the same issues as you, big shoulders, big boobs with slimmer waist, hips and legs, clothes wise i rely on showing off my hips/bum and legs to make me feel "thin" so a dress that is traditionly showing off everything uptop and covering the waist down has been hard for me. I googled women with that body shape to see what well styled women wear with our body type(elizabeth hurley, kim cattrel,angilina jolie) and it seems that deep v neck dresses are the way to go to make the shoulders seem smaller, but you never know you might look great in loads of different styles!!
I wore huge pants that covered my bum, normal white t shirt bra and i didn't shave my legs! The woman passed me the dress while i was behind a curtain, i put it on and she came and did up the back so she didn't see anything really.

I found that most shops helped to dress you. 2 I went in just let me to it, which was difficult as sometimes you dont know how to put the dress on. Sounds odd but some are complicated.

Agree with others to wear skin coloured underwear. Also take a bottle of water as it can get hot trying heavy gowns on. I also took a pair of heels. Most shops have shoes you can wear in the shop, but there is nothing like your own pair for comfort.

Here are some tips on dress styles for your shape. Remember though to try different styles & have an open mind:

https://www.perfect-wedding-dress-finder.com/body-shape.html

https://www.sitesell.com

These two dresses are in high request of the beautiful figure! I think maybe your figure is good enough to wear them. I love them so much. But i cant wear them because of my poor figure you know. Just have a look! They are really gorgeous!

http://www.luckbridal.com/modest-beaded-wedding-dress-strapless-sweetheart-bridal-gown-632.html

http://www.luckbridal.com/straps-square-neck-mermaid-bridal-dress-ruffle-applique-satin-court-train-wedding-dress-156.html

Go with an open mind is what i say after my experience. I had everything planned in my mind likes and dislikes but everything changed when i was trying on.

As for underwear i wore my decent stuff, the boutique i used were fab they helped me into the dresses.

My last tip is to enjoy the day it goes far too quick x

Thank you everyone for you replies I have got kind of an idea of what I'd like but will try on other dresses as well and I shan't worry about my furry legs too much. Will let you know how I get on next week. Xxx