Trying on dresses

I think it depends on what style you want. I've made two false starts which I'll sell (I've had them too long to return) and opted for what is listed as a bridesmaid's dress (as one Hitcher pointed out its still a wedding dress as I've chosen to wear it for my wedding!).

There are some excellent options on the high street if like me a (16-18) the whole 'Wedding Boutique' thing is offputting.

In my experience the bridal shops stocked a range of sizes, so yes there will be samples on the rails of size 8's but also samples of size 18's, it may just mean that your selection available to try on might be smaller but there will definitely be the option there. Perhaps call ahead to the bridal shops and ask what their stock of samples in like in your size xx

Definitely worth phoning ahead and checking what the shop samples are. Most of the ones I tried were a 12. You should be fine though, don't be put off!

The shop I bought my dress at had samples in all sorts of sizes. I actually ended up buying a sample dress in a size 20 there which fit me perfectly.

I too found shops had a range of sizes as samples, not just size 12 or smaller. They may not have that style in your exact size, but they are used to dressing women of all sizes. There are boutiques which specialise in plus sizes too, if you'd feel more comfortable knowing the samples will be in larger sizes. I'm sure you'll find something suitable.

I'm a high street 16-18 and ended up ordering a size 20, but tried on a 14. The lady in the shop pinned the back to my bra so i could get a good idea of what it would like, even if it didn't so up.

Its always worth a shot

I too am a similar size to you & was so worried about going into a shop & nothing fitting me that I put off dress shopping until almost the last minute. I actually went to a bridal outlet shop. They had every size from 6 to 28. There was plenty in my size so please don't be disheartened. Another thing to say , as I'm sure other ladies on here will say is try on different styles even if you think they look hideous on the hanger. In the end my experience was really good, so hope you have the same . good luck.

Hiya

What location are you?

I'm a size 14 and found it really hard with one shop even saying we have nothing here for your shape!

I went to a place called wedding outlet (think it's called wed2b) it was amazing they had so many different styles and went up to size 30! It would be great to visit even if just to try different styles on!

I agree with others that the high St have great options!

I am a similar size to you, bigger if anything, and went to 5 dress shops total and tried minimum of 5 dresses in each shop, most of them were too big so I don't think you would have an issue! I even tried stuff too small if it would go over my boobs/hips. In fact I bought a dress a size too small, and am sloooooooowly slimming down into it.

I'm a size 18 (although I'm hoping to be smaller on my wedding day). I had the same fears as you before trying dresses on but I had no problems. In my first shop the dresses were to small to fasten but I could still try them on and with clips they looks like they fit from the front. In the second shop 2 of the 3 dresses I tried in fit perfectly. Once I started trying dresses on I really felt like my weight wasn't an issue. The shops I went in wasn't plus size shops but I found most dresses to be around size 16. I'd advise you to ring first and inquire about there sizes to put your mind at ease x

Thanks everyone! I found a shop near my offive which always has dresses in the window I like and after posting on here I checked. They were very nice and as almost everyone has said - they have dresses up to a 22 to try! Hoping to book an appointment the week after next when Mummis in the area but also looking into outlets and the High Street (esp Phase Eight and Monsoon!)

Thanks guys xx