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Flattering dress styles for my body type - (never seems to be listed)

At 5'3 and 115lbs, I am considered skinny and short. The bigger problem is my chest. It's gi-normous and I am EXTREMELY concerned about dresses that make me look vulgar. Showing cleavage is fine for the clubs, but def not on my wedding day. So how do I find styles that will both suit me and not give everyone a clear shot of my goods who stands 2 inches taller than me. I think a great deal of styles will either make me look shorter (and thus stumpier with my chest), make my chest look even bigger, or will show too much cleavage (all very different things.) Help!

(P.S. not a big fan of the few sleeveless dresses I have seen.)
(P.S.S. Please don't say how anything will look good on me because if I hear that one more time I will scream. While it's intended as a nicety, it really does not help me with my problem at all.)

Thank you!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Heart and Soul Events on November 7, 2009 at 3:22am

I believe I wrote a blog on my bridaltweet site to address dress styles; check out Heart and Soul Events, and then if I can be of assistance to you please let me know. Connie

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Permalink Reply by Kristy D on November 11, 2009 at 7:48am

Thanks Connie. It's a little confusing because I'm short, thin and big busted. Usually the advise on these subjects conflict. I'm definately looking at only off the shoulder dresses, but there are many different styles and I have heard conflicting things. For example, I was trying on straight across neckline dresses and they were great for keeping me covered, but I read somewhere that big busted girls should have a slight dip because the straight across line make boobs appear bigger. That's the last thing I need.

Some other examples are that I have learned that waistline sashes make my boobs appear bigger and my torso shorter. I think you can quickly get the image. I think drop waists are very flattering (draws attention away from my chest), but I'm scared it may make me look shorter. I have no idea on this. Heavy pleats on top make my boobs look bigger too. Oh, and I probably have to be careful of bead work, but this one I am just guessing on.

I'm not sure your portion on petite women applies, because from what I understand (and from trying on petite clothes when I was younger) that short and petite is not necessarily the same thing. Most of the petite clothes I have tried on were not for lean women and had shorter areas like the sleeves.

I don't know if mermaid or trumpet styles are good, because I have tiny waistline/hips which may make me look unbalanced or shorter. I do like them in pictures though.

Big poofy dresses are out as 1.) the swallow me up 2.) at age 37, I look ridiculous in them, and 3.) they aren't really my style. But I think your blog ruled them out anyway.

Thanks for your help.

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Permalink Reply by Stylish Affair"s By Mickey Long on November 9, 2009 at 4:21pm

Hi Kristy,

I had done a little research and I found that this is a very common issue. Here is what someone on the Knot had asked.

A.
Your problem is more common than you may think. The most important thing overall is that you have proper support and feel comfortable. Be sure to find an uplifting foundation garment, or curtail your curves with a one-piece minimizer worn under a gown with a fitted bodice to emphasize your waist. A full skirt would also balance things out -- try it, you may like it after all! If not, look for an A-line, which is a good shape for just about everybody. Also look for a neckline in a V shape to help de-emphasize the obvious, or a sweetheart shape to compliment your figure. Believe it or not, an off-the-shoulder bodice can be very flattering. If you're really self-conscious, you may wish to find a gown with a matching bridal jacket; that way, even if the gown displays a bit of cleavage, you'll still feel covered. Whatever you do, avoid jewel necklines and empire waists, which will make you appear even more busty.

I found some pictures of some overlays that you might be able to incorportate in your picks. just a though something like this. Don't give up your dress is out there!
Best Regards,
STYLISH AFFAIR'S
Weddings & Social Events
Mickey Long

Attachments:

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Permalink Reply by Kristy D on November 11, 2009 at 8:00am

Thanks Mickey for your reply - unfortunately I think I saw that on the Knot and thought the opposite to what most of it said. Any V neck I tried on make me look like a, pardon the expression, bridal hooker. Jackets tend to emphasize the girls as well (although probably does fine for covering cleavage.) Think of as adding layers to cover a lump - just makes the lump and everything around it look bigger. Dolly Parton is probably the last person I want to emulate if you know what I mean.

I really like my neck and shoulders and I think highlighting them is a good idea, but I need ideas about neckline. Your jewel and empire waist advice is probably right on target! I also want to highlight my skinny waistline, without making me look short.

Ok, by now I'll bet that people can tell why I am so confused. Surely I can't be the only short, skinny, big busted girl out there.

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Permalink Reply by Stylish Affair"s By Mickey Long on November 11, 2009 at 5:02pm

Hi Kristy D,

I read your reply, and I can relate to the frustration of not finding that one Item that will make you feel beautiful and confident! Do you have a favorite top that you like or wear a lot ? One that you consider a perfect style or fit for you ? Perhaps some customizing would be in order ! Perhaps it's possible too try and find a Seamstress or Taylor that can customize that same style in a wedding satin, or your choice of material as a individaul piece Just a passing thought. I just feel that their is a designer out there that can tackle these issues. Please keep us posted as to your bridal choice. Problems, always have a solution of some sort..( In know way,was I suggesting imulating DP, I just thought she is one that maintains a conservitive approach).
Best Regards,
STYLISH AFFAIR'S
Mickey Long

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Permalink Reply by Kristy D on January 2, 2010 at 9:49am

Just as an FYI in case anyone else runs into this, I figured out what dresses work best for me. Dress after dress that I tried on, certain styles stuck out as more flattering than others.
Strapless with either a straight across neckline or a tiny dip. Most sweetheart necklines made me look vulger. Halter were a nightmare. Styles that had darts/beading/lace/etc that were around the chest area tended to make them look bigger. The only exception to this was an all over lace dress that I loved.

To draw attention away and higlight other features, I found out that the drop waist/fit-and-flare/a-line styles worked best. Those helped with both the large chest problem and the short problem. Empire stlyes and styles with a band going straight across the waist were a disaster. Made my chest look bigger and me look frumpy/stumpy. Wide sashes that were a-symetrical were a good bet as it drew the eyes down and focused on my waist.

Corset dresses were a must and helped provided much needed support (Maggies Sottero and Allure has some great ones.) They are extremely figure flattering for girls like me. Ballroom style dresses swallowed me and made me look silly, but that may be a personal preference thing. I'm not sure it had any large bearing on the problems I described.

If you are curious what one won out in the end, here is a peak (but I warn you, I have YET to see a picture that does this dress justice. You really have to see it in person):
http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.aspx?style=JSM1103

Hope this helps someone else.

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Permalink Reply by Heart and Soul Events on January 3, 2010 at 5:23am

What about a mermaid style dress? I like the idea of the off-the-shoulder with a v-dip in front; a very fitted style from the chest down and then a mermaid style dress with a lengthy train. The fitted style as opposed to a ballroom style will give you the appearance of being tall/thin as opposed to swalling you up. Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Kristy D on January 4, 2010 at 5:55am

Mermaid would work well and so would off-the-shoulder, but any v-dip in front is awful. I have had many different women with me and several bridal consultants and everyone agreed that it was unflattering. Unless I have an overwhelming desire to have everyone look at my chest instead of my face on my wedding day, then dips in the chest line should be avoided. In my case (32DD-E) I can make a dress that looks elegant on other women - look trashy. Not the look I think most women are going for.
But mermaid styles were very flattering and I would think that an off-the-should dress that covers cleavage would look good as well (just not my style)
Thanks for the help!

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Permalink Reply by Desiree's Custom Sewing on January 9, 2010 at 6:31am

Kristy,

I think you made a good choice with the Maggie Sottero wedding dress. Even though a strapless wedding gown can be a challenge for some full busted brides to wear, having a "high" strapless neckline (which seems to be the case with your gown) will hide most cleavage problems. There will be some additional adjustments that will need to be made to the gown to accommodate you cup size when it is time for alterations. You want to make sure that you have a smooth fit at the top edge. Your gown should not gap or fit so tight that it causes a "muffin top" appearance.

The detailing on the dress in the fabrics and design focus attention more on the mid-section of the dress while wearing it. The fact that this is an a-line silhouette, is flattering. It probably took some time to find it but it seems that you may have found your perfect wedding dress. Or at the very least, you now know what to look for if you are still looking around.

Desiree
Desiree's Custom Sewing
www.perfect-wedding-dress-finder.com

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Permalink Reply by Kristy D on January 10, 2010 at 8:00am

What an excellent article and website you have! I'm sure many brides will find your information extremely helpful!!!

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Permalink Reply by Desiree's Custom Sewing on January 11, 2010 at 1:49am

Thank you Kristy for your comments! Over the past 25years in business, designing and altering wedding dresses, I have gained a lot of insight on bridal fashion and fit from working with many figure types. I decided to pass that information on to brides, like yourself, so that they will be armed with some knowledge of what to look for when trying to find that perfect dress.

Your feedback confirms that I am going in the right direction with my website. Hopefully, the rest of your wedding planning will go smoothly!

Thanks again!

Desiree

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Permalink Reply by The Green Hanger Shop on February 24, 2010 at 8:41am

Kristy, I enjoyed reading this thread and I love your final choice. My daughter is also 5'3" and busty. She wore strapless with a drop waist. It was a ball gown skirt with lace so the eyes were drawn down to the skirt. The bodice was fitted very well so she didn't even wear a bra though her alterations lady rolled her eyes about that.