Dealing with the stress of finding a wedding dress when you have a tiny waist is hard enough, but trying to find a dress that flatters a curvy body can cause bridal combustion (a phrase I'm coining to describe a bride spontaneously bursting into flames from stress overload). Your gown should be smoking hot ... not your nerves.
Not long ago, Kristen posted about the curvy figure and how sample dresses tend to run smaller. As a person who's both short and has a little junk in my trunk, I can somewhat relate to the stress of finding a wedding dress (or anything, for that matter) that fits and flatters. However, these four tips should help the curvaceous bride find a perfect fit:
- Size matters. As Kristen wrote about not long ago, sample dresses in most bridal shops tend to be a size 10, which equates to about a size 6. Don't worry about trying on dresses that may seem too large a size for you – it's all about a good fit to make your curves look amazing.
- Body type. Whether A-line dresses for a pear shape or a Princess cut for a seamless look, know and understand what looks best for your body shape. In general, A-line dresses or skirts are flattering to all figure types.
- Fabrics. Heavier fabrics like satin, taffeta, and mikado don't cling to the body and allow the dress to maintain its shape. You want to stay away from chiffon, charmeuse, and crepe since they cling more to areas you probably don't want to showcase.
- Allow time. Start searching at least eight months before your wedding to give yourself time to find a designer and look that's both comfortable and flattering to your curves. Like any bride, you don't want to rush a big decision.
For some great looks geared for the curvy bride, check out the entire gallery.
What's in a name?
Dress of the day: Anastasia by Maggie Sottero
Unusual wedding cakes from Dragons and Daffodils
