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Bridal Beauty Plus

Expert tips to help brides, attendants, and moms of all sizes look wedding-wonderful
By Colette Bouchez
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic-Feature
Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD

 

Whether you're the bride, an attendant, or just attending a wedding, if you wear a plus size, shopping for formal wear can be a frustrating and frazzling experience for many women.

The good news is that it doesn't have to be this way. Not only are key wedding-wear designers like Richard Glasgow, Alvina Valenta, Anne Barge, and Kenneth Pool now creating spectacular dresses especially for larger-sized women, many of the moment's most popular wedding styles look great on all shapes and sizes.

"This is clearly the year for the plus-size gal to shine because so many of the top styles are so well-suited for the larger figure -- and that goes for attendants and the mother of the bride, too," says Cindi Freeburn, spokesperson for David's Bridal, the only national chain store devoted to women's formal wear.

 

To find the style that looks best on you, experts say, start by defining your body type ­ even before you start shopping.

"If you want to find a gown that both fits and flatters, you have to know what you want to camouflage and what you want to bring out, and don't be ashamed to share that information with your bridal consultant," says Marianne Shear, a wedding-gown designer and owner of The Dresser, a bridal boutique in Fullerton, Calif.

If you have to, make a list. And don't be shy about naming your assets!

"Every woman has something about her body that is beautiful," says Freeburn. "For plus-size gals it's often gorgeous shoulders, a beautiful neck, an elegant chest and bust line. And fortunately, these are all features you can really play up in today's wedding styles."

Bridal Gowns That Fit and Flatter

For bridal-gown expert Nancy Aucone, the key to finding the right dress is to focus your attention on the bodice, making sure you get the right fit and style on top.

"The skirt is less important because a larger girl can wear almost any type if the bodice is correct," says Aucone, co-owner of The Wedding Salon of Manhasset, in Long Island, N.Y.

To flatter the plus-size figure, Aucone suggests a bodice with a longer cut, classically known as a "Basque" style. Also, she says, make sure the cut of the gown can accommodate your bra cup size.

"If the cup size is right on the bodice, then the back of the dress doesn't have to be as wide, and that gives you a much more flattering and slender look," Aucone tells WebMD.

Some of the most popular designs feature a strapless or halter-cut neckline, both of which can be super-flattering for plus-size women, experts say.

"The goal is to create that hourglass figure by counter-balancing what nature gave us, and both a strapless and a halter can help you do that," says Freeburn.

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