Best Plus Size Bridal Shapewear For Wedding Dress Styles
Plus size bride holding an orange bouquet.
You can find plus size bridal shapewear that’ll squeeze your waist, push up your boobs or round out your bum. Unfortunately, most of it really hurts after you’ve been wearing it for a while. The more dramatic the results, the more uncomfortable it’ll be.
Don’t worry - you don’t need to change the entire shape of your body for your wedding day. It’s a well known fact that brides automatically look beautiful on their wedding day. You’re marrying the person you love. And that person loves you back, exactly the way you are.
You don’t have to force yourself into uncomfortable shapewear. When you’re choosing your undergarments, you can find pieces that’ll smooth out the bumps, make the dress hang nicely and help you feel your best on your wedding day.
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Choosing the Best Plus Size Bridal Shapewear
The best shapewear to choose depends on the style of your dress and your goals for the shapewear. Different types of shapewear can:
Provide support and light shaping.
Stop fabric from clinging to your skin, so your dress will hang properly.
Protect your skin from picky lace or beads.
Prevent heat rash or chafing.
Smooth out panty lines or bra lines.
Can’t You Just Get Cups Sewn Into Your Wedding Dress?
Some bridal consultants will tell you to just have cups sewn into your dress. If your dress is structured enough, it might work. But the cups alone won’t provide any support. Just like with a bra, most of the support comes from the straps, the bands, and any boning or underwires.
If you’re thinking about sewn in cups instead of shapewear, start by putting on your dress without a bra. How does it look? If the girls are just hanging there, that’s how it’ll look with the cups sewn in. There’ll just be an extra layer of material on top.
If your dress has boning, a corset back or structured cups, you can put it on without a bra and still look supported and shapely. If the dress has enough structure, it’ll look great with sewn in cups. Talk to a seamstress and show her your dress to make sure it’ll work.
Plus Size Shapewear For Wedding Dress Styles
The first thing to consider is the neckline of your wedding dress. You’ll need to choose shapewear that won’t show at your shoulders or across your back.
Plus Size Shapewear For a Dress With Covered Shoulders
If your wedding dress covers your shoulders, you’ll have lots of options for your shapewear. You can wear your favorite bra and be comfortable all day. If you get bra lines or panty lines, add a one piece slip or bodysuit on top. Or if you’d like to keep it simple, you can wear a one piece body suit or slip.
Plus Size Shapewear For a Strapless Wedding Dress
One option for a strapless wedding dress is a strapless bra. If you’re looking for a comfortable, bandeau style bra, try out the new Yitty brand from Lizzo.
If you’re looking for more support, try looking for a long line bra. Different stores have different names, but a long line bra, a corset and a bustier are all pretty similar. They’re longer than a regular bra, so they offer more support. Most of them have boning and underwires with lots of structure.
They can get uncomfortable if they’re not fitted properly. If you have a local shop, it’s best to try them on in person. If you shop online, check the return policies before you order.
Plus Size Shapewear For a Plunge Neckline
With a plunge neckline, look for specialty plus size shapewear. You’ll find bustiers or one piece bodysuits with low necklines that can work with a plunge style wedding dress.
Plus Size Shapewear For a Low Back Wedding Dress
If your wedding dress has a low back, look for pieces that match the shape of your dress. Some dresses have a low v shape or a low oval shape. Some dresses might be straight across, but too low for a regular bra. Make sure the style of the shapewear matches the line of your dress back.
Plus Size Shapewear For Tummy Control
If you’re looking for tummy control or a shaped waist, you can buy some high waisted shorts and wear them with any bra that’s working for you. The most popular brands with comfortable control shorts are Shapermint, Spanx and Yitty.
When Should You Buy Your Shapewear?
When you go for your dress fittings, you’ll need to bring the undergarments you’re going to wear under your dress. Most dress shops will ask you to come for three fittings. The first one will be six to eight weeks before your wedding.
If you’ve already ordered your dress, check the dates on your contract or receipt. If your alteration dates aren’t on there, you can call the shop and ask when you should schedule your fittings.
You should have your shapewear and shoes ready to bring with you for the first fitting.
Test Out Your New Plus Size Bridal Shapewear
You know how you break in new shoes by wearing them around the house? You can do that with your plus size bridal shapewear, too. Once you’ve chosen the undergarments for your wedding dress, put them on and wear them for a full day.
If that sounds too uncomfortable, rethink wearing them on your wedding day. You’ll need to wear them from the time you get dressed, from morning till night. You’ll need to wear them all the way through your wedding ceremony, your photos and your reception. You’ll be going for a minimum of 12 hours. You need to be comfortable in your clothes.
Can you breathe?
Can you eat?
Can you sit, stand and walk around in it?
Can you dance while you’re wearing it?
Plus Size Shapewear For Your Wedding Photos
If you’ve got some shapewear that’s uncomfortable, but looks fabulous, consider wearing it for the ceremony and photos. Bring some backup undergarments for under your wedding dress. Plan a time and space to change before you head to the reception. If you decide to do this, make sure to tell your seamstress before she alters your dress.
If you’d rather stick with comfortable shapewear, you can still get amazing wedding photos. Start by choosing a photographer who’s worked with other plus size brides. Ask to see their portfolio and make sure they know how to photograph plus size brides or plus size couples.
Once you’ve chosen your photographer, you can start practicing poses. Standing, sitting and angling your body in a certain way will show off your curves and help you look fabulous. For some great posing ideas, check out this article from Square Eye Photography: Posing For Full Figured and Plus Size Brides.
Look Great On Your Wedding Day
Once you’ve got the right shapewear for your wedding dress, you’re nearly ready. Remember, you’re perfect the way you are. Choose the outfit that makes you feel comfortable and happy - and you’ll look fabulous on your wedding day!
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Bride and groom posing outdoors.
