Bridal Gown Shopping for a “normal sized woman”.

Bridal Gown Shopping for a “normal sized woman”.

When will clothing designers realize that we are not all a size 0? Some surveys state that the average American woman wears a size 12-14. Then, when you shop for a formal dress, you always have to add a size, sometimes two, to allow for alterations. If you’re adding two sizes for your wedding dress that means that the average woman is wearing a size 16-18 wedding gown! Have you ever walked into a wedding boutique and saw sample sizes that were able to fit a size 16-18? Being a married, plus sized woman in a size zero world, I know that this is not a very feasible thought and can sometimes be beyond frustrating and a huge deflation of your confidence levels. Never fear though! There are designers out there that are changing the trends and thinking of the BBW, Big Beautiful Woman. 

I give props to designers out there who have stepped beyond the world of zero and branched out to reach the BBW. Some great designers are:

-          Alfred Angelo. Not only do they bring a touch of colour to wedding gowns, they bring class for the plus sized bride. The selection is huge and you will not be underwhelmed with choices. http://www.alfredangelobridal.ca/Collections/displayCollection.aspx?CategoryId=f24c3867-7b3b-419c-8135-b2d0c61e116a

(this one is one of my personal favourites!) http://www.alfredangelobridal.ca/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=9a329530-bbb4-4c2b-8199-abf3d3d02a62&categoryID=f24c3867-7b3b-419c-8135-b2d0c61e116a&pg=2&colorId1

-          Bonny. Bonny’s Unforgettable Plus Size Line brings some great couture looking gowns for a busty bride that needs more coverage up top. http://www.bonny.com/unforgettable--plus-size-bridal-.html?page=1

(I love this gown! The cinched waist really hides those imperfections.) http://www.bonny.com/1109.html

-          Venus  Bridal. Their Venus-Woman collection allows you to be a plus sized bride without looking like a plus sized bride.  Venus brides are not draped in layers of fabric to hide their “flaws”. http://www.venusbridal.com/bridals/venus-woman

(I’m loving the little bow on the front of this dress. The embroidery details also add that little touch of pizzazz.) http://www.venusbridal.com/bridals/venus-woman/VW8625

With a little bit of research and knowing what to look for, dress shopping as a full figured woman doesn’t have to be overwhelming and a beat down to your confidence. You’re beautiful and your hubby-to-be will agree with me. Happy Dress Hunting!

~Shae