Wedding Bras - sticky, sewn in pads, or strapless?

[clop]

Hi! I''m new to this forum, stumbled in through RockyTalky. Very excited about the wealth of information and advice here. I was hoping to solicit some suggestions, or learn from others'' experiences with undergarments for a strapless wedding gown.

I have a strapless empire waisted dress. The bust area is cut straight across, and adorned with two ribbons, one on top, and one right under the bust. They are about 3-4 inches apart? I am a small A, possibly AA? My options are (along with concerns):

- sticky bra: nubra, I''m afraid they won''t stay in for 10 hours...
- sewn in pads: can I have the nubra or equivalent sewn in? the pads at my seamstress are very very thin; should I get pads elsewhere?
- strapless bra: most strapless bras do not fit me, should I get an A cup, and put cutlets in? I''m afraid there would be too much going on, ie more room or error, or something falling out.

Thank you for your help! I really appreciate any advice or comments! In hindsight, I would have gone with a dress with a higher bust area that would accommodate more padding. ooh - I did try on the nubra with a large pad, but since the bust area is relatively low, I can''t have too much padding, or you will be able to see the pad/bra on top of the dress (where my nonexistent cleavage should be

)

 

[noelwr]

where I''m from everyone wears a corset under the wedding dress. is this not common in the U.S. (or wherever you''re from) ?

I have the problem that one boob is bigger than the other, so I think I will let them sew in padding on the one side of the corsette. so my advice is if you use padding, get it sewn into the bra so that it can''t fall out. but the top should actually sit tight enough so that nothing can fall out.

 

[clop]

THanks noelwr. My seamstress did recommend wearing a bustier, but I''m not sure where to purchase one. The ones I''ve tried on and seen thus far are a bit too big... How does the corset work? I think I read in another post that it flattens and pushes your chest out? I don''t think I have anything to push up if that makes any sense.

 

[oobiecoo]

Are you wearing a bra to try and enhance your chest or are you wearing one to keep everything in place? If its the first, the I would have some pads sewn in... sorry I''m not familiar with nubra. If you are wearing one just for support, then I say scrap the whole bra idea completely. The dress should be snug enough and thick enough that it holds everything nicely in place.

 

[goldenstar]

Is your dress empire waisted and flowing down below? or fitted?

 

[clop]

This is my dress:

http://www.1stcallforweddings.co.uk/selling-detail.php?ads_s_id=4029&show=1

It''s empire waisted, and fitted below, there is light boning.

I''m definitely wearing a bra for enhancement purposes

No need for support lol

I''m looking for more of a contrast between the bust and the rest of the dress. When I first tried on the dress, I was wearing a nubra. My friends said it looked ok, but would be more flattering with slightly more padding. I added in a larger fabric pad, but they were visible over the top of the dress, there wasn''t enough fabric to cover the pads. So ideally the padding would be slightly thicker than an A cup nubra. When I went to my fitting yesterday, the only pads the seamstress had were quite thin...So I think I need to look elsewhere for pads...

ooh, are pad supposed to be nude or white? I assumed nude, but the seamstress put in white pads...

Thanks for everyone''s help. In the meantime, I''m reading through the old threads.

 

[goldenstar]

I would go with a strapless push up bra and add culets inside (the silicon type). They sit low inside the bra so you won''t have anything poking out at the top. The cutlets will fill the space inside the cup so you won''t have to worry about the cups being too big. I''ve never heard of the cutlets falling out. If they are the gel kind they don''t move around. If you are really worried about this maybe add double stick tape to the bra to secure the inserts.

If there is light boning in the dress I wouldn''t do a bustier or corset. Just because I wouldn''t want two layers of boning. It might be uncomfortable.

 

[applequeen]

Hi clop,

As a fellow small-chested girl I thought I'd share what worked for me... I am a 32 A if that helps

I had pads sewn into my wedding dress (the ones they sell at the dress shop) I also wore a bustier with cutlets in it...that helped me to create some cleavage and the tightness of the bustier kept everything in place. I got the bustier at David's Bridal (didn't get my dress there but when I went to try on dresses the bustier fit me so well I went ahead and bought it). It's really smooth (no boning) so i don't think you'd need to worry about lines showing.

The combination of the sewn in pads and bustier with cutlets really worked for me. Whenever I look at my wedding pictures I'm always amazed at how natural it all looks. It didn't look overdone at all... it just looked like the dress was filled out the way it was supposed to be (that's a first for me)

I wore the bustier/ cutlet combination under my strapless bridesmaid dress for a wedding I was in a couple of months after mine and it worked great for that too. The dress was thin silk and you couldn't see any lines from it or anything like that.

 

[Haven]

I swear by the Victoria''s Secret sticky underthings. They are amazing. I have a lot to hold in, and they work so well. There was a really good thread about this a while ago, try doing a search to see what comes up.

 

[Laurenj915]

I''m so glad you asked about this Clop! I''m another 32 A and I have to get a bra this weekend.

Applequeen- Which one did you get from David''s? David''s lingere

I''m going to David''s on Saturday to try some on. I need a slip from there anyway.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Nubras come with several levels of padding, so one of those might work for you. I haven't used them, but the glue is similiar to stuff I used when I was a dancer and it held up very well. The other advantage is they move with your breasts, so it looks more natural.

A note on corsets. I love them, but they tend to make your profile thicker while you are thinner from straight on.

 

[Harleigh]

From past experience, I recommend having padding sewn into the dress. Sadly I have found that most things not secured in place have a way of shifting, and after 10 hours of wear, there sometimes is no hope! Sewn in pads have workded the best for me, but it just depends on what your comfort level is. HTH!

 

[applequeen]

Date: 4/24/2008 5:58:48 PM
Author: Lauren1116
I''m so glad you asked about this Clop! I''m another 32 A and I have to get a bra this weekend.

Applequeen- Which one did you get from David''s? David''s lingere

I''m going to David''s on Saturday to try some on. I need a slip from there anyway.

I think mine is the first one (style#7643). It was smooth all over and came down pretty far on my torso. I love it. It was tight enough to hold the cutlets in place with 0 fear of slippage (I actually forgot about them because it all fit so well).

As I think I mentioned before I wore the same combination for a wedding I was in a few months later. The bridesmaids dresses were a little ill fitting on top (everyone from small chested to large chested girls were uncomfortable in the dresses) but the other girls were all asking me what I had done to make it fit me so well.

Although I didn''t use them for my wedding I also have a set of "water" thingies that you can put in your bra (I use them in my bathing suit)... what I like about those is that they have some fabric on them that you can use if you need to pin (or probably could sew). them into your bra or bustier. I bought them at Target for really cheap ($10 maybe)

 

[noelwr]

you asked "How does the corset work?" found this on http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Are-Corsets-And-Bustiers-Different?&id=350604

QUOTE

Corsets
If you want to have maximum control over your stomach and hips, as well as having built-in garters, then the corset is for you. They cover you from your bust down to your hips. When requiring a sleek look under your evening clothes or even work suits, wearing a corset is the answer. They come in a full range of sizes from tiny to plus sizes, and along with making a women’s waist look smaller, they are a great way to hold up your fashion nylons or stockings. There are corsets that have ‘built in’ support features such as spandex inserts that can help with those problem areas such as tummies or buttocks. The only trouble you might encounter now is which color, style or material you are looking for because the choices are unending.
Bustiers
The bustier, which was once worn only under women’s clothes, can now be worn as eveningwear, thanks in part to many female icons who have worn bustiers as outerwear for many, many years. No longer the hidden garment; the bustier has come out of the closet so to speak and is erotic, exciting, beautiful eveningwear too.

A bustier is great because it hides the waistline but is good at accentuating the bust, which many women will find appealing. Many styles have four to six removable garter straps attached to the bottom of the bustier. This gives you the option of removing them or leaving them on to have a very attractive way to secure your nylons. The bustier does show a little more skin than a regular garter belt, but the overall look is extremely exciting and seductive which is an extra feature.

Choosing Between the Two
Corsets are usually made of heavier materials than a bustier, and are designed to give a little extra support and control where needed. A bustier is lightweight and gives very little support. While a bustier starts at the bust and ends at the waist, a corset ends at the hips. Some people consider both as undergarments, but a bustier is considered outerwear also. An example of wearing a bustier as both is wearing your lacy bustier under your blouse to work and then before you leave the office to meet friends for a drink, remove your blouse and you are all ready to go.
UNQUOTE

 

[clop]

Thanks Goldenstar! I will be bringing all combinations to my next fitting. I was wary of having cutlets + bra, because I thought there would be too many components going on, but the addition of the cutlets will fill out the bra, thus fixing my problem of having extra space. Thanks for your advice.

Hi applequeen, thanks for sharing! My seamstress recommended David''s Bridal to me as well for finding an economically priced veil, so I''ll definitely check it out. "...how natural it all looks. It didn''t look overdone at all... it just looked like the dress was filled out the way it was supposed to be (that''s a first for me)" <-- Hopefully I can achieve that look at my fitting! I''ve stayed away from strapless tops/dresses all this time, but your post gives me hope I can find support that is flattering/natural. Thanks again for sharing!

heh heh thanks Haven. I wish I had more to hold in

I''m going to head over, and see how they compare to nubra etc.

Hi Lauren1116, no prob. I was a bit embarrassed at first... My friends sent me to La Perla, saying they "specialized in small cups." I get to the store, and inquire about strapless bras is A cups, and the salesperson looks me over and says, "our cups begin at B, which you clearly are not. Try going to a department store..." Well I guess it''s a good thing I won''t be spending an exorbitant amount of money there. Good luck with your bra search.

Thanks Brazen, there''s a lot offered on their website - I''m trying to see which would suit me best - regular, or those inserts etc. Whichever I go with, I''ll have 2 pairs, in case it doesn''t hold up in the heat/sweat etc, though I think it should be fine. Yes, my maid of honor is leaning towards nubra vs padding, and echoed the same sentiments as you - they move with my body, and would look more natural.

Hi Harleigh, thanks for letting me know! I''m hoping to get a better feel for all the combinations at the next fitting. My matron of honor is pushing for pads sewn in - less to worry about, becoming loose etc. It seems like there are 2 camps - pads, or bra(strapless/sticky). I will try them both, or together. I was leaning towards pads, because I thought they''d be easier, but it might not work as well with my dress.

Hi again Applequeen, I''ll be on the lookout for that style. Sounds like a good fit! Oooh, those target thingies intrigue me, will check those out too. Thanks! lol hopefully the dresses I pick out for my bridesmaids will be flattering, lol I''ll probably be starting another post in the near future on that.

Thanks again Noelwr! I think a bustier is for me - going to hunt for applequeen''s suggestion this weekend.

Thanks again for everyone''s advice & information! I will assemble all the parts for all the combinations, and see which I''m most comfortable with, and which are possible/flattering with my dress. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - some combinations I would never have thought feasible until they were so recommended. Also good luck to all the ladies who are still hunting for undergarments etc. Thanks again - Hopefully I''ll be able to post soon on what worked for me

 

[AmyBride]

Hi and welcome! Not too long ago I posted a somewhat similar question, but with a different set of challenges(sensitive skin, larger bust, low back dress). The replies you''ve received have been excellent, and I can''t think of anything to add, but perhaps the responses to my question might also be helpful to you in some way.

 

[clop]

Hi everyone - just an update

Wacoal makes a really nice strapless bra that worked out for me - it comes in 32AA, 32A, 34A, 34AA

Le Mystere also makes a nice strapless bra in 32/34 A, and a bustier in an A cup. (I put in nubra to fill it out)

Felina also makes strapless bras in A cups.

The bras above are relatively small/low in profile and should fit in my dress. ooh, and nubra makes smaller "fillers" that you can insert in the bras. That combination worked out well too!

Thanks again to everyone for your suggestions and help!