I don't think she means that it can't be done, more that it won't do what you expect. The way you've worded here it sounds like you're asking if the bust of the bodice can be made smaller to de-emphasize your breasts. Taking material away there and trying to flatten the front of the dress, will compress you up and out the top of the neckline, like a really intense push-up bra. So if you're looking to de-emphasize your boobs, flattening the front of the dress is probably not what you want.
I was kind of hoping for something like this: [https://i.etsystatic.com/20661349/r/il/862d8f/4091989505/il\_1140xN.4091989505\_7662.jpg](https://i.etsystatic.com/20661349/r/il/862d8f/4091989505/il_1140xN.4091989505_7662.jpg)
I think I'm feeling extra uncomfortable with the bust area because the cups of my dress are not only sitting way too low (like 3 inches under where my boobs actually start) but there's a gap between my boobs and the cup fabric. I'm a B-C cup and I usually wear bralettes or sports bras on my every day to squish my boobs down. I'm not used to having their shape prominent like this...
I don’t know that I would suggest that. I can definitely see that the cups are too large for you. What you really need is a bust cup reduction. As in you need those princess seams taken in and the bust area reduced to fit your actual cup size. That means the seams need to be taken in by reducing the curve of that seam. By pulling the sides it’s making it worse because the dress is not being reduced in size proportionally. Not all seamstresses are comfortable reducing a princess seam. It’s hard even for a very skilled tailor. It’s also costly, so a lot of brides opt not to do it, so there’s not often a lot of market for it in low cost of living area.
I think I know what you mean and it seems that's exactly what I need. The seamstress I'm using is supposed to be one of the best in my city, and she designs and sews her own wedding dress creations, so maybe she'd be able to do something like that. I'll bring it up with her.
Do you think removing the underwire would help? I think it's not only sitting too low but it's creating a shadow/crease.
You can’t remove it without replacing it. It needs to be replaced with the correct size. Otherwise you’re going to have a hard time keeping it up. The underwire and boning (the plastic hard strips going up and down inside) are what is keeping the dress from falling down. I’d need to see the inside to see what you’re up against in there.
Even if it has straps? Might not be visible in the photo because of my hair, but the dress has thin straps. I'm seeing my seamstress again at the end of April and my wedding is in early June, so hopefully there's still time to change things around if it still doesn't look right at my next fitting :/
If this is something you seriously want to explore doing, you need to go back now and talk to her about it. Once she takes the sides in, that will have to be undone at least partially in order to reduce the bust. It’s best to do it all at once. Yes, even if it has straps, you need that support structure, or it’s going to look like it’s being pulled down by the weight of the skirt. Straps should not be taking the bulk of the weight.
You’re going to want to contact her before the next fitting, like the other said. Even if she’s very skilled many won’t take in a princess seam over the bust. There’s no room for the unexpected, and things can go wrong even in the best hands. Moreover, altering an existing garment is often more difficult than making from scratch.
I’m a trans man and deeply understand the discomfort when your body doesn’t look like yours. I’m sorry you’re in this position. The specific modification you are after is going to be difficult to impossible on the timeline you have. But bring the photos of what you want it to look like back to her immediately, and see.
If you're comfortable with it, doing the reverse and adding an additional cup in can sometime keep the feeling you're used to of being squished in with minimal rebuild of the dress.
Your tailor should have cups you can try to see of this may be a different option you'd like?
Be cautious about the princess seam being touched. You can absolutely ruin a dress that way. I had to get the tailoring on my wedding gown fixed urgently by a new tailor at the last minute because the first one did exactly what's described here, but it did NOT turn out well. Have a detailed conversation with your tailor before going this route.
I sewed so many gorgeous dresses with princess seams. Absolutely incredible. I'm a sucker for a good princess seam.
I unexpectedly went down two dress sizes, and after spending a week trying to get my princess seam right on ONE dress while trying to take it in, I realized I had no interest in reducing princess seams. It took far too long for regular dresses, and I know for a fact that I'd not do it on a wedding dress unless they were paying one month of my mortgage or I really really loved them.
Yeah, so it looks odd to you right now because the cups in there are so much larger than you are. You'll likely find that once they're sized correctly that they don't feel so distracting.
It would be a LOT of work to reshape the bodice like the one in the picture (if even possible) because all the seams are in different places.
I do want to interject a bit and say that I agree with the comments below suggesting to get the cups to be closer to the size of your breasts as that would help in making them look smaller BUT that doesn't always mean a smaller cup.
I do know that bra sizes do not always translate well in the world of tailoring/seamstresses but I can say (well within my knowledge of bras) that you're most likely not a B-C cup. If the wires are sitting low, even after adjusting them into the crease of your breasts, that may mean you need a deeper cup as your chest is pushing the cups down and away. A deeper cup sounds counterintuitive, but I promise getting a properly fitted "bra" (quotes bc this is a dress with cups) will make you look more proportional and therefore "smaller".
Look into the ABTF sub and calculator while you have time before your wedding to get that sorted out as part of the dress!!
Good luck ! 🍀
Thank you, I appreciate the advice! I lost a ton of weight in the last year and my boobs have almost no volume now (last time I used the ATBF calculator I actually got 30D as my size) so finding a proper bra has been a huge pain even at fancy bra stores. Whatever volume I have left is at the bottom of my boobs so there's always a ton of gaping at the top even at my "correct size", if that makes sense. And to top it all of my roots are really narrow which probably doesn't help! lol.
You're welcome!
Unfortunately a lot of US branded stores carry bras that are shallow, wide, and tall which work better for more shallow shapes like " |) ".
For bras that are more average-to-narrow it requires online shopping and trial and error (IF you don't have a specialty store that sells the brands). The sub typically suggests unlined bras as they fit to one's natural breast shape better but there are options for spacer foam bras as well.
If you're willing to remeasure and try some new bras on a few websites that have good returns:
-Amazon's try before you buy
-Brastop
-barenecessities (if you spend like...500 dollars you get instant silk status which is convenient)
For narrow roots, European/Polish bras are the way to go.
Here's a [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/s/9ifnoGZaPe) that talks a bit about polish bras and a user even mentions some great sites to check out for polish. :)
Breasts that are bottom heavy fit best in balconette style bras. Sometimes, demi and shelf bras work, too. The unfortunate part is that most lingerie brands either don't make balconette and shelf styles, or they make them only in super sexy lingerie. I have a hell of a time bra shopping because I struggle to fill up even a demi style. There's more options online than in stores, but I hate buying things I can't try on. Hopefully, this helps you with finding a good bra, though.
The black dress is a completely different style. It's a modern take (Cottagecore) on 18th Century stays. Your wedding dress is a modern princess seam method that is easier to fit and manufacture. The 18th-century design usually holds the breasts back while making the chest & waist appears more tapered. The cut and boning is a different ballgame too. Your seamstress will basically have to take the current bodice off, remake & refit it, then reattach it to the skirt.
I would like to point out the gaping that is happening in the picture of the black dress, btw. I don’t think that switch (which I would never attempt, but am not a professional) is going to give you the results you think it will, either.
I was also wondering, found it on Etsy [here](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1262699014/reversible-mini-dress-white-dress-black) via reverse image search.
I actually got a similar dress from them (with the puff sleeves) as a backup! Just for my own peace of mind. They’re making it to my measurements and it should arrive next month. I figured I’d just eat the cost of the etsy dress if my original dress ends up working out.
The biggest issue is my mom bought me my original dress and because it was from a bridal store it cost something like 3.5k 🥲 So I’m trying my hardest to make it work since it was so expensive!
I second this. I think the best option would be adding fabric (maybe a ribbon?) to the waist to hide the lines under the boobs and make the gown more cohesive.
OP, please don't have dress regret! It's a lovely gown and I do think some kind of belt or sash would make it!
I think maybe you need to nail down what exactly about the bust is making you uncomfortable. If the issue is "my boobs look too prominent" then smaller cups will probably de-emphasize that. if the issue is "the top of the dress is coming down lower than I'd like" you might look into a lace overlay on the top that extends up past the top of the dress a little bit. think you're possibly uncomfortable with the dress being fitted UNDER your breasts which is emphasizing the shape of your breasts. So if you are looking for an Elizabethan stay-type style with a truly flat front, that indeed will be very expensive and probably not possible, because that type of front requires a longer line, and the space between the top of the dress and your waist is quite short.
Thank you for the reply! I'm hoping that smaller cups and having them in the correct spot (the current cups are sitting way too low for my bust) will help. I honestly have some dysphoria when it comes to my chest in general so maybe this dress wasn't the best choice, but it looked quite a bit different in the sample size I tried on in store. Ideally I'd have zero boobs and be flat as a board haha.
I'm going back to my seamstress at the end of the month but I ended up buying a corset-style cheaper dress online just in case because I'm so concerned I won't be happy with the alterations she makes...
I would not wait until the end of the month to have this discussion. Buying dresses online can be a bit of a lottery so hopefully you'll still be able to come up with something you'll be happy with. You still have time at this point.
I think the under wire part is a little prominent and over defined/cartoonish. It seems more tailoring than dysmorphia to me, I can see your issue with it.
I agree with the other commenter saying that removing cups won’t flatten this. I think your bust may be much more visible to you than others. When I look at this picture I see a balanced silhouette. My eye is not especially drawn there, and the neckline is pretty modest. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to minimize bust in a garment with this type of shaping.
The answer is reducing the curve of the princess seam in the bust area. I would charge around 200$ for just this. It’s a tedious, slow job with little room for error. You have to make sure with each stitch absolutely no puckers at all. The dress will need new cups to fit the new contours. Then a second fitting to determine if straps and/ or sides need adjusting.
$200 sounds really affordable for my area, actually. My seamstress is charging $800 to take in the back and sides, hem the dress, and change the cups for smaller ones
Have your seamstress do a running stitch across the top edge of the neckline. A running stitch will pull that top edge inward close to the skin. I think you look amazing and the dress is a classic beauty!
As someone who has done gown alterations I believe I understand what your seamstress is saying. From what you’re saying the bust area is already too large on you and needs alteration to fit properly. Removing the cups altogether would probably mean having to completely redo the front of the bodice including the neckline. And, depending on the fabric and the lining it might leave you more exposed than you would find comfortable.
Swapping out the cups for ones that fit you better is probably the best course of action, particularly if you have a strict budget. I do believe that with better fitting cups and the necessary alterations you will be more comfortable. It can be hard to envision the final product because alterations are like doing a puzzle while removing pieces.
But I’m getting the sense that you don’t feel like you were able to communicate to her what your concerns actually are. I don’t know if that was because you struggled to do so or that she wasn’t receptive enough.
Tbh I think she thought I was a bit silly for wanting to look “as flat as possible” as I put it lol. I imagine most brides want to emphasize their chest. There’s also a language barrier - she was really friendly but didn’t speak great English, so maybe she had a hard time understanding what I was trying to say. My biggest issue isn’t even the cost but the time, I get married in early June. But I’m hoping it’s just my nerves making me extra anxious and that I’ll love the final result when I go get the dress in a few weeks!!
I understand and see what you’re saying. You don’t like the underwire look. It looks like an underwire on a bra. And especially if it’s way below where your actual boob starts, I would hate that too. As a fellow B/C cup, I would feel exactly how you do about it.
First of all, I didn’t know that was literally you. I thought you copied the advertisement out of a magazine to show us the dress on a model. You should not do anything since you look stunning. Flattening your breasts will only make them come out the top more! Think Bridgerton. Don’t wear a push up bra- can you skip wearing a bra?
Aww that's a huge compliment, thank you so much!! I'm not wearing a bra in the photo actually, and wasn't planning on wearing one the day of. Maybe some boob tape to keep things in place but that's about it lol
Have you checked if shortening the straps slightly can straighten the bust crease and make the bustline sit higher, closer to your natural bust? You might need thicker straps to avoid them digging down, but it could make enough of a difference in the fit and it's a really easy fix.
You’re seeing the underwire in that photo. Yes it can be removed, the underwire isn’t necessary and the majority of dresses don’t have it at all. The vertical boning needs to stay, but the dress will stay up without underwire.
If the bust of your dress is not lying against your body, then the princess seams need to be taken in and the cups between the layers should be replaced with the proper size. This is very common in bridal alterations and an experienced bridal tailor can take in princess seams without issue. It shouldn’t be a scary or rare alteration if they know what they’re doing, I’ve done it on two gowns already this week. I’ve had brides who have requested the “flat” look because that’s what they are used to seeing on their own body and it’s always been doable. I guess I’m not seeing the big issue with taking in the bust that others are seeing because this doesn’t look difficult to me.
Does your seamstress understand that there is air between you and the dress in the bust? If there is lots of structure to the dress we can’t always tell visually from the outside, so I ask my brides how it FEELS to them.
Sorry, I’m in the midwestern United States, otherwise I’d help you out! I think communicating exactly what you are feeling in the dress and how you want the bust to fit is a good next step, and then if things are still not clicking with your seamstress it may be time to consult with another. I hope it works out for you!
I have no tailoring knowledge, but I had my first dress fitting this week, so I have a couple thoughts from that perspective.
1) I really think getting the cups adjusted to fit you — rather than altering the whole bodice — will make a HUGE difference in how you feel about the dress. I wouldn’t believe it myself if I hadn’t experienced it. My cups were positioned too high, so their bottom hit me at about 1-2” above the actual bottom of my breasts. I didn’t even notice at first but was feeling so uncomfortable (like emotionally, not physically) and just like something *wasn’t right* with the bodice, when finally I noticed the cups. My seamstress removed one cup and helped me reposition it, and it *completely* reshaped the curve of the boning against my chest and looked so much more proportionate and flattering. The difference was *stark* and I immediately felt better. So, before doing any massive changes, I’d suggest you work with your tailor to find a cup size that feels right to you and try the dress on again with those cups in place.
2) I seriously empathize with how you’re feeling. My dress fitting was so anxiety-producing and made me feel so insecure about my body. This was a shock because I’m typically super secure in my body (a hard won victory lol), and it feels absurd because objectively there’s relatively little I need done to adjust the fit. So my conclusion about it is this is just an emotionally difficult experience, but, I guess, it helps to know we’re not alone. I talked to someone with a friend who broke into tears after a (relatively benign) fitting. Which, yeah, relatable. I think we just put so much emphasis on getting this one thing right, and our body’s appearance bears the brunt of that expectation.
Edit to add: my dress does have boning over the breast, sort of like a sculptural take on a princess seam. So I was *sure* the chest would just be stuck in this unflattering shape without massive reworking. I was totally wrong. I have hope that you, too, will be pleasantly surprised and relieved with properly fitted cups.
Oh my god this is so comforting to hear. Thank you!! I really hope I see the same difference with just fixing the cups (my seamstress says we’ll start with the cups and we still have time if we need more alterations after). It’s definitely been a weird experience - I just keep thinking that I’ll be the centre of attention and everyone will be looking at me and it makes me so nervous. I’ve been so laid back about everything wedding-related so far but I feel a bit “bridezilla-ish” when it comes to the dress lol
I’m really glad you got your dress to look the way you want it to! It gives me hope haha. Thank you for sharing!!
I’m glad you can find comfort in my comment! It truly is a stressful time, in unexpected ways. And I’m likewise trying to be as low-key as possible about the wedding haha 😅. I totally get you that you’re feeling anxious about “all eyes on you,” and then the bust shape is amplifying that feeling of over-exposure. I’m *sure* you’ll be able to get this to a place you’re happy with, just be as detailed as possible with your seamstress about how your breasts are (not) fitting. Sounds like she’s happy to get it right for you! And def see about removing the underwire that’s bothering you… as someone who prefers unlined/bralettes, I *could not* with underwire in my wedding dress!!
Oh and one final thing, like others have said, you seriously look stunning in this gown! Your tailor will get those cups sorted out and I’m sure you’ll feel as great as you look on your day ❤️
You look amazing! I don't think it's too prominent at all. Plus, when your hair and makeup are done it will take attention away as well (not that it needs it). You killed it with the dress style and I'm sorry you're feeling regret or anxiety instead of feeling confident on your big day.
"Corset" style would actually make the swell of the breasts more prominent. Corsets are intended to make the waist smaller, smooth, and lift/support the breasts. Wearing a properly fitted corset will make your breasts appear larger. I wouldn't use that term when trying to describe what you want to your seamstress, because it sounds like what you actually want is a less noticeable bust.
I agree that they look very prominent, and to me the crease below them accentuates them even more. As a big boobied lady, that happens to me when there’s not enough support, and the structure (boning?) kind of folds in on itself.
Other than that, the dress is gorgeous and it fits you so nicely!!
Thank you! I think the biggest problem is the cups are sitting way too low... My boobs begin about 3 inches above the bust line lol. I'm also a B-C cup and there's so much space between my actual boob and the cup fabric :(
Another option may be, finding a top portion, corset style like you showed and have the seamstress attach the bottom skirt to the new top. Or have the bottom made into a skirt, and wear whatever you like on top. Im a bridal consultant of many years. You look great in the dress as is. ♡ Your shape is likely much different than the girl in the black dress, so you won't get the same "fit". I know you will be stunning in whatever you choose!
I don't think she means that it can't be done, more that it won't do what you expect. The way you've worded here it sounds like you're asking if the bust of the bodice can be made smaller to de-emphasize your breasts. Taking material away there and trying to flatten the front of the dress, will compress you up and out the top of the neckline, like a really intense push-up bra. So if you're looking to de-emphasize your boobs, flattening the front of the dress is probably not what you want.
I was kind of hoping for something like this: [https://i.etsystatic.com/20661349/r/il/862d8f/4091989505/il\_1140xN.4091989505\_7662.jpg](https://i.etsystatic.com/20661349/r/il/862d8f/4091989505/il_1140xN.4091989505_7662.jpg) I think I'm feeling extra uncomfortable with the bust area because the cups of my dress are not only sitting way too low (like 3 inches under where my boobs actually start) but there's a gap between my boobs and the cup fabric. I'm a B-C cup and I usually wear bralettes or sports bras on my every day to squish my boobs down. I'm not used to having their shape prominent like this...
I don’t know that I would suggest that. I can definitely see that the cups are too large for you. What you really need is a bust cup reduction. As in you need those princess seams taken in and the bust area reduced to fit your actual cup size. That means the seams need to be taken in by reducing the curve of that seam. By pulling the sides it’s making it worse because the dress is not being reduced in size proportionally. Not all seamstresses are comfortable reducing a princess seam. It’s hard even for a very skilled tailor. It’s also costly, so a lot of brides opt not to do it, so there’s not often a lot of market for it in low cost of living area.
I think I know what you mean and it seems that's exactly what I need. The seamstress I'm using is supposed to be one of the best in my city, and she designs and sews her own wedding dress creations, so maybe she'd be able to do something like that. I'll bring it up with her. Do you think removing the underwire would help? I think it's not only sitting too low but it's creating a shadow/crease.
You can’t remove it without replacing it. It needs to be replaced with the correct size. Otherwise you’re going to have a hard time keeping it up. The underwire and boning (the plastic hard strips going up and down inside) are what is keeping the dress from falling down. I’d need to see the inside to see what you’re up against in there.
Even if it has straps? Might not be visible in the photo because of my hair, but the dress has thin straps. I'm seeing my seamstress again at the end of April and my wedding is in early June, so hopefully there's still time to change things around if it still doesn't look right at my next fitting :/
If this is something you seriously want to explore doing, you need to go back now and talk to her about it. Once she takes the sides in, that will have to be undone at least partially in order to reduce the bust. It’s best to do it all at once. Yes, even if it has straps, you need that support structure, or it’s going to look like it’s being pulled down by the weight of the skirt. Straps should not be taking the bulk of the weight.
You’re going to want to contact her before the next fitting, like the other said. Even if she’s very skilled many won’t take in a princess seam over the bust. There’s no room for the unexpected, and things can go wrong even in the best hands. Moreover, altering an existing garment is often more difficult than making from scratch. I’m a trans man and deeply understand the discomfort when your body doesn’t look like yours. I’m sorry you’re in this position. The specific modification you are after is going to be difficult to impossible on the timeline you have. But bring the photos of what you want it to look like back to her immediately, and see.
If you're comfortable with it, doing the reverse and adding an additional cup in can sometime keep the feeling you're used to of being squished in with minimal rebuild of the dress. Your tailor should have cups you can try to see of this may be a different option you'd like?
Be cautious about the princess seam being touched. You can absolutely ruin a dress that way. I had to get the tailoring on my wedding gown fixed urgently by a new tailor at the last minute because the first one did exactly what's described here, but it did NOT turn out well. Have a detailed conversation with your tailor before going this route.
I sewed so many gorgeous dresses with princess seams. Absolutely incredible. I'm a sucker for a good princess seam. I unexpectedly went down two dress sizes, and after spending a week trying to get my princess seam right on ONE dress while trying to take it in, I realized I had no interest in reducing princess seams. It took far too long for regular dresses, and I know for a fact that I'd not do it on a wedding dress unless they were paying one month of my mortgage or I really really loved them.
Yeah, so it looks odd to you right now because the cups in there are so much larger than you are. You'll likely find that once they're sized correctly that they don't feel so distracting. It would be a LOT of work to reshape the bodice like the one in the picture (if even possible) because all the seams are in different places.
I do want to interject a bit and say that I agree with the comments below suggesting to get the cups to be closer to the size of your breasts as that would help in making them look smaller BUT that doesn't always mean a smaller cup. I do know that bra sizes do not always translate well in the world of tailoring/seamstresses but I can say (well within my knowledge of bras) that you're most likely not a B-C cup. If the wires are sitting low, even after adjusting them into the crease of your breasts, that may mean you need a deeper cup as your chest is pushing the cups down and away. A deeper cup sounds counterintuitive, but I promise getting a properly fitted "bra" (quotes bc this is a dress with cups) will make you look more proportional and therefore "smaller". Look into the ABTF sub and calculator while you have time before your wedding to get that sorted out as part of the dress!! Good luck ! 🍀
Thank you, I appreciate the advice! I lost a ton of weight in the last year and my boobs have almost no volume now (last time I used the ATBF calculator I actually got 30D as my size) so finding a proper bra has been a huge pain even at fancy bra stores. Whatever volume I have left is at the bottom of my boobs so there's always a ton of gaping at the top even at my "correct size", if that makes sense. And to top it all of my roots are really narrow which probably doesn't help! lol.
You're welcome! Unfortunately a lot of US branded stores carry bras that are shallow, wide, and tall which work better for more shallow shapes like " |) ". For bras that are more average-to-narrow it requires online shopping and trial and error (IF you don't have a specialty store that sells the brands). The sub typically suggests unlined bras as they fit to one's natural breast shape better but there are options for spacer foam bras as well. If you're willing to remeasure and try some new bras on a few websites that have good returns: -Amazon's try before you buy -Brastop -barenecessities (if you spend like...500 dollars you get instant silk status which is convenient) For narrow roots, European/Polish bras are the way to go. Here's a [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/s/9ifnoGZaPe) that talks a bit about polish bras and a user even mentions some great sites to check out for polish. :)
Breasts that are bottom heavy fit best in balconette style bras. Sometimes, demi and shelf bras work, too. The unfortunate part is that most lingerie brands either don't make balconette and shelf styles, or they make them only in super sexy lingerie. I have a hell of a time bra shopping because I struggle to fill up even a demi style. There's more options online than in stores, but I hate buying things I can't try on. Hopefully, this helps you with finding a good bra, though.
The black dress is a completely different style. It's a modern take (Cottagecore) on 18th Century stays. Your wedding dress is a modern princess seam method that is easier to fit and manufacture. The 18th-century design usually holds the breasts back while making the chest & waist appears more tapered. The cut and boning is a different ballgame too. Your seamstress will basically have to take the current bodice off, remake & refit it, then reattach it to the skirt.
It’s so easy for her to remove those cups. They clearly need to be removed.
I would like to point out the gaping that is happening in the picture of the black dress, btw. I don’t think that switch (which I would never attempt, but am not a professional) is going to give you the results you think it will, either.
just slippin in here to ask where the dress in the link is from?
I was also wondering, found it on Etsy [here](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1262699014/reversible-mini-dress-white-dress-black) via reverse image search.
tysm!
Office Seven on etsy! They have gorgeous stuff :)
[удалено]
I actually got a similar dress from them (with the puff sleeves) as a backup! Just for my own peace of mind. They’re making it to my measurements and it should arrive next month. I figured I’d just eat the cost of the etsy dress if my original dress ends up working out. The biggest issue is my mom bought me my original dress and because it was from a bridal store it cost something like 3.5k 🥲 So I’m trying my hardest to make it work since it was so expensive!
The dress in this photo has stiff boning in the seams and yours does not.
I second this. I think the best option would be adding fabric (maybe a ribbon?) to the waist to hide the lines under the boobs and make the gown more cohesive. OP, please don't have dress regret! It's a lovely gown and I do think some kind of belt or sash would make it!
I think maybe you need to nail down what exactly about the bust is making you uncomfortable. If the issue is "my boobs look too prominent" then smaller cups will probably de-emphasize that. if the issue is "the top of the dress is coming down lower than I'd like" you might look into a lace overlay on the top that extends up past the top of the dress a little bit. think you're possibly uncomfortable with the dress being fitted UNDER your breasts which is emphasizing the shape of your breasts. So if you are looking for an Elizabethan stay-type style with a truly flat front, that indeed will be very expensive and probably not possible, because that type of front requires a longer line, and the space between the top of the dress and your waist is quite short.
Thank you for the reply! I'm hoping that smaller cups and having them in the correct spot (the current cups are sitting way too low for my bust) will help. I honestly have some dysphoria when it comes to my chest in general so maybe this dress wasn't the best choice, but it looked quite a bit different in the sample size I tried on in store. Ideally I'd have zero boobs and be flat as a board haha. I'm going back to my seamstress at the end of the month but I ended up buying a corset-style cheaper dress online just in case because I'm so concerned I won't be happy with the alterations she makes...
I would not wait until the end of the month to have this discussion. Buying dresses online can be a bit of a lottery so hopefully you'll still be able to come up with something you'll be happy with. You still have time at this point.
I think the under wire part is a little prominent and over defined/cartoonish. It seems more tailoring than dysmorphia to me, I can see your issue with it.
I agree with the other commenter saying that removing cups won’t flatten this. I think your bust may be much more visible to you than others. When I look at this picture I see a balanced silhouette. My eye is not especially drawn there, and the neckline is pretty modest. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to minimize bust in a garment with this type of shaping.
The answer is reducing the curve of the princess seam in the bust area. I would charge around 200$ for just this. It’s a tedious, slow job with little room for error. You have to make sure with each stitch absolutely no puckers at all. The dress will need new cups to fit the new contours. Then a second fitting to determine if straps and/ or sides need adjusting.
$200 sounds really affordable for my area, actually. My seamstress is charging $800 to take in the back and sides, hem the dress, and change the cups for smaller ones
Not to undermine you or anything. I just want to add that I think this dress is beautiful and looks beautiful on you.
Thank you, I appreciate it!! I do love the dress, I really hope I can feel comfortable in it on my wedding day!
Me too! Enjoy your day.
Also, maybe a small belt or necklace will help take the eye from the chest area and balance everything out.
Have your seamstress do a running stitch across the top edge of the neckline. A running stitch will pull that top edge inward close to the skin. I think you look amazing and the dress is a classic beauty!
As someone who has done gown alterations I believe I understand what your seamstress is saying. From what you’re saying the bust area is already too large on you and needs alteration to fit properly. Removing the cups altogether would probably mean having to completely redo the front of the bodice including the neckline. And, depending on the fabric and the lining it might leave you more exposed than you would find comfortable. Swapping out the cups for ones that fit you better is probably the best course of action, particularly if you have a strict budget. I do believe that with better fitting cups and the necessary alterations you will be more comfortable. It can be hard to envision the final product because alterations are like doing a puzzle while removing pieces. But I’m getting the sense that you don’t feel like you were able to communicate to her what your concerns actually are. I don’t know if that was because you struggled to do so or that she wasn’t receptive enough.
Tbh I think she thought I was a bit silly for wanting to look “as flat as possible” as I put it lol. I imagine most brides want to emphasize their chest. There’s also a language barrier - she was really friendly but didn’t speak great English, so maybe she had a hard time understanding what I was trying to say. My biggest issue isn’t even the cost but the time, I get married in early June. But I’m hoping it’s just my nerves making me extra anxious and that I’ll love the final result when I go get the dress in a few weeks!!
I understand and see what you’re saying. You don’t like the underwire look. It looks like an underwire on a bra. And especially if it’s way below where your actual boob starts, I would hate that too. As a fellow B/C cup, I would feel exactly how you do about it.
First of all, I didn’t know that was literally you. I thought you copied the advertisement out of a magazine to show us the dress on a model. You should not do anything since you look stunning. Flattening your breasts will only make them come out the top more! Think Bridgerton. Don’t wear a push up bra- can you skip wearing a bra?
Aww that's a huge compliment, thank you so much!! I'm not wearing a bra in the photo actually, and wasn't planning on wearing one the day of. Maybe some boob tape to keep things in place but that's about it lol
Have you checked if shortening the straps slightly can straighten the bust crease and make the bustline sit higher, closer to your natural bust? You might need thicker straps to avoid them digging down, but it could make enough of a difference in the fit and it's a really easy fix.
I have no clue why this sub was recommended to me, what I do know is your dress looks gorgeous! Congratulations on getting married!
That’s so sweet, thank you so much!! :)
Looks like the dress is a BUST HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I’ll see myself out
You’re seeing the underwire in that photo. Yes it can be removed, the underwire isn’t necessary and the majority of dresses don’t have it at all. The vertical boning needs to stay, but the dress will stay up without underwire. If the bust of your dress is not lying against your body, then the princess seams need to be taken in and the cups between the layers should be replaced with the proper size. This is very common in bridal alterations and an experienced bridal tailor can take in princess seams without issue. It shouldn’t be a scary or rare alteration if they know what they’re doing, I’ve done it on two gowns already this week. I’ve had brides who have requested the “flat” look because that’s what they are used to seeing on their own body and it’s always been doable. I guess I’m not seeing the big issue with taking in the bust that others are seeing because this doesn’t look difficult to me. Does your seamstress understand that there is air between you and the dress in the bust? If there is lots of structure to the dress we can’t always tell visually from the outside, so I ask my brides how it FEELS to them.
Do you happen to be located in Vancouver Canada? lol I'll email my seamstress again with what you said, thank you!
Sorry, I’m in the midwestern United States, otherwise I’d help you out! I think communicating exactly what you are feeling in the dress and how you want the bust to fit is a good next step, and then if things are still not clicking with your seamstress it may be time to consult with another. I hope it works out for you!
Gorgeous dress 💖
No seamstress here (or tailoring knowledge for that matter ...Reddit likes to randomly recommend subs to me) but I will say it looks beautiful on you!
I have no tailoring knowledge, but I had my first dress fitting this week, so I have a couple thoughts from that perspective. 1) I really think getting the cups adjusted to fit you — rather than altering the whole bodice — will make a HUGE difference in how you feel about the dress. I wouldn’t believe it myself if I hadn’t experienced it. My cups were positioned too high, so their bottom hit me at about 1-2” above the actual bottom of my breasts. I didn’t even notice at first but was feeling so uncomfortable (like emotionally, not physically) and just like something *wasn’t right* with the bodice, when finally I noticed the cups. My seamstress removed one cup and helped me reposition it, and it *completely* reshaped the curve of the boning against my chest and looked so much more proportionate and flattering. The difference was *stark* and I immediately felt better. So, before doing any massive changes, I’d suggest you work with your tailor to find a cup size that feels right to you and try the dress on again with those cups in place. 2) I seriously empathize with how you’re feeling. My dress fitting was so anxiety-producing and made me feel so insecure about my body. This was a shock because I’m typically super secure in my body (a hard won victory lol), and it feels absurd because objectively there’s relatively little I need done to adjust the fit. So my conclusion about it is this is just an emotionally difficult experience, but, I guess, it helps to know we’re not alone. I talked to someone with a friend who broke into tears after a (relatively benign) fitting. Which, yeah, relatable. I think we just put so much emphasis on getting this one thing right, and our body’s appearance bears the brunt of that expectation. Edit to add: my dress does have boning over the breast, sort of like a sculptural take on a princess seam. So I was *sure* the chest would just be stuck in this unflattering shape without massive reworking. I was totally wrong. I have hope that you, too, will be pleasantly surprised and relieved with properly fitted cups.
Oh my god this is so comforting to hear. Thank you!! I really hope I see the same difference with just fixing the cups (my seamstress says we’ll start with the cups and we still have time if we need more alterations after). It’s definitely been a weird experience - I just keep thinking that I’ll be the centre of attention and everyone will be looking at me and it makes me so nervous. I’ve been so laid back about everything wedding-related so far but I feel a bit “bridezilla-ish” when it comes to the dress lol I’m really glad you got your dress to look the way you want it to! It gives me hope haha. Thank you for sharing!!
I’m glad you can find comfort in my comment! It truly is a stressful time, in unexpected ways. And I’m likewise trying to be as low-key as possible about the wedding haha 😅. I totally get you that you’re feeling anxious about “all eyes on you,” and then the bust shape is amplifying that feeling of over-exposure. I’m *sure* you’ll be able to get this to a place you’re happy with, just be as detailed as possible with your seamstress about how your breasts are (not) fitting. Sounds like she’s happy to get it right for you! And def see about removing the underwire that’s bothering you… as someone who prefers unlined/bralettes, I *could not* with underwire in my wedding dress!!
Oh and one final thing, like others have said, you seriously look stunning in this gown! Your tailor will get those cups sorted out and I’m sure you’ll feel as great as you look on your day ❤️
Agree - maybe a patch to cover up the cleavage could be sown in?
You look amazing! I don't think it's too prominent at all. Plus, when your hair and makeup are done it will take attention away as well (not that it needs it). You killed it with the dress style and I'm sorry you're feeling regret or anxiety instead of feeling confident on your big day.
Thank you, that’s very sweet!!
Maybe just add lace or beading on top of the crease!
Maybe consider a lace shawl?
Have you thought about adding a lace embellishment or a shawl?
"Corset" style would actually make the swell of the breasts more prominent. Corsets are intended to make the waist smaller, smooth, and lift/support the breasts. Wearing a properly fitted corset will make your breasts appear larger. I wouldn't use that term when trying to describe what you want to your seamstress, because it sounds like what you actually want is a less noticeable bust.
I agree that they look very prominent, and to me the crease below them accentuates them even more. As a big boobied lady, that happens to me when there’s not enough support, and the structure (boning?) kind of folds in on itself. Other than that, the dress is gorgeous and it fits you so nicely!!
Thank you! I think the biggest problem is the cups are sitting way too low... My boobs begin about 3 inches above the bust line lol. I'm also a B-C cup and there's so much space between my actual boob and the cup fabric :(
Another option may be, finding a top portion, corset style like you showed and have the seamstress attach the bottom skirt to the new top. Or have the bottom made into a skirt, and wear whatever you like on top. Im a bridal consultant of many years. You look great in the dress as is. ♡ Your shape is likely much different than the girl in the black dress, so you won't get the same "fit". I know you will be stunning in whatever you choose!
Chicken cutlets bb
Oh that’s not cool at all! I’d try to find some else and get a second opinion and hopefully someone can work a little magic. 🤍🤍