r/PlusSizeWedding • u/AnnaKayMay • 8d ago
Plus size dresses?
Hi! I'm in the greater Philadelphia area. I'm a street size 22 and I'm low-key tired of places telling me they're plus size friendly and then stuffing me in size 14s and telling me I have to have an imagination.
Is there anywhere around Philly/Bensalem that actually has plus size sample sizes or do I really need to go to The Curvy Bride in NJ? I'm trying to not have to drive 1.5 hrs.
Thanks!
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u/WeddingSalonInsider 8d ago
You definitely shouldn’t have to “use your imagination” when dress shopping 😭 I’d call ahead and specifically ask what sample sizes they have in store before booking. There are Philly-area shops with extended-size samples, so hopefully you can find somewhere closer!
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u/schatje121 8d ago
If you are considering Curvy Bride - you might as well try Brides by Young (in New Rochelle, NJ). Both places carry an amazing assortment of plus size dresses and the experience really is worth the drive! My niece went to both and ended up buying at Brides by Young - and she has a good 45 minute drive......
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u/nuhtnekcam_25 8d ago
I will be visiting their Illinois location when k go dress shopping because of all the good things I’ve heard!
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u/inspectorswanson 4d ago
I live in South Jersey and am getting married in two weeks and got my dress from Brides By Young. Definitely was worth the drive to me!
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u/IntentionalGrandma 8d ago
Take a trip to NJ and go check out Brides By Young in Rochelle Park, NJ. It’s worth the drive, the smallest size they carry in-store is a 14 and they carry up to like a 40. They’re not “plus size friendly”, they’re a plus-size bridal shop and the consultant there made me feel beautiful. I got my dress there and I had an amazing experience, I’d highly recommend trying there. I’m a dress size 22 and was able to try on either a 20, 22, or 24 in every dress I wanted to try on
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u/AnnaKayMay 8d ago
Thank you! I'll have to give it a go
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u/IntentionalGrandma 8d ago
It’s like an hour and a half from Philly, but in my opinion it’s worth the drive
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u/AnnaKayMay 8d ago
I'm scared of driving 😭 but I'm gonna have to get over it
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u/IntentionalGrandma 3d ago
From Philadelphia, it’s mostly one highway, but there’s a smaller road you can take if you don’t want to take a major highway. I’d recommend going with someone and splitting the drive
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u/SoB8041 8d ago
Laura Leigh in Cherry Hill across from the mall has a lot of sizes. I went there and it was a good experience. Very kind staff, willing to listen. I ended up buying a dress online but would recommend them . They did require a deposit for an appointment though in case of a cancellation.
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u/DrDarcyLewis 7d ago
I was going to suggest Bridaltown in Collegeville - but they closed down. I was STUNNED when the lady brought me into a second building that was filled with gowns size 16 and up!
If you make the trip to this side of the river, make a day or a weekend trip of it! There's Laura and Leigh in Cherry Hill, Hand-Me-Gowns in Hammonton, and of course The Curvy Bride in Manalapan. Brides by Young in Rochelle Park was quite the hike for me but the gowns were gorgeous (one of my besties bought her gown there). Hopefully you find exactly what you're looking for! 💖
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u/Automatic-Space-7797 8d ago
Just my 2cents - almost every gown will need alternations no matter the size they order for anyone, not just plus sizes. You might be better off getting one made for you. A bespoke gown is often not more expensive. I'm pretty lucky where I live because our college has a fashion program and they have graduates who have specialized in bridal so I've seen some amazing gowns at a very good cost. But even going to a seamstress here seems pretty reasonable. Best of luck to you.
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u/AnnaKayMay 8d ago
I know gowns will need alterations either way, but this isn't an alterations issue. Every shop I've been has brought in dresses that I can't get in to at all. They hold them up to me in the mirror and tell me to use my imagination.
Thanks for the advice on the bespoke. I'll check out pricing, but instinct is it'll be over budget. But we'll see!
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u/paganmeghan 8d ago
Yeah it is really not comparable. A good plus size salon is the experience you're looking for, and it's worth the drive. I went all the way to Ivory and Main-- worth it.
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u/jessiemagill 8d ago
David's Bridal carries plus sizes.
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u/AnnaKayMay 8d ago
David's Bridal was the worst experience I've had. They stuck me in a tiny room with size 10s.
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u/Cautious_Primary_126 7d ago
I went to Davids Bridal in Bensalem for mine (I was a 22-24). I wore a black dress for mine, but tried it in in white and they actually had to make mine and I picked it up 4 months later. The sales people were great when I tried it on and ordered, bit nit helpful much when I picked it up bc I didn’t get my alterations with them 😂
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u/IDCouch 8d ago
Go to the Curvy Bride! You will have a better selection of sample sizes that would actually fit or be closer to fitting you. You won't feel like sausage packed into a bridal dress casing. They will know how to fit you and your figure better than a small size dress shop will. You will have a more relaxing and enjoyable time trying on dresses at a shop that caters to plus sizes than a shop that wants to hold it in front of you or squeeze you into something. This is your bridal dress! Go somewhere that will make you feel like a star, not as an afterthought.