Update in reply:Buying dresses when you're ill-proportioned.

[just]

I know there are better boards for this - but I mostly just want to vent.

I'm ill proportioned. I wear a 34GG bra (so 18/20ish) and a 12/14 waist. 

I have to buy an outfit for a wedding and I'm looking at all these pretty dresses and none of them will work for me. I could buy an 18/20 to fit my bust and then get it taken in but that'll be like $150 for the dress and another $150 for the alterations. Which is more than I'd like, and the last time I had it done, it was hard for her to take in the waist and hips so much. If I was going to get a little black dress that I could wear I'd consider it but I want something flowery and summery that I can wear a couple of time and have fun with.

For casual dresses, I usually buy a stretchy material in a 16 and and deal with the imbalance. 

I guess I should look at separates right - they're just less pretty and so much more work.

Ok, complaining over!

[alleinesein]

Get one custom made if you want a basic LBD. If you are already looking at shelling out $300+ on a dress plus alterations you might as well spend that money on one that is made to match your measurements.

[fbf2006]

Hugs!
Have you tried the size 14 dresses? I'm a 34G and wear size 12 dresses.

[explorer2001]

May 3, 2016 15:07:21 GMT -5 just said:

I know there are better boards for this - but I mostly just want to vent.

I'm ill proportioned. I wear a 34GG bra (so 18/20ish) and a 12/14 waist.

I completely get it. I'm a 34DDD, after my reduction. My shape is more balanced now but I'm sitting here in 12 suit pants and a 16 jacket to make it work.

Can you tailor it yourself? Otherwise, get something that has some stretch and fits your boobs. It's pretty easy to take in the waist if you have princess seams, don't have a seam/details at the waist. Also try fit amd flair styles that come in to emphasize your waist.

[explorer2001]

May 3, 2016 15:14:31 GMT -5 fbf2006 said:

Hugs!
Have you tried the size 14 dresses? I'm a 34G and wear size 12 dresses.

Cosigned I usually end up in 14 dresses too

[Deleted]

I'm a 36GG and wear a size 10. The only dresses I am usually good with are a size larger in a stretchy material so that is stretches over the boobs but hugs the body a bit more or something with a blouson top like this:

www1.macys.com/shop/product/thalia-sodi-studded-blouson-knit-dress?ID=2220439&CategoryID=5449#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D87%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D1%26kws%3Dblouson

www1.macys.com/shop/product/blondie-nites-juniors-glitter-blouson-gown?ID=2560835&CategoryID=18109#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D87%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D17%26kws%3Dblouson

I'm not sure what colors or length you are looking for but the top on those dresses is usually pretty flattering on my shape.

[VillainV]

I second the suggestion to get a LBD custom-made for your proportions. It would be a good investment piece.

[egeiger]

Have you tried eshakti? They customize their dresses / pre alter them. Might be worth a shot.

[Deleted]

I feel ya. Last time I went to David's Bridal and got a bridesmaid-ish dress because they have a zillion dresses so you're bound to find something that works that's not $$$.

[konapoppy]

May 4, 2016 9:32:38 GMT -5 egeiger said:

Have you tried eshakti? They customize their dresses / pre alter them. Might be worth a shot.

My sister loves her stuff from there. 

[ribollita]

That seems like a lot of a tailor. Have you shopped around?

My answer is tailoring. I pay about $40 per dress and it is SO worth it.

[fumbalina]

This is not a problem that I have so this may not work. I would try to fund a belted dress, preferably with loops and size down a coordinating belt. Just steer clear of things that require a bow because that look does no one any favors.

[just]

Wanted to check back in on this.

While I looked briefly into custom made and eshakti, it wasn't the best choice for this wedding. It's in a gcouple of weeks in Ireland so I didn't want to risk it not being ready in time.

The responses about trying different sizes landed. I've had an ED for about 15 years and have a very difficult time seeing my body as it really is. It's ended up with me buying clothes that are way too big a number of times. Shopping is really painful for me, so I tend to do all of my shopping online which doesn't really help.

Thanks to you guys a bit the bullet today and came to Macy's willing to try on every dress I even kind of liked in a range of sizes. Third dress I tried on was a fit and flare CK with a bit of stretch and it fits perfectly in a size 12. Best part, it's a beautiful sunny yellow. It's happy and makes me smile. It's hard for me to wear bright clothes (see above) but I just love it.

Thanks as always for great advice!