Help a busty lass look polished at a wedding.

April 2, 2008 12:28 AM

I just bought a lovely halter dress that fits me like a glove, except I need a little extra "support".

One of my friends just asked me to accompany him to a casual spring wedding. So of course, I immediately used this as an opportunity to go buy a new outfit. I ended up purchasing a dress that is very similar to this one in terms of silhouette. My dress is black with white trim, and the back comes up a little higher, with three keyhole-type cutouts leading down the back to the top of the full skirt.

The problem: I wear a size 34DD, and the dress by itself isn't supportive enough for me to go braless without feeling very conspicuous. A halter bra or a strapless bra won't work, because the band would be visible through the keyholes in the back. Is there any other way for me to add a little "boost" so I can salvage this outfit?

(I did see the suggestions in this thread, but as far as I can tell, no one makes the stick-on "chicken cutlets" in my size.)

posted by arianell to clothing, beauty, & fashion (16 comments total)

Perhaps you can cover the keyholes in the dress? I've faced similar problems, but so far I've found the only option is to either buy a less revealing dress, cover the revealing parts, or have my bra show.

If anyone does know of any stick on support for larger cup sizes...post here, because I want to know too!
posted by The Light Fantastic at 12:45 AM on April 2

I see you're in Phoenix from your profile. Take your dress, and get yourself down to this store, where you can be properly fitted for a bra that won't show.

It's important you have the dress with you so you can try it on with the different bras. Be prepared to pay more for a bra than you've probably ever paid before, but you'll be properly fitted with something that will suit both you and the dress.
posted by essexjan at 12:47 AM on April 2 [2 favorites]

All I can say is that I once wore those stick on bra things for a wedding and early on when I reached for something, the adhesive gave way and I was a bridesmaid with less perky boobs for the rest of the day. So I'd avoid anything that relies upon sticky stuff for support.
posted by mandymanwasregistered at 2:24 AM on April 2 [2 favorites]

My first job years ago was working for THE adhesive bra manufacturer. You can order anything from them, some DD sizes, through this spin-off website. If you want to peruse adhesive bras, it's a definitive collection of market offererings.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:40 AM on April 2 [1 favorite]

Wear a matching bra?
posted by Meatbomb at 3:20 AM on April 2

a backless bustier or bra would do the trick. i know victoria's secret apparently sucks for larger sizes, but just for reference, take a look at this.
posted by thinkingwoman at 4:29 AM on April 2

This site has suggestions on stitching cups into a halter dress. Now, whether or not this will be enough support depends on how the dress fits around the band, but if it fits as you say it does, I'm sure it will help.
posted by louche mustachio at 4:29 AM on April 2 [1 favorite]

You should be able to find a bra that has removable straps; pop them out, and replace them with clear straps. I did it for my wedding and it was invisible *enough* to make me happy. :)
posted by tigerjade at 4:31 AM on April 2

I agree that clear back straps would be the way to go. One Hanes Place does one in your size.
posted by Kirjava at 5:14 AM on April 2 [1 favorite]

My vote is for a low- back bra, either strapless or with halter-style straps. Would something like this work? Or, you could try adding an extender to a strapless you already own, to convert it to a low-back style.
posted by bassjump at 5:59 AM on April 2 [1 favorite]

If, you're worried about the back band of a bra showing through the key holes in the dress, you could try getting some "skater's net", the "nude" fabric that figure skaters use in their costuming to show skin without showing skin. Sews that into the key key hole and it should cover the back of the bra.
posted by brookeb at 6:14 AM on April 2

When's the wedding? Maidenform is just about to release a new Breakthrough backless bra (sizes up to 38DD).
posted by ottereroticist at 8:02 AM on April 2 [2 favorites]

The bra can be sewn into the dress, with bias tape that runs above and below the keyhole sewn to the inside seams for more support. I'm assuming you will need to go to a seamstress for this.

If there is room between the keyholes for your bra strap to run, but the dress moves around and shows the strap, you (or your seamstress) can make a thread chain that you will put the bra strap through before you fasten it when you put the dress on. If the bra fastens in front you will need a thread chain with a strap.
posted by yohko at 8:56 AM on April 2

Just anecdotally - my wife, a 34DD, has a NuBra (stickon cups) that fits her. I think she got it at Dillard's.

A few random facts:
- I think she'd be the first to tell you that it's not overly comfortable, but it gets the job done
- She's never had a problem with it falling off, no matter how she moves
- Removing can be a real pain (because it sticks so well)
- Boob sweat can be murder because it doesn't breathe at all

Also, don't forget about stuff like this which has a lower back band than a normal bra.
posted by mysterious1der at 8:58 AM on April 2

I had this issue once and I bought a cheapish lined, underwire bra I liked, cut out the cups. Put the dress on, arranged my boobs where I wanted them to be in it, placed the cups in and used a fabric pencil to mark where I wanted them, then I used heavy duty fabric glue to glue the cups in. It worked really well for me.

I also used this tecnique for a bikini top that was to unlined to be flattering. It has held up to a couple of years of swimming.
posted by stormygrey at 9:53 AM on April 2

How weird, I literally just bought this 5 minutes ago. I'm a 32DD and am having a hell of a time finding a bra for a low backed, halter bridesmaid dress. Please let us know what you get and how it works!

an FYI: i just have never had any luck whatsoever with those stick on bras
posted by CAnneDC at 12:39 PM on April 2