How to choose a dress when samples dont fit???

You should've gotten a decent sense of what the dress would look like even if it was a size or two too small. My girls are also large and everywhere else the dress fit except the bust area. If the dress is the "right" dress you'll know right away with or without clips.

I refused to try on dresses that I couldn't fit into. I knew I wouldn't fall in love with something that made me look like a sausage and it would just be a blow to my self esteem. I went to a boutique that specialized in plus size dresses (not saying that's your situation,) and had such a great experience. I would call around to other shops to find one that has samples in your size, or close to your size, so that you can get a better idea of how dresses will look on you.

View Quoted Comment I got a decent sense of the front of the dress even wothout clips, but had no clue about the back which is the most important part for me because they didnt zip or get clipped. Example below. Top is the dress that fit enough to zip all the way. Bottom not so much.

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Ahhh, got it... although both look very nice on you from behind. Maybe try a few more boutiques?

I would definitely suggest wearing a different bra next time you try on dresses, so that they can be clipped if needed. The bridal boutiques I went to all had clips with a strap that connected them, so that they could be clipped directly to the back of the dress. I’m surprised they didn’t have those there! At one boutique, the bridal consultants would actually stand behind you and pull the mid back in, so you could get a better idea of what it would look like (especially if it was a very structured bodice). I’d say go shopping again, wear a strapless bra (not backless), and take your mom or good friend with you and have them stand behind you and hold the back of the dress together.

I would go to a Davids bridal because they have dresses in the actual size you are going to buy in store that you can try on.

They should clip the dress from one side to the other, not to a bra. Sounds like maybe your consultant wasn't doing it right? I've seen several brides try dresses on that did not zip all the way up and they clipped the dress from one side to the other with a rubber band like clip. It looks just like it was zipped from the front.

That being said, I would try a different store. I would also call around to different bridal boutiques and see if they offer samples in/around your size so you can get a better feel for what it will truly look like.

One of the tough things is that the fragile fabrics pull a little out of shape and stretch near edges and tight points every time a dress is put on. Thus it may feel only one size from fitting, but that sample may be stretched 2" already. So the dress that comes in may not zip by 4-5 inches, when you thought 2-3". Anything snug, buy a size larger than you think is right. Dresses can be taken in. They cannot be made larger unless you buy fabric from the gown manufacturer. I would not buy a gown that was so out of size. Tell shop you will only buy one if you can try one that mostly fits . not for 1 place for 2 inches, okay. But this much off, never. Have them get a sample that fits, from a distributor warehouse, or no sale. Start calling other shops. The second is at least 2 and probably 3-4 sizes out. Like if it is a 16, you need a 22 or 24.
Who is the maker? Some have little talked about custom fit options, where they take measurements, anyd make to you, not a size. For a fee way under alterations.

I would try another shop, I tried on a few dresses several sizes too small and they were able to clip it to give me an idea and not clipping it to my bra. One even put a piece of fabric in the back to try to make it look a little more cohesive. Another shop might be able to help you better.

If the back is most important to you, be vocal about it. When trying on samples, most of the dresses I tried were not clipped despite them not zipping completely because they were able to stay up and still gave the idea what the dress as a whole would look like.

I totally feel your pain. I went dress shopping last week and had a great time! But I felt that I couldn't get an accurate feel for how the dress would actually look with the correct size. I have a broad back so it made it kind of difficult to find dresses that would zip up all the way. And if they did they were way to loose from everywhere else. I ended up having a sample dress fit me perfectly and it was my favorite that I tried on that day...but I feel like I only liked it because it was one of the only dresses that fit me correctly. I am going to try a few other boutiques and see if I have a better outcome. Good luck!

View Quoted Comment Im an inverted triangle body type so i have the same problem. Im trying a few more boutiques to see if they can give me a better idea of fit. Wish me luck and good luck to u as well!