Wedding Dress Advice For Pear Shape Second Time Bride

Eden Bridals Empire Waist Informal Wedding Dress

Eden Bridals Empire Waist Informal Wedding Dress

This is my second wedding. I am 54 years old. My height is 5'3'' and I weigh 150 pounds. I am pear shaped with a small waist. My top is a 38D and I'm not sure of my hip measurement. I do have a slightly "poochie" stomach. I wear a size 10 or 12 petite pants, depending on the style.

Given my research, I think an empire gown would be most flattering to my body type, but am unsure. I do not want anything strapless or spaghetti strapped. A modest off the shoulder would be fine. But I really like something sleeveless or cap sleeved. If there is a train, I would like it to be understated... maybe a mermaid style train.

My favorite style is vintage 1920's- a gatsby-style. I would like the dress to be ivory or soft champagne.
HELP... I have strong opinions of what I want, yet I can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

Hi,
It sounds like you are on the right track with your wedding dress style choice. I've been looking around for a match for your body type and style choice. Eden bridal has some possibilities. I looked in their Silver Collection, which is their informal gown collection, and found a couple of styles you could consider.

Basically for a pear shaped body type the a-line silhouette is the most flattering. An empire or raised waist gown will hide the stomach and midsection, if needed. Fabrics like chiffon and soft satin, have great hiding power and are slimming because they skim the body and don't add weight. Cap sleeve and off the shoulder sleeves add width at the shoulders which help to balance the hips.

But you also will look good in a dropped waist gown or a gown that has diagonal ruching or pleating in the bodice. From your description you want a floor length gown with very little to no train. The 2 short dresses above by Jasmine Bridal in their reception dress collection, can be ordered in floor length. The off the shoulder by Davinci Bridal is an a-line with ruching that chisels down the waist and stomach areas.

Most wedding gown designer gowns take any where from 4 to 6 months to receive once you order, so I hope you have given yourself ample time to really search. I know you can find what you are looking for and you can get most bridal gowns in white, ivory and some other colors.

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Great advice
by: Anonymous

This was some really great advice on how to help find the right wedding dress. There can never be enough information available so brides can make informed decisions.


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Looking for skirt or palazzo pants with top or jacket for second marriage, mature bride

by Sharon Shannon
(Fredericton, NB CANADA)

I am getting married for the second time and looking for a "special' outfit to wear. I am 5' tall and size 16-18. I am thinking about skirt or palazzo pants with a jacket or top. Help I cannot find anthing in stores or online. Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I have been looking around online and I also found it a challenge to find palazzo pants, especially if you want a white or ivory color. I did see some palazzo style pants on Shopstyle.com you might want to try that site to see if you find something you there. They had them in white and other colors and show you where you can shop at several shops for them.

I have to say that you probably won't find a whole outfit with a matching top and bottom. You will have to probably put together the pants or skirt with a separate top to make your vision come together.

The only other thing you may do is to have a local sewing professional make you something. A dressmaker or tailor who specializes in bridal would be best.

Also do a search on Google or Bing for "palazzo pants" to see what you come up with. On Google you can click on the shopping tab and it will bring up sources where you can purchase these. You may even do a search on Amazon and Ebay. I have had brides find what they wanted from these sources also.

If I happen to come across something else, I will post it on this post.

Thanks for your inquiry.

Desiree
Perfect Wedding Dress Finder

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Wedding Dress Shopping Dilema!

by Margaret
(Amboy, IL USA)

I am on my third marriage and I am looking for the perfect dress to go with the perfect groom. He has wanted to come with me while I try some on, but we really haven't had the chance. I want him involved with everything. My first two were not the best, but i do have to say that I have three wonderful boys out of the terrible marriage. The second was a rebound, was not meant to be. Now I doing it right this time and for good. He is 13 yrs older , but is awesome. I just want to blow him away by the way I look. I have found a few dresses, but not sure what to try on. I am 5'6" and middle weight, I have a small chest and small waist. I know that I do not want a ball gown and i do not want pure white. I am wanting something straight and simple, but eye catching. Please help!

Hi Margaret,

Congratulations! It can be a little intimidating when you think about having to shop for your wedding dress. It's going to be hard to suggest something without seeing you, but I think I can give you some suggestions to get you started. So where should you start?

What I would do if I were you is think about necklines, dress silhouettes, and colors that compliment your body shape and your natural coloring. You probably have your favorites and I'm sure you have in your wardrobe items of clothing that you have received compliments on. Now take a look at those and note the neckline and shaping of those items, so when you go wedding dress shopping you will know more about what will look good on you.

Since you mentioned you have a small waist you should look at dress styles that feature your waist. Dresses that have sashes and cummerbund bands at the natural waistline are good. Mermaid style, dropped waist and a-line wedding dress styles are great choices.

Some who are small busted, like the way they look in a sweetheart neckline as opposed to a straight across neckline. The most popular neckline is a strapless, but if you don't particularly like strapless, you can purchase a jacket to go with it. There are more styles coming back that aren't strapless with various necklines.

You can have your alterations specialist add pushup cups to your bra, or cups to the dress if you don't want to wear a bra, to fill out the bust area and give a little cleavage.

As for color, you can choose any color you wish. I see a lot of brides using ivory more than white right now in my business.

These are just a few suggestions of what styles I've seen work with various body shapes. based on my experience as a wedding dressmaker and alterations specialist. But still be open to trying on different styles to see what you like and what you find looks best on you. Have fun dress shopping!

Desiree
Perfect Wedding Dress Finder

When you make your choice I would love to see what you end up with. If you wish you can come back to the site and upload a picture of your dress.

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