The perfect wedding dress styles for… bigger busts

If you’re blessed with a larger bust you may be feeling slightly apprehensive about wedding dress shopping and, with so many designs to choose from, not sure where to begin. Particularly when lots of popular wedding dress styles come without supportive straps or can’t be worn with a bra. 

Well, at wed2b every store has hundreds of designs in sizes from 8 to 30, so we have plenty of choice for brides of all shapes and sizes. Many also feature stunning straps and internal corsetry, to ensure every single bride feels comfortable, supported and totally amazing.

Plus, our instore experts really do know their stuff when it comes to finding you a dress you love but one that also suits your body shape, whether you want to enhance your bust or minimise it. So, below, they’ve put together their top tips on how to flatter a bigger bust and feel great all day long…

1 Choose the right shape

Look for silhouettes that flare out below the waist, as these styles will balance out your figure by adding more width to your bottom half. A line and ball gown skirts are ideal and will also give you a lovely defined waistline. If you’d prefer a sexy fitted look, try a mermaid shape. It will hug your waist and hips before flaring out below the knee for that all-important balancing effect. Wear them with the right underskirt too, for more volume.

Real bride Lisa chose a fabulous mermaid, which gave her a lovely hourglass shape.“Winona fitted in all the right places,” she says. “If you have an hourglass figure, then this dress should definitely be on your list. I also added a stunning belt and loved the figure-hugging fit and the beautifully detailed lacework. It made me feel beautiful.”

2 …with the perfect neckline

 A curvy top half can be both a blessing and a curse, and you’ll no doubt be an expert at choosing everyday clothes with the best necklines. Well, the same rules apply for wedding dress styles, too. A sweetheart neckline is very flattering, as it will nicely shape your chest, while showing an attractive amount of cleavage. Paired with a supportive bodice, it should also lift your bust and make it look amazing. A gently scooped or off-the-shoulder neckline is also great if you want more coverage but still want to show off a beautiful décolletage.

Alternatively, the vertical lines of a smaller V neckline will add height to your frame and prettily show of your cleavage. If you don’t want to draw attention to your chest, avoid deep plunging necklines, which also offer little support. For an equally contemporary feel, try an on-trend, square neckline instead. It will flatter your bust and give your look a modern edge. High necklines, like halter necks, are also best avoided, as the extra material will emphasis your bust while constricting its natural shape.

3 Have good foundations

Your dress has to look amazing, of course, but it also has to make you feel amazing, and that won’t happen if you feel worried or unsupported. So look for designs that feature great internal corsetry with a combination of structured and breathable fabrics to comfortably sculpt every curve. Laced up with a ribbon at the back and discretely attached into the gown's neckline, once fastened, it should all be completely invisible, too.

A lace-up bodice is another good choice, as it can be pulled snuggly around your curves, offering support and a great fit. What’s more, the fit can also be adjusted to suit your needs during the day. However, not all brides want the ‘fairytale’ lace-up look. If so, try an internal lace-up. Here the panels are inserted into the inner seams of the gown, then laced-up with a ribbon at the back and hidden beneath the zip.

4 Strapless is great (with support)

A fabulous cleavage doesn’t automatically mean you can’t wear a strapless style either. Simply look for one with good corsetry, so it feels comfortable and secure. Or, if you fall in love with a strapless dress, but it doesn’t offer enough support, why not add some straps? It’s a very simple and inexpensive alteration.

Real bride Charlotte added straps to her dress to create her dream look. “I’m curvy, and I was worried about how I would feel shopping for wedding dresses. However, the wed2b staff were attentive and super helpful. It was a really enjoyable experience and I came away feeling more empowered.” 

She chose A line April, with a sweetheart neckline and lace-up back, which was perfect for flattering her figure. “It felt amazing,” she says. “I loved the A-line shape, the way I felt in it and the second layer of sparkling lace detail. I added some lace straps and a veil too. It completed the look.”

5 Look for well-placed detailing

Avoid detailing that adds bulk to your chest area, such as large ruffles, feathers or oversized florals. Don’t miss out on fabulous embellishment altogether though, simply look for wedding dress styles with the details on the hips and skirt, rather than on the bodice. Keep it simple on your bodice and then go for fun and flounces further down!

6 Add sparkle in the right place

When it comes to accessories, avoid long, heavy necklaces which which will draw eyes down to your cleavage. Instead go for delicate options that sit around your sternum or throat, drawing eyes upwards. A sparkling belt is also a brilliant way to add more definition to your waistline and will help create a lovely hourglass shape.

7 Lastly, step out of your comfort zone

Most of our real brides say it, and that’s because it's true! You may go into store with a particular look and style in mind but don’t be afraid to try other things. You never know, your dream dress may turn out to be something complete different, as real bride Lucy discovered.

“I hadn’t even considered a sheath dress,” says Lucy. “I only wanted to try on A lines. However, when I did, I hated the shape on me. So, it’s true what they say, you never pick what you thought you wanted to begin with. The assistant was amazing and really built up my confidence. She chose Roscoe because she knew I wanted lace and sleeves. I fell in love with the dress the minute I had it on.” 

Well, we hope our guide to wedding dress styles for bigger busts has given you an idea of where to start. Don't miss our full guide to wedding dress shape here, too. Plus, if you’re still not sure what will suit you, don’t worry. Our friendly bridal experts (both online and instore) are brilliant at helping brides of every shape and size, find the perfect dress. So, what are you waiting for? Drop in today!

Click here to check out all our wedding dress styles, then try on your favourites at your nearest WED2B store. Here’s what to expect when you visit, too. Lastly, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts or read some of our brilliant real bride stories here.