Great racks and low backs.... CELIA EDITION

Hi! 

I've got a boobs dilemma for you. My wedding dress has a low back, but also has straps. I've got giant boobs, so I can't wear one of those strapless bras that stick to your sides - it won't be enough support. 

I went to department stores, bridal stores and VS - none carried a corset (which I need for support) with a low back. I ordered this one online and it's pretty much perfect - low enough in the back and I can even wear the straps because they match up with the straps on my dress; however, the line where the corset cuts off shows through. Back it went. 

Now I know I need a bodysuit, not corset, with a low back. Preferably with removable straps, or tight enough to give me the support I'll need. 

On that front, here's what I've found:

This comes in S-M-L sizes which makes me think it won't be big enough cups.

Here's a totally weird looking one w/ same S-M-L issue.

I think this could be a good option, just not sure if that boning will show through. 

This looks like one of the best options, but I need something like 34DD or 34E/F, and they're out of everything but 38s.

Suggestions? Didn't think the bra would be harder to find than the dress, but here I am...

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Here's Celia to save the day....

Hello Low Back,

Without seeing your dress, it's not easy to figure out exactly what you need. However, anyone with a larger chest should never, EVER consider buying any bra/bustier that comes in s/m/l. I recently flew to my parent's house for a weekend and forgot my swimsuit. I stupidly thought I could get away with buying a size 10 suit (I wear a size 6) because I figured a larger suit would be larger in the bust. I ended up with a suit that sags on my ass and can barely contain my nipples. Thank the Baby Jesus, I only had to wear it in my family's backyard and that I had a properly fitting D-cup suit back home. 

Anyway, I have a feeling this is the answer to all your prayers. And next time, find a bra before committing to the dress. You should know better, Ms. 34DD.

Love,
C

p.s. Celia answered another one (re: pregnant boobs) over on her blog. Way helpful if you're pregnant or one day hope to be, a teence horrifying for the rest of us.

What do I wear under the dress?

I have a practical question here, what am I supposed to wear under my dress? Lacy underwear... Spanx...  

The big dilemma is my dress has a sheer back so I can't have a bra, but would still like some extra oomph and support, would stick on-cups be a total mistake? I envision sweating and them falling out, or something equally horrifying.

Here's a pic of my dress on someone else (reckon she went bra-less?)

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I kinda think you have to go sans bra.

(Which, that bride is juuuuuuuust pushing the envelope. I hope your boobs are small!)

But don't vintage clothes.... SMELL? (Sponsored by Monday's Child)

That's right, I have the coolest sponsors. On this bright and shiny Monday morning, I bring you a sponsored post from our lady Celia.

Hi folks! Assuming you're not completely over me after #BOOBSWEEK, I'm back to share my knowledge of vintage fashion, why you should consider wearing it if you don't, and why it's a fantastic option for your wedding. Now, before you go telling me that vintage clothes are just old rags that smell bad, let me school you a little. Thrifted clothes (which, I'll add, also have a special place in my heart) are what you're thinking of when you picture "old" and "smelly." But vintage, TRUE vintage, especially if it's been well preserved through the years, is quite the opposite of that. For those of you who aren't aware, I own an insanely rad collection of vintage clothes (if I do say so myself) that mostly comes from one woman's estate, and that happens to, believe it or not, NOT SMELL.

At this point, I've been wearing vintage for most of my life, and I'm not here to tell you that it's because I'm cooler or more vintage than you. I grew up going to private schools where I exclusively wore uniforms. "Free Dress" days are a pretty huge deal when you spend most days of your life wearing the same exact thing as the few hundred other kids you're constantly surrounded by. I discovered and became a fan of vintage because it was my way to stand out. If shopping at the mall meant looking like everyone else in non-uniform clothes, then I wanted absolutely nothing to do with places like The Gap and Contempo Casuals. I found individuality through wearing vintage, and it is why I still wear it today. When I saved every dime I had to buy myself a 1940s black satin gown for my prom, there was absolutely no fear of running into some other girl wearing the same exact dress. And on that note, don't think that vintage is so outside of the norm that it can only be outrageous or wacky. Although there are certainly many pieces that lean toward the more unique end of the spectrum, vintage can also be very simple and classic.

If you're new to the world of vintage, I understand that it can feel somewhat overwhelming. Simply put, if you get to understand the different eras and fit, vintage clothing starts to become a lot less intimidating. The first thing you should know right off the bat is that modern clothes are made to look good on hangers, whereas vintage clothes were made to look good on PEOPLE. Most vintage garments really don't come across so hot when they're just hanging in a shop or closet, so it's very important to give stuff a chance even if it looks stupid or unflattering. For the most part, it's impossible to tell how most vintage pieces are supposed to fit or lay until you literally put them on. I can't tell you how many times I've looked at a dress and thought there's no way I could ever sell it, and then been blown away once I slipped it onto a dress form. This would be an example of such a dress. When I pulled it out of storage, it looked like a tablecloth with sleeves, but was surprised to see that in reality, it had a lovely shape (it's not pinned anywhere on the form).

Also in regards to fit, a common complaint I've hear throughout the years is that vintage clothes run so much smaller, and generally speaking, this is true. HOWEVER, it is extremely important to remember that up until the 70s, women wore SERIOUS undergarments. And by SERIOUS, I mean that those ladies knew how to contain their wobbly parts and floppity milkers. Older pieces were made to be worn with these gut-cinching unmentionables, so always keep that in mind if you have it stuck in your head that vintage simply does not fit your body type. I'm not saying you have to invest in some Spanx, but you should at least consider it.

Alright, let's move onto the real reason I decided to write this post. Since this is a wedding blog, I'd like to share my brand spanking new BRIDAL selection with you guys. I think it's safe to say that most of you who read East Side Bride aren't exactly conventional brides planning conventional weddings. This is exactly why wearing vintage is such a brilliant choice for your wedding. You don't have to buy a traditional wedding gown to look like a bride. Shit, you don't even have to buy a traditional vintage wedding gown to look like a bride. As I've been digging through my collection in the past few months, I've come across a number of dresses that I would've LOVED to have been married in.

When it comes to wearing vintage for your wedding, the possibilities are endless. I think many brides fear the idea of looking dated in a vintage wedding gown, and I totally get it. Although that very classic look is stunning in its own way, it is definitely not a look that all brides can or may even want to pull off. But why not consider looking beyond typical wedding gowns? If you don't want to stray too far from the norm, there are a plethora of white/off-white/ivory vintage gowns and dresses out there that would work perfectly for a wedding. Also, make sure to keep in mind that all you need to modernize a vintage piece is to properly accessorize it. Personally, I find this to be one of the best examples of a bride WORKING a vintage dress, and managing to still look up-to-date.

If you're a more adventurous bride, color is always a great option. I find that brides who are willing to wear color tend to stick with pastels, but who says you can't go insanely bold and surprise all your guests? No one who matters, that's who.

Oh, and one last thing... make sure you don't forget about your awesome bridesmaids. After all the love and support they've provided, don't they deserve to look killer, too?

Thanks again for having me, guys. And don't forget, true vintage is timeless and gorgeous. Not smelly.

Great racks and low backs...

Hello ESB,

So.... I have the boy (6’3’ beard, glasses), the venue (English country house), the menu (cucumber sandwiches, cake and sloe gin.) and a truly amazing dress.

However the dress at the heart of my current quandary: It is beautiful, a 1920s champagne silk crepe, which lands just below the knee and make me very very happy. I don’t have a picture as its shut in my mum’s closet, 100 miles away at the moment, but the shape is a bit like this.

The problem is that it has a lovely low V back and I have what one of your other readers referred to as a sweet rack. The rack in question is a UK 32E/F (US 32DD/E) and I am a British 10 (US 6). As the crepe is clingy I wanted to wear some kind all in one underneath to create a smooth line. So since November I have been searching for a body or corselette in my size that isn’t eye achingly hideous and that I can wear stockings with.

The first thing that comes up is always ultimo’s backless body which aside from being a quite exceptionally unpleaseant colour is padded and really I do not need help that department. The only remotely decent thing I’ve found is this.

It's ok but I was hoping to find some thing a bit more special seeing as it’s my wedding day. Budget £200?

Thanks
Ms. Knickers

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You can have "special," or you can have a smooth line, but you can't have them both at the same time.

Yes, that backless body thing is hideous, but the unpleasant color is meant to be NUDE (i.e. invisible under your crepe dress), and it looks to me like the padding you describe is not so much padding as "secret support," which is designed to do some lifting.

Your boy will barely take an instant to register what you've got on under the dress, trust me. What you look like in the dress is much more important.