Don't forget your smalls

So much time is spent searching for the perfect dress that it’s often not until the last moment that brides wonder what to wear underneath. Luckily, Deborah Lewthwaite from The Fitting Room has plenty of advice to ensure everything stays where it should.

What kind of underwear works best with wedding dresses?

When considering wedding underwear, it’s all about what will make the best foundation. Practicality is the key word! In general, women choose to have underwear that is invisible under the dress while keeping everything in the right place. If the dress is white, usually a neutral-coloured bra to blend with your skin will be the most invisible.

A moulded or seamless bra can prevent any pressing on the fabric of your dress, helping to keep a smooth line. For heavy fabrics, a more rigid moulded cup will keep its shape under the dress and give a beautiful outline.

Some dresses have custom-made boning and support inside, designed not to need underwear. That is especially useful if the dress is backless, strapless, or has spaghetti straps, all factors that can make finding a bra which will both do its job and stay hidden hard work.

If the dress is backless, what kind of braless options are there?

Various types of tape are the solution here! At The Fitting Room we have an option called Bye Bra Breast Lift Tape that holds and lifts your breasts using adhesive tape. It works brilliantly even for fuller cup sizes, and is also sweat-proof and party-proof making it a perfect no-worry option for when a bra just won’t work.

How do you know you’re wearing the right bra?

The right bra will anchor under your bust, sit low at the back and not ride up. If it has underwires, they will be sitting flush against your chest wall and not poking forward in the front. It will be comfortable and give you excellent lift. If you lift your arms your bra stays in place at the front rather than lifting and leaving you in danger of falling out underneath! The front will sit smoothly on your décolletage and there will be no ‘double boob’ look in sight.

Final tip for our brides?

If your dress is being made by a dressmaker, do seek out your bra first, so that your dressmaker can make final tweaks to the back, straps or neckline to make sure the bra is invisible. Please do come and have a fitting! At The Fitting Room we specialise in fuller cup sizes, from C–K. You will be surprised at the styles of bra that can fit well and comfortably if you simply find your best size.