Unless you’re squeezing yourself into a slim fit pencil skirt or a figure hugging wedding dress, I don’t think one would wear SPANX on a day-to-day basis.. or would they? I must admit I have a collection of SPANX at the back of my wardrobe, which I will probably never wear because none of it fits me. Exactly a year ago I was running around Debenhams, and Marks and Spencer trying to find the perfect bra that wouldn’t be seen under my vintage, and slightly transparent wedding dress.
My wedding dress was amazing, it was 1970s vintage and was made Edwardian lace.
My tailor Anne (aka wedding godmother) at The Bridal Room helped me add in a sweetheart neckline by removing the lining in the top section of my dress. Of course it would be crazy for anyone to take their wedding dress into a fitting room at Marks and Spencer, so I ended up buying a selection of bras in different colours, testing them out at home. It was a big waste of money. After many failed attempts, I finally found the perfect bra. To be honest it was probably one of the most stressful parts of planning my wedding.. which is why I’m sharing this with you today.
These tips will become very handy when you start looking for the perfect ‘wedding day underwear’. These are expert tips from new bride Tanya Ivin Marketing Manager for K-Lynn Lingerie on selecting the right shapewear and lingerie to wear based on wedding dress shapes and your size:
- 1. Fitted mermaid shaped dress
These are great for hourglass figures, as this style of dress draws in at the waist and flows out just below the knee. To highlight the contouring of the dress and accentuate your natural curves, I recommend wearing a body shaper or a bra and pant set that gives you full support and lift creating the perfect silhouette.
Recommendation: SPANX Slim Cognito Shaping Mid Thigh Bodysuit
- 2. Sweetheart neckline dress
The sweetheart neckline is a timeless strapless style with a low cut neckline. It’s important to look for a strapless bra with half cups to work with this dress. The type of bra you’ll need will depend on your size. For a smaller bust it’s better to go for a strapless bra that has built-in push up and padding while, for a larger bust it’s important to look out for a wide under band, which provides 100% of the support. Either way, make sure you select a strapless bra that is silicone lined, as this will ensure comfort and help keep the bra in place.
Recommendation: Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra for full-figure up to an E cup and the Wacoal Embrace Lace for smaller sizes.
- 3. V-neckline dress
This style usually features chiffon straps and a U plunge and has a very low neckline, so it’s important that you have a bra that gives you support without being visible. There are a few factors you should consider, depending on your bra size and thickness of the straps on the dress. If the straps of the dress are slim then it’s better to go with a strapless bra. If you are looking to boost your cleavage, ensure the cups have padding to give you a little extra oomph.
Recommendation: Fashion Forms Backless Strapless U-Plunge Bra and Va Bien U-Plunge Bodysuit 
- 4. Straight strapless neckline dress
A strapless bra is necessary, so it’s vital to choose the right one to ensure that you have full support that will last all day. When selecting a strapless bra, make sure that the centre of the bra lies flat against your chest and I’d recommend choosing a seamless material to achieve that invisible look.
Recommendation: Chantelle Basic Invisible Strapless Bra
- 5. A backless dress
This style can be a striking choice for women who need less support upfront. However, it’s important to choose a bra that’s invisible and helps keep the dress in place. The best choice is an adhesive bra. The adhesive pads hold the bra securely to your skin under the bust and last all day. If you’re looking to boost your cleavage then pick a style that has extra padding for a fuller look.
Recommendation: Ultralite Adhesive Bra or Super Boost Backless Strapless Bra with Padded Cups
Thanks to Tanya for all the helpful tips. Hopefully my lovely brides will find this useful 🙂
If you’re about to invest in your bridal underwear here’s where to get what…
SPANX are available at: Debhenams, Bloomingdales, SAKS, Harvey Nichols and K-Lynn Lingerie.
Bras and the other shapewear items are available at: K-Lynn Lingerie, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Festival City and Mirdif City Centre.
Happy Wednesday everyone xx
