Super helpful! Thanks!
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Bridesmaids will have dress of choice (lavender/lilac), knee length or longer. Need to avoid too-long due to outdoor venue, uneven footing. Iād prefer tea length but will consider other options. Prefer not to have a too short dress.
@CollegeNerd67 - Iāve never tried on a sheath dress that worked well on me (2 examples on page. 578). Perhaps they would look better if I were willing to do shapewear, but thatās not me. Fit/flare or loose skirt style usually better. Ideally Iāll find a style that does not require strapless bra - I know others have found ones they like, but Iād rather not have that variable on a big day.
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I think a fit and flare will look nice on you but not too flared.
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Many strapless bras come with straps that can be attached for one-shoulder dresses, so youād have at least one strap with that dress, but I understand as I donāt like strapless anything.
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I wore a light blue Adrianna Papell sheath dress for sonās wedding and did wear some light shapewear(which I usually donāt do) but it really wasnāt that bad! But, since you prefer fit and flare, hope you can find something you like in that style. Something knee length or just below(or even just above), does sound like a good idea for a garden wedding. Thanks for letting us see the dresses you are trying on!
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I probably wonāt be doing any more mail order, unless just a size up/down for a dress Iāve tried in person. Sizing just varies too much for me (need small top, roomy bottom) based on brand and style.
Sizes yesterday:
02 - WHBM/light-print
04 - WHBM /dark-print (too big) & Macyās/Connected
06 - a few at Macyās
08 - many Macyās, including a different style Connected
10 - Jessica Howard, photo1 in post648 & a long sheath dress
Shapewear gets a bad rap because women donāt size it properly. A shapewear piece doesnāt need to be like a sausage casing squeezing the guts out of the wearer. Properly sized shapewear simply provides a smooth undergarment so the dress flows and doesnāt crease in awkward places. I encourage you to try some. You will see how much better some of those dresses will look like!
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If you see something you like but there is a part thatās a bit too big, take it to a tailor for a consult. Tailors do magic! 
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When I narrowed down my dress, i ordered a few sizes to double check which was best. I ended up down a size as going down two sizes didnāt look as good and wasnāt nearly as comfortable.
I found having the dresses mailed to me the easiest way to try a lot of outfits that MIGHT work without too much effort and in the comfort of my own home. The added bonus was learning you can return dresses bought at nordstromās rack at nordstromās!
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I didnāt wear tight shapewear with any of my dresses. I did wear a Simone perele high waisted light compression panty.
For two of the weddings I wore a front hooking racer back bra to avoid straps showing on the sleeveless dresses. One wedding had a deep v neck and I couldnāt find a bra that worked so I tried a stick on bra which was a fail. I needed up braless but Iām pretty small chested.
I think most dresses look a bit better if one has at least some chest. I have what I call cutlets that I insert in a bra when I am dressing up.
Online just has such a better selection of dressy dresses but I understand wanting to try in person. I didnāt have the option as I donāt have places to look in town. Plus I found sales online to be a better priced. If you find a brand and style you like you can do a Google search and check prices at various stores. Many stores or brands give an added savings if itās your first time ordering. I know many donāt want to order from Amazon but they actually have a good selection and easy returns.
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Also some department stores have a generous return window. Nordstrom is great and if you find a maybe you can keep it while you keep looking. I think the Rack has a tighter return window.
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@mom60 I found much better selection online as well than when I was looking in person. And easy returns to the local Dillardās. Returned a couple things to Macyās and Nordstrom too but ordered more from Dillardās since it was closer(and they do have a pretty big selection online-or at least they did last year).
Ditto!
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Dillards does have a great selection. I didnāt order from them as I donāt have a Dillards near me and they at least when I was looking disnt offer free returns.
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Another Simone perla recommender. I wound up with the strapless bra but not the light compression panties, but I considered them. If you just need a little something they are very nice.
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Same here. I didnāt wear any of the tight shapewear, just something light, high waisted to smooth things out!
@mom60 , I had no problem with free returns to Dillardās but I returned them to the store. I didnāt return them by mail so not sure what that policy is.
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I canāt recall the brand but my daughter wore a pair of lightweight compression shorts under her bridesmaid dress. I think she bought it at Macyās.
This is the one I think.
Mine is not that high,Iāll see if I can find it. Itās super comfortable.
More like this but smooth