[tritogeneia1]

Hi, was wondering if anyone could help me with this problem.

I recently bought a gorgeous green silk dress from Coast (in the sale, yay!) which is a kind of knee-length cocktail sheath style with a slightly ruched/gathered bit at the top round the bust. The problem is that it really needs a bit of cleavage showing to look its best, and all the strapless bras/multiways I've tried concentrate on holding in rather than lifting up or giving any shape, which makes the dress look a bit funny (it's either strapless or has very thin straps which can be attached, so a normal bra isn't really an option.)
Does anyone know of a solution which is fairly discreet but uplifting? I'm a 34E so it would have to be reasonably supportive, though the problem I'm having is really that strapless bras in this size are more about support than shape, if you see my point.

It would be great if anyone has any ideas/tried and tested solutions etc. Any constructive advice welcome! Thanks

[tbm]

Could you maybe try a corset (or a basque, whatever they are called!!) underneath and see what sort of shape that gives you? A lot of underwear shops these days sell corsets that can be worn under strapless garments to give extra shape, have a look round and see if theres anything that suits your shape, Debenhams, M&S and Next are generally quite good for lingerie.

[rachplatt]

You can get underwear that basically looks like a strapless swimming costume...it has the bra and knickers joined together and they might be better than strapless bra which may end up falling down!

[-Emmz-]

Have you tried the wonderbra ones? I think it'll depend what size you to as whether you'll get one that gives you a good cleavage as the bigger they get, the more designed for support them seem to be.

[totally_unique]

the wonderbra ones are good....look in Debenhams.

[tritogeneia1]

Thanks for the advice guys - body/corset/basque sounds like a good idea - they give a better shape all over than a strapless bra, providing i can find a 34E one that isn't minimising! Haven't found anything yet, but hopefully there's one out there...

[djk_99]

(Original post by tritogeneia1)
Thanks for the advice guys - body/corset/basque sounds like a good idea - they give a better shape all over than a strapless bra, providing i can find a 34E one that isn't minimising! Haven't found anything yet, but hopefully there's one out there...

Have a look on Bravissimo, its really excellent for 'bigger busted' women! They have shops too if you can get to them. Definitely recommend 110%!

[TrentEnd]

Just don't ever ever ever ever!!!!!(sorry) wear those bras with the 'invisible' plastic straps! They always look awful!! NOOOOOOO!!!

...got slightly carried away there

[hulachick15]

I took the straps off my multiway bra i bought from m and s for my prom dress and it worked fine but sorry i have no other ideas

[tritogeneia1]

(Original post by djk_99)
Have a look on Bravissimo, its really excellent for 'bigger busted' women! They have shops too if you can get to them. Definitely recommend 110%!

Yeah, Bravissimo is great, there's a shop in Oxford. I was thinking of taking the dress in and trying on some basques/bodies since those have been suggested.

[Special Patrol]

(Original post by tritogeneia1)
Thanks for the advice guys - body/corset/basque sounds like a good idea - they give a better shape all over than a strapless bra, providing i can find a 34E one that isn't minimising! Haven't found anything yet, but hopefully there's one out there...

This might do if you can't find anything better in your size instore:
http://zodee.co.uk/products/style.asp?style=SSP084E
It's kind of expensive though.

[dancingqueen]

(Original post by TrentEnd)
Just don't ever ever ever ever!!!!!(sorry) wear those bras with the 'invisible' plastic straps! They always look awful!! NOOOOOOO!!!

...got slightly carried away there

!!!! These look awful! Do people think just because they're clear they're invisible?

[Niaya]

I had this problem with my prom dress and it was terrible i ended up usin a lot of tape

[tritogeneia1]

(Original post by Special Patrol)
This might do if you can't find anything better in your size instore:
http://zodee.co.uk/products/style.asp?style=SSP084E
It's kind of expensive though.

Hey thanks! This looks great, I like the corset thing on the link, plus there are more styles on the site I could have a look at and compare.
Is cheaper than some things I've seen too - I don't think these things come cheap!