I flaunted my 34Fs on my wedding day – people whispered in the pews, but bullying big boobed girls is discrimination
WALKING down the aisle all eyes were on blushing bride Sarah Smikle – but there were some whispers in the pews.
Because busty Sarah 37, was wearing a very low cut, off-the-shoulder, fishtail gown for her nuptials in June 2022 – despite having a 34F chest.
Now mum-of-two, beautician, Sarah, from Dudley, West Mids., tells Fabulous why a low-cut dress is perfect for big-busted women… whatever the haters say:
SCROLLING through my social media feed I spotted pictures from Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon’s daughter Eva Amurri’s wedding to Ian Hock and gasped.
Because, like me, she’s a bigger-boobed lady, yet had chosen to defy convention and wear a cleavage-baring dress.
I got married 18 months ago in June 2022 to the love of my life, who asked not to be named, and was faced with a barrage of criticism both on the day and online when I posted pictures.
“Oh gosh, why aren’t you covering up?
“Don’t you think it’s too much?” people said, to my shock.
When I posted the pictures on social media I got told by a jealous troll it was scandalising and wrong to show so much cleavage.
Another unwanted critic said I should have covered up completely, while someone else said it was “too much cleavage and I should think of the guests.”
There was a feeling among certain sectors that I should’ve hidden my boobs – but I think it’s fine to be proud and flaunt what you’ve got.
So I was delighted when I saw 39-year-old Eva’s stunning wedding dress with its off the shoulder corset bustier.
But like me she was boob-shamed.
Evil keyboard warriors were “scandalised” by what they claimed was a low cut breast-enhancing wedding dress.
“Put away the boobs,” typed one critic. “So inappropriate,” added another. “Embarrassing,” commented a third.
And those were the “nice” comments!
But Eva was having none of it. She took on the trolls telling them she chose her posh designer gown because it made her feel sexy but elegant.
She proudly wrote: “To anyone scandalised by my breasts not being ‘put away’ feel free to screenshot this for later” along with a kiss emoji.
Good for her.
Like Eva I am sick of people who reckon it’s their right to bully big-breasted girls. Trolls who target us are plain cruel.
“They don’t have the right to ruin my body positivity and confidence,
I started developing a chest at 13 and was always envious of smaller girls. But my now husband loved my curves when he met me in a club in 2008. He likes the fact I wasn’t super skinny and was confident in my body.
I wanted the £750 low cut frock I found in a boutique even if my breasts did spill out.
Sarah Smikle
In June 2016 my now-39-year-old man proposed.
But things got in the way because in April, 2017, and February, 2024, our daughters, Sahara, seven, and Jazzmyn, five months, arrived.
So it wasn’t until recently that our ceremony in Wolverhampton took place.
As a bigger bride, I know ‘etiquette’ expected me to wear a different dress.
But – blow that – I wanted the £750 low cut frock I found in a boutique even if my breasts did spill out.
But it was a size 16, which I wasn’t, so I doggedly lost two stone to wear it.
And I had a secret weapon – an inbuilt strapless bra to prevent me spilling out the gown.
So, then with a face full of makeup and a big grin, I knew I looked great on my wedding day… even if it did stun some folk!
How to pick the perfect wedding dress
Wedding season is in full swing, but when it comes to picking your perfect dress, most new brides-to-be probably feel a bit clueless.
As someone who’s tying the knot in August 2024, Josie Griffiths, deputy digital Fabulous editor and bride-to-be, has shared her top tips…
- Give yourself time – unless you’re a sample size, dresses can take months to even arrive. Don’t stress yourself out by looking too late, in my opinion dress shopping should be the second thing on your list, right after finding a venue.
- Visit multiple shops – you don’t want to be buying on your first visit.
- But not too many – like a f***boy who can’t stop swiping on Tinder, having too much choice isn’t going to help you find The One.
- Take people with you – women who will be honest but also hype you up, unlike the mean relatives on Say Yes To The Dress, and ideally people from different areas of your life who won’t automatically say the same thing. I shopped with my mum and two best friends, who didn’t know each other and had different styles.
- Think it over – I returned to the shop before making my final decision on the dress I chose, re-trying it with my second favourite to make sure I was certain. It’s an expensive purchase, and you can’t send it back like you might your next Asos order, so take time to mull it over.
The mean comments at my wedding initially made me want to flee but I wasn’t going to be a runaway bride, instead I stood my ground and everyone had an amazing time.
Was I worried about nip slip? A bit… but thankfully I escaped unscathed.
Now, I won’t stand for big bride breast bullying and discrimination.
It could ruin someone’s big day. It’s also shattering the confidence of thousands of other women who have bigger size breasts and battle to find the confidence to wear anything but baggy and unflattering tops.
I can’t shrink my breasts or chop them off so I’ve decided to embrace my curves and show other women they can too… and I’m glad I did.