Lots and lots of fabric tape. I had to tape both sides of the bust (center and arm side) to keep it closed and over my bra, and there wasn't quite enough fabric to do so. I had to replace it mid-way through the night as well. The M was enormous on me though and so long that it wasn't an option; even with 2 1/2 or 3 inch heels, the small draped a tiny bit on the floor, but it was workable. The waist seam is also very tight. I hadn't tested sitting for long periods of time, and while it was okay standing, it restricted my breathing sitting. I'm not sure if it was the tightness of the dress or if I hadn't drank enough water in the heat, but I got rather light-headed in it. Just a word a warning.

Be About You Gown

C/MEO COLLECTIVE

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Size Worn: SR

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

I wasn't sure if I wanted the small or the medium, and I really could have worn either, but the small was more flattering. My profile won't update: just under 5'6", 135 lbs, 30/32 DDD/F bust. I have a long torso, and even with my shoulders and chest, the medium billowed out more on the top, looking like a tucked in shirt over a skirt at times. The underskirt of the small felt a little short, but it was actually okay once I was wearing it. The fabric is really sheer, but it didn't seem see-through once it was on with nude undergarments. I wore it for family pictures, and it was very windy, so I had to keep adjusting the skirt. If I was wearing it for an event, I'd be concerned about the skirt opening up without some fabric tape. I also would probably use tape on the top to keep it in place, especially with the larger size. Again, it didn't matter for my purposes, and it mostly stayed in place anyway. I had no problems wearing it with flat sandals; the length was fine. I almost never wear a size S, so I would definitely recommend sizing down for your back-up size.

Floral Faux Wrap Maxi

Moon River

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Size Worn: SR

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

I ordered the 6 and the 4 for a family photo shoot, and I didn't wear either. At just under 5'6", 135 lbs and 30/32 DDD/F bust, the size 6 is probably the size my frame needed if I had a smaller chest. (I changed the profile information, but it isn't updating, and I've now written this review twice to try and update it.) I have broad shoulders with a narrow ribcage, but I don't think going any bigger would have solved the issues I had. First, the fabric is more crochet than lace. I noted other reviews but took a chance: I felt very frumpy in it. My chest took up all the bust area and some of the waist/rib fabric, so in addition to way more cleavage than I wanted, it just didn't sit right. The arms were tight but fit okay once the dress was on, but I couldn't move my elbows more than an inch or two because the fabric has no give. The fact that fabric bulges out on its own makes this very not forgiving for any kind of stomach and made it look like a maternity dress on me.

Ivory Lace Tea Dress

Free People

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Size Worn: None

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

Beautiful pattern and the seaming fits well. I ordered the 6 and 8; the 8 was comfortably loose. It was hot out, and I liked the looser fit. The seaming made it still very flattering and have shape, but this wasn't fitted to me. I definitely needed the 8 for breathing room though and the length; the 6 barely zipped and felt like a shirt, not a dress. I have a long torso, so the 8 was was still mid-thigh on me. It was as short as I've ever worn (or would) and felt like the conservative top was a necessary balance to the length. (Street size 4/6; RTR size 8.)

Edie Zag Sheath

Milly

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Size Worn: 8

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

I rented the size 6 as a back-up style and didn't wear it. The 8 may have fit, but it likely would have been loose around the waist. (The 6 was just too fitted from the behind for my taste, and I have relatively narrow hips.) The lace was very pretty and did have some stretch, but I didn't care for how it bunched in places when I moved. I felt like I would have been tugging it down into place all night. (Street size 4/6; usually RTR size 8.)

Corded Lace Sheath Dress

Vera Wang

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Size Worn: None

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

This was a back-up dress for a bridal shower brunch; I didn't wear it as I loved my first choice. The fabric was very nice with the subtle stripes of white and cream. The top fit a bit oddly (could have been my chest more than the dress though): the straps needed to be closer the edge of my shoulders and weren't bra-strap friendly. Had I worn it, I likely would have needed fashion tape to get the neckline to lay flat. I found the skirt very puffy. That, combined with the length, made it feel too young for me to feel appropriate in it. It was very flattering to my legs though. (I tried the size 6 and size 8: the 8 fit better in the chest area with less pulling, but I could have worn either.)

Kissed by Kiera Dress

Lilly Pulitzer

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Size Worn: None

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

I received this as a stylist pick with an order. I didn't end up wearing it though because it was much too formal for my morning brunch event. It was a small bracelet. Standard 6 1/2 or 7 inch bracelets are usually much too large on my wrist. I could have worn this one had it matched the formality of my outfit.

Star Light Star Bright Bracelet

Nicole Miller Accessories

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Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

I usually wear delicate, understated jewelry, and I'd never rented an accessory before this one. I loved this piece with the white strapless dress I wore for my bridal shower brunch (Lily Pulitzer Bowen Lace Dress). It was the perfect pop of color to balance out the strapless neckline. While definitely a statement piece, it was not heavy. More importantly, it fell very nicely on my neck.

Peri to My Winkle Necklace

kate spade new york accessories

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Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

I wore this for my bridal shower brunch. This is a great dress for larger chested ladies. Strapless dresses and dresses with detailing under the bust almost never me fit correctly. This one did! As a 32/34 DD this is a rare thing. I'm usually more of a size 6 and couldn't zip it up; one of the size 8's (I received a few because of damaged dresses: customer service was WONDERFUL though!) was tighter on the hips. I did end up wearing the size 8 with a strapless bra and some fashion tape. The lace flowers hit in the middle/lower portion of my knees, which I liked for a more conservative length, which was especially helpful when sitting and opening gifts. Also, the lining was great: no underwear lines showed even without a slip or Spanx. In summary: Good for narrow chested but large busted. Not much give in the hips, better for a straighter build.

Bowen Lace Dress

Lilly Pulitzer

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Size Worn: 8

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

Great pick for a daytime wedding with sandals and a wrap. It could easily be dressed up though with the metallic sheen to the edges of the dot details. The size six was a bit fitted in the chest, but had enough material to fit fine; the under-bust band detail wasn't quite flat on my ribcage but looked okay, and the top came high enough for plenty of coverage. As others have noted, the fabric is very scratchy, and the arm hole is small. The hook was also bent out a bit, which was uncomfortable before I bent it back into its proper shape, so if the zipper-side is scratchy, check the hook closure. The hips and stomach area were comfortable and very forgiving without looking too billowy. My back-up size was the eight: it was significantly bigger in the ribcage area, but didn't come much higher in the front, and the arm opening seemed similar to the size six.

Liz Love Dot Dress

Shoshanna

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Size Worn: 6

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E

I'm not as tall as other reviewers, but I do have a long torso --- very necessary to carry this dress on my five-foot-five frame. The top of the size four was more flattering, but the lower portion was more fitted than I was comfortable wearing. I have relatively broad shoulders and a large bust though, so I was able to carry the size 6's bigger top. I agree with others that this is a dress for someone who is either tall, has a long torso or a larger bust.

Coral Checkmate Dress

Rachel Roy

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Size Worn: 6

Usual Size: 8

Height: 5' 6"

Weight: 135lbs

Bust: 30DDD/E