Wedding Blog
Note to Mr. Fondue: Dress pictures ahead! Stay away!
After purchasing my dress, I began thinking of what to wear underneath it. I loved the fullness of Mrs. Shortcake’s gown. I already owned a hoop skirt, but I also purchased a petticoat so I could experiment.
Happily, my dress came in last week. I went and picked it up like a giddy little girl, but didn’t bother to try it on at the store, since I wanted pictures and they don’t allow them. At home, I tried getting into the dress by myself and got stuck. I nearly had to ask for Mr. Fondue’s help to remove it from me. Luckily, I freed myself in time, so I was able to keep the dress a secret. After that fiasco, I hightailed it to my parents’ house to enlist Mama Fondue’s assistance.
I tried the dress three different ways: without anything underneath, with just the petticoat, and with both the hoop and the petticoat. This gave me three different fullness levels that I could present to you, so you all could help me decide what looks best! Mama Fondue was very thorough and took both full-length and close-up shots, so there are a lot of photos to assist you. So, without further ado… (Ignore my lack of make-up and makeshift hairstyle.)
Option #1: Nothing Underneath
The dress has some built-in netting of its own. I tried it on in the store and fell in love with it without having anything underneath, so I wanted to show it to you all without any slips.
Here it is from the front:
And from the back:
Option #2: Petticoat Alone
This gives a little extra fullness, but boy do my legs feel kind of tangled up in everything when I walk. It will probably be better after the dress is hemmed.
Here it is from the front:
And from the back:
Option #3: Hoop and Petticoat
This gives the most fullness, with the added bonus of keeping my legs cool and tangle free. The hoop could theoretically be adjusted smaller (I’ve done this before, and it’s kind of a pain, but it IS possible), so I could get it down to the size of option #2, if you guys like that fullness better.
Here it is from the front:
And from the back:
So, what do you guys think? How full should I go?
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Share this post: To Poof or Not to Poof?
I personally like the nothing underneath option. I think it is a gorgeous full dres with out the addition of “obstacles”
The dress is beautiful! I think I would go with option 2. I’m sure the petticoat is a pain, but I think it gives it just that extra oomph without being too much.
Option 2!
i agree that the hoop is too much, it seems to take away some of the folds of the pickups, too. i like option number 2, but if it really feels like too much stuff in the way, the dress alone really is lovely.
I’m torn between 2 & 3. I do like it plan as well, but think the extra fullness gives the dress a little bit more.
option 2! it looks much better from the back than option 1!
I like option 2. I went through a similar thing with my dress, and I ended up going with a fullness the same size as your option 2. (Probably why I like that one 
)
Ooooooh, pretty! I like option 1. It has plenty of “poof” on its own and it *has* to be more comfy than wearing all the stuff underneath. Itchy legs, anyone?
I definitely think it looks better with some “poof” - I tend toward 3, but 2 is good too!
Hmmm… looked at it again. I agree with WeddingKitty. Option 2 looks much better from the back than option 1. I withdraw my previous comment.
I think #2, with the petticoat. It doesn’t look too much fuller than with nothing under, but it really looks great from behind! With nothing underneath, the back looks kind of deflated.
Also, your dress looks great in white!!
Option 2! The dress really does lay beautifully with just that little addition of fullness. If all the layers really bother you, try adjusting the hoop size like you said and see if that gives you the same effect. By the way, it’s STUNNING!
Definitely option 2….Your dress is gorgeous!!!! Although, I might try all three options again once the dress is hemmed. It might look a little different.
As I commented in your previous dress post, I wore this dress at my Oct. wedding. I just had a light crinoline underneath and I didn’t have any issues with it getting caught up. I think #2 is the way to go, the pickups do need just that little bit of extra oomph; but the hoop is a bit much. You look great!!
#3 totally! it gives life to the skirt! and besides, when else do you get to wear a hoop and a petticoat?
I love the hoop!!! The dress looks great so full, and you will be the most comfortable without the petticoat around your legs. If you wear the hoop without the petticoat on top, do the hoops show through?
you have to have poof! go with #3!
Hmmm, I think it looks best with just the petticoat. The hoop seems to take away some of the pick-ups, especially from the front. It looks great all three ways, I just think #2 is best
I love # 2, but I’d go with seeing if the smaller hoop removes the pick ups or not. This way you can keep the poof and your legs!
Because as beautiful as the poof is, you want to be able to move around, dance and talk with your guests, and I feel like all that material might become bothersome after a few hours.
You look great!
#2!
i like option 3.
Agree with MsUsUk– I think the look of it is best with #2, but if you can adjust the hoop so that you don’t have to deal with the petticoat issues, that’s the best!
HOOOOOOP SKIRT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hoop Skirt. Everyone in my office agrees. =)
I would say #1 or #2. I think that the hoop makes the skirt look somewhat unnatural and really changes the look of the pick-ups.
I wore a pick-up gown as well and struggled with this decision. I ended up wearing the dress as-is, because that was the most comfortable and the extra slip didn’t add enough fullness to make it worthwhile. I’m glad that I did what I did.
Beautiful dress, by the way.
I like option #2
Ooh I like option 2.
Option 3 reminds me of Belle’s ballgown from Beauty and the Beast… in good ways!
Option 1 isn’t full enough
Option 3 is too full
but Option 2 is just right.
while the dress has plenty of fullness on its own, i can tell you love the really fullness, so as a compromise- i’d say 2 is best… option 3 is just a bit too full.
Sad I miss the David’s Bridal dress.
I love the hoop skirt look.
Definitely option #2.
I would go with maximum fullness, number 3! That gown was made to showcase all of the beautiful draping and tucks, and when it’s just hanging there without as much underneath it, it loses a bit of that.
I’d also say that #2 doesn’t seem like it would be as pleasant for YOU. Do you want to be tripping and feel restricted by your petticoat on your wedding day?
Good luck choosing!
OH, and PS - I think number three makes your waist look EXTRA tiny and trim. Very flattering!
I like # 2. I’d try and make the hoop smaller so that you get the poof from #2, but also have legs that are tangle free
I vote for hoop skirt, adjusted down for slightly less fullness. Good luck! Maybe I need a hoop skirt….
I like Option 2 the best. Option 3 also looks good. I think that Option 1 looks a little flat– like the dress deflated a bit! 
No matter what you pick, you look beautiful!
HOOP!!! I love it…it really shows off the pickups.
3!!! I like the movement/when you walk the hope skirt makes too!
hoop it!
I like option #2. My cousin had one under her dress and by the middle of the reception, it was buggin her and she took it off. So, you can always do that if it starts being a pain.
I really like the way it looks with the hoop underneath, but I would suggest you wear a simple one layer petticoat between your skirt and your hoop to help hide the bones of the hoop. Also, a bit of advice from a girl with too much experience in hoops, you might want to wear something underneath it as well, like a modesty petticoat (which it shorter and less full than a regular petticoat) so that when the hoop sways, your unmentionables don’t show.
Go with 3!!!!
I like option 2, right in the middle. It’s just right.
I like 1st and 2nd. The skirt looks a little stretched in number three for some reason. I dunno why. And i think numbers 1 & 2 look a bit more natural on you.
Aww, thanks, you guys! Well, it looks like the current tally (plus or minus a few because I’m tired!) is 5 votes for option 1, 34 votes for option 2, and 17 votes for option 3! I do love the hoop and how it keeps everything off my legs, so I think I’ll try resizing it down some. 
Nothing underneath! My bridal shop assistant insisted I needed a big petticoat, but I knew in my heart that I wanted more flowing, less poofy. In the end I even cut out a bit of the netting that was in the dress. Plus it’s more comfy.
Have you tried hoop, no petticoat? The hoop seems to give it the fullness and “rounds it off” toward the bottom, but with the petticoat it may be too big (and a whole lot more for you to wear!) nothing underneath looks to flat. i say hoop only, or hoop and petticoat
I love option #3! The hoop skirt showcases the pickups in the gown and makes it look even more couture. Option #1 tend to make the dress look flat and #2 still looks a little lifeless. The addition of both the hoop and petticoat add smoothness and give a more elegant appearance. With your dress, you want to make sure you are displaying it in the most flattering way, as well as, what feels comfortable to you.
I love this dress and I definitely think you need a bit of poof! I’m voting for option #2. I do like the hoop too but I don’t know how easy it would be to dance. Either way, its gorgeous!
I think whichever you choose will be great- they all look wonderful. However, if you want there to be dancing- and you want to participate, you might want to reconsider which option you can use while allowing you to dance comfortably.
~Ash
Option 2!
definitely 2 or 3.. the dress comes alive when it’s a little “poofier”
Definitely #2
OPtion 2!! I think its a little too flat in 1 and too poofy in 3.
Definitely fullness #2.
[...] To Poof or Not to Poof? by Miss Fondue [...]
I like the look of option two best, but make sure whatever you do is comfortable. Making the hoop smaller might be your best bet.
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Miss Fondue, Nashville
Age and Occupation: 27, Technical Analyst
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Network Admin Student/Senior Game Advisor
Engagement Date: December 25, 2007
Wedding Date: May 2009
Blogging Since: September 14, 2008
Venue: Ravenwood Golf Club
About Me: I’m your average computer geek marrying a gaming geek and trying to find a good balance of elegance and geek chic in our wedding. I adore The Sims, Nintendo, cosplay, (good) music, TiVo, theme parks, and our two crazy felines.
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