unfortunately, or fortunately rather, those three look good in a big bag

Some people are much easier to dress, they look well in anything .Having said that I hated the grey bit on Kimberly dress I could help think it looked like the skin on a mackerel !

and if I were Lisa I would be buying a couple of these and wearing them under whatever monstrosity wardrobe puts me in next
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...-TV-stars.html

Surely she knows what suits her, no scartch that, I am aware it is practice wear, but what we see her wearing in the practice room is not going to suit her ever.

and heavy wool dresses to practice in

I just rewatched Lisas dance from Saturday and I do like parts of the dress. The neckline is nice - draws the eye up to her face I do like that for once they gave her a light and delicate skirt. The problems are the ubiquitous empire line and the tightness of the dress both of which only emphasise her stomach imo. I do like the transparent skirt but it really should have started lower down the thigh - the way its done just gives her a 'big pants' look. Perhaps they could have graduated it more so that there wasnt such an obvious line at 'pants' level. With that and the empire line it just kind of drew your eye to the middle section instead of distracting from it. The back could have been transparent at the top maybe but I can't see how the flimsy bit of nothing supported her - anywhere!
Whilst its easy to criticise its not so easy to find solutions though. Apart from decent support personally I wish they would try one piece dresses hanging from the shoulder and not with the obvious empire line seam (which only cuts her in half) I think either A line or princess line might be flattering. A few godets maybe?! Something that elongates her which from my dressmaking lessons I seem to remember is using seams and 'lines' that run vertically not horizontally. Exactly opposite to the Saturday dress which had two very obvious horizontal lines under the bust and at 'pants' level!

They wouldn't need to hire or use a corset-maker. A corset-effect is often given to a strapless evening dress by 6 rows of boning at the (2 front, 2 back, 2 sides) and the top to make it stay up - boning that also gives great support.

Up to approx 15yrs ago ballroom & Latin dresses were made of non-stretch fabrics, & boning was at times sewn into the dresses - especially of the larger dancers who required extra support. There are one or 2 who still make their bb dresses that way.

When lycra and other stretch fabrics started to be manufactured for dance-wear, it was immediately a success because, apart from being far more comfortable to wear, its very flexibility allows the dancers far more freedom. However, it isn't cheap. The non-stretch fabrics were far cheaper. And nor are sequins used nowadays; except for certain varieties, only stones are used and they are incredibly expensive.

As far as Lisa is concerned, adequate support could be given her even using lycra - the trick is to use 2 layers, with an inner layer of thick body-stocking, and to build the thing onto a proper supportive bra.

As for the designs, most of them just emphasize her bust; a more A-line look and a fuller skirt would be more flattering.

Yes, that's what I was going on about ! She needs a dress made from long, shaped panels of fabric, each going from shoulders to hem and flaring out at the hem to detract attention from the top half. I went on at length about godets last week on the godet thread, so I didn't dare mention them again! But yes, godets in a sleek line dress would be good, with some firm Spanx underneath !!, Or bias cut panels with some stretch in them, would be good too, with seams going diagonally across Lisa from top to bottom. WHY do they give her dresses with a ghastly seam immediately under the bosom and then a skirt springing out for it?

I can't agree that any number of lycra layers could ever do the job.

As a 36HH I know this from experience. UPLIFT. Not squishing flat. UPLIFT. Can only be achieved by wiring or significant boning.

Absolutely, a very odd fabric that did not move well, I thought it made the dance look less flowing than it might have done.

Please, have NASA helium balloons been tried yet?

I'd try anything!!!
Actually my Panache Tango Superbra does an excellent job.

Never was a garment so aptly named. It's an a-ma-zing device.

Not just me then. Also thought it made her waistline seem to vanish and her hips move 4" south.

Several layers of lycra stitched together will give a smoother look on any sized torso; boobs need (as I said) a significantly supportive bra worked into the leotard as well. And boning will help as well.

Had no idea there was so much intricate detail involved in the world of corsetry - it's amazing what you can learn just by loving Strictly!

I'm afraid my issues with the upper torso lie at the other end of the spectrum - if you see what I mean!

I agree Lisa needs something similar. Something engineered specifically both for the larger bosom and for vigorous activity. My Panache Underwired Sports Bra is wonderful. Even trotting on a horse, nothing moves

I think we all agree that even in the 10th series, the Strictly Wardrobe peeps still struggle to do a good job of dressing the larger female celebs.

After some of the outfits for Dani, I think they struggle with the smaller ones as well.

I'm finding this thread fascinating!

I'm a size 14 and I wouldn't be seen dead in a leotard - and especially not for dancing I wonder how much say the celebs have in their costumes? Do they just get told what they're wearing or can they say 'I'm not wearing that - it's not got enough support' or whatever?

Well between us we are a wonderful advert for Panache. I don't wish to brag, in fact my 'attributes' are a bit of a nuisance, as I am a 34 JJ or even 34 K , no back and all front !! And guess what, Panache's superbras can even manage to raise my lot aloft, as can some well made Fantasie creations, but all rely on underwires and boning. Why cannot such bras be built into Lisa's dresses ? That's what I want to know.

Thanks, that's very informative. I don't know much about ballroom dress making as you could tell. I guess boning is more time consuming, and wardrobe just don't have that much time on their hands.
agree with the a-line look and fuller skirt, and perhaps lighter colours on top and darker ones at the bottom

Now you've mentioned it, can the celebs not wear their own underwear? Not as if Lisa's dresses are strapless/backless, she could, in theory, wear her bra underneath?

I'd still trust steel boning over fancy high tech fabric XD
the so-called fashion expert has no idea how to dress ladies bigger than size 8, Lisa needs to get into contact with Adele's wardrobe team

Or better still, bring back Sue Judd the lovely lady who used to be head of wardrobe and knew how to design beautiful dresses for all ladies, whatever their size. If you are over 45 or have large boobs, you are destined for a frock from 'Frumps 4 All', with the current team.

I've got a Level 4 Shock Absorber, the best £30 I ever spent. It means I can run without knocking myself out.

Thanks for that tip! I was also recommended two sports bras to wear at once when running and that also works a treat! Xx

**Adds to list shopping list**

Thank you! xx