Depending on the relationship your store has with the designer, it may be possible for them to order in a sample. Are they the only Essence stockist near you? You can always ring the store and ask, as they will be able to tell you if that's something they can do. Potentially, there may be a small charge if it is something that they could do.

In my experience, the dresses that the shops were using as samples were approximately a size 12 anyway. If the dresses that you are trying on are lace-up backs, then they will be more adaptable to going up or down a size for you to get the idea in the shop anyway. If not, the staff in the shop will usually hold the back etc so that you can see what it would look like. If you are going to ring them and ask them about the dress that you love and ordering it in for you, then I'm sure they could advise you what the majority of the sample sizes are.

I agree, no harm in looking now although I didn't do too much research when I went shopping and went shopping completely open minded and tried everything and anything to find the style that suited me as I didn't want to get in a position where I loved a dress and would then be disappointed that it did nothing for me and looked better on the hanger lol.

From my experience of dress shopping, the dress sizes they stocked ranged from 12-16's. However, you need to remember and not get disheartened that when you order your dress you will prob need to order a dress in a larger size anyway. I am usually a size 14 but have had to order a size 18 which will fit in some places but will be too big in other places but that's what the alterations are for :)

they can order a dress for you to try I found a love mark Lesley dress but they didn't stop it they were willing to order the dress for me to try but required a deposit first if I then decided I didn't want the dress I could use the money again any other dress. some designers will lend them a sample for free so its worth asking the shop your looking at what there policy is. You also need to remember that if your wanting to lose anther 3 stone your body shape will change so that means the dresses that suit you will also change x