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“What wedding dress shapes will look best on me?”
One of the most frequently asked questions a bridal consultant is asked is usually what silhouette looks best on a specific body shape. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding what will highlight a bride’s personal attributes, there are some general guidelines that may help you through the process of finding that perfect wedding dress when you start your gown search.
It is true that some shapes and necklines work better on certain body types, but there is really only one rule on what dress a bride should wear: whatever she wants. If a bride falls in love with a dress, that’s her dress.
This information is presented as a general guide for those brides who may want some guidance on what to try first.
Bridal Stylist
First thing is that you need a caring stylist who is equipped with experience in dressing different body types. You are unique! Our team of stylists care about the individuality of each and every bride and know that there are many factors to consider when searching for your dream dress. There are petite and tall brides, apple, pear, and hourglass brides, plus and curvy brides – and often a combination!
So let’s get into the different wedding dress shapes, silhouettes, and necklines offered that will work, and which to generally avoid.
Petite Brides
Petite sized brides tend to measure under 5’3 in height. They require a more proportional fit in clothing to accommodate their smaller frames.
Wedding Dress Shapes To Look For:
- Column or sheath silhouette elongates a petite frame
- Slim A-line skirt with a fitted bodice
- Fit and flare/trumpet gowns as long as the skirt is not too full (Fit and flare wedding dresses can help with providing the illusion of curves if the bride is thin)
- Empire waist gives the illusion of an elongated frame
- V-necklines with thin straps
- High neckline sheath dress helps give the illusion of height
- Sweetheart neckline
Minimal bodice detail with plain skirts and a softly defined waistline are a perfect choice as the eye is drawn up to the upper body.
Avoid:
- Gowns with heavy hem lace or horsehair finish
- The ball gown silhouette and mermaid shapes that use multiple layers tulle and crinoline to achieve a voluminous skirt
- Basque or dropped waist
- Large floral lace patterns, large appliques, or rosettes
- Plunging necklines
Avoid heaviness and features that point down or draw the eye downward.
The Curvy Bride
The bridal industry has not only taken notice of the curvy bride, and they are now catering specifically to them. Whether apple shape without too much waist definition or pear shape with wider hips, curvy body types have beautiful options to highlight her best features!
Wedding Dress Shapes To Look For:
- The A-line dress. The natural waist is well-defined and the overall shape complements the figure.
- Fit and Flare silhouette. Good for apple shaped figures as the body hugging nature will give the illusion of a smaller waist.
- The on-trend basque waistline (or dropped waist below the hip line) is an excellent choice, especially for pear-shaped brides.
- Ways to accessorize using a sparkly belt or sash to act as a focal point to the bride’s smaller waist
- V-neck with supportive straps is very flattering
- A straight across strapless (with the right cup size), jewel, sweetheart off-the-shoulder neckline
The Curvy Bride’s Dress Bodice
Another consideration when choosing a gown is to consider larger busts. The perfect dress will define the bust line and accommodate your bust size rather than make you look and feel uncovered. Designers have tackled this problem by incorporating better foundation structure in their gowns. You may now see more corset boning in the gown to help support the bust line or elastic bands sewn into the fitted bodice to help provide support and stability where it’s most needed.
Avoid:
- Plain Sheath gown or column dress with no structure/support
- Strapless gowns with no bust support
- Deep sweetheart or plunge V-necklines
The Long and Lean Bride
Much like her counterpart brides, the long and lean bride has some unique needs as well. Oftentimes these brides are well above the average 5’4 woman which means they may require extra length added to their dresses. Lean brides may have athletic builds with a smaller bust and may wish to create the illusion of more curves and a fuller bust line to their look. As with our other clients, we can address these wishes with specific gown designs.
Wedding Dress Shapes To Look For:
- Full ball gown style (volume gives illusion of fuller hips)
- A-line silhouette
- Full skirts with heavy hem lace or horsehair finishes balances height
- Natural waistlines
- Scoop, sweetheart, off the shoulder necklines
Avoid:
- column or sheath
- mermaid silhouette (this style highlights curves which the tall, thinner bride may not have)
- dropped waist, high necklines (these make a long torso look longer)
All things considered, your gown should be as unique as the love between you and your fiancé. The general guidelines provided are just that….general. You will have so many beautiful gowns from which to choose. Your ultimate goal is to find that gown that compliments your personality, aesthetic and body type. It also needs to be comfortable and not restrictive to movement.
There will also be varying opinions with your support squad, but in the end it truly only comes down to your thoughts and feelings about the dress. Say yes to the dress that you love!