More specifically, the designer goes on to share that "The top is usually fitted through the body to the lower waist area or sometimes as low as the hip area. This creates an elongated torso and is often designed together with a fuller A-line skirt style."
If you want to glide into your happily ever after like a princess, this fairy tale-ready gown is for you. Volume? Check. Drama? Check. Classic? Yes, of course! “The voluminous skirt balances the fitted top,” Bajaj shares. “The fuller silhouette accentuates the waist and hides the lower body. However, a bride who is conscious of her hips may want to keep in mind that the skirt can make you look larger.”
The style is known to emphasize the waist and hips, rather than narrowing them, and is a great choice for those who are apple-shaped. Berry does note, however, that choosing the right shapewear is important with mermaid silhouettes. “Considering how fitted it is, you’ll also want to make sure that you can move freely in it, and can sit down easily too," he adds.
“A trumpet silhouette is ideal for slender frames and hourglass body types,” explains Bajaj. “Brides who want to flaunt their curves often pick this outfit.” It's also a crowd-pleaser for brides who want a more toned-down version of the mermaid, as it doesn't have an overly dramatic flare.
What differentiates this style from mermaid and trumpet silhouettes is its gradual flare, as opposed to a dramatic look. "This is a beautiful style that accentuates a bride’s curves without much movement restriction on the skirt," Wen adds.
Minimal, sophisticated, and impossibly chic, the slip dress makes a case for a ‘less is more’ bridal repertoire. It’s best advised to have this design made to measure, though, with elements like a cowl neck, bias-cut, or back detailing for more character.
The designer further adds, “It gives a petite bride an elongated look which helps her appear taller. As for a tall bride, it gives her body definition.” For those with a boxy body, opt for a sash or embellished belt with it to create the illusion of a more defined waist. Moreover, if you're looking for a style that works well without a train, this is it!
The column gown is often given structure using fabrics like taffeta, brocade, or corded lace, and is tailor-made to flaunt a sleek and slender figure. So if you have an athletic frame, don’t think twice before picking this one.
If you’re searching for a style that has a ‘something old, something new’ quality to it, then this ankle-grazing silhouette is for you. Tea-lengths have a vintage charm that lends itself to brides with unique aesthetics. “Brides opting for an intimate ceremony, a brunch wedding, or a simple but beautiful registry should choose this length. The beauty is that it can be easily recycled long after your wedding, too," shares Bajaj.
The Silhouette: Almost identical to tea-length, midi dresses have hemlines that fall between the knee and ankle—and, as Wen points out, "It’s often referred to as tea-length as well."
Wen further notes, "Midi dresses first gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, where it was still a conservative choice with a departure from the long floor length styles."
The Silhouette: "This is a style where the front hemline of the skirt is raised above the ground, whereas the back skirt hemline is at least floor length or has a train," Wen shares.
Though many brides don't often choose high-low silhouettes for their wedding dresses, this style is perfect for those who want to wear something classic but with a twist. "[It] creates a fun asymmetrical look to the dress, and is great to show off your beautiful bridal shoes," Wen notes.
“What’s the best wedding dress style for my body type?” So many brides ask themselves this when beginning the hunt for their perfect gown. Wedding dress shopping is perhaps one of the most fun, exciting parts of planning your wedding. It’s one of the only things you will (maybe) keep a secret from your fiancée and it’s something special just for you; not for your guests or bridal party, etc.
Your gown will be with you in all of your photos and each time you look back at your wedding, you’ll remember that feeling of magic you got when stepping into your dream dress on your big day. You might be wondering how to navigate all of the different wedding dress styles and which wedding dress will work for your body type. There is a flood of information to sift through and countless types of wedding dresses, so it can quickly feel overwhelming. If you’re finding yourself waking up at 3 AM, worrying about wedding dress shapes and which wedding dress silhouettes would be perfect for your style wedding and body type, don’t worry! We get it.
Vintage vibes with modern details? Yes, please. If your vision for your dream dress has ‘princess’ written all over it, then a ball gown might be perfect for you. A ball gown wedding dress consists of a form-fitting, usually sculpted or structured bodice, with a very large skirt. Normally, the skirt of a ball gown will have layers of tulle underneath or require a hoop skirt to be worn for added volume.
Ball gowns will accentuate your waistline and make it look tiny by contrasting the small, fitted look of the bodice with the larger skirt. This style is best suited for brides looking to cinch their waist and not have to worry about their hips/lower tummy area, so if you’re looking for the best wedding dress style for a pear shape this is a great option, as it will emphasise how small you are up top. Hips and lower stomach are areas so many women would rather have coverage for their wedding photos so, if that’s what makes you most comfortable, then this is a gorgeous, flattering silhouette to choose for your day!
Ball gowns work beautifully for tall brides as well, as your elongated figure will be able to handle a lot of volume without shortening you. The contrast from bodice to skirt will have a flattering result on a taller figure, too.
For the bride who loves the ball gown effect, but wants something a bit more subtle; an A-line gown could be your perfect dress. Called as such for the skirt looking like a capital ‘A,’ this style is softer, more romantic and a bit more modern than a ball gown.
Visit UsAs far as wedding dress shapes go, this one is pretty much universally flattering. This style is, again, perfect if you’d like coverage for your lower half, and works perfectly as a wedding dress style for bigger busted brides, as the volume of the skirt will balance out your upper body. If you’re on the hunt for wedding dress styles for petite curvy figures, A-line shapes work beautifully for small, hourglass silhouettes too.
It’s an easier style to wear for a shorter bride than a ball gown in terms of comfort and mobility and still gives you that soft, beautiful coverage if that’s what you desire. Having a light touch of volume on the bottom of your gown also makes A-line dresses a stunning choice for apple shaped brides, as it will balance out your silhouette.
If the wedding dress shapes for your dream gown have volume, but not for quite the whole skirt, then a mermaid or fishtail gown would work perfectly for you. Out of all the wedding dress styles that work for hourglass figures, mermaid is one of the best. As a mermaid gown will hug all of your curves from bust to waist to hips, and then flare out dramatically half-way down the skirt, it continues the hourglass effect your shape already has and emphasises it even more.
Having volume around your lower body will also help to balance out stunning, curvy hips and give a killer end result. While hunting for wedding dress styles for body shapes of all kinds, bear in mind what you want to highlight on your figure and what you’d rather not have to think about on your big day. If you love your curves and want to show them off, a more clingy gown that hugs your silhouette, like a Mermaid, would be perfect for you.
While searching for wedding dress styles for different body types, keep in mind the tone and vibe of your wedding as well. Having your dress be a mix of both flattering for your shape while also in-keeping with the theme of your big day is the perfect harmony for your dream gown.
If your wedding feels modern yet timeless, nothing complements this quite like a fit and flare gown. Of all the types of wedding dresses, fit and flare wedding dress styles work for so many figures: pear shape, hourglass, curvy or athletic builds. A fit and flare gown can create that perfect silhouette that so many brides desire; hugging your body in all the right places and creating the perfect curves, while also accentuating your smaller areas.
Fit and flare gowns are fitted from bust to waist to hips and then flare out at the bottom, much like a mermaid. Different from mermaid and fishtail, however, is the fact that these gowns have less volume and severity in their lower half that flares out. Because of this, they give off a softer, more romantic, more contemporary feeling but still look timeless and gorgeous.
When thinking about how to choose a wedding dress style, ask yourself what you want to emphasise. What parts of your body do you want to highlight? Show off?
If you’re looking to emphasise height, a column or sheath gown is the best wedding dress style for body types that are elongated and, contrastingly, on the shorted side too! A column gown is one of the most beautiful wedding dress styles for short brides, as the straight lines of these dresses will help to elongate you and give you the illusion of being taller. At the same time, it’s one of the best wedding dress styles for tall brides too, if you want to showcase your height.
Sheath gowns are straight up and down, and continuous, so there’s no break for the eye in the flowing, streamlined material. This will create height where there is none and display it beautifully where there is.
For brides that want to emphasise their décolletage and bust line, a sweetheart neckline is a stunning choice. This neckline dips down slightly at the bust-line, giving off a heart-like shape effect for the bodice.
For larger-busted brides, most strapless gowns will have built-in support or structure to help the gown stay up without straps; that added boning and support can help you feel comfortable and held in place without having to commit to a strap if it’s not your desired look.
If you have an athletic build and your looking for a wedding dress style that shows off toned arms and shoulders, halter necklines are a breathtaking way to do that. Most of the time, this style gives coverage in the bust area, which looks gorgeous on smaller-chested brides, and has a high neckline that elongates the body.
Toned arms and shoulders look stunning in a halter gown, and the angular cut of a neckline like this emphasises the beauty of your powerful silhouette. Sometimes, halters will have a low or open back, so if that’s one of your best features that you want to accentuate this would be a gorgeous style for you.
V-neck gowns make the eye travel vertically, add the illusion of height and frame your face and shoulders in a lovely way. V-neck gowns are perfect for shorter brides on the hunt to give off the illusion of being taller. Pair your dress with a nude heel for added effect!
For brides that want to elongate their arms, adding a continuous flow of fabric from your wedding dress is the perfect way to do this. This is why long sleeve wedding gowns are a great option for so many brides. When the fabric of your gown extends through to your arms, it creates a fluid visual and gives a gorgeous continuity that can make arms look toned and give coverage if that’s what you desire.
