Whether it’s about wedding dress styles or anything related to dress, there is a dream among every bride to find ‘the one’ that not just justifies the style, but at the same time flatters her body shape.
If you’re thinking of a ball gown or sleek sheath, the best way to feel confident in your wedding dress is to go with a dress silhouette that flatters your body type.
But with so many options out there, it can be confusing to know which wedding gown style will best suit you – so in this article, we’ll break down which styles suit which body type. Let’s dive in!
Hourglass Shape: Show Off Your Curves with a Mermaid or Trumpet Gown
The goal for brides with an hourglass figure — having a balanced bust to hips, with a narrow waist being the measuring point — is to draw attention to some enviable curves. We understand that it’s quite popular to round up your body with mermaid and trumpet gowns when it comes to choosing a wedding dress for this body type of woman.
Mermaid Gown: From the chest to the knees, this silhouette tightens onto your body and then expands out very dramatically. It has a stunning and sultry look while defining your curves.
Trumpet Gown: The trumpet gown is similar to the mermaid style but with a gentle flare, it provides a slightly softer effect maintaining the added curves.
Pear Shape: Balance and Elegance with an A-line Gown
Wider hips and a narrower upper body are your body type, so you should have an A-line dress as your BFF. This wedding gown style is equally as timeless, drawing attention upwards while delicately grazing your hips and thighs.
A-line Gown: This silhouette also works wonders in fitting the bodice and flaring out from the waist for balance. It elongates your frame and adds a royal and elegant look without feeling too fussy. This style of wedding dress is beloved by brides who are in favour of a classic, universally flattering bridal dress.
Apple Shape: Flatter Your Figure with an Empire Waist Gown
For brides with an apple-shaped physique, style should create the optical illusion of a narrower waist. They also do not draw attention to an area that would lead to gestational fat and ignore the stomach and hips.
Empire Waist Gown: If you want to emphasize your shoulders and neckline and elongate your torso, then this gown style has a high waistline which rises just below the bust. But it’s fantastic for the bride who wants a soft, romantic look.
If you’re having an outdoor or bohemian-style wedding, this is the wedding gown type you want — it’s super popular and easy, and it’s also super comfortable.
Petite Brides: A Sheath or Column Gown will help you to Lengthen Your Frame.
For petite brides, the idea is to elongate the body without feeling weighed down with fabric. A minimalist’s dream, the sheath or column gown delivers a sleek, figure-hugging silhouette and extends the body’s lines.
Sheath Gown: It’s this form-fitted, bolded style that follows your body’s natural shape from the top downward with very little flare or extra fabric. This is perfect for showing off your natural, gorgeous proportions and is always sophisticated and modern.
Style features in this wedding dress and it’s perfect for destination weddings or more laid-back ceremonies where simplicity and elegance take centre stage.
Athletic Build: Create Curves with a Ball Gown
If you have an athletic build (usually defined as more rectangular, with less defined waist) you can create the illusion of curves with a classic ball gown. The voluminous skirt contrasts with a fitted bodice, adding drama and dimension.
Ball Gown: With a fitted top and a full, billowing skirt that begins at the waist, this is the traditional style of wedding gown that works well to make the waist look pinched and hips fuller.
The ball gown style is the ultimate romance and fantasy wedding dress style, if you’ve ever dreamed of waking up on your wedding day feeling like a princess.
Plus-Size Brides: Rock a Fit-and-Flare Gown
If you’re a plus-size bride and want to showcase your curves without giving your waist away, the fit and flare gown is your go-to style. This silhouette is body hugging in all of the right places so you look hourglass without being totally restrained.
Fit-and-Flare Gown: It fits down to the waist or hips and then flares comfortably and gracefully. This is a shape-revealing style angle that will hold a touch of drama at the back of the skirt.
But it’s a very versatile choice, you can let it be as gothic or as understated as you want.
Find the Perfect Dress and Complete Your Bridal Look
Whether you wear it big and round, mini and skinny, or some in between, there’s a wedding dress style made specifically for you that will make you look and feel like the most beautiful version of yourself on your special day.
While the dress is the most important aspect, remember that your look is only as good as the overall bridal look.
Blanc Bridal Salon is the perfect place to get flawless bridal hair and makeup. We have a team of experts who specialize in creating perfect bridal looks suitable to your individual style to give you the confidence and grace you walk down the aisle.
If you’re out for a hair and makeup trial for wedding glow then you can count on our expertise to make your wedding vision a reality, from soft, romantic waves or elegant updos. Our team will help you shine on your big day, no matter what style you prefer, whether it’s classic or modern.
FAQs
1. What is the best wedding dress style for a petite bride?
The sheath or column gown is often the best wedding dress style for petite brides. Elongating the silhouette without overwhelming bodies with excess fabric, these silhouettes streamline the look.
2. Can I wear a ball gown if I have a pear-shaped figure?
Pear-shaped brides CAN wear a ball gown! Taking into account this shape, it can contribute balance, as it can direct focus to the upper body and offer a complete skirt that will be sweet for the hips.
3. What wedding gown styles are most flattering for plus-size brides?
Plus-size brides should look for fit and flare and A-line gowns. These waist-enforcing styles give structure and balance to the figure.
4. Are there any wedding dress styles that work for all body types?
The A-line dress is universally flattering, as its fitted bodice plays off (or against) your curves, and its skirt flares out or in to either minimize or highlight your curves.
5. What is the difference between a trumpet and a mermaid gown?
Although both silhouettes sit close to the body, the mermaid gown has a more dramatic flare that starts at or below the knee, while the trumpet gown works its quieter flare higher up around the mid-thigh.
