Dress Designs for Your Body Shape!
When it comes to finding the right dress, it really can be the most frustrating and challenging thing, for any bride-to-be. Perhaps you’ve always dreamt of that tight fitted gown but when it comes to it, you wouldn’t be seen dead in it!Don't worry, we're here to help! Whatever your body shape, our advice will help you to find the most perfect wedding dress to suit your figure.
So…first things first, here are the 5 most popular styles:
(to make the comparison easier we have selected designs from just one designer, the Lillian West Collection)
A- Line:
These dresses resemble an upper case ‘A’. They have a fitted bodice through the waist and flow out, delicately, to the ground. They are wonderful choices for almost any bride. This flattering dress shape balances out top heavy shapes and helps hide some tummy bulge. Body shapes that look great in an A-Line wedding dress include the Inverted Triangle — because it balances out the top heavy shape, the Rectangle, the Pear and the Hour Glass.
Column:
These dresses are narrow in shape and flow straight down, hanging, from the neckline to the hem on the ground. They hang and fit to all the right places, making for a beautiful dress. These dresses are usually body-hugging wedding gowns and work best for slim brides with balanced figures. It is also suitable for petite brides on the slim side since it tends to elongate their shape. If you are not confident in your shape, you might want to mark this one off your list. A slim Hour Glass may like the body hugging features of this dress style, but the best suited shape seems to be the Rectangle for this Column wedding gown.
Ball gown:
The typical fairy tale dress. These dresses have a fitted bodice and flair at the waist with a much fuller skirt. Pear shapes love this type of wedding dress, but the Hour Glass, the Inverted Triangle, the Rectangle, and the Apple also find this shape attractive on them. A fitted waist is ideal for this shape and petite body types might find these dresses a bit overwhelming to their small frames.
Mermaid:
This dress is fitted on the body from the chest to the knee. The dress then flares elegantly out from the knee, to the ground. They hug the curves closely and are a great choice if you like to accentuate your curvy figure. This popular style is most flattering to hour glass and rectangle shapes.
Empire:
This style of dress features a raised waistline, sometimes as hight as right below the bust. This is a very forgiving wedding dress shape, great for many body types. It tends to flatter the Inverted Triangle, the Apple, the Pear and the Hour Glass.
Now you know the dress styles, lets work out your body type. Here are the five most common body shapes and some tips around which dress designs to focus on.
The Apple
Classic Apples: Liz Hurley, Jennifer Hudson, Rosie O'Donnell, Angelina Jolie
Characteristics:
- You have a full bust
- You have broad shoulders
- You have narrower hips
- You have a less defined waist
Suitable Dress Designs:
- Empire
- Ball gown
The Pear
Classic Pears: Shakira, Kelly Clarkson, Jlo, Beyonce
Characteristics:
- You have wider hips and thighs
- You have narrower shoulders
- You have a wider bottom
- You have a small bust
Suitable Dress Designs:
- Empire
- A-Line
- Ball gown
The Rectangle
Classic Rectangles: Reese Witherspoon, Keira Knightley, Cameron Diaz
Characteristics:
- You have an undefined waist
- You have narrower hips
- You have a small bust
Suitable Dress Designs:
- Column
- Empire
- A-Line
- Ball gown
- Mermaid
The Hourglass
Classic Hourglasses: Kelly Brook, Kate Winslet, Mariah Carey, Salma Hayek
Characteristics:
- Your bust and hips are nearly the same size
- You have a well defined waist (9" or more smaller than your bust)
- You have a full bust (lucky you!)
- You have shapely legs
Suitable Dress Designs:
- Column
- A-Line
- Ball gown
- Mermaid
The Inverted Triangle
Classic Rectangles: Cindy Crawford, Gemma Ward
Characteristics:
- Your shoulders are wider than your hips
- You an undefined waist
- You have a straight ribcage
Suitable Dress Designs:
- A-Line
- Ball gown
Now it’s down to you! Good luck!