Learn to Recognize Wedding Dress Shapes
If you're getting married, or already are married, you know there are tons of wedding dresses out there to choose from. Sometimes the search can be overwhelming. Here is some information to get you started on your search.
There are five main wedding dress shapes. There are varieties of each of these as well some other shapes, but these are the most popular:
Mermaid - these are fitted down to the knee and then flair out from there. These highlight all of your curves so you must be confidant and comfortable in your skin to wear them! This style is best for someone with a thin frame. However if you are voluptuous and would like to flaunt it you can also wear this style. This style tends to be more formal so would be best worn at a formal affair.
Mermaid style dress - accentuates all your curves. Photo by Miville Photo.
A-line - these have a tapered top and then fall away from the body (think of the letter A). They don't cling to any body parts such as the hips or thighs. This dress type is the most forgiving and all body types can wear it. If you have a pear-shaped body this will hide your hips and thighs. If you have more of a boy shape it will create the illusion of curves. It can accentuate your most flattering features and hide the not so flattering features! This shape can be worn at most any type of wedding from casual to formal, beach to country club.
A-line style dress with a fitted bodice and then flares out. Photo by Miville Photo.
Empire - there are similar to an A-line dress but with seams under the bust for shaping. Like an A-line dress, the Empire is also suitable for all body types. It is especially flattering on those with smaller busts as the seaming under the bustline creates the illusion of a larger bust. Like the A-line this shape can also be worn at most any type of wedding from casual to formal, backyard reception to banquet hall.
Empire style dress - note the seaming under the bust area and then the dress flows from there. Photo by Miville Photo.
Ball gown - these have a fitted top and have a fuller skirt. Almost all body shapes can wear this style also. It looks especially good on pear-shaped figures as the full skirt helps to hide the lower body. This shape works well for traditional, formal weddings.
This ball gown style dress makes her look just like a princess! Photo by Todd Spitler Photography.
Straight/Sheath - these have a slimmer cut and almost skim your body showing off all of your curves. Because of this it is suited to leaner figures, either tall or petite. This shape works well for both beach weddings and intimate evening affairs.
This straight style dress is slim and clings to the body. Photo by Todd Spitler Photography.