Rhiannon Hendricks
Choosing a wedding dress is an important and exciting decision for every bride-to-be. The right dress will make you feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful on your special day. Familiarizing yourself with the different styles, shapes, and silhouettes available will help you find a dress that suits your body type and personality. Whether you have an hourglass, pear, oval, apple, rectangle, or inverted triangle body shape, there are styles that will accentuate your best features and flatter your unique figure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body type | Hourglass, Pear, Oval, Apple, Rectangle, Inverted triangle, Athletic |
| Hourglass figure | Defined waist, wider hips, bigger bust, curvy |
| Pear body shape | Wider hips, smaller chest, defined waist, petite |
| Oval body shape | Larger bust, narrow hips, fuller torso, slender legs and arms |
| Apple body shape | Fuller midsection, larger upper torso, narrow hips |
| Rectangle body type | Straight silhouette, similar width shoulders/hips/waist |
| Inverted triangle body | Broader shoulders, smaller hips |
| Athletic body type | Gorgeous arms |
| Dress characteristics | Fitted, A-line, mermaid, sweetheart, halter, off-the-shoulder, strapless, sheath, ball gown, empire, princess, slip |
| Choosing a dress | Familiarise with styles, silhouettes, necklines, fabrics, body type, personality |
| Considerations | Comfortable, confident, radiant, flattering, elegant, balanced, proportionate, defined silhouette |
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What You'll Learn
Pear-shaped body type
If you have a pear-shaped body type, you tend to have wider hips and a defined waist, with a smaller chest and more petite build. To flatter your figure, opt for a wedding dress that is fitted to your shape, such as a sleek silhouette or a fishtail/mermaid style. A dress with sleeves can also help to balance out your smaller upper body with your wider hips.
When it comes to the neckline, off-shoulder, square, and sweetheart styles are often recommended for pear-shaped brides as they draw attention to the collarbone and create balance. Halter necks, on the other hand, are generally advised against as they can drown out the chest area. If you want to highlight your small waist, choose a gown with detail around the neckline.
For pear-shaped brides who want to elongate their silhouette, a sleek, fitted style can help create a lengthening effect. Additionally, heavier and more durable materials like satin can make a strong statement and play up your personality.
Remember, your bridal stylist is a valuable resource when determining your body type and the best dress styles to flatter your unique figure.
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Hourglass body type
An hourglass figure is defined by balanced proportions between the bust and hips, with a narrower waist. If you have an hourglass body type, you're likely to have a curvaceous figure with a defined waist, wider hips, and a bigger bust. To accentuate your silhouette, look for a wedding dress that cinch at the waist to showcase your curves. A fitted bodice or a mermaid-style skirt will hug your curves and emphasise your waist. Trumpet-style gowns are also a great choice, as they hug the body from the chest to mid-thigh, then flare out in a trumpet shape. This style is perfect for brides who want to flaunt their curves but prefer a more toned-down version of the mermaid-style design.
A-line dresses are universally flattering for hourglass figures, as they emphasise curves while offering a balanced look from top to bottom. Look for skirts that flare gently from the waist, creating an elegant, feminine silhouette. These necklines can enhance and accentuate your bustline. If you want to show off your arms, consider an off-the-shoulder style or a dress with a halter neckline. For a more dramatic skirt, a fit-and-flare dress will create a striking silhouette, with the bottom of the gown flaring outwards from a higher angle to achieve more volume.
When choosing a neckline, a deep V-shape can create an hourglass effect and highlight your arms. A plunging neckline can also add a lot of shape for brides with a smaller bust. To play up your best assets, a strapless dress with a deep illusion V-back can be a bold and chic choice. For a softer look, wider straps or sleeves can add support to your figure, while a sweetheart or V-neckline will beautifully flatter your bust.
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Apple-shaped body type
If you have an apple-shaped body type, characterised by a larger bust, narrow hips, and a fuller torso, there are several features to look for in a wedding dress. Firstly, it is important to avoid halter or high neck gowns, as these can drown out your chest and provide little to no definition to other areas. Instead, opt for a V-neckline, scoop, or square necklines, as these will create a vertical line that draws attention away from the midsection, opening up the chest and making the waist appear smaller. A sweetheart neckline is also a good choice, as it will make your waist seem narrower.
When it comes to sleeves, avoid heavy fabrics that will add bulk. Instead, go for light applique and embellishments at the wrist. A defined waist is also important, and a narrow belt can help highlight the natural waistline without adding bulk. If you want to show off your legs, which are likely a feature of your body type, a split skirt can be a great choice, paired with wedges for stability and comfort.
For the skirt, consider A-line or flared skirts that have some volume to create the illusion of hips. These can be structured with a boned bodice to provide definition at the waist, while also adding volume to the skirt. This combination will help to balance out the upper and lower body, creating a harmonious silhouette.
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Athletic body type
If you have an athletic body type, you may have a rectangular body shape, which is characterised by a well-balanced figure with minimal curves. The waistline is often not very defined, and the top, waist, and hips are similar in size.
For athletic body types, off-the-shoulder or strapless dresses can play up your gorgeous arms. To enhance your shoulders, consider a gown with a halter neckline. If you want to play up your strong personality, avoid light and flowy fabrics like chiffon, and opt for heavier, more durable materials like satin.
Fit and flare wedding dresses are an excellent choice for brides with athletic builds. This style combines a fitted bodice that skims the waist and hips before flaring out into a voluminous skirt, creating a visually pleasing balance between the upper and lower body.
For a feminine silhouette, consider a ballgown bridal dress, as the fitted corset contrasted with a dramatic skirt creates a striking profile. Column or sheath wedding dresses can also elongate your figure, and accessorising with a belt can create the illusion of curves. A deep V-shaped neckline can also create an hourglass effect that highlights your toned arms.
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Petite body type
If you have a petite body type, defined as being shorter than 5'3", there are several wedding dress styles that can flatter your figure.
Firstly, it is important to consider the amount of fabric in the dress. Too much fabric can overwhelm a petite bride, drowning their figure. Therefore, it is best to avoid full wedding dresses like ball gowns. Instead, opt for a sheath or column gown, which will help to lengthen your frame by grazing the body without being too form-fitting. A mermaid silhouette is another option that can elongate the body, as it is designed with a drop waist, drawing the eye down the torso for a more extended figure.
If you are looking for a shorter dress, a midi or mini wedding gown can be a delicate and romantic option. You can also add a skirt slit to a traditionally cut wedding dress to expose a leg and lengthen the look of your legs.
To give the illusion of height, you can add vertical details to your dress, such as beads or ruffles. Thin straps, capped sleeves, or a strapless dress can also add width to your narrow shoulders. If you choose an A-line dress, consider reducing the volume of the skirt so that it does not overwhelm your petite frame.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a gown that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and comfortable.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step to choosing a wedding dress is to understand your body type. You can do this by having a friend or family member measure you. Once you know your body type, you can select a dress that accentuates your best features and flatters your unique figure.
Hourglass figures are defined by a well-defined waist, wider hips, and a bigger bust. To accentuate your curves, opt for a dress that cinchs at the waist, like a fitted bodice or a mermaid-style skirt. A-line dresses are also universally flattering for hourglass figures.
Pear-shaped bodies tend to have wider hips and a smaller chest and upper torso. To balance out your proportions, look for dresses that are fitted to your shape, such as a sleek silhouette or a fishtail/mermaid dress. You can also draw attention upwards to your décolletage with a gown that features embellishment along the upper torso or long sleeves.
