Franklin Dean
Choosing a wedding dress is an important and exciting decision. Understanding your body type can help you select a dress that accentuates your best features and makes you feel comfortable and confident. Whether you have an hourglass, pear, oval, apple, rectangle, or inverted triangle body type, there are styles that can help highlight your silhouette, define your waistline, and balance your proportions. For example, trumpet, fit-and-flare, and mermaid styles are popular choices for hourglass figures, while ball gowns with fitted bodices can flatter pear-shaped bodies. Familiarizing yourself with different styles and silhouettes can help narrow down the options and guide you towards your dream dress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body type | Hourglass, Pear, Oval, Apple, Rectangle, Inverted triangle, Petite |
| Hourglass figure | Equal shoulder and hip width, defined waist |
| Hourglass dress | Fitted style, cinched waist, fitted bodice, mermaid skirt, A-line, trumpet, fit-and-flare |
| Pear-shaped figure | Wider hips, smaller upper torso |
| Pear-shaped dress | Highlight décolletage, fitted bodice, dramatic skirt |
| Petite body type | Smaller than average silhouette |
| Petite dress | Elongating style, open back, natural or empire waist, clean modern gown, slinky A-line, sheath |
| Fuller midsection | Elongating style, high waistline, A-line, corset |
| Athletic build/Rectangle figure | Defined waistline, ballgown, fitted corset, dramatic skirt |
| Smaller bust | Plunging neckline, ruffles and texture, corset |
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What You'll Learn
- Pear-shaped figures: consider a ball gown with a fitted bodice to draw attention upwards
- Hourglass figures: opt for a fitted style that cinchs at the waist to showcase your curves
- Petite proportions: choose a style that elongates your figure, like a sheath or A-line dress
- Athletic builds: pick a gown that creates a feminine silhouette by defining your waistline, like a ballgown
- Larger busts: consider a corset style for extra support, structure, and comfort
Pear-shaped figures: consider a ball gown with a fitted bodice to draw attention upwards
If you have a pear-shaped figure, your wedding dress should ideally balance out your proportions by highlighting your décolletage and drawing attention upwards. A ball gown with a fitted bodice and a dramatic skirt can achieve this effect, defining your waistline and creating a stunning contrast.
To achieve a harmonious look, opt for darker shades on the bottom and lighter or brighter colours on top. You can also experiment with patterns and prints on the upper half of your dress, drawing attention to your torso. Embellishments, draping, and ruched details around the neckline can also add interest and create a flattering focal point.
Necklines such as boat necks, V-necks, sweetheart styles, and off-the-shoulder cuts are ideal for pear-shaped figures as they draw attention upwards. If you want to showcase your shoulders, an off-the-shoulder neckline will emphasise them while creating a broader visual line at the top, balancing your proportions.
For a romantic and elegant look, an empire waist is a great choice for pear-shaped brides as it lengthens the legs while providing a structured décolletage. An empire-waist dress with a fitted bodice and a flowy skirt can also highlight narrow shoulders while de-emphasising the hips.
When it comes to fabric, lightweight and drapey materials like chiffon, georgette, and crepe are ideal. These fabrics don't cling and allow for movement without adding bulk. Avoid stiff and heavy fabrics around the hips, as they can make them appear wider. Instead, opt for fluid styles that move with you and enhance your natural features.
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Hourglass figures: opt for a fitted style that cinchs at the waist to showcase your curves
If you have an hourglass figure, congratulations! There are many gorgeous wedding dress styles that will beautifully showcase your curves. To highlight your silhouette, opt for a fitted style that cinchs at the waist. Trumpet-style or mermaid wedding dresses are perfect for this, as they hug your curves and flare out at the bottom for an elegant silhouette. A fit-and-flare dress is another option for those who want a more dramatic skirt, as the bottom of the gown flows outwards from a higher angle, achieving more volume.
A-line dresses are also universally flattering for hourglass figures, as they emphasise your curves while offering a balanced look from top to bottom. If you want to show off your toned arms, consider a wedding dress with a deep V-shaped neckline for an hourglass effect. Gowns with plunging V-necklines, wrap dresses, and strapless gowns are also fabulous choices for hourglass figures.
When it comes to the fabric, the options are limitless! You can opt for long transparent sleeves covered in diamond dust, a rhinestone belt that transforms into a cascading waterfall full-length skirt, or a real princess gown. You can also choose from mikado, mute satin, crepe, chiffon fabric, sparkles, diamonds, 3D floral lace, or butterfly applique. Even a draped sheath dress will look gorgeous on an hourglass figure.
It's important to keep in mind that wedding dresses are not like regular dresses in terms of structure and support, so you may be surprised by what styles end up working for your body. It's a good idea to try on a variety of styles to see what you react to. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a dress that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and radiant on your special day.
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Petite proportions: choose a style that elongates your figure, like a sheath or A-line dress
If you have a petite figure, you might want to consider a wedding dress style that elongates your body and plays up your curves. Two styles that can achieve this are sheath and A-line dresses.
Sheath wedding dresses are fitted and sleek, elongating the body and creating an elegant silhouette. This style is ideal for brides who want a form-fitting gown that accentuates their curves. Sheath dresses are available in a variety of fabrics, including lightweight silk charmeuse, crepe, satin, and intricate laces, and can be found with various necklines such as strapless, off-the-shoulder, V-neck, and long sleeves. The minimalist nature of the sheath silhouette pairs well with simple materials, while delicate beading and embroidery can add sophistication to the look.
A-line wedding dresses are universally flattering and accentuate the waist, flowing gracefully to the floor. They emphasize curves while offering a balanced look from top to bottom. A-line gowns can be found with a range of necklines, waistlines, hemlines, and sleeve options to complement the unique figure of each bride.
Both sheath and A-line styles can be dressed up with accessories such as belts, veils, earrings, capes, furs, headpieces, and shoes.
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Athletic builds: pick a gown that creates a feminine silhouette by defining your waistline, like a ballgown
If you have an athletic build, you might want to consider a wedding dress that creates a feminine silhouette by defining your waistline. One option is a ballgown, which features a fitted bodice that creates a defined waistline and a wide, flattering skirt that achieves the illusion of fuller hips. The extra layers of a ballgown skirt will also add structure and balance to your figure.
Fit-and-flare styles are another excellent choice for brides with athletic builds. This style features a fitted bodice that skims the waist and hips before flaring out into a voluminous skirt, creating a graceful and harmonious silhouette. Fit-and-flare dresses also come in a variety of designs, allowing you to choose one that suits your personal taste.
If you want to accentuate your legs, consider a dress with a shorter skirt or a high-low skirt. Lighter materials like silk or chiffon are preferable for a sophisticated look, as they drape beautifully without adding extra volume. For a soft and romantic aesthetic, opt for dresses with delicate lace or embroidery.
Sheath wedding dresses are another option for athletic builds. This style is sleek and figure-hugging, showcasing your strong physique while exuding a contemporary vibe. Strapless sheath dresses are particularly feminine, drawing attention to your toned torso and highlighting your fitness.
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Larger busts: consider a corset style for extra support, structure, and comfort
If you have a larger bust, a corset-style wedding dress can provide extra support, structure, and comfort. Corsets are the only style of bodice that will provide enough support for a heavier chest on their own, without the need for a bra underneath. They also look amazing and don't require as many alterations for a perfect fit. Modern corset wedding dresses are made with flexible and adjustable materials, so when fitted properly, they should feel supportive, not tight or painful.
When choosing a wedding dress for a larger bust, it's important to consider the neckline. While a very high neck can be a tricky fit and often has a flattening effect, low V and halter neck styles can accentuate a larger chest. Sweetheart, scoop neck, square neck, and subtle V-neck styles can also be flattering for larger busts. However, you might find it challenging to choose underwear to wear underneath these styles. Strapless or spaghetti-strap dresses may not offer enough support, but if the gown also has a corset bodice, it could provide enough support from below to negate the need for straps.
To ensure your comfort, it's a good idea to choose your underwear first and wear it for a day to make sure it's comfortable. If you plan to wear a bra with your wedding dress, consider a dress with sleeves or thicker straps that will accommodate this. Unfortunately, this means that low or illusion backs are usually not an option.
Corset wedding dresses can be extremely flattering for larger busts, with a structured top and boning to keep everything in place and offer a flattering lift. Some corset dresses even have built-in cups for extra support. You can also accentuate your waist by adding a jeweled belt or sash to your corset dress.
When choosing a wedding dress, it's important to consider your body type as well as your bust size. For example, if you have an hourglass figure, a fitted style will highlight your curves, and a dress that cinchs at the waist will showcase your shape. A-line dresses are universally flattering for hourglass figures, providing a balanced look. If you have a petite body type, on the other hand, you may want to choose a style that elongates your figure, such as a sheath or A-line dress with a streamlined silhouette.
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Frequently asked questions
Understanding your body type will help you pick a design that flatters your figure. For instance, an hourglass figure with a well-defined waist can be accentuated with a fitted profile like a mermaid style dress. Pear-shaped figures with wider hips can be balanced out with a gown that highlights the décolletage.
Hourglass figures with relatively equal hip and bust measurements and a smaller waist can be flattered by fitted styles that highlight curves. Trumpet, fit-and-flare, and mermaid styles are recommended. A-line dresses are also a universally flattering choice.
For petite brides, it's important to avoid being overwhelmed by large silhouettes. Sheath, A-line, and empire waist styles elongate your figure with a streamlined silhouette, giving the illusion of height. An open back can also help elongate your shape.
To elongate and streamline your waist, an empire-style dress with a high waistline is a good choice. A-line gowns also help create a more defined waistline while balancing your silhouette.
Plunging necklines can add a lot of shape and are recommended for brides with a smaller bust. Corseted gowns can also add padding and shape, as can gowns with ruffles and texture.
