Junior Rasmussen
Choosing a wedding dress is an exciting part of wedding planning. The right dress will make you feel confident and beautiful on your big day. There are many styles, shapes, and necklines to choose from, and the options can be overwhelming. To narrow down your choices, it's a good idea to consider your body type and personality. For example, if you have an athletic build, an off-the-shoulder or strapless dress will highlight your arms, and a halter neckline will enhance your shoulders. If you have a fuller chest, a sweetheart or V-neckline will flatter your bust. Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a wedding dress. It's important to trust your stylist's expertise and try on different styles to find the one that makes you feel your best.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body type | Curvy, petite, apple-shaped, hourglass, ballerina, athletic |
| Necklines | Sweetheart, halter, off-the-shoulder, V-neck |
| Dress shapes | A-line, ball gown, trumpet, fishtail, fit-and-flare, princess |
| Dress styles | Corset, strapless, light and flowy, heavy and durable |
| Other | Detachable long sleeves, veil, bra cup |
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What You'll Learn
Dressing for your body type
Wedding dress shopping can be an exciting and emotional experience. It is important to choose a dress that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Understanding your body type can help you pick out a design that best flatters your figure. Here are some tips for dressing for your body type on your special day:
Hourglass Figure
An hourglass figure is characterised by balanced proportions between the bust and hips, with a smaller, well-defined waist. To accentuate your curves, opt for a dress that cinchs at the waist. A fitted bodice or a mermaid-style skirt will hug your curves and emphasise your waist. A-line dresses are also universally flattering for hourglass figures as they emphasise curves while offering a balanced look. Trumpet-style gowns are also a popular silhouette for those with an hourglass frame.
Apple or Inverted Triangle Shape
Apple or inverted triangle shapes have a larger bust and shoulders with narrower hips and legs. To balance out your proportions, choose a style that adds volume to the bottom half of your body, such as an A-line or ball gown. A voluminous skirt will create a more even silhouette.
Pear Shape
Pear-shaped bodies are defined by wider hips and a smaller upper torso. To balance out your proportions, choose a gown that highlights your décolletage.
Athletic or Rectangular Shape
An athletic or rectangular body type has a straight silhouette, with similar measurements for the bust, waist, and hips. To add curves and definition to your frame, consider a dress with a fitted bodice and a skirt that flares out. Adding a belt or sash at the waist can also help to accentuate your waistline and add interest to a simple dress.
Petite Shape
If you have a petite figure, choose a gown that elongates your silhouette. Sheath or A-line dresses are great options as they give the illusion of height. An empire waist is also favourable for petite brides as it lengthens the legs while providing a structured décolletage.
Remember, these are just guidelines, and the most important thing is to choose a dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day.
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Necklines and busts
Choosing the right neckline for your wedding dress is important to ensure you look and feel your best. The right neckline will complement your bust, creating a balanced and elegant silhouette. Here are some neckline styles to consider:
Sweetheart Neckline
The sweetheart neckline, also known as the princess neckline, is a classic and romantic choice. It is shaped like the top half of a heart, accentuating the décolletage and giving a longer, leaner appearance. This style is versatile and can work for both smaller and larger busts. For a more modest look or to accommodate a larger bust, the semi-sweetheart variation falls higher up on the chest. Straps or sleeves can also be added for extra support.
V-Neck
The V-neck is a versatile option that suits a range of bust sizes. It enhances curves and adds a touch of allure without revealing too much. A V-neck can be particularly elegant on a lace or vintage wedding dress. However, those with very small or very large busts may want to avoid this style.
Scoop Neckline
The scoop neckline is another classic and universally flattering option. It dips in the front, creating a rounded shape. This neckline accentuates the collarbone and can provide added bust support with wider straps. It is a good choice for those with larger busts as it offers more coverage than a sweetheart neckline.
Illusion Neckline
The illusion neckline uses sheer mesh fabric to create the look of exposed skin. It often appears on V-neck, plunge neck, or strapless dresses with short or long sleeves. This style combines elegance and functionality, offering a comfortable and glamorous option.
High Neck
The high neck, or turtleneck, is a regal option that creates a sophisticated and elegant silhouette. This style is ideal for those with smaller busts, as it can make the torso appear larger and emphasize broad shoulders.
Square Neckline
The square neckline is a modern and chic choice. It extends from the shoulder straps to form a straight line across the centre of the chest. This neckline can elongate the neck, provide contrast to curves, and draw attention to the collarbone.
When choosing a neckline, it's important to consider your comfort, the overall style of your wedding, and, most importantly, what makes you feel confident and beautiful.
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Fabric and material
The material of your wedding dress is a key factor in how you will look and feel on your special day. Different materials have the ability to alter your overall experience and appearance. For instance, a heavy satin bridal gown could make you uncomfortable in warm weather, whereas an airy silk sheath might not be warm enough for a winter wedding.
Lace is one of the most popular bridal dress fabric types. It is remarkably versatile, can be used to create details or elaborate designs, and is a timeless fabric. From Chantilly and Guipure laces to Alençon, laser-cut, point d’esprit, and even cotton, each type of lace has unique characteristics that will bring a different look to your wedding dress. Lace is often accented with sparkly beading to add to the romance factor.
Chiffon is another popular choice for brides, especially for beach and summer weddings, as it is airy and lightweight, helping to keep you cool in hot temperatures. Georgette is similar to chiffon but a bit less sheer and more textured. It is often made from polyester or silk strands and is ideal for lightweight wedding gown silhouettes with lots of movement, like a laidback boho style.
Organza is a very lightweight, translucent fabric often with a high sheen. It is commonly used for layered looks to add fullness to ball gowns, trains, and veils. It is perfect for whimsical, frothy dresses and princess moments. Organza is a great choice for brides who love the look of a ball gown but want a more lightweight option.
Tulle is another classic, seasonless, and versatile wedding gown fabric. It is a stiff fabric made with polyester, nylon, or silk. Due to its netting style and volume, it is often used for skirts and veils. Tulle can be layered to give your dress more volume and style.
Silk is a luxurious fabric that can be used for intricate designs and detailing. Silk chiffon, in particular, is perfect for a flowing dress. Silk gazar, on the other hand, has a smooth and crisp look, similar to organza. Silk zibeline, a subcategory of Mikado fabric, is defined by its satin weave and a smooth, full-bodied drape. It is a popular component of higher-end bridal gowns.
Mikado is a thicker type of silk blend, perfect for brides who want a structured gown that will hold its shape. It is a popular choice for fit-and-flare, trumpet, or A-line silhouettes and is excellent for formal dress codes due to its high-shine finish.
Satin is a delicate, luxurious textile with a slight sheen, which will help you achieve a classy, modern look. It is a staple for wedding dresses as it shines like gold and makes dresses that won't crease or wrinkle easily. The smooth finish it leaves creates a look that is elegant and dazzling.
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Style and shape
The style and shape of a wedding dress are important considerations when choosing what to wear for your big day. The right silhouette can flatter your figure and make you feel confident and beautiful.
To find the perfect style and shape, it's essential to first determine your body type. Common body types include hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, inverted triangle, and oval. Hourglass figures are characterised by a well-balanced bust and hips with a cinched waist, while pear-shaped bodies have a narrower top and fuller bottom. Apple-shaped bodies carry most of their weight around the midsection, and rectangle shapes have little variation between bust, waist, and hip measurements. Inverted triangle bodies have broader shoulders and narrower hips, and oval shapes have full breasts and weight around the stomach.
Once you've determined your body type, you can choose a wedding dress silhouette that will flatter your figure. For pear-shaped brides, A-line silhouettes are a popular choice as they hug the waist and create a slimming effect while gently flaring out at the bottom. Trumpet and mermaid styles are ideal for brides who want to flaunt their curves, as they have a fitted bodice that hugs the body before flaring out at the skirt. Fit-and-flare gowns are similar but offer more movability due to their gradual flare.
If you're an hourglass figure, you can pull off a variety of styles, including two-piece gowns, sweetheart necklines, and corset dresses. To showcase your toned arms and shoulders, consider a halter neckline, which can also provide coverage for smaller-chested brides. For a more subtle look, an A-line gown or a sheath dress can be a good choice, as they flow straight down from the neckline to the hem, skimming the body's curves. Sheath dresses are also a great option for tall, slim brides, as they give a defined look to taller figures and an elongated appearance to petite brides.
Ball gowns are another style that can work for various body types. They are especially flattering for taller brides as the contrast between the bodice and skirt creates a beautiful effect. For apple-shaped bodies, ball gowns can also be a good choice as they flatter the areas you may not be keen on.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful. These guidelines can help you navigate the different styles and shapes, but don't be afraid to try on different dresses and seek the expertise of a stylist to find the perfect one for you.
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Colour and tone
Firstly, it is important to identify your skin tone. Most brides fall into the pale, fair, medium, olive, or dark skin tone categories. Then, you should determine your skin's undertone, which can be cool, neutral, or warm. You can discover your undertone by looking at the veins in your wrist. For example, if your veins appear green, you likely have warm undertones, whereas if they appear blue, you probably have cool undertones.
If you have warm undertones, cooler and neutral colours will complement you best. These include off-white, pure white, blues, mauve, champagne, and grey. If you have cool undertones, colours like ivory, cream, champagne, nude, silver, charcoal, and navy will suit you. If you have neutral undertones, you're in luck! Pretty much any dress shade will look great, but some experts advise avoiding chocolate brown and navy.
The season in which you are getting married can also influence the colour you choose. For example, if you are having a beach wedding, sea green, blue, and turquoise are great choices, whereas a garden-themed wedding can incorporate any flower colours.
Finally, the lighting of your venue can affect the appearance of your dress. Bright sunlight will lighten certain hues and darken others, so it is best to try on your dress in the same type of light that you plan to have on your wedding day. For instance, ivory and champagne may be washed out in outdoor lighting, whereas blush and mocha will bring more life to lighter skin tones.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to know your body type. You can do this by measuring yourself or having a friend or family member measure you. If you have an athletic body type, you might want to consider an off-the-shoulder or strapless dress to show off your arms. If you have a fuller chest, consider wider straps or sleeves for a soft look and added support. An hourglass figure can look great in a corset dress or an A-line dress with a dropped waist. If you're petite, you might want to try a ballgown.
If you want to play up your strong personality, avoid light and flowy fabrics like chiffon and instead opt for heavier, more durable materials like satin.
While there are guides to help you find a dress that suits your body type and personality, the most important thing is to go with what makes you feel confident and happy. Listen to your stylist, but also trust your instincts and go with what you want rather than what you think you need.
