Congratulations! You're engaged – now it's time to find the perfect dress.
When you start your wedding dress search you will likely have these three questions in the back of your mind: What body shape am I? Which silhouettes will suit me? How do I find the perfect dress for my shape? You may feel overwhelmed by all the shapes and styles available to you but don't worry we can help you find the right dress.
To start with it is a good idea to get to know your general measurements. No bride fits neatly into one body shape category but knowing the basic body shapes can help you to understand your proportions better, which in turn can help to narrow down your wedding dress search and ensure you choose a silhouette that will enhance your most gorgeous features.
We will be looking at the most common body shapes: hourglass, apple, pear, straight / athletic, petite and tall. Combine tips and recommendations from each category to find the perfect wedding dress for your body type—whatever your unique features, personal style and wedding vision. Keep scrolling!
Hourglass – fuller bust and hips, small waist.
The hourglass figure will suit many dress styles. The key to an hourglass figure is to accentuate the small waist and in turn highlight your wonderful curves. Many people believe the hourglass shape to be the perfect figure and this is embodied by Kelly Brook who is famous for her womanly curves. The following styles would be perfect for this heavenly body shape…
- A corset style is designed to accentuate your natural curves and gives extra support to a fuller bust.
- A mermaid wedding dress is designed to flatter and accentuate your natural curves.
- A relaxed fit and flare wedding dress (less structured but equally as glamorous) is also a gorgeous option for hourglass brides.
- If a ballgown wedding dress strikes your fancy, opt for a structured bodice and full skirt to cinch in your waist and play up your red carpet silhouette.
- A sweetheart neckline complements your feminine shape.
Check out our Crawford, Milford and Andrews gowns.
Apple – a waist wider than hips.
An ‘apple’ shaped bride tends to have broad shoulders, fullness around the waist and narrow hips. Famous faces with this shape include Elizabeth Hurley and Catherine Zeta Jones. Many people who are blessed with this sexy body shape aren’t too sure which is the best way to flaunt their assets but we can recommend the following styles…
- A line styles will flatter this shape by helping to define your waist and balancing out your figure with a full skirt.
- Pleated bodice detail can help to camouflage the stomach area.
- Tie backs are a great choice for this shape as you can cinch in the waist to create a more hourglass figure.
Check out our Knight, Hayek and Cruz gowns.
Pear – narrow shoulders, well defined waist and wide hips.
Brides with a pear-shaped figure tend to have narrow shoulders, a smaller bust, defined waist and full hips. When balanced correctly a pear shape can look like a screen siren, take J-Lo for instance, a woman famous for her gorgeous pear shaped figure. The following styles would be perfect for this body shape…
- A full skirt can hide and balance the figure by flaring out from the middle and highlighting a tiny waist.
- An A-line or ballgown wedding dress looks great on most body types, but we think they look especially dreamy on a pear shaped figure.
- A sweetheart neckline helps to draw the eye to a defined décolletage and toned shoulders, typical of those lucky pear-shaped ladies.
- Floaty boho styles are a great choice, as they skim over the pear shaped silhouette.
- A fitted bodice helps to draw the eye upwards to the torso, while embellishments and details help to accentuate your décolletage and waistline.
- If you would like to flaunt your curvaceous hips and why not, a fit-and-flare wedding gown in a chic and comfy fabric would be the perfect choice.
Check out our Mirren, Blair and Winslet gowns.
Straight / Athletic – Slim all over.
With an athletic build you need to create the illusion of curves as this body type is toned and sculpted to perfection. This build tends to look best in form-hugging dresses as they do not have the worry of looking top or bottom heavy. Celebrities such as Cameron Diaz can look amazing in practically any dress due to her enviable athletic shape…
- Create a sexy silhouette with a slimming A-line or fit and flare wedding dress.
- Work with angles: a unique neckline, swirls of beading and embellishments and a tiered skirt help to add visual interest to your silhouette.
- Show off your toned arms and shoulders with a halter top or strapless style.
- A cowl bust helps to emphasise a smaller chest.
- A princess design might seem a bit strange for those with an athletic figure but it works wonders to add those desired curves. By choosing a princess skirt, this dress will give the impression of a tiny waist and the soft tulle fabric can add an element of softness to a more sculpted, angular figure.
Check out our Dunaway, Keaton and Wallis gowns.
Petite
The best things come in small packages and a petite bride is no exception. As a petite lady I know how difficult it is to find the perfect style for your height and you may be deterred thinking you are too short for a particular style but believe me there are many styles that will suit your petite frame perfectly.
- Choose smooth, monochromatic fabrics with flowing layers and vertical details. Heavy embellishment tends to add bulk to your silhouette.
- Ballgown wedding dresses can overwhelm a smaller figure, but a narrower A-line silhouette plays up your curves and elongates your frame.
- Certain fit and flare styles work well for petite brides, just opt for relaxed construction and subtle embellishment.
- A high or natural waistline helps you avoid looking “scrunched up” or bottom-heavy. Watch out for dropped waistlines, they tend to shorten you by visually lowering the starting point for your legs and hips.
Check out our Fonda, Swank and Close gowns.
Tall
Tall brides can choose from a huge variety of styles as your height makes every gown look gorgeous. However taller brides tend to have a more athletic, slim figure so you may want to choose a gown that will create / enhance curves.
- Focus on elegant details and a pretty silhouette. Showy wedding gowns are gorgeous, but they might feel like overkill on your lithe and graceful frame.
- Show off your height with an elegant sheath wedding gown. You’ll look like a Roman goddess!
- To emphasis curves go for a ballgown wedding dress or try out a fit and flare.
Check out our Leigh, Garland and Kidman gowns.
When your are making your choice you may also want to think about....
- What makes you feel comfortable, what do you wear on a regular basis?
- What makes you feel sexy for a special occasion? Think about dress styles that make you feel like the best version of yourself, elegant and sophisticated, but still true to your individual personality.
- Beauty routines: What makes you feel confident? Does a structured up do make you feel fit for the occasion or do natural waves help you go with the flow?
- Does the thought of wearing heels make you want to dance all night or bail on the situation entirely?
These are all important things to think about when deciding which dress is right for you, take your time and make sure you know what suits your shape best and what you really want for your special day.
Don't forget friends and family will be able to help guide you too, every bride has things she likes and doesn’t like about her body. It’s important to find a dress that fits these preferences, but you can’t let your inner critic dominate your decision making. It's so important to see how beautiful you are and if necessary let people help you see it.
If you need any help choosing your dream dress, our support team are here to help in anyway they can.
Love,
Rose & Taylor – Making fantasy a reality.
Xx