Choosing the Right Style of Wedding Dress for your Shape

Here are the rules:

  • Hourglass (your bust is about the same width as your hips and you have a nipped in waist – lucky you!)
    Choose:Anything you like, especially dresses that accentuate your tiny waist and curves. A fishtail (sometimes called the ‘mermaid’) will look amazing on you!
    Think Hollywood glamour of the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe, the hourglass shape can wear any style and look amazing!
  • Petite (you are 5ft 3ins or under and are probably also a smaller dress size)
    Choose: A-line or long-line styles with detail at the neckline and hem to draw the eye up and down the length of your frame.
    Avoid: Ball gown or full-skirted ‘fru fru’ meringue type styles.
    Petite sizes should go for a gentle A-line style as this shape appears to lengthen the body. A high neckline or an empire-line may also give the illusion of length. Detailing at top and bottom of the dress will give the illusion of a longer line and thus make you magically appear taller. Heels will complete your look.
  • Pear shape (you are smaller on top with curvy snake hips)
    Choose: Slim A-line styles with wide or square necklines and especially strapless or off-the-shoulder dresses where the horizontal line gives the illusion of a wider top-half.
    Avoid: Clingy materials around your hips and bias cut skirts which accentuate wider hips. If you have small boobs avoid a deep v-neckline or low-cut dress like the plague!
    As pear-shapes are smaller above the waist than they are below, it’s best to streamline the shape by taking the emphasis away from the hip. An A-line will skim over your hips and hide larger thighs or saddlebags while showing off your beautifully slim upper half. A heavier material wrapped around your top half such as a velvet or fur stole will also help to balance you and complete your look.
  • Plus size (you are curvy and rounder than most and probably a size 18+ and all woman!)
    Choose: Deep v-necklines will give the illusion of a slimmer you while enhancing your best assets. A fitted bodice with a longer length gentle A-line skirt will also help to streamline you.
    Avoid:High necklines, short skirt lengths and strapless or off-the-shoulder styles which may make you look wider with their horizontal lines.
    Gathered and pleated styles will add bulk so a plus size bride should go instead for a longer line of dress to streamline their figure. A gentle A-line gown with sheer sleeves or straps and a deep v-neckline will be your best dress choice, a pretty sheer wrap will complete the look.

Try before you buy and take along a friend!

Trying on wedding dresses is a rite of passage for many a girl and it’s a special day out to enjoy with your best friend, mum, sister or all three! It’s a good idea to try on as many different styles as you can as it will give you a better idea of what you like and what you feel comfortable in. Sleep on a decision rather than buying spontaneously, as you may find yourself getting carried away with the moment and then later change your mind. If you’re travelling a long distance to dress shops it’s a good idea to try dresses on in the morning and then break for lunch to mull over how you felt about each dress and then perhaps go back and buy one after lunch.

It is said that you will just know when you have found the dress so go with your instincts and remember that all brides are beautiful on their wedding day – especially those who have chosen the perfect dress for their shape.