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Ballgown, Fishtail, Mermaid Dresses and More in Your Bridal Shape Update!

Modern Wedding Posted: February 19, 2016

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In the latest issue of Modern Wedding Magazine, we step beyond the traditional approach to wedding dress silhouettes. As part of the bridal fashion editorial (starting page 166), we share tips on how brides can personalise the ballgown, trumpet, empire line, A-line, fishtail and bridal separate silhouettes. The shape of your bridal gown is one of the most important things to consider, so to help brides understand and get inspired for their own gown, we share some of our favourite dresses in each silhouette!

B A L L G O W N

The ballgown silhouette has come to epitomise timeless bridal style. It was popularised by Queen Victoria and features a fitted bodice that is cinched through the bust, ribs and waist, before billowing into a full ballgown skirt over tulle petticoats. This elegant silhouette enhances most figures and often features a lace or embellished bodice.

Ballgown-D1875 AD - Essense of Australia Ballgown-Penrith Bridal Centre GANGES-MADEIRA Ballgown-KennethWinston-1604-1 Ballgown-D1919 AD - Essense of Australiasnouri 276

Gowns: 1-4. Essense of Australia / 2. Pronovias Dreams Collection / 3. Kenneth Winston 2016 / 5. Sareh Nouri Fall 2016 /  ps. See more gowns from each collection at the links!

T R U M P E T 

A romantic, form-fitting style, the trumpet silhouette takes shape with a close-fitting bodice that skims the body, is fitted through the hips and then flares gracefully into a soft, oh-so-elegant trumpet shaped skirt, which is much more gradual than that of the dramatic fishtail style.

Trumpet-Julie Vino Couture available from Peter Trends 908- 2 Trumpet-Penrith Bridal Centre ROSARIO-C Trumpet-D1951 AD - Essense of Australia Trumpet-D1928 AD - Essense of AustraliaJannan Sareh Nouri Fall 2016 Collection

Gowns: 1. Julie Vino available at Peter Trends / 2. Pronovias Collection / 3-4. Essense of Australia /5. Sareh Nouri Fall 2016

E M P I R E 

The slender line of this silhouette is characterised by a high waist and short bodice, with the skirt beginning directly under the bust line. Sometimes commonly referred to as a ‘baby doll’ silhouette or dress, this style focuses on a light, flowing skirt.

EmpireLine-Grace Loves Lace 140320_03_048Madison Truvelle Bridal in Australia EmpireLine-Grace Loves Lace 140320_S01_098DOMINICA Emanuella by DesignEden Truvelle Bridal in Australia

Gowns: 1-3. Grace Loves Lace / 2-5. Love Marie x Truvelle / 4. Emanuella by Peter Trends

A – L I N E 

Also known as a ‘fit and flare’ style, this silhouette is extremely figure-flattering, especially for brides wishing to minimise their hips and thighs. As the name suggests, the A-line gown forms a triangular shape featuring a fitted bodice flowing into a widening skirt, which sweeps out gradually from the natural waist.

A-Line-Wendy Makin Watters Love Marley_F15_55609_55452_aBT16-16--01Watters Spring 2015 Nyra Gown FrontKennethWinston-1598-1BT16-20--02

Gowns: 1. Love Marley / 2-5. Enzoani / 3. Watters / 4. Kenneth Winston 2016

F I S H T A I L 

The fishtail or mermaid, silhouette boasts a tight fitting, sculpted bodice that traces the contours of the body and then flares dramatically into a widening skirt. This style often features a heavily embellished bodice with a voluminous skirt created through the layering of petticoats and fabric.

Fishtail-D1897 AD - Essense of Australia Fishtail-728Ad - Martina LianaJulie Vino Lindsay Wedding Gown Fishtail-Brides of Beecroft 9C157_MARTE_A_0012-HR Fishtail-D1876 AD - Essense of Australia

Gowns: 1-5. Essense of Australia / 2. Martina Liana / 3. Julie Vino available at Peter Trends / 4. Brides of Beecroft 

S E P A R A T E S

Bridal separates have only recently come into their own as a bona fide gown style, and tend to consist of either a top and skirt combination or an underlay and overlay mix. Each piece is sold separately, giving the bride a multitude of extra options. With so many different pieces available, you’ll see a wide variety of fabrics, embellishments and finishes.

Separates-Available from Love Marie truvelle-Klara2Separates-Grace Loves Lace Bayleigh Vedelago Hannah + Craig { Married! } 524separates2772__base-nina-skirtSeparates-KWH P14-40 Tillie + P14-45 NatashaWatters Spring 2015 Asha Top

Gowns: 1. Love Marie x Truvelle / 2. Grace Loves Lace / 3-4. Karen Willis Holmes / 5. Watters

Find more gowns collection by browsing all the new wedding dress collections here. Don’t forget to get in touch with the designers and retailers if you find something you like and grab a copy of Modern Wedding Magazine – The Engagement Issue – for more essential wedding style tips!

MW x

Modern Wedding Magazine #69

Buy it here 🙂

Illustrations Alexandra Nea 

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