There are so many gorgeous wedding dresses on the market and while we are spoilt rotten for choice, sometimes having lots of options can actually make things more difficult. The key to getting it right is finding the ideal silhouette for your figure. If you nail this, then dress shopping becomes a dream! Our guest blogger Sally McMahon is a health coach and director of Bridalicious Bootcamp. We’ve called on her in to explain which styles suit different body shapes so that you can find the perfect wedding dress for your body type.
Photographer: Our Carousel Studios / Gowns & accessories: Instyle Bridal / Stylists: Kimberlee Kessler & Rosemary Slade / Hair: Rhiane Schroder / Makeup: Veronika Moriera / Stylists’ Assistant: Lauren Kessler / Location: Oatlands House
The Spot To Start…
Wedding dress shopping, where to start?!? In a sea of white dresses (which are ALL totally gorgeous!), most brides get a bit overwhelmed trying to find that ‘perfect’ dress! The best place to start is with YOU! This guide will give you everything you need to find your dream wedding dress that fits your body type perfectly! All bodies are beautiful so work with your shape, rather than against it, to find a wedding gown that will flatter your figure and have you radiating with total confidence.
What Body Type Are You?…
To find out what your natural body type is, grab a tape measure and ask a friend to measure the widest part of your shoulders, bust and hips and then the smallest part of your waist.
Once you’ve got your measurements, see which of these categories are most representative of you:
- Straight or Athletic – If your shoulders, bust and hips are roughly the same size and your waist isn’t much smaller then you’ve got a straight or an athletic body type
- Inverted Triangle – If your shoulders and/or bust are larger than your hips then you’ve got an inverted triangle body type
- Pear – If your hips are wider than your shoulders and/or bust then you’ve got a pear body type
- Hourglass – If your shoulders, bust and hips are roughly the same size but your waist is at least 25% smaller than your hips then you’ve got an hourglass body type
If you need a hand with choosing, be sure to check out the below INFOGRAPHIC and take the ‘What Wedding Dress Suits my Body Shape?’ quiz at the end of this article.
Wedding Dress Silhouettes…
Empire…
Empire wedding dresses feature a high waist that hugs your upper torso with a straight, soft and flowing skirt for a simple, stylish and classic bridal look. Empire wedding dresses compliment the slim figure of a straight or athletic body type and can also sit beautifully over wider hips making it a flattering choice for the pear or hourglass shaped bride.
A-Line…
A-line wedding gowns feature a fitted bodice that gently flares down to the ground creating a classic and unbroken silhouette. It’s the perfect choice for pear and inverted triangle shaped figures to balance out the shoulders and hips and can create a curvier profile on a straight or athletic shape.
Mermaid and Trumpet…
Mermaid and trumpet wedding dresses hug the bust, waist and hips and are a sexy choice to show off the feminine figure of the hourglass body shape! While a trumpet shape flares out from the mid-thigh to the ground, the mermaid style fits to the knee, providing even more definition.
Ball Gown…
The ball gown or princess wedding dress is classic and timeless with a fitted bodice and a full skirt. They’re flattering on all body types as they show off the bust, arms and shoulders while concealing the waist and hips. However, if you’re petite, you might find yourself getting lost in all the material!
Sheath…
The sheath or column wedding dress has a long, slim silhouette that follows the body’s natural line without flaring out. This type of wedding dress shows off a sleek and slender figure and is best suited to those with an hourglass, straight or athletic figure for an elegant, classy look.
Finding Your Perfect Wedding Dress…
After you’ve found what types of dresses best suit YOUR body, it’s time for the fun part, SHOPPING! Take your time to try on lots of different dresses (even of the same type) as slight differences in shape and fabric can make a big difference to how they fit. Ultimately, choose the dress that makes you feel absolutely fabulous! Work with what you’ve got baby and wear white with confidence!
Once you’ve figured out which style of wedding dress will suit your body type best, take a look at our wedding dress ideas here!
