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Wedding Dress Styles

Dress Silhouettes

Ball Gown

The Ballgown features a very full, shaped skirt of tulle, satin, or other bridal fabrics, and a fitted bodice. This style really flatters slim figures and those with wider hips. Short waisted figures can also benefit from this style by choosing this style.

Sheath

The sheath style dress has a curve conscious silhouette that follows the lines of the body closely. This style works beautifully in structured satin fabrics or soft and slinky materials. The sheath dress is equally glamorous on slim and petite or tall and slender figures. Choose a bodice with pleating, gathers, embroidery, or beading to create the illusion of a larger bust.

A-line

The A-line shape flatters most body types. Traditionally this style is close fitting through the bodice and flares into the A-line shape skirt at the waist. The A-line shape creates an elongated, smooth line on almost any figure. The skirt flatters in either a full or more narrow cut. Full figures have the added benefit of slimming their hips in this style. Choose a V-neck or halter style to flatter and support a larger bust.

Mermaid

The mermaid wedding gown has a sheath silhouette through the bodice to thigh, with a skirt that flares out around the knees. Mermaid style is perfect for brides who want to show off the curves of their hourglass figures.

Wedding Dress Necklines

High Neck

A band collar that extends up the neck. The mandarin version of this style is taken from traditional Asian dress, and doesn't quite meet at the centre front.

Sweetheart

A low-cut neckline shaped like the top half of a heart, accentuating the décolletage. Often done with an overlay of sheer material that rises higher, elongating the torso and neck.

Scoop

Also known as a ballerina neckline, this U-shaped style is often cut low, and occasionally the scoop will continue on the back of the dress.

V-neck

The neckline dips down at the front in a flattering V, elongating the neckline and de-emphasising the bust line.

Halter

The halter features straps that wrap around the neck, or a high neck with deep armholes. This is often backless.

Off the Shoulder

This neckline sits below the shoulders, with sleeve-like straps that cover part of the upper arm. Shows off your collarbone and shoulders.

Spaghetti Straps

This neckline is nearly strapless, except for the presence of thin, delicate straps. A bit like strings of spaghetti, funnily enough!

Strapless

Guess what, there are no straps on this style... The bodice is usually cut straight across, but it can also peak on the sides or have a slight dip in the centre.

Wedding Dress Waistlines

Empire

The Empire features a seam based high on the waist, just below the bust line. The skirt falls in a slight A-line and is named after the style's popularity during the Empire period in France.

Basque

The Basque waist forms an elongated triangle beneath your own natural waistline. This style diminishes the width of the dress at the waist.

Asymmetrical

An asymmetrical bodice features a change in waist height from one side of the dress to the other. The extent to which this style flatters certain figures may vary, depending on the cut.

Dropped

The dropped waist falls several inches below your natural waistline.

Suggestions for How to Find Your Right Wedding Dress.

If You're Pear-Shaped
DO
* Full a-line silhouettes
* V-neck tops
* Bateau necklines
* Scoop-neck tops
* Strapless necklines
DON'T
* Sheath silhouettes
* Trumpet and mermaid silhouettes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If You're Apple-Shaped
DO
* Princess-seam a-line silhouettes
* Constructed empire-waist silhouettes
* V-neck tops
* Scoop-neck tops
* Plunging necklines
DON'T
* Ball-gown silhouettes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If You're Petite
DO
* Sheath silhouettes
* A-line silhouettes
* Empire-waist gowns
* Gowns with princess seams
DON'T
* Ball-gown silhouette
* Dropped-waist silhouettes
* High collars and other overwhelming necklines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If You're Tall
DO
* Ball-gown silhouettes
* A-line silhouettes with defined waists
* Bias-cut silhouettes
* Mermaid and trumpet silhouettes
DON'T
* Princess-seamed silhouettes

 

If You're Straight-Figured
DO
* Ball-gown silhouettes
* Mermaid and trumpet silhouettes
* Full a-line silhouettes
* Creative necklines
DON'T
* Soft sheaths

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If You're Hourglass-Shaped
DO
* Modified a-line silhouettes
* Mermaid and trumpet silhouettes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If You're Plus-Sized
DO
* Dropped-waist a-line silhouettes
* Flat-front ball-gown silhouettes
DON'T
* Fitted silhouettes that are unconstructed or clingy