Ladies! Wedding season is here, and if you’re all
tripping on finding your perfect flattering wedding dress then read this…
To get that
wedding dress with the perfect fit, it's essential to determine the most
flattering shape for your figure. Not only will you be more comfortable on your
wedding day, you'll also look and feel more beautiful than you ever expected.
Check out this list of basic wedding dress silhouettes, then use the
descriptions below to assess your body type. Study up on our lists of dos and
don'ts for each one.
Hourglass
You have a big
chest, big hips, and a thin waist (that is, curves in all the right places ;) ).
- Wedding Dress Dos: An A-Line wedding dress with a dropped waist will show off your figure; pair it with a sweetheart neckline to show off your chest. Or for something a little more curvaceous, try a fit-and-flare gown like a mermaid or trumpet style.
- Wedding Dress Don'ts: A ball gown or Empire-waist silhouette may make you look disproportioned.
Short Waist
Your body is
naturally proportioned, except for the small distance from your ribs to your
hips.
Keep in mind that
while your weight may fluctuate between the time you buy your gown and the day
of your wedding, your actual body type will remain the same. So even if you're
planning to drop a few Kgs before exchanging vows, choose the gown that fits
your body type today.
- Wedding Dress Dos: A Princess-line silhouette -- fitted at the bodice and opening up gradually to a full skirt -- elegantly elongates your figure; if you love your shoulders, try a portrait or halter neckline. A slightly dropped-waist gown will also lengthen your torso.
- Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make your short waist more obvious.
Thick Waist
Same as above,
but instead of a short waist, yours is undefined: The line from your shoulders
to your hips is straight.
- Wedding Dress Dos: An Empire-waist dress will deemphasize your waistline and give you a long, lean look.
- Wedding Dress Don'ts: A Princess-line will draw too much attention to your middle.
Full Figure
More voluptuous
than most, you've got full breasts, a bit of a tummy, and round hips and butt.
- Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown wedding dress will hide quite a bit, and an A-line silhouette looks great on everyone.
- Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath will make you look heavier than you are; avoid spaghetti straps.
Pear Shape
Just like the
fruit, you're small on top and heavy on the bottom.
- Wedding Dress Dos: A basque waist or strapless ball gown will cover your bottom half and put the focus on your better half; an Empire dress will hug the tiniest part of your body and disguise your lower half.
- Wedding Dress Don'ts: A sheath, frankly, will be unflattering. A trumpet- or mermaid-style gown will draw attention to your bottom.
Thin
Short or tall,
there's not a whole lot of meat on your bones. You boast that certain kind of
ballerina beauty.
- Wedding Dress Dos: A ball gown will make you look like a fairy-tale princess, and a sheath would be perfect for you.
- Wedding Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, but stay away from portrait, off-the-shoulder, or halter necklines if your collarbone is too bony.
Petite
You're probably
not the star of the basketball team -- you've got a tiny frame.
- Wedding Dress Dos: It's best to keep it simple -- when you're small, a big, elaborate gown can sometimes look as if it's wearing you rather than the other way around. A sheath or A-line dress will work well.
- Wedding Dress Don'ts: Almost all silhouettes will flatter your figure, though a big ball gown may overwhelm.
