Choose a Wedding Dress for Your Body Type

Your wedding is your special day, and you’ll always remember it. You’ll also remember the dress; it will be in pictures and in your and your spouse’s minds. Therefore, it’s important to pick a wedding dress that complements your body type. Once you know your body shape, then it’s time to pick that dress.

Steps

Choosing a Dress for a Pear-Shaped (Triangular) Body

  1. Check your body shape. If you’re pear-shaped (triangular), your shoulders will be thinner than your hips. Enhance your neckline and hide your hips.
  2. Go with a deep neckline. Deep necklines and strapless tops work very well for your body shape. The neckline should flatter your shoulders and bust. Sweetheart necklines do double duty by helping to augment your neckline and give you a chance to show off your jewelry.[1]
  3. Find a cinched waist. Cinched waists and diagonally draped bodices will draw attention away from your hips. If you go with a cinched waist, you can choose a simple sash or go glam and add in some fancy jewels or beading.
  4. Select an a-line skirt. A-line skirts that flare are a good way to add volume that will decrease the size of your hips. Layers, ruffles, and tulle can make your look pop. Ball gowns are a very good choice to soften your hips.
  5. Avoid high necklines and full skirts. Pleating and mermaid silhouettes are also not for you because they will make your hips will look larger.

Choosing a Dress for an Apple-Shaped Body

  1. Check your body shape. You’re apple shaped if you’re full in the waist, but your arms and legs are thin.
  2. Pick a deep v style neckline. Deep v necklines create a vertical line that will detract attention from the widest part of your waist. Go for bodices that are accented at the neckline with beading or embellishments. Ornamented bodices can visually add weight up top.
  3. Choose a high waistline. High waistlines, like the type you will find with cinched waists, are your best bet with an apple-shaped body. High waistlines will flow into the skirt, helping to give you an elongated figure.[2]
  4. Opt for a flared skirt. Flared skirts that turn into an A shape will take away from the weight at your waist.
  5. Avoid trumpet dress silhouettes. They will accentuate the widest part of your body and contribute to a visual feeling of disproportion.

Choosing a Dress for an Hourglass Body

  1. Check your body shape. You’re an hourglass if you have a rectangular shape (same width hips and shoulders), but you have a pronounced waist.
  2. Go with a low-cut neckline. Low-cut styles will expose your neckline and are appropriate for your hourglass body type. Choices include halter tops, v necks, and sweetheart necks.
  3. Choose a low drop waist or a ruched bodice. These will accentuate your curves and show off your figure.
  4. Select a mermaid silhouette or a trumpet skirt. Both work well on hourglass figures.
  5. Avoid straight cut dresses. They may be too snug for your curves and too loose for your waist. Gathers or pleats in the skirt can make your hips look disproportionate.[3]

Considering Other Aspects of Your Body

  1. Look for dresses that fit your height. Some dresses have lace or other types of embellishment on their skirts, so make sure they don’t fall at the wrong place.[4]
    • Petite brides may look best in trumpet shapes, sheath gowns, column dresses and narrow A-line cuts. Textures work well, but avoid ornate embellishments.[5] Also avoid drop-waists and calf-length designs as they will make your legs look shorter.
    • Taller brides may prefer to choose bias cut or sheath dresses. Strapless dresses are also appropriate.[4] Always make sure the sleeves and skirt are long enough to complement your body's proportions.
  2. Pick empire waists and tailored elements if you’re plus-size. These allow the dress to skim your body and give definition to your waist, helping to flatter your curves.[5] Avoid pleating and oversized and/or unfitted gowns, which will visually add weight to your figure.
  3. Choose a curved neckline if you’re busty. A curved neckline will frame your face and collarbone and make your bust area a supporting feature. Avoid strapless gowns with straight horizontal necklines as well as fabrics with sheen and ruching; they will make you appear heavier up top. Going strapless is possible for you. Just pick a built-in corset or boning to help keep your dress from slipping.[4]
  4. Balance your narrow hips with bustles and full skips. If you’re curvier, go for a nipped waist with a skirt that falls loosely over your thighs and calves.[5]

Tips

  • Pick your favorite dress from your closet. Wedding dresses are not like other dresses, but you can use what you own to help guide you. Figure out what makes your current favorite dress so wonderful. Why does it look good on you? What do you like about it? Make a list, and use that to guide you when you start to shop.[6]
  • Don’t pick a dress that’s the wrong size. Instead of planning to gain or lose weight, choose what fits when you’re trying on your dresses. At a later sizing, closer to the date, alternations can be made.[7]
  • Off-the rack size 12 can be a bridal size 16! Don’t be worried if your dress size sounds larger than you think it should be.[4]
  • Move around in the dress. You’re going to be wearing it for a full day (or full night). You’ll want to sit, stand, and walk. What you might think looks great on you standing might turn into a nightmare when you sit down.[8]

Warnings

  • Know your budget. It can be tempting to exceed what you should spend when you find “it.” Make your memories last forever, not your bills.



Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.glamour.com/gallery/figure-flattery-how-to-find-the-best-wedding-dress-for-your-body-shape
  2. ↑ http://www.womansday.com/style/fashion/g808/clothes-for-apple-shapes/
  3. ↑ http://www.seattletimes.com/life/lifestyle/dress-to-emphasize-positives-about-your-shape/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 http://hollywoodlife.com/2015/08/26/how-to-pick-wedding-dress-for-your-body-type/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g936/clothes-for-your-body-type/
  6. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/09/wedding-dresses_n_3734449.html
  7. ↑ http://bridalguide.com/fashion/wedding-dress-shopping-guide/wedding-dress-shopping-tips
  8. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raquel-kelley/what-not-to-do-when-picki_b_3424788.html
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