One of the most exciting, and occasionally daunting parts of preparing a wedding is choosing the perfect wedding dress. With such a wide range of styles, fabrics, and silhouettes you might get confused about which dress would look best on you. The trick to making this easier choice is to know your body type and get a wedding dress that compliments it.
Check out how to find the perfect wedding dress for your body type so that you can feel confident, beautiful, and comfortable walking down the aisle.
1. Hourglass Body Shape
Balanced proportions between the bust and hips define the hourglass body shape, with a defined waist. If you have this classic figure, the key is to choose a wedding dress that highlights your curves while accentuating your waistline.
Best styles for hourglass figures:
Mermaid or Trumpet Gowns – Perfect for an hourglass shape as they are body-hugging through the curves and then flare out around the knee to draw attention to your silhouette.
Fit-and-Flare Dresses – Much like mermaid dresses, but just a tad looser, fit-and-flare dresses cinch the midsection and then flare out just below the hips to accentuate your figure!
Sheath Gowns – Especially if you’re curvy, a sheath gown is perfect for showing off your curves adding no extra volume, as it follows the natural line of your figure.
2. Brides with Athletic Body Types
Women with an athletic body type have hips wider than the bust and shoulders. While choosing a dress, you must balance your proportions, and that means emphasizing the upper body while trying to define the waist.
Best styles for Athletic Body Types:
A-Line Dresses – The purpose of an A-line dress is to accentuate the small waist while allowing for a graceful flowy shape.
Ball Gowns – Ball gowns draw attention to the upper body, skim over wider hips, and have a volume-filled skirt that balances out bigger hips. This is a very sophisticated look.
Off-the-Shoulder or Strapless Gowns – Dresses with off-the-shoulder or strapless necklines draw attention to the shoulders and bust, helping to create a balanced, elegant look.
3. Brides with Fuller Chests
Brides with fuller chests are typically fuller through the middle, often with a less defined waist and slimmer legs. When choosing a wedding dress for this body type, the goal is to create the illusion of a defined waist while emphasizing the bust and legs.
Best styles for fuller chests:
Empire Waist Dresses – The Empire waist sits just below the bust, allowing the fabric to flow over the stomach area while drawing attention upward. This creates a long, flowing silhouette that works well for athletic figured brides.
A-Line Dresses – Like how this style can accentuate an athletic body type, A-line dresses can also flatter and offer structure and balance without clinging to the midsection.
V-Necklines – A deep V-neckline elongates the torso and draws attention to the upper body, creating a slimming effect.
4. Tall and Slender Body Types
A straight figure characterizes a tall and slender body shape, with balanced proportions between the bust, waist, and hips. The goal when selecting a wedding dress for this body type is to create the illusion of curves.
Best styles for tall and slender figures:
Ball Gowns – The full skirt of a ball gown adds volume to the lower half of the body, creating the illusion of curves and a defined waistline.
Mermaid or Trumpet Gowns – These curve-hugging styles can create a more defined silhouette by adding emphasis to the hips and bust.
Dresses with Embellished Bodices – Look for gowns with lace, beading, or ruching on the bodice to add texture and visual interest, helping to create the appearance of curves.
5. Petite Brides
If you’re a petite bride (typically under 5’4″), it’s important to choose a wedding dress that doesn’t overwhelm your frame. The right silhouette will elongate your body and create a proportionate look.
Best styles for petite brides:
Sheath Dresses – The slim, simple silhouette of a sheath dress can elongate your figure, making you appear taller.
A-Line Dresses – An A-line dress with a natural waistline can also help petite brides by adding length and definition to the figure without overwhelming it.
While ball gowns are beautiful, they may overwhelm a petite frame. Instead, opt for styles that are more fitted and less voluminous to create a balanced look.
Finding the best wedding dress is knowing your body shape and picking a dress that will flatter you. Regardless of your body type — curvy, petite, or somewhere in the middle — you should never feel deprived of a stunning wedding gown that flatters and enhances every part of your body on this special day. Choosing the perfect dress for your body shape will help you walk down the aisle with confidence.
