Wedding Dress Silhouettes

The quest for the dress is the a journey every woman looks forward to taking. But we are somewhat forbidden to do any research before it's wedding time. So that lifetime of dreaming does little to prepare a bride for the sea of wedding dress possibilities she'll soon be drowning in! Having so many options actually makes it more difficult to make a decision. It's hard to know where to start, and even when you've narrowed it down, you doubt your decision. The best way to handle the quest for the dress is to do your research beforehand. There are 2 major search parameters every girl should consider: the price and the dress style. When searching wedding dresses, you'll be overwhelmed by all the results you'll yield. There are so many different styles and ways of searching through the absurd number of options. Price will certainly narrow things down, but choosing a style will help you most. There are so many different terms to be familiar with, and how's a girl to know which would look best on her? Here's a little help along this journey to making your dress dreams come true.

*Note: In this article, I reference figures/body types. If you're not sure what figure you have, visit this link for in-depth details of your body type and which dresses will help you blow everyone away on your big day!*
http://thelovelylizbridaladvice.blogspot.com/2013/09/wedding-dress-advice.html

Dress Silhouettes

A-Line

There are several subcategories under the A-Line style. The most widely recognized version of the A-Line is the traditional A-Line. The A-Line is defined by the top of the dress being fitted to the body. Then, around the natural waist line, the skirt flows out to be somewhat full. This shape forms an A. The truest A-Lines are comprised of heavier fabrics that can form the structure of the A.

Flattering Figures: flattering for all figures, especially Full Figures

Modified A-Line

This design is a modern version of the original. It is identified by the skirt which stays closer to the body than it would in a traditional A-Line. It's not as full.

Flattering Figures: Inverted Triangle, Small Bust, Rectangle, Full Figure

Full A-Line

Often this silhouette is referred to as the "princess" style dress. This design has a fuller skirt than the traditional A-Line, but it isn't as overwhelmingly full as the ball gown. It's a perfect compromise. You get the dramatic fullness of a ball gown but still have more of a figure as the A-Line accentuates a smaller waist and flows over the hips to give them a little curve. 

Flattering Figures: Apple, Pear, Large Bust, Full Figure

Ball Gown
The Ball Gown is that dreamy, princess dress you likely had in mind when you used to dream about your wedding day. It's dramatic and dreamy. There's no question who the bride is when she's wearing this gown. All ball gowns maintain the same general guidelines: corset tight top and a very full skirt flowing around the waist. Ball gowns can have different waist lines, though. Sometimes they can be higher up or at different levels. Most often the skirts are made of flowy materials such as tulle, chiffon, organza, silk, satin, or taffeta. There are different style waist lines they are allowed to have such as the basque and dropped waist. The skirts can also have more structure, design, layers, pick-ups, and embellishments. 

Flattering Figures: Apple, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Pear, Full Figure

 

Empire

The empire waistline is easily identified. In this style, the waist line falls just under the bust. The skirt begins flowing from the chest region which is usually very defined. The skirt can vary being loose and flowing, flare out a bit like a Modified A-Line, or be draped in a Grecian fashion. Given the often free flowing look of the gown, it makes a great dress for a beach wedding. For brides with a baby bump, this is one of the most comfortable and cutest ways to wear a wedding dress and carry a pregnancy elegantly.

Flattering Figures: Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Pear, Full Figure

Sheath/Column

This silhouette is similar to the empire. The difference is that this style doesn't have a clearly defined waist line. The dress remains pretty tight to the figure. It is long and narrow flowing straight down. Lighter fabrics are perfect for this style as they are great at draping and not looking skin tight but still showing a figure. This is another popular look for beach type weddings. When searching for a vintage style dress, this is nearly always what you'll find. It has that roaring 20's kind of feel.

Flattering Figures: Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Pear

Fit & Flare

This sexy style is a great mix of a full dress with a tight figure. From the top to just below the waist line, the dress is fitted and tight to the body. Then, just below the waist, the skirt flares out to a somewhat full design. The fullness of the skirt can vary from ball gown to sheath. This style is harder to spot as it is so similar to a dropped waist and the other tight styles, but the fit and flare is obvious by the fall of that waist line. Most of the time, that waist line is clear as a hem or some embellishments mark the start of the skirt. 

Flattering Figures: Hourglass, Small Bust, Large Bust, Full Figure

Trumpet

The trumpet design is very similar to a Mermaid and  Fit and Flare. It can be difficult to distinguish, but it is identified by the waist line. The top of the dress is fitted and tight down to the mid thighs. In that mid thigh region, the skirt begins flaring out to different levels of fullness. The skirt flows out in a more subtle fashion than say the Mermaid style. This skirt and style flows out gradually as opposed to a sudden, dramatic change. It kind of looks like the bell of the musical instrument who shares its name. 

Flattering Figures: Hourglass, Small Bust, Large Bust, Full Figure

Mermaid

The mermaid is easy to spot. This style is fitted snug all the way to the knees. Around the knees or lower, the skirt pops out, often fairly full. This style is used for the bride wanting to look very sexy since it shows off every possible contour of the body.

Flattering Figures: Hourglass, Rectangle, Small Bust, Large Bust

 

Every woman is beautiful and unique. If your dream dress isn't the best designed for your body, remember that it's your dream. These guidelines and very general and are meant only to help. You may find that what suits you best isn't at all what was recommended. Hopefully you have an idea of where to start now. Let the quest for the dress continue! 

For lots of beautiful dresses all categorized for your convenience, check out my pinterest page!

http://www.pinterest.com/eluna24/boards/ 

The Right Wedding Dress for Your Body Type

The quest for the dress is the a journey every woman looks forward to taking. But we are somewhat forbidden to do any research before it's wedding time. So that lifetime of dreaming does little to prepare a bride for the sea of wedding dress possibilities she'll soon be drowning in! Having so many options actually makes it more difficult to make a decision. It's hard to know where to start, and even when you've narrowed it down, you doubt your decision. The best way to handle the quest for the dress is to do your research beforehand. There are 2 major search parameters every girl should consider: the price and the dress style. When searching wedding dresses, you'll be overwhelmed by all the results you'll yield. There are so many different styles and ways of searching through the absurd number of options. Price will certainly narrow things down, but choosing a style will help you most. There are so many different terms to be familiar with, and how's a girl to know which would look best on her? Here's a little help along this journey to making your dress dreams come true. 

What Is Your Body Type?

The different styles of dresses compliment specific figures. It's important to know which dress styles correlate to your frame. Be honest! Every figure is beautiful.

Apple Shape
The Apple Shape is identified by having full hips, a round behind, and a full chest. The tummy in between tends to be equally round. Because you are so blessed with curves, you want to make your torso look longer which will thin it out thus give you a taller, more slender appearance overall.

Best Dresses:
A-Line, Full A-Line, Empire, and Ball Gown Styles

A looser fit in the hip and tummy region will be your best friend. The empire is very loose, thus it makes a great choice to give you a light, thin look. The A-Line is great because it will make your waist look thinner and cover your hips. The Full A-Line is bigger on the bottom which could be great to conceal excess junk in the trunk. For that reason, the Ball Gown itself can be a good choice. But keep in mind, if you are more petite, a ball gown could shorten your torso and make you look a little stubby.

Hourglass Shape
The hourglass shape is all about the elegant curves under control. Your hips and shoulders should be about the same width, and your waist should be clearly defined and thinner than your other curves.It's hard to hide curves like this. You want to show them off in a flattering light. Too much going on with those curves could make you look larger. You'll want to choose your dress style carefully to maximize your potential beauty!

Best Dresses:
Mermaid, Fit & Flare, Trumpet, Dropped Waist, and A-Line

The Mermaid is tight all the way to your knees thus showing off all those curves. If you want to accentuate your figure in a more subtle way, the Fit & Flare/Dropped Waist would be your best look. The fit shows the start of your hips but not every inch of them. It leaves something to the imagination while still leaving that beautiful silhouette. A-Line is also a great look as it draws attention to that slimmer waistline. However, the A-Line hides those hips. You may want to appear to have some shape there.

Inverted Triangle Shape
This body type is defined by having wider shoulders than are your hips. Thus your shoulders are more broad and your hips are clearly more narrow. You probably have a busty breastline and a humble waistline. This body type is best displayed using dresses tight up top to show off that chest and looser beneath. Given that you have a smaller frame, you don't have to worry about anything really making you look larger. The only thing to consider is that you don't have as much hump in your hips to fill out dresses like the curvy mermaid.

Best Dresses:
Sheath, Empire, Column, Ball Gown, and Modified A-Line

You have one of the best figures for the delicate Sheath/Empire silhouettes. They can drape around your frame beautifully while maintaining a loose and flowy feeling. It will look great on you since all the attention will be centered on the goodies you have up top. You are a good candidate for the Ball Gown since you are so petite beneath the chest. Such fullness of the skirt could give the illusion of bigger curves down south. The Modified A-Line would look stellar on you. The shape would accentuate your figure up top and give you a little curve in the hip region without being too dramatic. It's a great compromise between fullness and tight for you.

Rectangle Shape
This body type illustrates a figure where your chest, hips, and stomach form a rectangle. They're not terribly curvy or differing. They're kind of straight up and down and straightforward. Your body will look great in many different styles, and wearing something curvy like a mermaid may discover curves you didn't even know you had. Your body style makes you an ideal candidate for a lot of beadwork and embellishments as your body is a blank canvas ready to be painted.

Best Dresses:
Sheath, Empire, Column, Ball Gown, A-Line, and Mermaid

Given your straight figure, you can pull off that Sheath/Empire/Column silhouette to perfection. You would look great in a Ball Gown because your torso is long enough and straight enough to be decorated with all sorts of beautiful embellishments. Ball gowns often have that corset look up top with plenty of sparkle. That corset will also give you the look of some shape. You could try a Mermaid on and see if it can perhaps highlight some curves you didn't know existed!

Pear Shape
If your chest and shoulders are narrower than your hips and thighs, you have the curvy pear shape. Often this means a smaller bust and some seriously noticeable hips. Surely you have a lot to show off, but wearing one of the curvy dresses might bring them into the spotlight too much and appear unflattering. You may want to play down the size of your gifted hips. For that reason, the looser silhouettes look more even and flattering.

Best Dresses:
Sheath, Empire, Column, Ball Gown, A-Line, and Full A-Line

The loose draping of the Sheath/Column/Empire looks can work wonders in concealing some larger curves and make you look slimmer. The Ball Gown has that corset up top which makes your figure curvy up top too, while the poofy skirt can hide excess junk in the trunk. The A-Line is slimming on all figures. It would be great for you since it illustrates a slimmer tummy and bells out around the hips, giving you a natural curve and a slimming effect on the hips. The Full A-Line is probably your best bet. It's not as poofy as the ball gown, so you'll still have a figure, but it will not bring too much curve into the spotlight.

Small Bust Shape
The name is pretty straightforward. For women with a cup size around an A or small B fall into this category. It's nothing to be ashamed of. You may not have killer curves on every corner of your body, but you will blow everyone away on your way and look just as sexy as a supermodel! The best thing for you is to bring out those curves and make them look larger. The tighter the figure, the more curvacious you'll appear!

Best Dresses:
Mermaid, Fit & Flare, A-Line, Trumpet, and Ball Gown

The corset of a Ball Gown will make your northern assets look perkier than ever. An A-Line will make your tummy look smaller, thus making your bust and hips look a little larger. The Fit and Flare, Trumpet, and Mermaid styles all have that tight top all the way down to the thighs. That silhouette leaves nothing to the imagination, and every little curve of your body will be drawn out. You'll feel sexier than ever!

Large Bust Shape
For women sporting a C cup or high, you fall into the busty category. Your chest is likely wider than your hips. Your tummy may not fall in much, and having such large breasts can give an overall thicker appearance. But you have a sexy shape, very natural and one many women envy! The best thing to do is work with what you have, and you have a beautiful chest. You want to accentuate that region and pull the waist in and draw out some hippy curves.

Best Dresses:
A-Line, Full A-Line, Fit & Flare, Trumpet, and Mermaid.

The A-Line will pull your tummy in making you look a lot smaller. And if you don't have a lot of hips, it's okay. The dress is fuller in the waist region. The Full A-Line is a fuller version of the original and has the same effect. The Fit and Flare, Trumpet, and Mermaid Styles cling to your curves, drawing attention not only to your chest but also to some hips in hiding! It will likely make your waist look a little smaller as well.