what dress style should you pick

How Do I Look Good in a Mermaid Wedding Dress?

Mermaid wedding dresses, also called fishtail wedding dresses, have a fitted bodice that flares out dramatically at the knee. In contrast, the skirt of dresses labelled as trumpet or fit-and-flare begins higher on the body, usually at the midpoint between the hip and the thigh. The mermaid silhouette is the most figure-revealing of these options, but don't let that put you off; it can actually be quite flattering.

A mermaid dress' dramatic skirt can help women with a full bust or broad shoulders achieve a more desirable hourglass silhouette by balancing out their upper body. Mermaids are stunning with any neckline or sleeve length, but many of our real brides opt for something simple and strapless.

yarra valley most popular wedding venue (8)

Wear your mermaid with long lace sleeves if you're self-conscious about your arms; the form-hugging cut of the dress will make you look seductive even when your arms are covered.

Glitz up your dress with a sparkling belt to draw attention to your slim waist for a show-stopping look.

A lot of brides have very particular ideas of what their ideal wedding dress should look like, such as a strapless sweetheart neckline with a long train or a beaded organza skirt with a drop waist.

However, it's not a good idea to choose your dress's silhouette in advance. Even though it's advised that you bring some examples of styles you like, you should also be open to new options. Things look very different on you than they do on a hanger or a model. This is why it's a good idea to try on at least one of each silhouette; you never know which one will end up being your favourite.

We have compiled a list of the Top Wedding Dress Shops in Melbourne to help you select your perfect gown.

Table of Contents

There Are a Lot of Reasons Why Mermaid Wedding Dresses Are So Popular:

  • Mermaid wedding dresses, in contrast to ball gowns or A-lines, feature a close fit at the bust and waist, emphasising the wearer's natural curves and creating the illusion of an hourglass shape. The tapering and ruching at the hips and the fitted neckline are both great for showing off your bust.
  • Perfect for the Bride-to-Be Who Is On the Skinnier Side: The risk of wearing a dress with a full skirt is that it may be too much, especially for a bride who is shorter than average. If the bride-to-be is on the petite side, the mermaid silhouette is a great option because the longer bodice visually elongates the body. Choose a form-fitting skirt.
  • Extra Appeal: You can choose a beaded look if you like, but mermaids often don't even need to because their dramatic and form-fitting silhouettes are already so eye-catching. It's a stunning and dramatic style that goes well with both a plunging and a higher neckline.
  • Modern? So, you understand. These days, mermaid wedding dresses are a popular option for the bride who wants to look modern and chic on her big day. This is the most up-to-date style for a wedding, but it can be toned down for a more traditional feel by adding vintage touches like lace.
  • People Will Always Remember You: Every bride dreams of making an impression on her wedding guests, and a show-stopping gown is one surefire way to do just that. Any mermaid will make a statement in style because their tails are more form-fitting and risk-taking than a trumpet's.

A mermaid-cut wedding dress is a beautiful choice. This is a classic and always-in-style choice for brides. The gown is form-fitting and structured to accentuate your hourglass figure, flaring out from the knees. Check out our post on What is trending in wedding dresses?

Don'ts for Mermaid Wedding Gowns!

The ideal wedding day is a goal for every woman. One thing that every bride-to-be looks forwards to is finding the ideal dress for her big day. While fantasising about the ideal wedding dress can be a lot of fun, there are situations in which the bride would be better off without it.

Because it flatters a woman's figure, the mermaid silhouette has become a popular choice for wedding dresses. It's a style of wedding dress that clings to the bride's curves all the way down to the hips (or lower) before flaring out. Mermaid-cut wedding dresses, when they fit just right, can make any bride feel like the belle of the ball. On the other hand, there are a few things to watch out for when trying to acquire one.

Short or Long Torsos Shouldn’t Wear It

A mermaid-cut wedding gown is a stunning choice because it flatters every shape. Your body proportions are the one thing to keep in mind. Shorter women should avoid mermaid-style wedding dresses. The shortness of your torso will be emphasised by the snugness of the wedding dress, giving the impression of a wider waist. Similarly, brides with a longer torso should avoid purchasing a mermaid-style wedding dress. The length of the wedding dress is rarely altered, in contrast to the bust and waist. Because of this, a mermaid-cut wedding dress can elongate a woman with a longer torso. However, if you are on the shorter side, the hem of the wedding dress may not sit quite right.

Don’t Wear With Broad Shoulders or Hips

Due to the form-hugging nature of mermaid-style wedding dresses, certain body parts, such as the bust, waist, and hips, may appear disproportionately large.

Mermaid-cut wedding dresses can make brides with broad shoulders look more toned. Mermaid-cut wedding dresses will not flatter brides with a rectangle or inverted triangle body type because they emphasise the waist and hips more than the shoulders.

But if a mermaid-cut wedding dress has always been your goal despite your broad shoulders, here are some suggestions for how to achieve that look. First, avoid drawing attention to your shoulders by picking a dress with thin straps or going strapless. Also, choose a wedding dress that has a trumpet bottom, or a flared hemline. With this, you can draw less attention to your shoulders and more to your curves.

Similarly, if your hips are larger than your shoulders (as in a pear shape), a wedding dress with a mermaid cut will accentuate your hips. Choose an off-the-shoulder wedding gown to counteract that! As an additional measure, go for a wedding dress with a more dramatic skirt flare to draw less attention to your hips.

Vines of the Yarra Valley has proven itself to be an iconic wedding venue and function centre in Melbourne. Book today so you don’t miss out.

Petites Shouldn’t Wear It

The hem of the wedding dress is not typically altered in Singapore. Therefore, the skirt of the wedding dress might be too long if you are short (less than 1.55 m) in stature. Mermaid wedding dresses will make the bride look like she is dragging her feet unless they are worn with at least 5-inch heels.

If a mermaid silhouette is what you have your heart set on for your big day, Made-to-Measure services are the way to go. Here, you and the designer collaborate closely to create a one-of-a-kind wedding dress that is uniquely yours.

.

melbourne's most affordable wedding venue (14)

If a tight wedding dress makes you feel uncomfortable, don't wear it.

This may be an overly simplistic explanation, but it holds water on many levels. Mermaid-cut wedding dresses are notoriously unflattering because of how closely they hug the body. Therefore, brides who aren't confident in their ability to move freely in a mermaid silhouette should not consider this silhouette for their wedding dress.

Give us an example, will you? The newlyweds at a typical wedding make a point of visiting each guest at their table to pose for photographs. Having a bride who is unhappy because she is wearing a mermaid dress for her wedding is a bad idea because her unhappiness will show in the photos.

If you're planning an outdoor ceremony, you'll need to think about a few other factors as well. It's only natural to sweat profusely in the unforgiving heat of Singapore. When coupled with the constriction of a mermaid gown, brides may find it difficult to control their tempers.

Mermaid-cut wedding dresses are not less stunning for the aforementioned explanations. That there are many factors to think about before settling on a mermaid wedding dress. No matter what happens, you should feel beautiful in your wedding dress. After that is accomplished, nothing else will matter as much.

Mermaid-style wedding gowns have become increasingly popular in recent years. Instead of the traditional ball gown, many modern brides prefer mermaid-style gowns. Why so? In this case, the fact that mermaid wedding dresses tend to be less cumbersome means that the bride and her guests can move freely and enjoy the celebration all night long.

These Body Types Look Great in Mermaid Wedding Dresses

The above body types can feel confident selecting a mermaid silhouette for their wedding dress. A mermaid wedding dress, for example, will accentuate your hourglass figure and look fabulous on you.

Keep your height in mind when deciding how to accessorise your mermaid wedding dress so that the flare at the knee doesn't make you look shorter than you are.

If you want your hair to look its best on your wedding day, we suggest a high updo or a style with lots of volume at the crown, like a high bun. Heels are recommended for height, but (and this is a big but) you should try them on with your dress and walk around in them as much as possible before the big day. Wearing high heels with a mermaid dress is only recommended if you are confident in your ability to walk in the dress's restrictive upper half.

FAQs About Wedding Gowns

While the national average cost of a wedding dress is $1,631 (including alterations), dress prices are based on various factors and generally range from $500 to $4,000. By shopping at large retailers and getting a machine-made gown, you can easily land on the lower end of the spectrum.

A Guide to Every Wedding Dress Silhouette
  • A fitted sheath, mermaid or trumpet gown will accentuate your curves (or create the illusion of them).
  • Pleats or gathers around the waist can magnify it. A well-fitted high-waist and loose skirt will combat this.
  • When in doubt, consider an A-line gown.

Classic wedding dresses are designed to be timeless and come in tried and true silhouettes. A classic wedding dress isn't typically ornate or trendy. Rest assured, classic does not translate to boring. Rather, it simply means relying on tried-and-true silhouettes, necklines, textures, and embellishments.

If so, consider lace; it is ultra-romantic and feminine and sure to lend a polished elegance to your look. Moreover, lace is timeless and will look good in pictures 50 years from now.

Bridal sizing isn't like typical streetwear sizing. While you might be a size 4-6 in jeans, you're in fact a bridal size 8-10, and if you're a size 14-16, you're likely an 18-20. Don't worry about it–sizing is just a number! You'll likely see most of our samples in a bridal size 8, 10, 12, 18, 20 or 22 to try on.

Conclusion

Wedding dresses with a mermaid silhouette are fitted through the bust and hips before flaring out dramatically at the knees. Many of our real brides choose to go with a simple, strapless mermaid gown, but they look beautiful in any neckline or sleeve length. The dramatic skirt of a mermaid dress can make even women with a full bust look more hourglass-shaped. Today's bride who wants to strike a fashionable pose often chooses a mermaid silhouette for her wedding dress. The mermaid cut is very fashionable at the moment because it is thought to be the most flattering on a woman's body.

When properly tailored, a mermaid-cut wedding dress can make even the most ordinary bride feel like a princess. If a bride has broad shoulders, a mermaid-cut dress can help her look more toned. Those who are on the shorter side of things should stay away from mermaid-style wedding dresses. If the bride doesn't wear at least 5-inch heels with her mermaid-cut dress, she'll look like she's struggling to walk. Do not force yourself into a wedding dress that is too tight.

As a result of their close fit to the body, mermaid-cut dresses are often considered to be unflattering. There are a few extra things to consider when organising an outdoor ceremony. The mermaid silhouette has been trending upward in the bridal industry. To add some height, try on your heels with the dress you plan to wear them with. You should only wear high heels with a mermaid dress if you are sure of your footing.

Content Summary

  • Glitz up your dress with a sparkling belt to draw attention to your slim waist for a show-stopping look.
  • However, it's not a good idea to choose your dress's silhouette in advance.
  • Mermaid wedding dresses, in contrast to ball gowns or A-lines, feature a close fit at the bust and waist, emphasizing the wearer's natural curves and creating the illusion of an hourglass shape.
  • These days, mermaid wedding dresses are a popular option for the bride who wants to look modern and chic on her big day.
  • A mermaid-cut wedding dress is a beautiful choice.
  • One thing that every bride-to-be looks forward to is finding the ideal dress for her big day.
  • Similarly, brides with a longer torso should avoid purchasing a mermaid-style wedding dress.
  • Mermaid-cut wedding dresses can make brides with broad shoulders look more toned.
  • With this, you can draw less attention to your shoulders and more to your curves.
  • Similarly, if your hips are larger than your shoulders (as in a pear shape), a wedding dress with a mermaid cut will accentuate your hips.
  • If a mermaid silhouette is what you have your heart set on for your big day, 
  • You and the designer collaborate closely to create a one-of-a-kind wedding dress that is uniquely yours..If a tight wedding dress makes you feel uncomfortable, don't wear it.
  • Mermaid-cut wedding dresses are notoriously unflattering because of how closely they hug the body.
  • There are many factors to think about before settling on a mermaid wedding dress.
  • No matter what happens, you should feel beautiful in your wedding dress.
  • Mermaid-style wedding gowns have become increasingly popular in recent years.
  • Instead of the traditional ball gown, many modern brides prefer mermaid-style gowns.
  • Wearing high heels with a mermaid dress is only recommended if you are confident in your ability to walk in the dress's restrictive upper half.
Scroll to Top