Your wedding day is one of the most important moments in your life, and finding the perfect wedding dress is crucial to making that day feel as special as it should be.
However, with so many different styles and options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
The key to narrowing down your search is to find a silhouette that highlights your most attractive features while concealing any areas you may be less confident about.
Whether you’re small, tall, curvy, or lean, there’s a wedding dress style that will make you look and feel amazing.
Let’s get straight to the point
To find the perfect wedding dress, focus on styles that flatter your body type. For hourglass figures, mermaid or fit-and-flare gowns highlight curves.
Pear-shaped brides benefit from A-line or fit-and-flare dresses to balance proportions. Apple-shaped figures are best in empire waist or A-line dresses to shift attention from the midsection.
Lean and rectangular shapes can create curves with ball gowns or sheath dresses, while petite brides should choose empire waist or A-line dresses to elongate their figure.
Plus-size brides should embrace A-line, ball gowns, or mermaid styles to enhance their curves. Trust your consultant, focus on fit, and accessorise thoughtfully for the best results.
Discovering Your Unique Body Type
Before diving into specific dress styles, it’s essential to understand your body type. There are generally five main body types, though most women don’t fall perfectly into any one category. Here’s a brief overview:
- Hourglass: Equal bust and hip measurements with a smaller waist.
- Pear: Smaller bust with fuller hips and thighs.
- Apple: Fuller bust with narrower hips and a less defined waist.
- Lean and Rectangular: Narrow hips and shoulders with minimal curves.
- Petite: Smaller frame with a shorter height.
Let’s explore the most flattering wedding dress styles for each body type.
Best Wedding Dress Styles by Body Type
Hourglass Figure
Hourglass figures are known for their balanced proportions and defined waists. The best wedding dress for this body type should emphasise your curves while maintaining a balanced look.
Mermaid Gowns
A mermaid gown is the ultimate choice for brides with an hourglass figure. This silhouette hugs your curves from the bust to the knees and then flares out, creating a dramatic and feminine look.
The snug fit around the hips and an ultra-fitted neckline accentuates your natural curves, making this one of the most flattering wedding dress styles for body types with an hourglass shape.
Fit-and-Flare Dresses
Similar to the mermaid style, a fit-and-flare dress also highlights the waist and hips but with a slightly less dramatic flare.
This style is perfect for brides who want to show off their curves without the full commitment of a mermaid silhouette.
Pear-Shaped Body
For pear-shaped brides, the goal is to balance the proportions by accentuating the upper body and minimising the lower body.
A-Line Dresses
A-line dresses are universally flattering, but they work particularly well for pear-shaped brides.
The dress skims past the hips and flares out, creating a balanced silhouette that doesn’t cling to the widest part of your body.
This style draws attention away from the hips and thighs, creating a more proportionate look.
Fit and Flare Skirts
A fit-and-flare skirt is another excellent option for pear-shaped brides. This silhouette is fitted through the waist and hips and gradually flares out.
It skims over the hips without adding bulk, making it one of the most flattering pear-shaped dresses.
Apple-Shaped Body
Apple-shaped brides tend to carry more weight in the upper body, particularly around the bust and midsection.
The best wedding dress styles for this body type focus on creating a balanced look by drawing attention away from the midsection.
Empire Waist Dresses
An empire waist dress features a high waistline just below the bust, allowing the fabric to flow gracefully over the stomach and hips.
This style creates a lengthening effect, drawing attention to the bust and away from the midsection, making it ideal for apple-shaped brides.
A-Line Gowns
A-line gowns are also a great choice for apple-shaped brides. The structured bodice provides support for the bust, while the flared skirt helps to balance the proportions, creating an overall flattering silhouette.
Lean and Rectangular Body
For brides with a lean and rectangular body type, the goal is to create the illusion of curves. This can be done by choosing styles that add volume to the hips and bust while cinching in at the waist.
Ball Gowns
A ball gown is a great choice for lean and rectangular body types. The fitted bodice and voluminous skirt create the illusion of a fuller figure, adding curves where they may be lacking.
This style also provides a dramatic and romantic look that’s perfect for a fairytale wedding.
Sheath Dresses
A sheath dress hugs the body from head to toe, highlighting a lean figure. To create more curves, opt for a sheath dress with detailing around the bust or hips, such as ruching or a belted waist.
Petite Body
Petite brides often face the challenge of finding a dress that doesn’t overwhelm their smaller frame. The key is to choose styles that elongate the body and avoid excessive fabric or embellishments.
Empire Waist Gowns
An empire waist gown is perfect for petite brides. The high waistline elongates the legs and torso, creating the illusion of height. This style is particularly flattering when combined with a soft, flowing fabric.
A-Line Dresses
A-line dresses are also a great choice for petite brides. The defined waist and flared skirt create a balanced silhouette without adding unnecessary bulk.
If you’re petite and curvy, a V-neckline can further elongate your figure by drawing attention to the upper body.
Curvy/Plus Size
For curvy or plus-size brides, the focus should be on finding a dress that enhances your curves while providing support where needed.
A-Line and Ball Gowns
A-line and ball gowns are excellent choices for plus-size brides. These styles cinch in at the waist and flare out, creating a proportionate and flattering silhouette. The structured bodice of a ball gown also provides ample support for the bust.
Mermaid and Fit-and-Flare Dresses
Don’t be afraid to embrace your curves with a mermaid or fit-and-flare dress.
These styles hug your body in all the right places, creating a stunning silhouette that celebrates your figure. For added comfort, look for designs with built-in corsets or boning.
Tips for Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress
Finding the perfect wedding dress for your body type is essential, but there are other ways to streamline the process. Here are some additional tips:
- Trust Your Consultant: A bridal consultant can offer invaluable advice and suggest styles you may not have considered. Keep an open mind and try on different styles to see what works best for you.
- Choose Your Shopping Squad Wisely: Bring along a group of people who will encourage you and offer constructive feedback. Avoid bringing anyone who might make you doubt your choices.
- Come Prepared: Do your hair and makeup as you would on your wedding day to get a better idea of how the dress will look. It’s easier to envision the final look when you’re not distracted by a bedhead or a bare face.
- Focus on Fit, Not Size: Bridal sizing can be different from regular clothing sizes, so don’t get hung up on the number. The most important thing is finding a dress that fits your body perfectly.
- Experiment with Accessories: Sometimes, the right veil, belt, or jewellery can transform a dress. Don’t be afraid to play around with accessories to see how they enhance your look.
Conclusion
Shopping for a wedding dress can feel overwhelming, but by focusing on styles that complement your body type, you can narrow down your options and find the perfect gown.
Remember, the most important thing is how you feel in the dress. If you feel beautiful and confident, you’ve found the right one.
Whether you’re drawn to a mermaid gown, A-line dress, or ball gown, there’s a wedding dress out there that will make you shine on your special day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Hide My Belly Fat in My Wedding Dress?
A bride can purchase elastic shapewear which she can put on underneath her dress to more evenly distribute belly fat across her midsection.
She can purchase shapewear that slims her waist and sides but also thigh slimmers that will redistribute weight on the lower parts of her body.
What Type of Wedding Dress Is Best for Hourglass Figure?
For brides with hourglass figures, a mermaid gown is a MUST. This silhouette is designed to flatter and play up your natural curves.
With a snug fit around the hips and ultra-fitted neckline, this is one of many different wedding dress styles for body types.
What Type of Wedding Dress Looks Best on Plus-Size?
What are the most flattering wedding dress silhouettes for plus-size brides?
Some of the most flattering wedding dress silhouettes for plus-size brides are A-line, mermaid, ball gown, and sheath gown. That said, brides should always feel empowered to experiment with all different types of silhouettes.
What Is an A-Line Dress Cut?
A-line dresses are one of the most popular dress styles because they are flattering on almost any body type.
The term “A-line” can also describe any dress that has a hem much wider than its shoulders, regardless of a cinched waist or corset-style top, or an A-line skirt that sits just above your hips and flares out.
What Dress Suits Pear Shape?
In terms of best dresses to suit your body shape, A-line or fit and flare skirts are the most flattering pear shaped dresses, they skim past your hips and won’t cling to the widest part of your body.
Wrap dresses can also be great dresses for pear shapes, as they cinch you in at the waist creating a slim silhouette.
