How to Choose a Wedding Dress According to Your Body Shape
A wedding is an exciting event where everything needs to be perfect, especially the wedding dress. To make sure that it looks flattering on the bride, it’s important to choose the dress according to her body type. 5-Minute Crafts will help you with this decision in our simple guide.
I. Types of wedding gowns
Before choosing the perfect dress for your body shape, it can be helpful to understand their types. Here is a glossary:
👰 Ball gown — this type of wedding gown will make you look like a true princess. It has a fitter bodice and a full, voluminous skirt.
👰 A-line — this dress is loved universally as it can compliment every body shape. Just like a ball gown, an A-line dress has a fitted bodice till the waistline and then flares out into a soft “A” shape.
👰 Mermaid — this silhouette is fitted from the chest area up, all the way down to the knee, then it flares out. It is perfect for emphasizing the waistline and hips.
👰 Trumpet — also known as “fit-and-flare” dress, this gown looks like something between an A-line and mermaid cut. It has a straight bodice till the hips and then flares out at mid-thigh.
👰 Sheath — it’s a light and seamless dress that fits snugly to the body and contours it all the way down. Shorter women will appear taller in it, while those who are taller can wear it to help their bodies look more defined.
👰 Column — this dress looks almost like a sheath dress but has more structure thanks to fabrics like taffeta, brocade, or corded lace.
👰 Tea-length — this gown combines both classic and modern styles. It features styles with below-the-knee but above-the-ankle skirts combined with various silhouettes and necklines.
👰 Empire waist — this dress has a raised waistline. The exact placement of the waistline can vary from just below the bustline to an emphasis above the natural waistline.
II. Choosing the right wedding gown for your body shape
1. Pear shape
If your waistline is clear, your shoulders are narrower than your hips, and your hips and thighs are rather wide, your body shape is “pear” (also known as a “triangle”).
Look for gowns that will compliment your waistline and correct the wider lower part of the body. Dresses like ball gowns, empire waist, and A-line will be a good choice for you.
2. Inverted triangle
If your shoulders are much wider than your hips with smaller hips and buttocks, your body shape is an “inverted triangle.” Often, such women have very athletic-looking bodies.
Look for gowns that will help to balance out the body and correct the wider shoulders by leveling them with your hips. Dresses like A-line and mermaid will be a good choice for you.
3. Apple shape
If the volume of your body is concentrated in your middle part, with round and wide shoulders, larger bust, and smaller hips, your body shape is “oval” (also known as an “apple”). Sometimes, the waist of such a body type is not very defined, and you can look round or curvy.
Look for styles that have a straight shape. For example, styles like A-line, empire waist, and ball gowns have flared skirts that will balance out your shape and add attractive curves.
4. Rectangle
If your shoulders, bust, and hips are of approximately the same size, and your waist is not very defined, your body shape is a “rectangle.”
Look for styles that will help you to create a more defined shape and make your figure visually curvier. Dresses like A-line, empire waist, and ball gowns will be a good choice for you.
5. Hourglass
If you have a well-defined waistline, and your shoulders and hips are almost equal in width, your body shape is an “hourglass.”
Look for styles that will compliment your curves. Dresses like trumpet, sheath, column, or mermaid style will be a good choice for you. Also, styles like empire waist and ballgowns will look good on you as they will allow you to accentuate your chest.
Tip: to learn how to determine your body type, click here to check our article dedicated to this topic!