We are here to help you navigate through what seems to be endless choices of wedding dress styles, what silhouette will suit me what neckline I should choose. The endless options can keep you awake at night if you let it .
So we hope this guide to wedding dress styles and shapes helps with your choice.
The best advice we can give is to try on different bridal gown styles in your size and see which one speaks to you. I know that sounds silly, but you will put some on, and it just won’t be you, and this is the one day you have to be you. So choose something that portrays your sense of style. Not what someone else thinks you should wear. Listen to your heart.
Bridal dress silhouette’s.
- A-line
- Ballgown
- Fitted
- Tea length
- Boho
- Necklines
- Strapless
- V-neck
- Sweetheart
- Straps or sleeves.
- Train Length
Aline Wedding dresses.
The A-line style is the most popular of wedding dresses as it tends to fit and flatter many different figure shapes. This design will look great whether you have an hourglass or pear shape.
Aline refers to the ultimate form of the skirt. And as it says, it’s shaped like the letter A. Usually, an A-line bridal design will have a fitted bodice cinched at the waist. Then softly flares out to fall over the hipline and slightly wider than the hips at the hemline—creating the ultimate camouflage for more prominent hips—and emphasizing your waistline.
This gown design is an excellent choice for a shorter bride that wants to give the illusion of height. This can also be achieved by choosing an Aline wedding dress with continued lace motifs trickling from the bodice to the skirt. A deep V-neckline looks great with an aline shape and a bigger bust. If you have a bigger bust, consider an a-line silhouette with straps for support. So no matter what your shape or size, the A-line is an excellent choice.
Fitted or mermaid styles.
A Mermaid or fitted wedding dress is for the bride who is confident with their curves and wants to show them off. A fitted style clings to your body and flares out halfway down the skirt to give freedom to move and balance out the look. Perfect for the hourglass body shape. Which means your waist measurement is smaller than your bust and hip measurement. Careful consideration of fabric must be taken when choosing the mermaid or fitted fishtail design. For instance, a lightweight bridal satin will show every lump and bump on your body.
If you have lumps and bumps, and most of us do. Choose a heavier-weight bridal satin fabric such as mikado or a dutchess delustered satin, and make sure they are lined. A lace overlay will also add another camouflage level, ensuring your curves are the feature. Optimize the fitted mermaid look with a train highlighting the dramatic silhouette. But remember, just because you can wear fitted styles doesn’t mean you should if you are not confident in it.
Ballgown wedding dresses
The ultimate princess dress style. Usually featuring a structured fitted bodice and full layered skirt, The ballgown usually suits an average to taller height bride that won’t run the risk of being consumed by the volume of a full ballroom skirt. This traditional design is ideal for a church or chapel wedding; however, a trainless version will make it perfect for an outdoor setting.
Another thing to consider is the time of year you are getting married. I would recommend something other than a ballgown wedding dress style for a summer wedding, as Australia can get quite hot. If you want to wear a ballgown in the warmer weather, a good tip is to wear a cotton hoop petticoat underneath. The petticoat will help keep you cool by allowing air to circulate underneath.
Tea-length short wedding dresses.
Embrace the vintage vibe of days gone by. This wedding dress style emerged in the ’50s and has stayed. The perfect look for city hall or an elopement, or maybe your a shoeaholic that can’t resist showing off a fabulous pair of shoes. There are many silhouettes available in a short bridal design. Be it a fitted shift or a petticoated rock and roll frock. Most brides pick this vintage look to suit the theme of their wedding and their own sense of style.
The hemline length is usually adjusted to suit your height and the style you have chosen and can be anywhere above the knee to ankle length.
Bohemian wedding dresses.
For the free-spirited bride-to-be. Bohemian wedding dress styles are soft, flowing, free, and easy to wear. Great for an outdoor or beach wedding ceremony complimenting the unstructured beauty of nature. Add a flower crown to complete the boho-chic look.
Fitted, A-line or empire cut can be boho style but rarely ballgown. Bohemian design features asymmetrical aspects, be it nontraditional soft lace patterns that add a romantic air or flowing styling with soft frills or ruffles. Some include nontraditional sleeve styles. Colours can also be incorporated into the boho wedding style—usually soft colours such as ivory, blush, or latte.
Now for the necklines
Strapless wedding dresses.
A strapless number will show off your shoulders and bust line. And I hear you say, well, what holds it up? Well, usually a cleverly hidden corset. The corset is boned to support your bust and sit on your waistline, preventing it from slipping down. The last thing you want on your wedding day is this type of wardrobe malfunction.
However, I recommend a strap for additional support if you are over a DD cup.
There are different strapless cuts to choose from, including sweetheart, straight across, or a Deep V Neckline—some of which we will cover below.
V-neck wedding dresses.
A flattering neckline that draws attention to the face. The plunging V-neck wedding dresses are very popular this year. This deep V usually plunges to the waist and is most times teamed with a strap or sleeve. As to how much of your bust you want revealed in this V is up to you. Your dressmaker can insert a nude colour insert so you are well covered but still gives the illusion of a Deep V cut away.
If you are bigger busted the V neckline allows you to wear a bra underneath so you are well supported. This neckline is a fabulous choice if you want a sleeve to cover your arms but don’t want to feel too closed in.
Sweetheart neckline wedding dresses.
The sweetheart neckline wedding dress is always in style. This popular bridal neckline design is called sweetheart, as it resembles the arches of a heart. Making its first appearance on catwalks in the 50s.
Adding a romantic, feminine air to a bridal gown. Used a lot in strapless gowns, this neckline opens up the decolletage giving a sexy sweet look. Sometimes found under a lace illusion strap or high illusion neckline. If you are planning on choosing a sweetheart gown, the best tip I can give is to check if the cup size is right for you. Otherwise, you risk your bust overflowing, which is not a good look for any bride.
Off-the-shoulder wedding dresses.
A very alluring neckline, the off-the-shoulder wedding dress is renowned for framing the shoulders and decolletage area. This bridal design seemingly defies gravity floating around the bust and shoulders with no means of support. Never fear. There is always a fully boned corset secretly stitched into the gown. Cinched at the waist, so it doesn’t fall down. However, this gorgeous off-the-shoulder bridal style doesn’t come without disadvantages. Be sure to always check your arm movement before purchasing, and make sure you look fabulous and can lift your arms.
I hope this has helped. As for sleeves that is a whole different topic so when you have absorbed this guide to wedding dress styles pop over to our post on wedding dress sleeve styles.
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