WEDDING DRESS STYLES & THE SHAPES THEY FIT

WEDDING DRESS STYLES & THE SHAPES THEY FIT
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Choosing your wedding dress is one of the most important things when planning your big day. So before you head to a bridal gowns shop to try one (or twenty) – take a look at these most popular styles and shapes to get an idea of which style you prefer and which shape suits your body best.

THE EMPIRE STYLE
Great for triangle, hour glass or pear shaped silhouettes. The high waist keeps the focus on a petite upper frame while the skirt flows elegantly to the floor.

THE MERMAID STYLE
The Mermaid style provides a beautiful figure with great detail and definition as it tends to hug the bride’s bust, waist and hips and then folds out wider towards the floor. If you have more of a rectangular figure, then this style will suit you perfectly.

THE PRINCESS / A-LINE STYLE
The Princess style is a good choice for almost every bride as this is a very forgiving style. Brides with straight frames or unbalanced curves wearing the princess style dress can give the illusion of an hour-glass figure.

THE LOW WAIST PRINCESS / A-LINE STYLE
As with the normal Princess / A-Line style it has a fitted bodice and hips and gradually flares to the floor. However, the skirt of a modified Princess / A-line dress fits closer to the body than it usually does. This style is ideal for all body shapes.

THE BALL GOWN STYLE
The Ball Gown, the most traditional of bridal dress styles, creates an elegant and very classic look. It is great for all shapes, especially fuller figured brides, as it ‘holds everything’ perfectly with help from the corset.

THE COLUMN STYLE
With a narrow shape that runs straight down from top to bottom, the column style represents a very modern and trendy look. If you are petite you will look taller in a column dress however, there are not many places to hide any problem areas.

THE SHEATH STYLE
This style has a narrow shape that flows straight down from the neckline to the floor, similar to the Column style. It is ideal for lean and petite frames, and also good on the hour glass shapes who are willing to show off their curves. The sheaths style will make you look taller but can be unflattering.

THE TEA-LENGTH STYLE
The skirt falls in between the ankle and the knee. This style is Ideal for all body shapes.

There are so many different variations of each style but hopefully this has been helpful in getting you started. See the other article as well on what to do and what to avoid based on the shape of your body. All the best to you and your search.

THE NEW STYLE
And we leave you with an ‘everything but conventional style’ - perfect if you want to step away from the ‘norm’ and really stand out from the crowd. 

HELPFUL VOCABULARY WHEN DRESS SHOPPING:

SILHOUETTE/SHAPE OF THE DRESS

  • Mermaid
  • A-Line
  • Low waist A-Line
  • Column
  • Ball Gown
  • Sheath
  • Empire
  • Princess 
  • Tea-Length
  • Mini

NECKLINE

  • Strapless
  • Sweetheart
  • V-Neck
  • One-Shoulder
  • Halter
  • Illusion

FABRIC

  • Beaded
  • Lace
  • Satin
  • Silk
  • Tulle
  • Chiffon

 

All images used are from the Pronovias 2017 collection.