The Perfect Wedding Dress for your Body Type
The
first thought that newly engaged brides-to-be have is starting their
search for their “perfect” wedding dress. Most women have dreamed
of their big day all their lives, and the pressure to find the
wedding dress that matches those dreams is unreal. Although planning
the wedding and finalizing the design of the dress is a fun process,
for many it can be extremely stressful and confusing. Relax!
De-stress and enjoy the experience.
The
trick is to start planning very early so that you don’t have to run
around at the very last minute. Decide on your budget for the dress
and whether it will be a readymade one or customized to your taste.
Your dress should suit the activities and style of your wedding. Ask
yourself questions like, “Do I feel beautiful in this dress?”,
“Can I dance and move around all night?”, or “Can I sit down?”
Dresses
with beautiful trains, and detailing across the hem are great, but
don’t forget about the top of your dress as well as, as that part
of your dress will be seen in most of your wedding photos. Don’t
let “trends” bog you down. Instead, go in for what you love and
what looks good on you. Your first decision is to find out which
dress silhouette will highlight your best-loved assets and conceal
your less-favourable traits. We are here to help you decide which
style flatters you the most.
To
start, find out which of the following five body types best defines
your figure – Petite, Hourglass, Plus size, Busty or Lean and
straight. Remember, you may not fit squarely into one particular
category; most people don’t. Use this as a guideline to figure out
what works best for you.
Petite:
Petite
is a term used in the fashion industry to describe women who are 5’3”
tall or under. Petite women come in all shapes and sizes as the term
refers to stature and not weight. Petite brides should avoid
overwhelming their small frame. Choose airy sheaths and structured
trumpet styles over big, voluminous ball gowns. A sheath’s
continuous line creates the illusion of height. Go in for form
fitting, simple and minimalistic designs. Avoid 3D accents. Instead,
opt for intricate embroidery, light beading and one-dimensional
appliques for design details that won’t overwhelm. An empire
waistline is great for this body type as it creates the illusion of
long legs. Plunging V necklines draw the eye upwards, thus elongating
your frame. In case you want a dropped waist or mermaid silhouette,
opt for a slim, more structured skirt over a wide poufy one. When
done right, high-low hemlines can be an asset and may even make your
legs look longer.
Hourglass:
Women
with an hourglass figure have a wide bust circumference and similar
measurements at the hips with an obviously narrow waist. With an
hourglass figure’s balanced proportion and defined waist, it is
hard to go wrong in terms of picking a silhouette. Most dress shapes
will pair well with an hourglass figure. Work your womanly curves in
a fitted bridal gown or hide your hips in a ball gown. Either way,
your gown should show off your trim mid-section. Avoid the empire
waistline; it won’t highlight your slim waist. Go in for a trumpet
or mermaid silhouette which will show off your curves in all the
right places. In fact, hourglass is one of the only body types that
can pull off a true mermaid silhouette; a style that flares out just
below the knees. A dropped waist design with asymmetrical tiers is a
fun, yet glamorous choice. Opt for the cinched waistline, or
highlight your tiny waistline with a glitzy belt detail.
Fit-and-flare are three words you should get familiar with, since it
accentuates the hourglass figure and is every curvy girls’ go-to
silhouette.
Plus-size:
For the plus size or oval figure type, also known as the apple
figure, the goal is to create or emphasize the waistline for the
illusion of an hourglass curve. An empire waistline creates a
lengthening effect and is best suited to this body type. An A-line
gown is perfect, especially when accessorized with a belt or a dark
coloured sash. Create a slimming look with a cummerbund-style
waistline or design details that draw the eye inwards at the waist,
such as side cut-outs. This figure type benefits from paying
attention to the neckline of the dress. Opt for a V-neck, scoop neck
or sweetheart bodice with shoulder detailing. Avoid straight across
necklines as this won’t accentuate your bust line. A high neckline,
sheath silhouette and slight train will help you look long and lean.
Avoid mermaid and trumpet silhouettes as these will accentuate the
widest part of your body and flare at the slimmest part.
Busty:
If
you’re a busty bride, you have two choices: either reveal or
conceal. Either way finding the right gown goes down to identifying
the perfect neckline. A square neckline works great for the
well-endowed because it is not too revealing. Try the V-neck,
U-shaped, strapless and halter necklines. A scoop neckline shows off
your voluptuous shape and lets you avoid a strapless bra. Straight
across version of the strapless neckline can actually minimize your
assets. If you decide to go in for the sweetheart neckline, opt for
straps and a full skirt to balance your busty frame. Avoid necklines
with wide set straps or sleeves, off the shoulder necklines, and
puffy and cap sleeves as these make your upper body appear wider.
Ball gowns and fuller A-line skirts with layered satin or tulle work
well to balance the upper body.
Lean
and straight:
The
goal when dressing this figure type is to create a waistline and to
emphasize curves. Choose a wedding dress that will put focus on your
upper body and toward your face. Princess silhouettes fair
beautifully with this figure, emphasizing the waist and hips while
retaining the naturally lean shape of the body. A modified A-line,
with a more subtle fit-and-flare effect, will also work well for a
bride seeking a sweet, soft, and romantic look. Try pleating or
rouching in the bodice to create curves and cinch your waistline. A
voluminous peplum skirt acts as a stand for curvy hips. Go in for a
bridal dress with contouring seams that create “imaginary”
curves. Avoid halter and high necklines because this will make your
shoulders look narrow and will not flatter your waist. Also avoid
sheath gowns because this style will not define your waist.
Hope
these guideline help you decide what will work best for you so you
don’t stress as your big day draws closer. Remember, it’s all
about creating memories on your wedding day, as long as you stay safe
and stay stylish!
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