Pairing the Dress with Your Shape

Like most brides-to-be, it’s common to succumb to the pressures of selecting the perfect wedding dress. There are the obvious assets to worry about, but keep in mind, alterations can be done. No one body is alike, and few dresses are ideal for everyone, and while it may not be a simple task, there’s an uncomplicated approach to choosing your perfect gown.

How To Choose The Right Dress?

One of the best methods of selecting dresses is by considering your body shape, which will help narrow choices. For example, if you’re pear shaped, your figure is characterized with wider hips and the perfect dress will be a princess cut. However, if you’re looking to add drama to the bust line, a ruched wedding dress creates more curves.

There are five basic body shapes. The pear-shaped bodies have lower torsos that are wider than the shoulders. A rectangular body is more of an aerodynamic figure, where the shoulders and the hips are relatively of the same width and do not have much definition in the waist.

A triangular body has shoulders wider than the hips. And hourglass figures have the same width of shoulders, hips and a small waist. Women with an apple shape are curvier in the upper torso and tend to have thinner lower extremities.

You also want to pay attention to the parts of your body that you think your dress should highlight, hide or disguise. For example, maybe you want to cover your arms but show your back or highlight an ample bust line.

These Shapes Should Avoid These Dresses

Pear shape: women with this type of body should avoid dresses high cut or without cleavage, because they make the hip look wider. Also, stay away from wide skirts, pleats and siren cuts.

Rectangular shape: you should avoid halter tops and dresses without cleavage, because they make the shoulders look narrower. Also avoid straight silhouettes and the use of bulky fabric in the waist area.

Triangular shape: stay away from wide or pronounced necklines, because they can make you look longer from above.

Hourglass shape: straight cut dresses can be too tight on curves and too loose at the hip, and the empire cut hides the best attributes of the hourglass figure. The pleats in the skirt can make the hip look disproportionate. You just have to use them carefully.

Apple shape: the silhouettes of trumpet style dresses accentuate the widest part of the body and help create a visual disproportion.

Big bust: avoid strapless dresses with necklines with horizontal lines, fabrics that shine or with gathers, but only make you look bigger.

Petite women: designs with elastic waist and calf length dresses shorten the legs visually.

Very tall: avoid excessive ornaments, because they can be distracting for a tall body.

The Dress That Fits Just Right

There are thousands of designs, each with important factors like the style, length, tone, and details, however, the fundamental factor in choosing the right dress comes down to how it fits your frame.