Wedding Dress Style Guide

Wondering what wedding dress style will look best on your body shape?

More time is often spent looking for the right dress than on any other part of the wedding.

When you first start looking for your wedding gown, go with an open mind. Many times the wedding dress style that you are sure will not be right for you, ends up being the dress you love.

Take someone,whose opinion you can trust, along with you. Try on a variety of wedding gowns, so that you can get an idea of what looks and feels the best on you.

Take your time, take notes, and pictures to look over later.

Go to several of the big bridal warehouses and some of the smaller boutiques just to get an idea of the different dresses and their cost.

You will also be able to see what size fits you best. Remember that most bridal dresses run small.

Be sure the dress is comfortable and that you can walk, turn, sit and lift your arms. The rule is that it is easier to take a dress in than to let it out.

Other ideas

Try to take in a bridal show to get new ideas.

• Check out bridal magazines for new inspiration. This can help you get an idea of styles and looks that might be right for you.
• Set a budget. Don’t let a salesclerk try to talk you into spending more than you had planned. Remember this is a dress you will most likely only wear once!

TRADITIONAL WEDDING DRESS STYLES

There are five basic wedding dress styles:

• The A-Line Wedding Dress

The A Line dress is one of the most flattering of the wedding dress styles. It can create the appearance of height for a petite person. It can create the illusion of curves on a small body frame. The full-skirt can also camouflage many body flaws, such as heavy hips or a thick waist.

Though there is no horizontal waistline, it is usually fitted around the waist.

An A-line wedding gown can be worn long or short and be made from almost any type of material. It all depends upon the look you want.

If you are imagining a soft, flowing look for a beach ceremony, then find a gown made from fine silk. If you want a more structured look for a formal church wedding, look for a dress made with a heavier fabric, like satin.

While beautiful in its simplicity, the A-Line gown can be enhanced in appearance by adding beading or lace to give it that more traditional wedding gown look.

• The Empire Wedding Dress

The Empire Wedding Dress has a raised waist line that often times sits just below the bust and then flows loosely around the mid-section.



The Empire Waist Wedding Dress is particularly flattering for a small, petite body, since it creates definition at the bust area making it appear larger.

The Empire dress can also hide many body flaws, such as short legs or a bottom-heavy figure. It also works well for the pregnant bride.

Lighter flowing fabrics, such as chiffon and silk, work best with this wedding dress style. The empire waist wedding dress is particularly popular for warm weather venues.

A simple solid color works best with the Empire dress for an informal wedding. However, by adding a little bead work or a colored ribbon around the raised waist, the wedding dress can be perfect for a more formal setting.

• The Sheath Wedding Dress

The Sheath Wedding Dress has a narrow straight shape that hugs the body and shows all of your curves.

It can be worn for casual or formal weddings and can be worn short or long.



Light, weight materials, such as silk, that flow easily and heavier fabrics, such as satin, can all be used with this style of dress. It all depends on the look you are after.

This type of wedding dress style looks best on lean figures - either short or tall. It can actually help to add the appearance of height to a petite bride.

The biggest drawback for the Sheath Gown is that it is not that comfortable. The straight confining line of the dress is not designed to dance in.

While not as snug as the Mermaid gown, it is still not very forgiving of any body flaws. Even when made from a heavier material, the Sheath style wedding dress will still show your problem areas.

• The Bridal Ball Gown

The Bridal Ball Gown has a fitted bodice with a full skirt and is the classic wedding gown silhouette.

This wedding gown is more appropriate for a large traditional wedding. The ball gown looks good with any type of train - short or long.

Common materials used for the ball gown are satin with layers of tulle or taffeta for that fluffy, floating effect. The ball gown can also have a lot of lace or bead work on the bodice.

If you are having a formal or traditional wedding, where you need to be covered, a ball gown with long sleeves and a portrait neckline will not only keep you covered up but can be very flattering.

Or, for a more dramatic look, you can choose a strapless ball gown and wear opera length gloves.

This wedding dress accentuates the waist and hides the lower body and looks best on slender or pear-shaped bodies.

If you are on the short side, you may not have the height to balance the size of the skirt.

• The Mermaid Dress

The Mermaid Wedding Gown is a very dramatic wedding dress that hugs your body from chest to knee and then flares out to the hem. This dress can be worn at either a casual or formal wedding, depending on the material used.

It is a very sexy and sophisticated wedding dress style and looks best if worn by a slender figure - either short or tall.



You can choose a strapless mermaid gown or one with a plunging halter neckline to accentuate your seductive side. Or, the Mermaid gown can be teamed with sleeves and a high neckline to create an alluring elegance.

The skirt on the Mermaid gown can flare out above the knee, at the knee, or below the knee.

There are three different skirt flares for the Mermaid gown:

• Round - The round flare provides volume all the way around the lower part of the bride.
• Trumpet - A trumpet flare creates volume behind the bride.
• Flamenco - The flamenco flare gathers the lower part of the dress in the front for a Spanish look.

This is not a dress for just anyone. You need to be very comfortable and confident with your appearance.

Sophisticated and sexy, the Mermaid gown can be worn at a casual beach wedding or at the most traditional of weddings.

THE LENGTH

There are four standard lengths for wedding gowns:

1. Floor or full-length - The toes of your shoes should show. The hem should be short enough to dance in.
2. High-low length - The skirt is cut shorter in the front. It is usually mid-calf in the front and goes to floor-length in the back.
3. Tea-length - Full from the waist and just barely touches the tops of your ankles.
4. Knee-length - The hemline covers the knees.

BRIDAL TRAIN

Today, many wedding gowns feature a train - a long portion of material trailing behind the gown. Trains may hang from the shoulders, drape from the waist, or be a continuation of the back hem. The longer the train the more formal the look.

The most common trains are:

• Brush - The shortest of the trains. It trails behind the dress, just barely touching the floor.
• Chapel - This train extends about four feet from the waist.
• Cathedral - The cathedral train extends about nine feet from the waist.
• Sweep - Is a continuation of the back hem of the wedding gown. The length varies on the sweeping train.
• Watteau - Hangs from the shoulders.

After choosing your perfect wedding gown, you can then decide on the perfect wedding veil that will add the finishing touch to your total look.

THE NON-TRADITIONAL OR UNIQUE WEDDING DRESS STYLE

There are many great ideas for a non-traditional or unique bridal dress, if you are wanting to celebrate your individuality. Don't feel like you are stuck with the traditional white wedding gown. Your imagination is your only limitation.

For more unique wedding dress ideas, click here.

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