Body Types

FIND THE RIGHT DRESS STYLE.

Every little girl dreams of her wedding day and the beautiful

dress they will wear. Choosing your wedding gown can be one of

the best parts of planning your wedding. If you know in advance

what style of dress will look best on you the process becomes that

much easier. Wearing a wedding dress that has the right cut for

your body type will downplay the features you don’t like while

highlighting your assets.

TALL & THIN

• 5’6” or taller • No visible curves • Slender throughout

• Shoulders and hips are the same width • Average sized bust

The ideal choices for a dress include everything from ball gowns,

princess cut, A-line wedding dresses, straight bridal dresses and

mermaid dresses. Avoid empire line dresses that can look almost

“tent like”. Avoid wedding flowers or bouquets that are too small or

large. Ensure they work proportionately with you and your body type.

If you want the appearance of a fuller chest, try an empire style

dress. Transform your body into a feminine hourglass by adding

detail at the waistline. Try a belt, ribbons, shirring, or darts. Want

to add fullness to your slender shape, try a ball skirt or an A-line

dress. A dress with details or patterns can help break your long line

and add more definition to your shape. A sheath dress would look

great and flow gracefully on your long slim silhouette. Try a body

skimming dress that emphasizes your subtle curves. Opt for one

with a slit to reveal your long legs. An open neckline, a cutout back

or a plunging V-neck will also work well for you.

PETITE

• 5’3”or shorter • Small frame • Trim with subtle curves • Average sized bust

Ideal choices to look at are, Sheath, Empire and A-line. Clean,

unbroken contours without too much fabric tend to elongate

the frame. Big ball gowns and mermaid wedding dress shapes

can overwhelm your shape, so steer clear. Chapel or finger-tip bridal veils ensure that the petite bride is framed well. Keep bridal

accessories to a minimum. If you would like to elongate your tiny

frame by showing some leg, wear a dress with a short hemline and

instantly look taller. Look at the handkerchief, asymmetrical, ruffled

and hi-low hemlines. Simple column-style sheath dresses can

create a longer silhouette as well.

If you are short waisted, choose an empire or A-line style that will take

the emphasis off the waist and create a lovely long line. Play around

with necklines. Try the V-shape, halter or sweetheart necklines. All

would be a good choice for this body type.

HOURGLASS

• All heights • Curvy frame • Medium to large bust • Small waist (smaller than

your shoulders and hips) • Naturally curvy hips with a rounded bottom

The perfect choice for this body type is Sheath, A-line or Ball gown.

A sheath will accentuate your body in all the right places. If you

are a little hipper, choose an A-line or ball gown to draw attention

upward. Try a strapless bodice ball gown with a full skirt and a

cinched waist. Keep eyes above the waist with an embellished

neckline. Two-piece and corset dresses enhance the hourglass

figure. Make sure your bridal bouquets do not overwhelm your

frame. Headpieces should not be overdone, especially if the bridal

gown is elaborate.

FULL-FIGURED

• All heights • Heavy throughout • Large frame • Noticeable curves • Large bust

Your ideal choices would be Empire, A-line or Ball gown. Look for

slimming styles that don’t cling to every curve. Try an A-line dress

that slims throughout the waist and gently flows around your

lower body. If you are looking for the same effect but more bottom

coverage, try a ball gown with a corseted waist or a tight-fitting

two-piece that will highlight your torso and hide a fuller bottom.

Empire gowns will draw more attention to your bust line and flow

over everything else below. V, round or sweetheart necklines look

best as does thick straps or a halter top. Draw the eye up with

stunning accessories. Killer diamonds will do the trick! If you are

short, wear shoes that add height.

PEAR SHAPED

• All heights • Hips, bottom and thighs are larger than your upper body

Your best bets include: Empire, A-line and Ball gown. These dresses

will flatter your best assets (your top half), accentuating the bodice

and loosely flowing over the body. Strapless bodices are the best

choice for your body type. Try on a strapless bustier or a halter with

a circular neckline. Chapel length bridal veils add sleeker lines.

Avoid up-do’s to add volume and blanace on the top.

APPLE SHAPED

• All heights • Carry weight in your mid-section • Slimmer legs

The dresses that will make you radiate on your wedding day

are Empire or A-line styles. Empire gowns look best on this type

of figure. The high waist de-emphasizes the mid-section and

lengthens the overall silhouette. If you choose to go with an A-line

gown, choose a bodice with boning for a slimming effect.

ATHLETIC

• All heights • Larger frame • Straight throughout with no visible curves

• Wide shoulders • Toned legs

The style for you is either Empire or Ball gown. Try an empire gown

that will add definition and shape to your silhouette.

For full definition go for a ball gown. The full skirt and form-fitting

bodice will instantly highlight your waistline and give you a natural

feminine shape.

BROAD SHOULDERS

• All heights • Shoulders are wider than hips

Great choices for those with broad shoulders include: Sheath,

Empire, A-line and Ball Gown. Your shoulders are beautiful and

you should reveal them! Covering your shoulders may make

them look bigger. A thin spaghetti strap or strapless style with a narrow bodice will look best. It pleasantly exposes your shoulders

and slims the midsection, while producing an hourglass silhouette.

Very broad shouldered? Veer from halter and off-the-shoulder

necklines, which tend to accentuate the shoulders. If you are

looking for more coverage, try a scoop neckline.

Fine, delicate jewelry works best with your body type. Chunky

neckalces will draw attention to the upperbody. Keep it simple!

Long viels will add length and blanace to your silhouette.

BIG BUSTED

• C cup or larger

Choose a corset bodice for added support. Bridal corsets can work

magic! A bodice with straps will also help keep everything in place

and gives you the extra support you need.

Full coverage V-necks flatter your neckline without showing too

much cleavage. Halter gowns are also good option. The halter

can be adjusted according to the support you need. If you want

to deflect attention from your chest, wear a dress with details at

the hemline to draw the eye down. Strapless dresses are on your

wedding checklist as a “wait and see how it looks possibility”.

Wedding dresses that are scoop and square necklines enhance

bust lines. Widely set apart straps diminish fuller busted figures.

SMALL BUSTED

• B cup or smaller

The best dress styles for you are: Empire, A-Line and Ball gown.

A ball gown or A-line will look nice on your figure; but if the bodice

is strapless it must be tightly fitted for minimal mishaps.

A detailed bodice is an ideal way to add shape and definition to

your bustline. Details such as ruching, ornate beadwork, ruffles or

embroidery will give the appearance of a fuller chest. Empire works

well, as it accentuates the chest and is most stunning when the

bodice is embellished.