The quest for the perfect wedding dress is beyond magical. It's an exciting journey and you'll probably have plenty of doubts along the way. Because there are so many styles to choose from! We've put together this guide to give you a helping hand, so you can find out which type of wedding dress will flatter your figure. Read on and start dreaming of your perfect dress. Could it be closer than you think?
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What types of wedding dresses are there?
New bridal fashion trends emerge every season. But one thing rarely changes: the different categories of wedding dress cuts and silhouettes. And they are a great starting point for your dream wedding dress search. Let's go!
Princess wedding dresses
The most romantic of brides will identify with princess wedding dresses. These dresses pair a fitted bodice with a full, ballgown skirt—show-stopping designs that make you feel every inch the fairytale princess.
Princess dresses are a flattering choice if you want to add volume. Slimmer girls love princess dresses because they enhance the silhouette, adding volume lower down and accentuating the waist and neckline. The voluminous shape is less suited to shorter brides, but anyone should try this style to experience an utterly unique 'all dressed in white' moment.
Mermaid wedding dresses
By definition, mermaid wedding dresses fit tight against the body, opening up from the knee down into a full skirt. Incredibly sexy, these wedding dresses highlight women's curves to perfection.
And you don't need supermodel proportions to look spectacular in a mermaid dress. Regardless of your height, they're flattering on women with a defined figure and waist, which are enhanced to perfection by the second-skin fit.
Empire line dresses
Bridgerton brought them back on trend, and bridal fashion is no exception. Tight against the chest, the silhouette sits high on the waist just below the bust, drifting into a flowing skirt that reaches down to the floor.
This wedding dress type lengthens the figure and helps to disguise any unwanted volume in the belly or hip area, instead giving prominence to the upper torso. This style is particularly flattering on women with a smaller chest, but really it suits most figures.
A-line dresses
Another flattering choice, A-line wedding dresses are cut straighter on the bodice and open out from the hip with a flared skirt, though not as full as a princess dress.
Given that they don't cling to the body or have exaggerated volume, A-line dresses look great on most body shapes. But they're most suited to women who want to disguise their hips, or shorter women looking for a look that lengthens the silhouette.
How do I know which wedding dress type suits me?
In bridal fashion you need to know your body. Then you'll know what kind of wedding dress suits you. Let's clear up those doubts!
Body type assessment
All bodies are beautiful. There's no such thing as perfection—you just need to know how to highlight your strong points and disguise the parts you don't want to show off. The first step is knowing your body shape.
If you're all about the curves with a generous bust, narrow waist and wide hips, you have an hourglass figure. This is because your feminine curves give your body similar volume at the chest and hips, with a smaller, defined waist.
If, on the other hand, you have a smaller bust, straight-down waist and narrow hips, you have a straight silhouette. This much less curvy body shape can look sensational in a different type of dress.
Next, the pear body shape, defined by narrow shoulders, a small chest and straight torso combined with wide hips and thicker legs. The lower part of the body tends to be longer than the upper part, so it needs to be balanced out.
An inverted triangle body combines a wider chest and shoulders with narrower hips. The waist tends to be less defined, whilst the lower part of the body is slim with great legs; so show them off!
Last of all is the apple body shape; a rounded figure with a larger torso and generous bust and hips. Here, you want to divert attention from the central part of the body and highlight the shoulders or legs.
Fitting and alterations
Every woman is unique. There's no such thing as a standard body. You can use our classification a general guide, but if you want to know your shape better—and know which style is most flattering on you—you really need to try on some dresses and see how the different silhouettes look and feel.
At Rosa Clará, we always insist on the importance of trying on very different dresses to find The One for you. And in the process, your design team will be on hand to advise you on how to alter the design to suit your silhouette. Shortening sleeves, lowering the neckline, cinching the waist... these tweaks are what make the difference, giving you a flawless look on your big day.
Wedding dress type according to your body shape
Now you know all about your body shape and wedding dress types, we'll explain which ones are the perfect match. Then you can navigate your way through our various collections with ease. Ready?
Dresses for hourglass figures
Women with an hourglass silhouette can choose from several dress types. They'll feel especially stunning in mermaid dresses as they enhance their figure and femininity. A-line dresses and princess dresses are other options, drawing the eye to the waist and lessening volume at the hip.
Dresses for pear figures
Brides with a pear body shape should put the spotlight on their upper torso. Princess dresses are ideal, as are A-line dresses, which also help to disguise volume at the hip. But perhaps most flattering of all for this body shape is an empire line dress, because it adds volume to the chest while slimming the hips and legs.
Dresses for rectangular figures
If your body is lacking curves, the empire line style is your best ally, lifting your chest and lengthening your figure. A-line dresses are super flattering too; they define the waist in a more subtle way, accentuating your figure.
Dresses for inverted triangle figures
In this case, you want to find a dress that can balance the volume between the upper torso and lower half. Mermaid dresses will look great on you—the volume at your shoulders will be countered by the full skirt; and princess dresses too, for the same reason. If you dare, short wedding dresses are a flattering alternative for this body type, as well as for women with an apple body shape.
