The quest for the perfect wedding dress is a magical experience. It's an exciting journey, and it's normal for doubts to arise along the way. After all, there are so many styles to choose from. We've put this guide together to give you a helping hand, so you can find out what type of wedding dress will suit you according to your body shape. Keep reading and start dreaming of your perfect dress. It may be closer than you think.
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What types of wedding dresses are there?
New trends in bridal fashion emerge every season. But whilst trends come and go, wedding dress types – the cut and silhouette – endure, and come in categories that you need to know about. They're the perfect starting point for your quest for the perfect dress. Let's go!
Princess wedding dresses
The most romantic brides will likely find their perfect match in a princess wedding dress. These dresses combine a fitted bodice with a wonderfully voluminous skirt, resulting in show-stopping designs that will make you feel like a fairy-tale princess.
If you're looking for a full-skirt look, princess wedding dresses are incredibly flattering. Slim brides love princess dresses because they accentuate their figure; adding volume to the bottom and defining their waist and bust. Given their volume, they can be problematic for shorter brides, but it's always worth trying on the style; experiencing this traditional, all-dressed-in-white look can stir up all the unique emotions!
Mermaid-style wedding dresses
Mermaid-style dresses are characterised by a figure-hugging silhouette; fitted at the bodice, they cling to your curves then drift into a full skirt from the knee down. These sexy wedding dresses highlight every woman's curves.
And you don't need to have supermodel proportions to look sensational in a mermaid-style dress. With these dresses, height doesn't matter. They flatter the figures of women with a defined figure and waist; the design fits like a second skin, enhancing every curve.
Empire waist dresses
The series Bridgerton is everywhere right now, and it's now officially hit bridal fashion trends. In this dress type, the silhouette fits tight against the chest and sits high at the waist just below the bust, and the flowing skirt drifts down to the floor.
The dress lengthens the silhouette and helps to disguise unwanted volume at the tummy and hips, giving prominence to the upper torso. This wedding dress type is especially flattering on women with a smaller bust, but it generally suits all brides.
A-line dresses
Instantly recognisable by the straighter bodice, A-line wedding dresses are another flattering option. The bodice opens up at the hip, flaring into a full skirt, though not of the same epic proportions as a princess dress.
A-line dresses look great on most body shapes because they don't cling to the body or have exaggerated volumes. They're especially suitable for women who want to disguise their hips as well as shorter brides, given the way they help lengthen the silhouette.
How can I work out which type of wedding dress suits me?
In bridal fashion, you need to know your body and think about which wedding dress type would suit your figure. Let's clear up the doubts and take a look.
Body type assessment
All bodies are beautiful. There's no such thing as perfection. If you want to look perfect, just think about how you can accentuate your strong points and conceal the parts you don't like so much. The first step is to know your body type.
If you've got well-defined curves, a generous bust, a slim waist and wide hips, you have an hourglass silhouette. This name comes from the curves: the chest and hips being a similar size, separated by a particularly defined waist.
On the other hand, if you're smaller at the bust, with a less-defined waist and narrow hips, you have a rectangle silhouette. Give the lack of curves, you need a different type of dress to show off your lovely figure.
Next, there's the pear-shaped body, characterised by narrow shoulders and a smaller bust, straight abdomen, and wider hips and legs. Generally, the lower part of the body is longer than the upper part, so you need to balance it with your dress.
An inverted triangle body is one where your shoulders and bust are wider than your hips. Your waist is less defined, while your lower body is slim. Your legs are slim too, so this is the area you need to accentuate.
Finally, the apple body, rounded with a broad torso, large bust and generous hips. As such, it's a good idea to divert the attention away from the central part of your body and highlight your shoulders or legs.
Trying on and fittings
Every woman is unique; there's no such thing as a standard body shape. This classification is intended as a general guide only. To get to know each other and understand what flatters your figure, trying on dresses and seeing how the different silhouettes look and feel is crucial.
At Rosa Clará, we always insist on the importance of trying on very different dresses in your search for The One. Along the way, you'll have a design team who can advise you on how to fit the design perfectly to your figure. Shortening the sleeves, lowering the neckline, cinching the waist... these are the dress alterations that really make a difference, giving you an impeccable look on your big day.
Wedding dress type according to body shape
Now that you know all about wedding dress types and silhouettes, let's explain which ones work well together, so we can help you navigate your way through our different collections. Ready?
Dresses for hourglass body shapes
Women with an hourglass figure can choose from several dress types. They'll feel especially stunning in mermaid-style dresses, given how they enhance their figure and feminine form. A-line dresses and princess dresses are also viable options; they focus the eye on the torso, reducing volume at the hip.
Dresses for pear body shapes
Brides with a pear body shape should shine the spotlight on their upper torso. Princess dresses are ideal, as are A-line dresses; they both conceal any unwanted volume at the hip. But, an empire line design is possibly the most flattering dress for this body type; it adds volume to the chest while minimising the hips and legs.
Dresses for rectangle body shapes
If your body lacks curves, an empire waist dress is your greatest ally; it lifts your chest and lengthens your figure. A-line dresses will be particularly flattering, too; they define your waist without exaggerating it, defining the silhouette to perfection.
Dresses for inverted triangle body shapes
In this case, you'll want to balance the silhouette, evening out the volume between your upper body and lower half. Mermaid-style dresses will look great on you; the full skirt offsets the volume at your shoulders. Princess dresses have the same effect. If you dare, short wedding dresses are a really flattering alternative for this silhouette, as well as for women with an apple body shape.
