. . .pick the right dress style. . .
It’s important to find a dress style that flatters your body; emphasize the positive aspects and minimize the less-than-ideal areas.
Petite/Short
Sheath, A-line, and Mermaid are all flattering styles on a petite figure. To add height, combine a short sleeve or sleeveless dress with long gloves. Consider a dress with a high neckline and empire waist to elongate your figure. Ball gowns and veils longer than the floor can overwhelm a petite frame. Pouf veils and up-do’s will add to your overall height.
Full Figured
Ball gown and A-line styles are especially flattering on fuller figures. The fitted waist and full skirt of a ball gown emphasizes your beautiful curves, and hides any figure “issues” below the waist. An A-Line silhouette will flatter practically any figure. Consider a neckline with beading and other details to help draw the eye upward and balance your silhouette.
Large Bust
The following necklines work well with a large bust: keyhole, high, v-neck, and illusion yoke. Consider finding a gown style that allows you to wear a bra with straps, for the best support. It’s all about proportion and balance, so consider a dress with beading, lace, and other details around the hemline and the bottom half of the dress and not the bodice.
Full Hips
A-line, ball gown, flared skirt, and cinched waist styles are all very flattering to this body type. A broader neckline such as off-the-shoulder, Portrait, Bateau or Sabrina can help balance your overall silhouette nicely.
Small Bust
While many styles can be flattering, consider styles that include extra details – layering, beadwork, ruching, lacework – around the bust line for fullness and balance. Have cups sewn into your gown’s bodice so you can eliminate the need for a bra – one less thing to worry about!
Hourglass
This “curves-in-all-the-right-places” body looks great in simple, classic styles such as sheaths, mermaid, and a fitted princess gown. Consider a v-neck, off-the-shoulder, or scoop neck – these necklines provide nice balance and proportion to an hourglass shape.
Inverted Triangle
Full skirts or full trains are a great way to balance out your overall silhouette when you’re fuller on top and through the shoulders. Consider dresses with bustles, bows, and other adornments on the bottom half of the gown.
Triange/Pear-Shaped
Consider full sleeve treatments, padded or pouf sleeve, to balance out your fuller bottom half. Consider a textured bodice with heavy beading and a flattering neckline that will draw focus upward.
Tall
A drop-waist dress with a lower neckline or any off-the-shoulder style looks great on taller figures. If you’re also slender, a sheath or mermaid style will really show off your slim frame. Sometimes when you’re thin, your shoulders and collar bone can look “bony” – and if so, you may want a dress style that covers those areas more. Something else to consider: pouf veils and up-do’s will add to your overall height.
Thick Waist or Rectangle-Shaped
An Empire silhouette looks especially flattering on those body types that are fuller through the waist. Consider using strong detail on the upper or lower body, but not both, to give the illusion of curves.
As seen in Premier Bride of Mississippi…Summer/Fall 2013. For more information, visit www.premierbridems.com