The Perfect Fit

Hourglass

Figure Description

Curvy or hourglass, this bride has a slender waist and rounded bosom and hips.

Strategies

To maximize your curves and maintain balance, look for gowns with simple, classic lines like sheaths and mermaid styles.

Other tips

A full skirt or slim straight skirt both can be flattering, paired with a fitted bodice.

Look for natural or dropped waists.

Choose floating fabrics such as chiffon, silk organza or crepe.

Accent bustline with a deep neckline or off-the-shoulder bodice.

Avoid

Gowns with very full or ruffled skirts, pouf sleeves, highly detailed bodices, and high necklines that cover the shoulder area and minimize the bust.

Bias-cut skirts - they are designed to add curves, and will only fight the ones that are already there.

Gowns with a lot of fabric, or with pleats and ruffles – they can add bulk.

Shiny fabrics such as satin, and heavily beaded and ornate lace designs that add thickness. Extremes such as high necklines and Empire waists which can throw off your proportions.

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Pear

Figure Description

This figure type is smaller in the bust and waist areas of the body when compared to the hips, seat and/or thigh areas.

Strategies

The key here is to balance your proportions. You'll also want the focus of attention away from the hip and thigh area. An A-line wedding gown, for instance, will cascade elegantly to the floor, concealing your lower torso while displaying your upper body beautifully.

Other tips

Look for a gown with elaborate bodices or laces and beadings on the upper body to help make small busts look larger and provide the attention to the upper body instead of lower part of the body.

Choose styles with width at the shoulders to help broaden and emphasize your top half, such as short sleeves, padded shoul ders, off-the-shoulder necklines, shoulder wrapped collars and bolero jackets or shrugs.

Dropped waists and skirts with controlled fullness will help de-emphasize your hip area.

Opt for material that flows away from your body instead of sticking to it.

Avoid

Necklines and sleeves which make your shoulders appear narrower, thus making your silhouette appear more disproportionate. The "V" of the V-neckline, for instance, draws attention downwards and therefore may over-emphasize your lower torso.

Body-hugging gowns, such as sheath and mermaid styles or full skirts that make the upper body appear even smaller or the lower body larger.

Any excessive adornments at hip level (such as big bows, excessive lacing or beadwork).

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Petite

Figure Description

A smaller figure at a shorter height.

Strategies

Petite brides are best suited for simple line wedding dresses that help give the illusion of length and height. Look for dresses that have long fluid vertical lines, such as a sheath gown. Princess or A-line gowns with a slim-fitting bodice also provide this long flowing look.

Other tips

The Empire gown style may also be a good choice. With its very high waist that starts right below the bust line, it can make a bride look longer legged. But be careful. If you have a prominent bust or very small bust, the Empire waist style wedding gown will direct the focus of attention to the bust area.

If your eye is on the popular mermaid wedding dress style (which hugs the body right down to the knees where it flares out with a fuller skirt), a word of caution. If you need to alter the dress by cutting off a lot of the hem, you will be cutting off a lot of the fullness in the flare, which may not be a good thing. Plus for most petite brides the flare might not start on your figure in the right place. What can you do? One strategy is to wear the highest heeled shoe you can manage. Try on different mermaid style wedding gowns. Note where the flare starts and how much hem will need to come off.

If the sheer volume of traditional gowns overwhelms your delicate figure, consider a dress that's tea length, street length or mini. You might find your future in a sweet little slip dress that skims the top of your knees or a stylish skirt suit with a waist-length jacket.

Avoid

The rule of thumb is to stay away from any dress that overwhelms you. (After all, you want the focus to be on you, not just the dress.)

Gowns with fitted waists and full skirts can cut shorter women in half (visually, of course).

What about a ball gown? Experts say you should avoid this style because big and puffy skirts can drown a petite bride. (But if your heart is set on a Cinderella ball gown, choose one with a skirt that's less full and not overly ornate.)

Don't bog yourself down with details. Beading, embroidery, ribbons, and/or lace should be limited to the chest and shoulder areas. Large motifs and design details also will be overpowering for you.

Long trains on a wedding gown create a wonderfully romantic picture especially as the bride walks down the aisle. However, petite brides can be easily overwhelmed by the long train and their figure will be lost in all that material.

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Rectangle

Figure Description

A long and narrow shape, this figure is straight up and down without much difference in measurements between the bust, waist and hips.

Strategies

To create the illusion of curves, look for dresses that draw the eye outward at the shoulders (with elaborate necklines or sleeves) and at the hips (with full, voluminous skirts).

Other tips

To camouflage a thick waist, look for high waistline skirts with some beadings.

Also look for wedding dress styles that will draw the focus of attention upward toward your face or down toward the hem and away from the mid-section.

Horizontal detailing will draw the eye across the body and combat vertical body lines.

Avoid

Design elements that elongate the body, such as Empire waists, dropped waists, high necklines and sheath-type gowns that fall in an uninterrupted line from top to bottom.

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Round

Figure Description

The rounded figure, from top to waist to rear, is the plus-sized woman.

Strategies

Look for a dress that is slimming and won't add width or weight to your figure. The wedding dress silhouettes that work on most plus-size figures are the princess or A-line wedding gown style.

Other tips

If you're looking to disguise large hips, consider an A-line style dress with a Basque waist – a very slimming waist that dips to a slight V shape in the front. The shape elongates the torso, trimming the tummy and providing a sleek appearance.

If you have a large bust, choose a simple silhouette with a full skirt. Also, asymmetrical front details work wonders, directing a person's focal point away from any trouble areas.

Scoop and square necklines are flattering and provide just the right support while showing a nice amount of skin. Larger-busted women also look sexy in a sweetheart neckline. Portrait and off-the-shoulder necklines are great for full-figured women with pretty collarbones and not-too-wide shoulders. If shoulders are a bit on the wide side, a V-neck style neckline will help to slim them down.

If you are uncomfortable about showcasing heavy upper arms in a strapless dress, consider a gown with simple, not-too-tight tapered sleeves (they can be lace or sheer and still serve their purpose). Wearing a shrug, wrap or a lace jacket also will provide coverage if you want to hide your back and upper arms. But don't automatically ignore a sleeveless dress. Your first reaction might be to cover up, but by removing that extra material on top, you might find you look great. Plus, you can show off your pretty neck and shoulders.

Avoid

Clingy fabrics and body-hugging styles. Likewise, shiny fabrics will play up every curve you don't want to show. Look for stiffer (sometimes a bit thicker) fabrics that will hold their shape.

Bustles, tiered fabric or other details that add width at the hips or other trouble areas.

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Inverted Triangle

Figure Description

This figure type has a prominent bust or shoulder area that is wider than the hip area.

Strategies

You will want to work with your best asset (your bust) and minimize your broad shoulders while creating a stronger definition of your waist. Suggested wedding gown styles include ball gown, princess or A-line wedding gowns.

Other tips

Try on wedding gowns styles that have simple but well supported tops, a somewhat dropped waistline (this helps to lengthen the appearance of your torso) and a full, interesting skirt to draw attention downward, creating balance for the hips and sharpness in the waist.

Balance wide shoulders or a full bust line by adding details at the waist or skirt. Full skirts with details such as peplums, bustles, sashes, and bows will add more curves on the lower body.

Simple bodices, with accents kept to a minimum, will draw less attention to your top.

V-neck and sweetheart necklines with minimal detailing are complementary.

To de-emphasize your shoulder area, look for gowns with minimal shoulder details, simple sleeves, moderate padding, and natural shoulder lines.

Avoid

Stay away from gowns with oversized sleeves, slim and straight skirts like sheaths and mermaids, Empire waistlines, high or plunging necklines, and elaborate bodices.

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