Fit for a princess (you!)
A no-stress guide to finding your most flattering fit
Looking for the perfect wedding gown? First, give yourself the chance to find a dress silhouette that best suits your body type. The right silhouette will play up your pros and camouflage cons. You’ll also feel more comfortable and confident on your wedding day and look more beautiful than you ever expected. On the following pages, check out some of the top wedding dress silhouettes – from A-line to ballgown – to help you decide on the most flattering fit for you.
TIP: Be open to trying on different silhouettes. Brides are often surprised to find out that a style they had not considered is actually their most flattering option!
Sheath Silhouettes
Simple, sleek and elegant, the sheath is a long, narrow, slim-fitting silhouette that often hugs the bodice down to the hip and flows to the hem. Sheath dresses often highlight the body’s natural shape and many are strapless or backless.
The Pros: This style is excellent for accentuating a slim figure without overwhelming it. Also great for petite brides, as the long, narrow lines elongate a small frame.
From left to right: Willowby ('Charlize'), Venus Bridal (Style AT4734N); Tadashi Shoji ('Izumi'), Venus Bridal (Style PA9315), Theia (‘Estrid’)
Mermaid, Trumpet, Fit & Flare Silhouettes
Designed to show off the curves of a beautiful bride, these dramatic, sexy silhouettes contour the body from the bust and waist to the hip, thigh or knee, then flare out loosely.
The Pros: For slender figures, this style lends a shapelier look. It also beautifully highlights the voluptuous curves of a full-figured bride.
From left to right: Sophia Tolli (Style Y21976LS), Sophia Tolli (Style Y11962), Paloma Blanca (style 4868), Sottero & Midgley (‘Kevyn’), Venus Bridal (Style VE8793N)
A-line Silhouettes
By far the most versatile of all silhouettes, an A-line or Princess Shape dress is fitted through the bust and bodice, then flows down to the flared skirt, creating an "A" shape from the waist. This style is a flattering choice for all body shapes and sizes.
The Pros: A-line dresses skim curves rather than clinging to them, creating an elegant silhouette. It gives petite brides a taller appearance; it adds feminine curves to a long, narrow figure; it de-emphasizes wide waistlines; and it hides a heavier bottom half.
From let to right: Justin Alexander (Style 88074), Venus Bridal (Style AT4727N), Theia (‘Klara’), Mikaella (Style 2266), Ti Adora (‘Arwen’)
Ballgown Silhouettes
The fullest, most formal style, this classic and elegant silhouette features a fitted bodice that flares out into a very full skirt. Like the A-line silhouette, it flatters most figures, but is fuller and more structured.
The Pros: Ballgowns emphasize the upper body, while disguising heavier hips and thighs. Also an excellent style for brides with broad shoulders and small hips, as it helps create a gorgeous hourglass figure.