Submitted by Caroline on
Shopping for your perfect wedding dress involves many factors and one of them is choosing a style that will flatter and enhance your body shape.
So here is a guide put together by Hitched to help you try and understand what to look for in a dress that will ultimately be your dream wedding dress!
Straight Body Shape
If you have a straight body shape will find they have a less defined waist than most. Your bust and hips tend to be pretty balanced and you are not as curvy. This is known as more of a ‘sporty’ body shape, and it is important, when picking a wedding dress for a straight structure, to enhance your waistline.
Avoid: Strapless wedding dresses as these can make your shoulders look broader than they are so avoid harsh necklines and colum wedding dresses that have no definition in their shape as they won’t give you a defined waist.
Look for: Wedding dresses with full skirts gives the illusion that the hips are wider than they are and add a feminine shape to you. Look for wedding dresses that have embellishment at the bust and necklines that are a V or U shape as they will add more angles to your body shape. Another style which can look amazing on this type of figure is a bridal suit, tailored jacket and ankle grazer trousers can really look stylish.
Best Styles: Ball gown wedding dress, embellished wedding dress, wedding suits.
Small Busted Body Shape
If you have a smaller bust then you have more option when it comes to styles, but you need to make sure there is enough detail/style in the top half of the dress to balance out the small size of your upper body.
Dresses best avoided: Sweetheart neckline on a strapless dress may not be the most flattering thing to wear if you have a smaller bust.
Look for: Dresses with lots of upper body detail are much easier to wear with small boobs and you even have the option of wearing backless dresses as less support is needed. Slender designs are really flattering and the more embellishment, the better.
Best Styles: Backless wedding dresses, dresses with plunging necks, dresses with amazing backs.
Best to avoid strapless as these can make your shoulders look broader than they are so avoid harsh necklines and column style dresses that have no definition in their shape as they won’t give you a defined waist.
Try and look for wedding dresses with full skirts gives the illusion that the hips are wider than they are and add a feminine shape to you. Look for wedding dresses with embellishment around the bust and necklines that are a V or U shape as they will add more angles to your body shape. Another style which can look amazing on your type of figure is a bridal suit, a tailored jacket and ankle grazer trousers can really look stylish.
Best Styles: Ball gown wedding dress, embellished wedding dress, wedding suits.
Pear Body Shape
If you have a pear body shape this will mean you have a tendency to have hips that are wider than your bust and a really nicely defined waist. Pear–shaped women usually have very feminine neck and shoulders that are quite narrow and dainty.
Dresses to avoid: Loosely fitted dresses or empire line wedding dress. These styles won’t show your figure at its best and will tend to make you look bigger than you actually are.
Look For: Wedding dresses that are fitted all the way down will show off your girly curves and bring attention to the smallest part of your body, your waist. Opt for dresses with sleeves or shoulder detail to balance out your smaller shoulders with your slightly wider hips.
Best Styles to go for are a fishtail wedding dress, qwedding dresses with sleeves, wedding dresses with cap sleeves.
An hourglass Body Shape
An hourglass figure is similar to the pear body shape, however your shoulders and hips are perfectly balanced and the bust is more apparent. Brides with this body shape tend to have an extremely defined waist and very curvaceous assets. Try not to add weight to your bust or hips as they are already perfectly balanced
Best to avoid empire wedding dresses and dresses with really heavy and princess-style skirts will usually be much less flattering than other styles.
Look for dresses that are very fitted around your waist will look the most attractive and corset backs as opposed to button-ups or zips will be the best choice for you. Opt for Sweetheart necklines as it’s feminine and works well for keeping the bust and hips balanced.
Best Styles: A line wedding dresses with dropped hem, fit n flare style wedding dresses, strapless or spaghetti straps.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape
If you are this body shape then your shoulders and upper body are proportionally larger than the lower body. Your shoulders tend to be broad and your hips and waist have a slim, column shape.
Avoid: Try to steer clear of halter neck and off the shoulder as they will draw attention to your wider shoulders and lots of detail around the neckline won’t help either.
Look For: V neck wedding dresses as these are perfect for inverted triangle body shapes. Opt for thick straps or sleeves to make the shoulders more subtle. To balance out the shape, look for a wedding dress with lots of detail and or an all over lace pattern as it will veer the eye downwards instead of concentrating on your broader upper half.
Best Styles: V neck wedding dress, sheath wedding dresses, embellished wedding dresses.
Oval Body Shape
Sometimes known as the ‘apple’ body shape, if you are oval shaped then you tend to have a large bust, narrow hips and a fuller midsection which is wider than your bust and hips. They also tend to have slender legs and arms.
Avoid: High necklines will drown your chest and give the different sections of your body no definition. Try to keep the definition of the dress away from the waist and don’t opt for pleats as they are much less flattering.
Look For: Straight and subtly flared skirts and dresses which flow through the waistline is what you should be looking out for with an oval body shape. Look for dresses with lower necklines and plenty of upper-body detail to take the attention away from the midsection and embellished patterns that travel in vertical lines are extra flattering.
Best Styles: Straight/slim wedding dresses, embellished necklines, v neckline.
Busty Body Shape
If you have a bigger bust you may find it hard to pick a wedding dress that leaves you feeling really supported but it is definitely possible.
Avoid: Stay away from low necklines, strapless wedding dresses and backless dresses. They will have the least amount of support and won’t have you feeling at your most comfortable. Dresses which skim over the bust will be less flattering as well.
Look For: Styles of dress that have high necklines and are fitted under the bust are more flattering for women with larger breasts. If you want a more open style neckline with the support as well, illusion neck wedding dresses are a great choice.
Best Styles: Illusion neckline wedding dresses, mermaid wedding dresses and wedding dresses with sleeves.