When it comes to your wedding day, every detail matters, and the perfect wedding gown is no exception. But with so many styles, cuts, fabrics, and trends to choose from, how do you find the gown that’s made specific for you? The key lies in understanding your body type and selecting a dress that complements your shape and highlights your best features. But most of all, you must find a dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful in. Whether you’re a curvy bride, petite, or somewhere in between, there’s a wedding gown at I do… I do… that will be perfect for you.
Hourglass Shape
If you’ve got an hourglass figure—bust and hips roughly the same width with a defined waist—you're in luck! Many wedding gown styles will complement this natural, balanced silhouette.
Best Styles:
- A-Line Dresses: These gowns are fitted at the bodice and flare out gradually toward the floor. They enhance your waist while keeping the rest of the gown balanced. An example in studio of this style would be Justin Alexander Josette.
- Mermaid/Trumpet Gowns: These styles are perfect for accentuating your curves. A mermaid dress hugs your body tightly through the torso and hips before flaring out at the knees, while a trumpet gown is similar but flares out a little higher. A dramatic of this would be Pronovias Alura.
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What to Avoid:
- Overly loose or boxy gowns that hide your curves may not show off your natural shape as well. Opt for something that accentuates your waist and proportions.
- Ballgowns that add too much weight and swallow you up with fabric.
Pear-Shaped
If your hips are wider than your bust and you have a smaller waist, you're likely a pear-shaped bride. You’ll want to choose a gown that draws attention upward and balances out your proportions.
Best Styles:
- A-Line Gown: An A-line gown will skim over your hips and thighs while emphasizing your waist. It creates a lovely, long line that balances out your proportions. A style that we carry that would be flattering to a pear shape would be Paloma Blanca 4987.
- Sweetheart Neckline or Off-the-Shoulder Styles: These styles draw attention to your upper body and create the illusion of a wider shoulder line, balancing out your hips. A beautiful option we have in store would be Justin Alexander Signature Walcott.
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What to Avoid:
- Dresses that are too fitted around the hips may exaggerate the lower half of your body, so any dramatic mermaids should be ruled out. Instead, look for gowns that offer more structure or volume in the upper half.
Apple-Shaped
If you carry more weight in your midsection and have a fuller bust and waist, the goal would be to elongate your figure.
Best Styles:
- Rouching: Finding a gown that has rouching along the midsection is perfect for this body type because it helps with accentuating the bust and waist and is flattering on the hips. A style that exemplifies this is Enzoani Marilyn.
- V-Neckline: A deep V-neckline creates the illusion of length in your torso, which is perfect for balancing out fuller upper body proportions. Martina Liana is a great designer for this neckline, especially 1696.
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What to Avoid:
- Dresses with high-waisted or tight bodices can draw attention to the midsection. Similarly, straight-cut or form-fitting styles that do not elongate the figure should be avoided.
Petite
If you’re on the shorter side, you’ll want to choose a gown that doesn’t overwhelm your frame but still gives you that bridal elegance.
Best Styles:
- Fit and Flare: A fit and flare gown that hugs the body in a sleek, vertical line works well for shorter brides, creating the illusion of longer legs and a taller frame. The perfect gown that highlights this would be Martina Liana 1752.
- Ball Gown (but with a smaller skirt): You can still rock a ball gown! Opt for a gown with a more proportionate, smaller skirt rather than one with an oversized, voluminous skirt that could overwhelm your frame. The perfect fuller aline/slimmer ballgown example would be Sottero and Midgley Mirabella.
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What to Avoid:
- Super voluminous gowns with heavy fabric can swallow your frame. Stick to lighter fabrics and more streamlined silhouettes to keep things in proportion.
Athletic
If you have a straighter, athletic figure with fewer curves, the goal is to create the illusion of curves while adding some shape to your frame.
Best Styles:
- Fit-and-Flare Dresses: A fit-and-flare dress is fitted through the bodice and hips and then flares out at the knees. It adds volume and curves while maintaining a streamlined silhouette. It is not as dramatic as a mermaid style, which is better suited on an athletic build. An example of this would be Justin Alexander Fay.
- Rouching Details: Look for dresses with these design elements at the waistline to create the illusion of curves. A dress that can really create this illusion would be Elysee Florianne.
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What to Avoid:
- Straight-cut, boxy gowns that don’t add any shape can make you look more angular. Go for dresses with a little more volume or structure that creates soft curves.
At the end of the day, the perfect wedding gown is the one that makes you feel your best. It’s not just about fitting into a specific style based on your body shape—it’s about feeling confident and beautiful in front of your loved ones. No matter your body type, the right gown will highlight your unique features and make you feel like the best version of yourself on your big day.
So try on different styles and have fun with the process! Your dream dress is here at I do… I do… waiting for you to find it. Happy gown hunting!