Tips for Choosing a Wedding Dress that Suits Your Body Shape

Your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable days of your life. You want to look and feel your best, and that means finding a wedding dress that fits and flatters your body shape. But how do you know which wedding dress style is right for you? There are so many options to choose from, and it can be overwhelming to narrow them down.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to choose a wedding dress that suits your body shape, based on some common categories. Of course, these are not strict rules, and you can always experiment with different styles and see what you like best. But if you need some guidance, here are some suggestions to get you started.

The Hourglass Shape

If you have an hourglass shape, you have a well-defined waist and balanced proportions between your bust and hips. You can rock almost any wedding dress style, but a mermaid or trumpet silhouette will accentuate your curves and create a stunning effect. A mermaid dress hugs your body from the chest to the knees and then flares out into a dramatic skirt. A trumpet dress is similar, but the flare starts at the mid-thigh. These styles will highlight your figure and make you feel like a glamorous star.

Some examples of mermaid or trumpet wedding dresses are:

This lace mermaid dress with a sweetheart neckline

This satin trumpet dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline

This tulle mermaid dress with a plunging neckline

The Pear Shape

If you have a pear shape, you have a smaller bust and waist, and wider hips and thighs. You want to balance your proportions and draw attention to your upper body. A ball gown or A-line silhouette will do just that. A ball gown has a fitted bodice and a full, voluminous skirt that will make you feel like a princess. An A-line dress has a fitted bodice and a gently flared skirt that will create a flattering shape. These styles will also give you more freedom of movement and comfort.

Some examples of ball gowns or A-line wedding dresses are:

This tulle ball gown with a lace bodice
This satin A-line dress with a V-neckline
This organza ball gown with an illusion neckline

The Petite Shape

If you have a petite shape, you are shorter than average and have a small frame. You want to elongate your silhouette and avoid overwhelming your figure with too much fabric or detail. A sheath or column silhouette will do the trick. A sheath dress is a simple and elegant style that follows your natural shape from the neckline to the hemline. A column dress is similar but slightly looser and more flowy. These styles will create an illusion of height and make you look sleek and chic.

Some examples of sheath or column wedding dresses are:

This crepe sheath dress with a halter neckline
This chiffon column dress with a one-shoulder neckline
This lace sheath dress with a scoop neckline

The Athletic Shape

If you have an athletic shape, you have a toned and muscular body with little definition in your waist. You want to create some curves and soften your edges. An off-the-shoulder or sweetheart neckline will do wonders for your bust area, adding some volume and femininity. You can also opt for a fit-and-flare silhouette, such as a mermaid or trumpet style, to create some contrast between your upper and lower body.

Some examples of off-the-shoulder or sweetheart wedding dresses are:

This lace off-the-shoulder mermaid dress

This taffeta sweetheart trumpet dress

This satin off-the-shoulder A-line dress

The Inverted Triangle Shape

If you have an inverted triangle shape, you have a larger bust and shoulders, and narrower hips and legs. You want to balance your proportions and draw attention to your lower body. A ball gown or A-line silhouette will help you achieve that, as they will add some volume and drama to your skirt area. You can also opt for a strapless or halter neckline, which will show off your shoulders and collarbones without adding too much width.

Some examples of strapless or halter wedding dresses are:

This tulle strapless ball gown

This satin halter A-line dress

This lace strapless mermaid dress

The Triangle Shape

If you have a triangle shape, you have a smaller bust and shoulders, and wider hips and legs. You want to balance your proportions and draw attention to your upper body. An asymmetric or V-neck neckline will help you achieve that, as it will add some interest and dimension to your chest area. You can also opt for a fit-and-flare silhouette, such as a mermaid or trumpet style, to create some contrast between your upper and lower body.

Some examples of symmetric or V-neck wedding dresses are:

This lace symmetric mermaid dress

This satin V-neck trumpet dress

This tulle V-neck A-line dress

The Boxy Shape

If you have a boxy shape, you have a straight and rectangular body with little definition in your waist. You want to create some curves and define your shape. A sheath or column silhouette will help you do that, as they will follow your natural shape and hug your body in the right places. You can also opt for a belt or sash, which will cinch your waist and create some contrast.

Some examples of sheath or column wedding dresses with belts or sashes are:

This lace sheath dress with a beaded belt

This chiffon column dress with a floral sash

This crepe sheath dress with a bow belt

The Apple Shape

If you have an apple shape, you have a larger bust and waist, and narrower hips and legs. You want to balance your proportions and draw attention to your legs. A wider strap or sleeveless neckline will help you achieve that, as they will provide some support and coverage for your bust area without adding too much bulk. You can also opt for a tea-length or high-low hemline, which will show off your legs and add some fun and flair.

Some examples of wider strap or sleeveless wedding dresses with tea-length or high-low hemlines are:

This lace wider strap tea-length dress
This satin sleeveless high-low dress
This tulle wider strap tea-length dress

The Oval Shape

If you have an oval shape, you have a round and full body with little definition in your waist. You want to create some shape and define your features. A lower neckline, such as a V-neck or scoop neck, will help you achieve that, as they will elongate your neck and show off your décolletage. You can also opt for an empire waistline, which will cinch your bust and create some separation from your lower body.

Some examples of lower-neckline wedding dresses with empire waistlines are:

This chiffon V-neck empire dress
This lace scoop neck empire dress
This satin V-neck empire dress

Choosing a wedding dress that suits your body shape is not an easy task, but it can be a fun and rewarding one. By following these tips, you can narrow down your options and find the style that makes you feel confident and beautiful on your big day. Remember, these are just suggestions, and you can always try on different styles and see what works best for you. The most important thing is to choose a wedding dress that reflects your personality and style, and that makes you happy.

FAQs

Q: How do I know what my body shape is?

A: There are different ways to determine your body shape, but one simple method is to measure your bust, waist, and hips, and compare the ratios. For example, if your bust and hips are roughly the same size, and your waist is smaller, you have an hourglass shape. If your bust is larger than your hips, and your waist is not much smaller, you have an apple shape. If you need more help, you can use online tools or apps that can calculate your body shape based on your measurements.

Q: What are some other factors to consider when choosing a wedding dress?

A: Besides your body shape, you should also consider other factors such as the season, the venue, the theme, the budget, the color, the fabric, the accessories, and the comfort of the wedding dress. For example, if you’re having a summer wedding outdoors, you might want to choose a lighter and more breathable fabric, such as chiffon or lace. If you’re having a winter wedding indoors, you might want to choose a heavier and more luxurious fabric, such as satin or velvet.

Q: How do I find the right size for my wedding dress?

A: Wedding dress sizes are different from regular clothing sizes, so you should always check the size chart of the designer or brand before ordering or trying on a wedding dress. You should also measure yourself accurately and compare it with the size chart. If you’re in between sizes, it’s better to order a size up than a size down, as it’s easier to alter a bigger dress than a smaller one. You should also try