Popular Types of Wedding Gown Silhouette
A-line.This is the most popular silhouette. It is universally flattering and come with many shapes from subtle, modified A-line to full circle silhouette. The top of the dress gracefully hug the natural curves of your upper body and then it flares out into an “A” shape as it falls from the first hips to the floor. This type of gown is easy to wear and allows you to move around.
Sheath. This silhouette is favored by brides who do not what bulky wedding gowns and have the body type for it. It either contours the body from top to bottom, closely following the line of the body (called constructed sheaths) or falls nearly straight down from the shoulders to hem (called soft sheaths. It adds height to a petite bride and is quite flattering for a tall bride with a thin frame.
Ball-gown. The ball gown silhouette has a much fuller skirt that flows to the floor. There are “flat-front ball gowns,” which have skirts that are smooth and seamless in front and fully pleated in the back or a dropped-waist ball gown, where the bodice is fitted through the hips. This gown is good for tall brides with narrow hips. Petite brides should avoid this silhouette because they may look like they are lost in it.
Trumpet or Mermaid. These are form-fitting silhouettes that flare to the floor usually from the knee (mermaid silhouette) or mid-thigh (trumpet silhouette). They are perfect for brides who have hour-glass body type and tall brides. Not recommended for petite brides, those with pear-shaped body or plus-sized
Empire. The Empire silhouette has a high waist look, often with a seam under the bust line and typically a slimmer skirt. This style is good for petite brides because the gentle blending of the waist into a flared skirt often provides a long and lean silhouette.
Princess-cut. The ball gown silhouette is similar to A-line but has 2 seams in front coming from the shoulder down to the floor. Fitted from the top down to the first hips, flared below and creates a fuller skirt. This is the alternative to the ball-gown for petites who would like to wear full-skirt without the shirrings or pleats.
Popular Wedding Gown Necklines
Bateau. This neckline is also known as a boat neck. This is a higher neckline that typically follows the collar bone curve and extends horizontally from one shoulder to the other. It tends to look best on women with larger busts and not broad shoulders.
Square. This neckline is similar to the scoop, but with a shape of a half square curve. Works well with full figure without showing too much cleavage.
Halter.
This neckline creates a beautiful open back neckline. This works best on tall, broad shouldered and/or smaller busted brides.
Jewel.
Jewel necklines are high cut and follow the curve of your neck. They give a very formal look and works best for a night time wedding. Stay away if you are full breasted.
V-Neck.
This neckline forms a “V” that is created by a plunge into the cleavage. The plunge can be either subtle or sexy. These necklines are very flattering to larger-busted women because they create an optical illusion that visually minimizes breast size.
Scoop.
Scoop necklines are softly rounded and dip down in a U shape on the bodice. Like the v-neck, the scoop can be as deep or as high as you feel comfortable with, depending on the amount of skin you want to expose. This neckline can be flattering to almost any woman’s shape.
Strapless.
This classic neckline is usually cut straight across the bust line leaving the arms and shoulders completely bare. The collarbone and shoulders are highlighted and is the most popular neckline. However, it is not recommended for small chested brides.
Sweetheart.
This neckline forms a soft heart shape line at the bust line and works well in accentuating cleavage. This romantic style allows for a daring plunge but more shoulder coverage. It is flattering to most women and most bust sizes.
Off-the-shoulder.
This neckline is sometimes called “tip of shoulder”, the sleeves sit just below the shoulders, giving the feeling of a strapless neckline with less skin showing than a sleeveless gown.
Spaghetti Strap.
The neckline could be a V-neck, sweetheart or straight across with thin straps supporting the bodice. They usually come detachable to reveal a strapless gown.
Pear Body Shape
If your hip is larger than your bust then you have a pear shape. You have narrow shoulders and wider hips. Many women fall under this category! You will do well to add width to the upper part of your body and deemphasize your lower half. Bring the focus upward with detail bodice.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape
If your bust is larger than your hip, which means you have broad shoulders and narrower hips, you’re an inverted triangle. Inverted triangles often have a full bust and yet wear a smaller-sized pant. You are the opposite shape of the pear, so you want to deemphasize your top and draw attention to your bottom half.
Apple
If all your measurements are similar then you have an apple body type. To add definition and the appearance of an hourglass shape you’ll want to select dresses with gathers or other details on the hips and bust. This will highlight those areas and give you a feminine shape. Generally an A-line dress will be the most flattering and have the most options for you.
Petite
If you are shorter than 5'4?, then you have a petite body type. The simple lines of an A-line dress elongates the waist and can make a small bride look taller
Plus Size
Less is more. If you’re going to wear a dress with beads or crystals, keep them subdued and choose the flat rather than rounded ones. A-line silhouette are ultra-slimming and flattering, especially if the wedding gown has a dropped waist. Accentuate your waist.
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