Choosing the Right Style of Wedding Dress for your Shape

When it comes to choosing the dress, there’s more than just the colour to consider. You may have always dreamed you would swish down the aisle in top-to-toe chiffon or a duchess satin meringue, but childhood fantasies aside, it’s a good idea to choose a dress that will compliment your shape and personal style, not one you’ll look back on in years to come and cringe because it made you look any less than your most fabulous self!
You’re a princess for the day - so dress the part!

Your wedding photos will be around forever and you’ll hopefully want to show them off to all and sundry; they’ll be dragged out at every family do and you’ll imagine your future grandchildren poring over the faded images with gasps of ‘Oh what a beautiful dress grandma wore…’ So with that vision in mind it’s imperative not to waste your big opportunity. This is your chance to look the best you’ve ever looked. Go for gold and get the dress that was made for you and wear it with pride. You’re a princess for the day and it’s only right that you dress accordingly. It’s also important that you feel comfortable in your bridal gown as you’re going to be wearing it all day. A low-cut dress for instance that you can’t bend down in may not be appropriate if you are likely to spend much of the reception bending to greet elderly relatives or picking up small children. Your venue may also influence the style of dress you choose. Likewise a full skirt that is so full that you can’t get into a cubicle in the little girl’s room is going to be a serious problem if you want to drink any champagne on your wedding day!
Couture, designer or off-the-peg?

Couture dresses are designed for you and made to measure or can be made for you from a style which you have chosen from a designer’s collection; they are made to fit your measurements exactly and you can expect first class attention to detail and service from a bridal couturier. Designer or manufactured dresses are usually ordered for you in your size and then altered to fit you, while off-the-peg dresses can quite literally be bought straight off the peg in department stores or bridal boutiques.

Your ideal dress should say something about your own individual style

The overall style of the dress should ideally reflect who you are in some way. If you’re a classic English rose who loves feminine dresses and always wears heels then your bridal gown should perhaps be a traditional, full-skirted style; whereas if you’re a grungy tomboy type who tends to sport a mini skirt more than any other type of dress then perhaps your style will be more contemporary. Stylish old Hollywood inspired brides may want more of a Grace Kelly, look complete with ivory chiffon scarf thrown elegantly backwards over their neck for the reception (and worn more conservatively over their shoulders for the ceremony perhaps.) If you like to break the rules then who says you have to wear white? Rebels should consider coloured or short-skirted bridal gowns – very modern and ‘uber cool.’. Red dresses are also an incredibly popular choice for brides who just want to do something that little bit different.
Know your shape and what suits you best

There are a few tried and trusted rules when it comes to choosing outfits for your body shape. Most girls know whether they are a classic English pear shape, the most common female body shape in the UK, or a rounder plus size or more perfect hourglass. It helps to know which dress styles and necklines will be most flattering to your overall shape, whether you are petite or tall, flat-chested, big busted or a plus size. Whatever shape you are the right dress is sure to make you look amazing.

The main aspects to consider when choosing your ideal dress are:

* the neckline – does it flatter your body shape and enhance your bust or just serve to highlight what’s missing?
* the material – does it cling unforgivingly to every lump or skim your line to perfection?
* the length – does it elongate you if you are on the short side or serve to make the most of your elegant stature if you’re tall?
* the skirt shape – does it fall elegantly to the floor, giving the illusion of perfectly curvaceous hips or cruelly accentuate your heavy thighs and saddlebags?
* the colour – does it lift your skin tone and make you look like a well-lit film star or drain you of colour and leave you looking unwell?
* the detail – do you want to sparkle with beading and crystals or is your dress so heavily embroidered and busy it’s wearing you?

Here are the rules:

* Hourglass (your bust is about the same width as your hips and you have a nipped in waist – lucky you!)

Choose:
Anything you like, especially dresses that accentuate your tiny waist and curves. A fishtail (sometimes called the ‘mermaid’) will look amazing on you!
Think Hollywood glamour of the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe, the hourglass shape can wear any style and look amazing!

* Petite (you are 5ft 3ins or under and are probably also a smaller dress size)

Choose:
A-line or long-line styles with detail at the neckline and hem to draw the eye up and down the length of your frame.

Avoid: Ball gown or full-skirted ‘fru fru’ meringue type styles.
Petite sizes should go for a gentle A-line style as this shape appears to lengthen the body. A high neckline or an empire-line may also give the illusion of length. Detailing at top and bottom of the dress will give the illusion of a longer line and thus make you magically appear taller. Heels will complete your look.

* Pear shape (you are smaller on top with curvy snake hips)

Choose:
Slim A-line styles with wide or square necklines and especially strapless or off-the-shoulder dresses where the horizontal line gives the illusion of a wider top-half.
Avoid: Clingy materials around your hips and bias cut skirts which accentuate wider hips. If you have small boobs avoid a deep v-neckline or low-cut dress like the plague!

As pear-shapes are smaller above the waist than they are below, it’s best to streamline the shape by taking the emphasis away from the hip. An A-line will skim over your hips and hide larger thighs or saddlebags while showing off your beautifully slim upper half. A heavier material wrapped around your top half such as a velvet or fur stole will also help to balance you and complete your look.

* Plus size (you are curvy and rounder than most and probably a size 18+ and all woman!)

Choose:
Deep v-necklines will give the illusion of a slimmer you while enhancing your best assets. A fitted bodice with a longer length gentle A-line skirt will also help to streamline you.
Avoid:High necklines, short skirt lengths and strapless or off-the-shoulder styles which may make you look wider with their horizontal lines.

Gathered and pleated styles will add bulk so a plus size bride should go instead for a longer line of dress to streamline their figure. A gentle A-line gown with sheer sleeves or straps and a deep v-neckline will be your best dress choice, a pretty sheer wrap will complete the look.


Try before you buy and take along a friend!

Trying on wedding dresses is a rite of passage for many a girl and it’s a special day out to enjoy with your best friend, mum, sister or all three! It’s a good idea to try on as many different styles as you can as it will give you a better idea of what you like and what you feel comfortable in. Sleep on a decision rather than buying spontaneously, as you may find yourself getting carried away with the moment and then later change your mind. If you’re travelling a long distance to dress shops it’s a good idea to try dresses on in the morning and then break for lunch to mull over how you felt about each dress and then perhaps go back and buy one after lunch.

It is said that you will just know when you have found the dress so go with your instincts and remember that all brides are beautiful on their wedding day – especially those who have chosen the perfect dress for their shape.

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original post: www.confetti.co.uk