Selecting the Best Gown Style for Your Figure

by Dream Dresses for Less

You definitely want to find a wedding gown with the perfect fit and style to enhance your figure. First, let's take a quick look at the basic gown silhouettes.

Princess or A-Line:

The Princess or A-Line silhouette has seams starting at the bust or shoulders and flowing down to a flared skirt. The top of the dress gracefully blends into the skirt.

Sheath:

This silhouette closely follows the line of the body.

Ball Gown:

The Ball Gown silhouette is similar to the A-Line, only it has a much fuller skirt and typically features a full bodice that is distinctly separate from the skirt.

Empire:

The Empire silhouette has a high waist look, often with a seam under the bust line and typically a slimmer skirt.

Here are some general guidelines for which silhouettes work best on each body type. You should, however, try on all silhouettes to see which styles look best on you.

Hour-Glass Figure ~ Small Waist with Larger Hips & Chest

Try:

An A-Line gown paired with a v-neck or scoop neck to fully flatter your figure. A ball-gown, if the skirt isn't overly full, can also be a good choice.

Avoid:

The Empire silhouette, which may hide your figure or make it look disproportioned.

Short Waisted and Petite Figures

Try:

An A-Line gown which can elongate your waist and make you appear taller. Since the top of the dress gently blends into the flared skirt, it often provides a long and lean silhouette.

Avoid:

A large ball gown that can make you appear smaller.

Tall and Thin

Try:

A ball gown or a Sheath silhouette.

Avoid:

The A-Line or Sheath silhouettes only if you want to appear less tall or thin. Overall, you can wear any silhouette.

Pear Shaped

Try:

Selecting a gown that will draw attention to the upper half of your body. The Silhouette isn't quite as important as the neckline you select. Flatter your shoulders and chest while drawing focus away from hips.

Avoid:

The Sheath silhouette, as it draws attention to the hips.

Full Figure and Plus Sizes

Try:

An A-Line which will flatter practically any figure.

Avoid:

Sheaths, thin straps, and sleeveless gowns. Consider a scoop or v-neck to flatter your chest and neck.

Dream Dresses for Less is an online 'buying service' that assists brides in locating and purchasing the designer gowns of their dreams at substantially below retail cost.

Their web site contains valuable gown researching tips and tools and helpful dress buying articles, such as "Necklines that Flatter" and "Bridesmaids Dresses ~ Keeping Everyone Happy." Their handy alterations guide can arm any bride with the information she needs to get a leg-up before talking to dress alterations specialists. Dream Dresses for Less is an authorized dealer for the Wedding Gown Preservation Company, specializing in gown preservation for more than eighty years. Visit their web site today is you're looking for your wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses or mothers' gowns.