The Perfect Fit

           Wedding dress shopping can be a bit overwhelming. Sifting through magazines is only partially productive since most of us do not have the body-type of a size 00 model, and trying every dress you might like on is downright exhausting. So, how do you narrow down your choices? Step 1: Know your body type. Step 2: Know what style suits your body type.

Many of us have preconceived notions about what our body type is, but it is always a good idea to go in and get measured. For instance, you may consider yourself “busty”, so you search for dresses that fall under that category; when really you should have been looking for “hourglass” since the proportion of your bust to your hips and waste is unique. It is always a good idea to get measured by a professional just in case you had the wrong impression of what it means to be a certain shape.

Once you know your shape, find out what styles flatter you. Here is a breakdown of the most popular styles:

MERMAID: This dress is for a bride who is comfortable with her body and wants to flaunt her curves. It hugs the chest, waist, and backside snuggly, flaring at the knee. Mermaid dresses are slightly less traditional, but can be sleek and sophisticated. They are recommended for taller brides, since the flaring at the bottom can cut the line off of a short bride and make her look smaller. If you are pear-shaped, you might want to consider another choice as this style will emphasize the bottom half of your body.

EMPIRE: An Empire cut starts at the bottom part of the bust and then has loose, often chiffon-like material that flows to the floor. Brides who have a smaller bust or want to conceal a fuller bottom will love this choice. The most versatile of the styles, an empire dress is perfect for a beach wedding because of its free flowing form. It also allows you to play with the neckline. You can add netting, lace, or a statement necklace. Another option is to emphasize the high waist line by adding a chic belt (think dainty gold metal or a thin ribbon that ties at the back).

BALL GOWN: “I want to look like a princess on my wedding day!” Sound familiar? Then chances are, you will gravitate toward a ball gown. As dramatic as they are classic, ball gowns never go out of style. They have a fitted bodice that stops at the waste and turns into a full skirt. Typically, slimmer women with average height and medium to full bust look great in this dress. If you have a small bust or are particularly small in your frame, it is a good idea to consider other possibilities since ball gowns can be overpowering and distract from the bride if it is too big.

SHEATH: Much like the mermaid dress, a sheath dress is relatively unforgiving. It has a simple shape that lies close to the body. However, the long structure of the gown can elongate the figure of brides. This is a great choice for brides who are short, since the line starts from the collar bone and drops to the floor without a break. Sheath dresses also work well on brides who are well-proportioned since this dress showcases the bottom and the top evenly.

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