Wedding Gowns 101: Learn the Silhouettes

February 16, 2018

Wedding Gowns 101: Learn the Silhouettes

Wedding gown shopping — oh, where to begin! For starters, as a bride, you should aim to look like the absolute best version of yourself on your wedding day. And aside from your beaming smile and bridal glow, your dress will be front and center. We all have different body types, which is why it’s so important to begin the wedding dress shopping process by understanding the different gown silhouettes — and for which body types they work best. Here’s a quick and easy guide to brea kdown the various wedding gown silhouettes!

Sketch credits: Ballgown: Angel Rivera, A-Line: Reem Arca on Wedding Bells Blog, Modified A-Line: Pricilla of Boston, Trumpet: Custom Couture, Mermaid: Claire Pettibone on Bridesfinds, Sheath: Orlando Magazine, Tea-Length: Wedding Dresses by Amee, Mini: Annette.

Ballgown: The “fairy tale” dress, with a fitted bodice, flairs at the waist with a full skirt. Ideal for most body types but looks great on pears, since it hides the lower body. Not good for petites; the skirt can be overwhelming on a small frame.

Check out 50+ Beautiful New Wedding Ballgowns ►

Dress by Karelina Sposa

A-Line: Fitted bodice through the waist and flows out to the ground, resembling the outline of an uppercase “A.” Ideal for all body types.

Check out 50 Ultra-Elegant A-Line Wedding Dresses ►

Left: Dress by Essense of Australia

Modified A-Line: Fitted on the bodice and hips and gradually flares to the hem, forming an “A” shape. The skirt of a modified A-line dress fits closer to the body than a traditional A-line. Ideal for all body types.

Left: Dress by Anjolique

Trumpet: Fitted through the body and flairs mid-thigh. The cut is between a modified a-line and a mermaid cut. Ideal for frames with small waists, such as the hourglass, banana, and petites. Not good for pears and apples, as it accentuates stomach and hip area.

Dress by Martina Liana

Mermaid: Fitted on the body from the chest to the knee, then flares out close to the knee. Ideal for slender frames and hourglass body types who are willing to show off their curves. Not good for apples and plus size body types.

Check out 50 Mermaid Dresses That’ll Make You Weak in the Knees ►

Left: Dress by Forever Yours Bridals

Sheath: Narrow shape that flows straight down from the neckline to the hem. Ideal for lean frames, such as petites and bananas. Also good on hourglasses who are willing to show off their curves. Not good for pears; sheaths will accentuate extra inches and can be unflattering.

Check out 40 Stunning New Wedding Sheaths ►