Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Body Shape: A Complete Guide
Wedding dress shopping is one of the most special moments leading up to your big day. It's when you get to try on different styles, envision yourself walking down the aisle, and ultimately find the perfect gown that makes you feel like a true bride.
With the sheer magnitude of options out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to even begin. While personal style and price range are important factors to consider, you also want to feel unabashedly confident, stunningly beautiful, and uniquely you in your chosen dress.
To achieve that, the perfect wedding dress should feel like it was crafted for your unique body shape. When your dress accentuates your natural figure, it doesn’t just elevate your bridal look—it ensures you feel absolutely radiant on your special day.
In this guide, we’ll help you identify your body shape and suggest some dress styles that will flatter your figure. From classic to contemporary and everything in between, the perfect dress is waiting for you!
Understanding Your Body Shape
So you may be wondering, "What even is my body shape?" While we fully support the notion that every body is unique and beautiful in their own way, these six common body shapes can help you understand your proportions and what styles may best flatter them.
The hourglass shape features a well-defined waist, with the bust and hips being almost equal in size.
For those with a pear shape, the hips are wider than the bust, creating a more triangular silhouette.
An apple shape is characterized by a rounder midsection, with slightly narrower shoulders and hips.
The rectangle shape is when the bust, waist, and hips are similar in size, creating a more straight-up-and-down figure.
Those with an inverted triangle shape have broader shoulders and smaller hips.
And for our petite ladies, your height may vary, but typically your proportions are smaller all around.
Knowing your body shape simplifies the shopping process and helps you focus on the styles that truly celebrate your silhouette.
But how do you determine your body shape? Grab some measuring tape and measure your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips. Once you have your measurements, compare them to each other and reference the descriptions of the six body shapes mentioned above!
Wedding Dresses Designed to Flatter Your Figure
Now that you know your body shape, it's time to find the perfect wedding dress to enhance your natural beauty. Each wedding dress style is designed to flatter certain body shapes. From neckline to silhouette, every detail plays a role in highlighting your best features.
The Curvy Classic: Hourglass
If you have a voluptuous hourglass figure, the Mermaid, trumpet, fit-and-flare, and sheath dresses are perfect options. These styles accentuate your curves in all the right places, especially if you have a defined waistline.
Mermaid wedding dresses have a fitted bodice that follows the natural curve of your body and flares out below the knees. Trumpet gowns have a similar fit but flare out above the knees, while fit-and-flare silhouettes gracefully flare out from the waist. Sheath dresses are fitted throughout the entire body, highlighting your curves without any added volume.
The Feminine Flare: Pear
For pear-shaped beauties with gorgeous curves, the A-line, ball gown, empire waist, and trumpet-style dresses would look lovely. These all feature a fitted top and a voluminous skirt, highlighting your best assets.
A-line gowns are elegantly fitted at the bodice and gently flare toward the hem, creating a timeless silhouette. For added drama, ball gowns feature a billowing skirt that exudes romance and grandeur. Empire dresses, with their high waistline just below the bust, offer soft, feminine elegance while drawing the eye upward. And for those who want to celebrate their curves even more, the trumpet style hugs your figure before flaring out, highlighting your otherworldly shape.
The Blooming Belle: Apple
Radiant, apple-shaped queens will shine in empire waist, flowy A-line, ball gown, and V-neck dresses. These different styles are perfect for showcasing your curves by drawing attention to the smallest part of your waist.
The empire features a high waistline that falls just below the bust, creating a flattering and elongated silhouette. The A-line silhouette is equally dazzling, with its fitted bodice and flowy skirt that drapes tastefully over your curves. If you dream of glamour, the ball gown style—with its full, voluminous skirt—will make you feel like a princess. And to highlight your décolletage and elongate your torso, the V-neck dress is an excellent choice.
The Modern Muse: Rectangle
Rectangle-shaped divas, your sleek and statuesque figure will stand out in ball gowns, sheath dresses, and A-line silhouettes. Styles with cap sleeves or a high front slit are especially stunning, as they beautifully complement your straight frame while adding the illusion of curves.
The ball gown's full skirt and fitted bodice create a marvelous hourglass shape, while the sheath dress's slim silhouette highlights your figure. The A-line style is also a fantastic option, adding volume to your hips. And for a touch of modern refinement, consider cap sleeves or a high front slit to add dimension and allure to your look.
The Bold Beauty: Inverted Triangle
For my strong, broad-shouldered ladies, ball gowns, A-lines, and empire waist styles are your best friends. Dresses with details such as ruffles, embellishments, or a cascading skirt around the hips create balance and soften the shoulders.
Ball gowns balance your strong shoulders with their broad, flowing skirts, while A-line dresses create harmony with their gentle flare. Empire waist styles elongate your frame, drawing attention to your midsection for a sleek, elegant look. For a touch of femininity, choose details like ruffles, embellishments, or cascading skirts at the hips to soften your silhouette.
The Mini Marvel: Petite
If you’re a chic petite stunner, we recommend the sheath, tea-length, column, or trumpet dresses. These styles hug your body and create a lengthening effect, making you appear taller.
The sheath dress is a classic and versatile option, perfect for showcasing your petite figure. The tea-length style gracefully hits mid-calf, elongating your legs and giving the illusion of height. Column dresses are also great options, offering a flattering slim fit that celebrates your petite frame. For a more dramatic look, consider the trumpet silhouette, which flares out just below the hips to create an exquisite hourglass shape.
The Art of Alterations: Crafting Your Perfect Silhouette
Your body is uniquely yours, and therefore, it isn't likely that you'll find a wedding dress that fits you perfectly off the rack. This is where alterations come in to save the day! Alterations are essential for a flawless fit, regardless of body shape or size. They can transform a good dress into THE dress and make you feel confident and comfortable on your special day.
Common alterations include hemming, taking in or letting out seams, adjusting straps, and adding bustles. At The Wedding Bell, your bridal stylist will help determine the adjustments needed to create your ideal silhouette. Our in-house alteration specialists will work closely with you to ensure your dress fits perfectly, incorporating any special requests or preferences.
Tips for Trying on Wedding Dresses
To make the most of your dress shopping experience, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are some tips to ensure your bridal salon visit is seamless, fun, and successful:
Schedule an appointment to try on dresses in person. It’s the best way to see how different styles look and feel on you in a comfortable, personalized setting.
Bring shapewear and the right undergarments to get an accurate feel for how each dress fits and flatters your figure.
Keep an open mind—sometimes the dress you least expect ends up being “the one.”
Take photos and notes during fittings to compare styles and details later.
Trust your stylist's expertise for advice on styles, silhouettes, and alterations—they’re there to guide you and help you find your dream dress!
Ring in Your Dream Dress at The Wedding Bell!
Your wedding dress is more than just a gown—it represents your unique style, personality, and the love you share with your partner. At The Wedding Bell, we’re here to help you find a dress that makes you feel like the best version of yourself, just as your partner brings out the very best in you.
Explore our stunning collection of designer gowns, featuring the most popular styles and timeless silhouettes. Whether you’ve envisioned your dream dress or need inspiration, our experienced bridal consultants will guide you every step of the way. Plus, with our expert alteration services, your wedding gown will fit you perfectly, ensuring you look and feel flawless.
Ready to find the dress of your dreams? Book your appointment at The Wedding Bell todayand start your journey to saying “yes” to the perfect wedding dress!