When looking for your dream dress, you want something figure flattering and shows off all your best assets! Whether you have an hourglass, triangle or oval body shape, there’s a dress style out there that’s perfect for you.
To help your wedding dress fit like a dream, we’ve gathered which dress styles are most flattering for your body type and what trends should avoid in your search for ‘The One’…
The Hourglass
For our curvaceous hourglass brides, you have a more defined waist, wider hips and a bigger bust – this means your best suited to a figure-hugging wedding dress which shows off all your best assets.
AVOID: Your bust and hips are already perfectly balanced, so don’t add extra weight to these areas. Stay away from ball gown, empire or princess-style dresses with fuller skirts, as this may make you appear bigger.
LOOK FOR: Instead, opt for dresses that show off those gorgeous curves such as silhouette or mermaid style. A sweetheart or plunge neckline may also work better for you than a halter or high neck dress – this will keep you balanced and flatter your bustier assets.
The Pear Shape
If you have a pear body shape, you tend to have hips wider than your bust area and a defined waist. You may also be smaller in the chest area with a petite and narrow build.
AVOID: It’s best not to go for empire wedding dress styles as they may hide your dainty figure and create the illusion that you are bigger in size.
LOOK FOR: Wedding dresses that are more fitted to your shape such as a sleek silhouette or fishtail/mermaid style. Sleeves are also a good option to balance out your smaller shoulders with your wider hips.
The Triangle Shape
If your shoulders and upper body are proportionally bigger than your lower body, you probably have a triangle shape. You may have broad shoulders with a slimmer waist and smaller hips, giving you a column-like shape.
AVOID: Stay clear from strapless, off-the-shoulder or halter neck dresses as this can highlight your wider shoulders and may have you looking out of proportion.
LOOK FOR: Opt for a symmetrical or v-neck style as this works perfectly with the inverted triangle shape. Fuller straps and sleeves are also flatter and make your shoulders look more subtle. Dresses with more detail or pattern can help you appear broader and more balanced.
The Oval Shape
The oval body shape (AKA apple shape) is seen on brides with a larger bust, narrow hips and a fuller torso. You have a more rounded shape midsection and tend to have slender legs and arms.
AVOID: Halter or high neck gowns run the risk of drowning you out in the chest area and give your other areas little definition. Stay clear of styles that draw attention to your waist or pleat dresses which are less flattering for your figure.
LOOK FOR: Empire or A-line dresses with flared skirts will give the illusion of a curvier shape. Lower necklines and detail on the chest area will also draw the eye upwards and away from the fuller midsection area of your body.
The Rectangle Shape
Brides with a rectangle body type (AKA banana shape) have a straight figure with the shoulders, waist and hips within the same width. You may also be tall, have little waist definition and a smaller bust.
AVOID: Figure hugging dresses such as mermaid, fishtail or silhouette as this will highlight your straight shape and give less definition. Also, high necklines may make you appear longer and less balanced in shape.
LOOK FOR: A-line, empire and ball gowns are your go-tos – the fuller bottom will help bring more definition to your shape and create the illusion of a curvier figure.
