Bridal Fashion for Different Body Types

If you’re a bride-to-be searching for the perfect dress for your big day, this guide will help you navigate bridal fashion and find the ideal gown for your body type so that you’ll look and feel stunning on your special day.

Understanding Body Types

Understanding your body type is the first step to finding the perfect dress.

People come in all shapes and sizes, and each of us is unique. There’s no such thing as an ideal or perfect body shape but there are some common female body shapes that many women will share characteristics with. You may hear people talk about having an hourglass, pear, apple, or rectangle-shaped body, for example.

Understanding what body shape you have can help you determine what wedding dress styles will suit you best and how to accent your favourite features.

Choosing the Right Silhouette

The next step to narrowing down your dress choices is to consider which of the different bridal gown silhouettes appeals to you and how they’ll work on your body shape.

Bridal silhouettes range from classic A-line dresses and ball gowns to simple slips and sheath dresses and everything in-between.

Generally speaking, the ideal dress should balance out and enhance your natural body shape. For example, if you’re a top-heavy bride like a classic apple shape or inverted triangle, then you may have broader shoulders, larger breasts or a bigger tummy, compared to your hips and thighs. Therefore, a princess ball gown will accentuate your curves while providing some much-needed volume below the waist.

On the flip-side, those with more rectangular proportions will look and feel great in a sheath dress that follows and defines the natural lines of the body. Some body shapes, like hourglass, will look fantastic in a wide range of silhouettes and rock bolder silhouettes like mermaid or trumpet styles so trying on a range of styles while wedding dress shopping is always helpful to find the one that makes you feel the most fabulous.

Fabric Considerations

It isn’t just the silhouette of your dress you need to consider. Different fabrics will also have an impact. For example, satins and silks look and feel sumptuous but will cling to every curve, while flowing fabrics like chiffon and tulle can be great at adding volume. If you’re looking to create the illusion of a waist, then something structured like a boned bodice or corset is ideal.

Accessories and Enhancements

Accessories can elevate your wedding dress and enhance your overall look on the big day. Use bridal accessories such as trains, veils, hair pieces and jewellery strategically to complement your dress and draw attention to specific details or highlight your favourite features. Don’t forget what you’re wearing underneath, either! Bridal lingerie ensures your dress fits perfectly, and will make you feel fantastic on the day.

Tailoring and Alterations

It’s rare to find a wedding dress that fits perfectly ‘off the rack’ so be sure to allow enough time to get your dress professionally altered before the big day. Most brides will have a minimum of 2-3 fittings in the run-up to the wedding to ensure that the dress fits perfectly, with the final fitting taking place around two weeks before the wedding.

Don’t be tempted to buy a dress that’s too small with the intention of dieting your way into it. While lots of brides aim to lose weight or tone up for their wedding, many find that the reverse happens as the stress and busy-ness of wedding planning takes over any good intentions, not to mention all that wedding cake sampling!

It’s much better to have a dress tailored to fit the size you already are in the lead-up to your wedding rather than pile extra pressure on yourself before the big day.

Real Bride Inspirations

While it’s fun to admire celebrities’ wedding snaps and get inspiration from bridal catwalks, there’s nothing quite like seeing real-life brides to get an idea of the styles you love and how you want to look on your own special day.

If you’re not sure what kind of dress you want or what silhouette might suit you, seeking out real-life examples of brides with diverse body types can help you find a wedding gown that will celebrate your individual beauty and style.