Guide to Finding the Best Wedding Dress for Your Body Type

Choosing a wedding dress is one of the most exciting and magical parts of being a bride. When the time comes to start wedding gown shopping, the seemingly endless selection of dresses in different cuts, fabrics and colors can feel overwhelming. 

It seems as though every dress looks amazing in wedding magazines and looks fabulous on manikins, but how do you figure out which gowns would look great on you? One of the best ways to start is by looking for a dress that complements your body type.

There are certain cuts and designs made to highlight a bride's best features, although nothing is more important than how a bride feels in the dress. Finding a gown that you love is the number one priority. With that in mind, let's explore a few different dress silhouettes to consider for different body shapes. 

Straight Body Type - Ball Gown

The ball gown is a classic choice for a bridal look. Fitted through the bodice with a beautifully full skirt, the ball gown wedding dress is an excellent option for those that have a straight figure. This silhouette can help give the bride an hourglass shape. The form-fitting bodice combined with the voluminous skirt will create the illusion of a smaller waist and fuller hips. 

Ball Gowns also make an excellent option for pear-shaped brides who may want to draw attention away from their lower half. On the other hand, petite brides may find this style overwhelming on their smaller frame due to the fullness of the skirt. But don’t let that stop you from choosing a dress you absolutely love, as this design is perfect for anyone who wants to feel like a princess on their big day. 

Hourglass Figure - Mermaid

The hourglass body type has long been admired for sexiness and sensuality. If you want a wedding gown that highlights your hourglass shape, you can’t go wrong with a mermaid silhouette. Mermaid wedding dresses hug your body through the bodice and hips all the way down to the knee. From the knee, they flair out to balance the body’s curves. Some designs include a train for a more traditional wedding gown feel.

Because mermaid wedding gowns are form-fitting and meant to accentuate every curve, it’s important to consider avoiding this silhouette if you don’t feel comfortable with a snug fit. 

Petite Body Type - Sheath

With layers of lace, big trains and ruffled details, many traditional bridal gowns will drown a petite bride in fabric. If you’re a petite bride, consider finding a silhouette that will elongate your body without overwhelming your frame. The sheath wedding dress could be the perfect solution you’re looking for. 

Sheath dresses are straight from top to bottom, with subtle shaping to follow the natural curvature of the body. That long line helps to elongate a small frame and give the illusion of curves. Consider looking for a gown with a high waist or a subtle waist to avoid breaking up the line of the body.

For a pear-shaped body type, the straight line of this style could accentuate the larger lower body and smaller upper body, making your silhouette appear unbalanced.

Curvy Body Shape - Trumpet

If you’re looking for a dress that will celebrate your beautiful curves, a trumpet wedding dress could prove to be the perfect fit. Similar to a mermaid dress, but designed for brides to be able to move more freely, the trumpet wedding dress has a fitted bodice to accentuate the waist. The straight skirt will highlight your hips without being too tight, while the flaring skirt from mid-thigh down balances the rest of your curves. 

For brides with apple shapes or straight torsos, the curve-hugging bodice of the dress could call attention to a larger midline or emphasize a lack of curves.

Small Waist Body Type - Drop Waist

If you’re a bride with a small waist, consider a drop-waist silhouette. The drop-waist wedding dress hugs your torso and hips before flaring out into a full skirt below your natural waistline. For brides with a smaller but defined waist, this style can be a fun way to highlight your fantastic shape while still providing a formal full skirt.

For brides with an inverted triangle shape or straight figure, the drop-waist silhouette fails to accentuate or create curves. The next dress on this list may be a more flattering alternative.

Any Body Shape - A-Line

The A-line gown is a timeless silhouette that remains popular with a large number of brides, and for good reason. A-line wedding dresses flatter all body types because they offer a classic shape. They’re narrow at the top and then gently flare out. This style will add volume to a bride with a straight figure, balance out the bottom of a bride with a fuller bust, and complement small narrow hips or a pear shape.

Because they come with skirts in a variety of volumes, an A-line wedding gown can easily give a petite bride an elegant shape without being overwhelming because of a skirt that’s too heavy.

There isn’t a body type that should avoid an A-line dress, but brides should be aware that they create a soft, romantic feel. So, those who are looking for a sexy wedding dress or one with a modern flare, likely won’t be satisfied with the classic cut of an A-line wedding dress.

Choose the Perfect Wedding Dress for You

Focusing on a type of wedding dress cut made to highlight your shape can make a bride feel glamorous on her big day. Of course, the gown with the perfect fit is the one that you feel most comfortable and most confident in. 

While certain silhouettes are designed to flatter certain body types, that doesn’t mean you have to rule out a wedding dress style you love just because it might not be ideal for your body. If there’s a silhouette you love, a bridal consultant should be able to find a dress in that silhouette with the right detailing to complement your body. 

When you’re ready to begin trying on beautiful gowns, use our store locator to find a bridal boutique that carries Val Stefani designs.