You deserve to feel confident, comfortable and utterly gorgeous on your wedding day. So, it’s crucial that you choose a wedding gown that suits your style and your body shape. Wedding dress silhouette styles can accentuate the parts of your body that you love

Determining Your Body Shape

All body shapes are beautiful, and the right dress can show off your assets in an elegant way. First, you need to determine what your body shape is.

• Pear Shape. Pear-shaped bodies have narrower shoulders with a smaller bust and wider hips and thighs, creating a ‘pear’ shape.
• Apple Shape. These bodies carry most of their weight around the midsection, with narrower hips than pear-shaped bodies and a larger bust.
• Hourglass Shape. Hourglass bodies have a well-defined waist, with the hips and bust being close in size.
• Rectangle Shape. These bodies have a straight silhouette that’s even along the body, with not much definition around the waist, bust or hips.
• Inverted Triangle Shape. Inverted triangle body shapes have broader shoulders and bust and narrower hips, creating the upside-down triangle appearance.

Please remember that when choosing your perfect dress, your happiness is ultimately the most important thing. While different body types often get matched to certain wedding dress shapes, you should pick what you love the most. Choosing based on your shape is simply a way to promote a flattering look, but you aren’t restricted based on your body shape.

Different Wedding Dresses For Different Body Types

So, which wedding dress silhouettes go best with each body type?

A-Line Dresses: Universally Flattering Wedding Gowns. A-line dresses have fitted bodices that cinch at the waist and gradually flare out, creating an uppercase ‘A’ appearance. These classic dresses complement all body types, and are particularly suitable for pear-shaped and hourglass bodies and petite women.

A-line dresses are universally flattering because they create balance by accentuating the waist and then flaring out from the hips and thighs.

Mermaid Dresses: Emphasising Elegant Curves. Mermaid dresses contour the body around the bodice, waist and hips, and then flare out starting at the knees. They create a shape that resembles a mermaid’s elegant tail, accentuating curves in all the right places.

Mermaid dresses are often chosen for hourglass and pear body types, highlighting curves and defining waists.

Ball Gown: The Romantic Fairytale Look. If you love classic, mystical wedding dress styles, then you’ll love ball gown wedding dresses. These have a fitted bodice with a full, voluminous skirt.

Ball gown dresses are often chosen for brides with pear-shaped, tall or slender frames. The cinched waist and beautiful skirt create a princess-like shape that draws attention upwards, balancing out wider hips and creating a lovely silhouette.

Sheath: Simple And Modern. These slim, straight dresses contour the entire body and flow with the body’s natural line from top to bottom. They have a contemporary vibe that’s not too busy but not too bland.

Sheath dresses are often chosen for brides with hourglass figures because they accentuate the natural curves. If you want to define your waist even more and you don’t have an hourglass shape, you could use a belt or sash or emphasise your waist.

Fit And Flare: A Gradual, Mermaid-Like Appearance. Fit and flare dresses are close to mermaid dresses, but their flared-out section is more gradual and less dramatic than that of mermaid dresses. They are fitted through the bodice and hips, and then flare out gradually from the hips or upper thigh.

These are best for hourglass and curvy body shapes, just like mermaid dresses. If mermaid wedding gowns are too drastic for you, consider a fit and flare dress. They also offer more mobility than mermaid gowns.

Empire Waist: Light And Romantic. These dresses have a very high waistline that starts just below the bust, rather than at the waist. It has a loose, flowing skirt that creates an elongated appearance. This design can draw attention to the bust and flatter the midsection. Plus, it’s very comfortable and much less restrictive than other options.

This classic shape is flattering for all body shapes, and is particularly suitable for petite brides, apple-shaped women and expectant brides.

Discovering Your Perfect Wedding Dress Silhouette Style At Alma J Bridal Boutique

We have something for every kind of woman in Aotearoa. We have contemporary dresses that are ideal for chic brides, mystical boho dresses that look like they were plucked from a fairy tale and so much more.

Furthermore, you can perfect your look with beautiful jewellery, a stunning veil, a modern jacket or other bridal accessories.

Choosing your one and only dress is always better with friends and support. Call us on 09 623 1188 or use our site to message our team, or you could book your appointment online.

Alma J Bridal Boutique: Make sure you look absolutely amazing on your special day.