Wedding Gown Styles - Part 1

Always remember, when planning an elaborate church wedding or a simple intimate affair, your wedding gown should reflect your own personality, taste and style. Wearing the right cut for your body type can highlight your best features and downplay those you’re concerned about. The key is in wearing the right cut for your body type that will highlight your best features and downplay those you’re concerned about. Here are some tips that will help you find THE ONE:

Hourglass shape: This is where the bust and hips are in proportion, and there is a defined waistline. Typically a lady who is hourglass shaped is a size 14 or over, with a full bust and shapely hips. The majority of styles look great on hourglass figures, provided you stick to a few basic rules.

DO wear strapless gowns, they look fantastic on shapely girls! You will obviously need extra support in the bust area, but it is worth the effort. The best look is strapless at the neckline, with an A-line skirt. Also a straight-through gown is best, as opposed to a two-piece gown. The two-piece will tend to cut you in half, which can accentuate the hourglass shape.

If you’re not keen on strapless, a V-neckline is extremely flattering on a full bust. The V-shape should be fairly low (as low as you’re comfortable with), as a higher neckline actually makes the bust appear even bigger. A particularly flattering look is an off-the-shoulder V-neckline. A scooped, off-the-shoulder neckline is also very appealing.

The best silhouette for the skirt of the dress is A-line, and can be quite full. As for whether you should have a train at the back or not, that is a matter of choice.

The current styles which have lots of draping or ruching on them, are an excellent choice for an hourglass-shaped bride. Despite what many may think, draping is very good at disguising the not-so-good bits, which we all want to hide.

DON’T go for straight or bias-cut designs! They are strictly for the tall, slim, or generally size 10 girls. The only case in which these designs would work on an hourglass figure is if the girl is reasonably tall. Bias cuts are a no-no for shapely girls. They are too clingy and will only accentuate the parts that you would rather hide.

Also, avoid gathered or pleated skirts, as they add bulk around the hips.