Ball Gown: This is the style of dress that fairy tales are made
of. With a fitted bodice and full skirt that can either be one piece or
separate, this dress is perfect for big, traditional weddings. You can
even pair a ball gown with long gloves and a dramatic train for even
more of a “wow” factor. Everything from satin to chiffon is used on top,
along with layers of taffeta or tulle on the bottom to create a
floating effect.
Who It Flatters: While
many brides will look beautiful in a ball gown, the cut is ideal for
slender or pear-shaped figures as the full skirt helps to accentuate the
waist and hide the lower body. Additionally, this style helps create
the hourglass look because it emphasizes the waistline. If you're
shorter, beware that a skirt of this size can overpower a small frame.
A-Line/Princess: This style is classic and simple. The A-line dress is fitted
around the bodice and flows out to the ground. Its length can range from
above the knee to full length that flows into a large train, and it can
be made with everything from free-flowing silks to heavier fabrics such
as satin. The princess cut version of the A-line dress is more dramatic
and emphasizes this style’s clean lines by utilizing vertical panels
that run from the neckline to the hem.
Who It Flatters: The full
skirt of the A-line can hide a rounder lower body or create the illusion
of curves on a narrow frame. If your main goal is to slim, the princess
style is a great option that elongates lines creating a slimming effect
as the eye naturally focuses on the length of the dress.
Mermaid: This cut is a very sexy look that highlights a woman’s
curves. Its silhouette contours to the body from the chest to the knee,
and then flares out to the hem. This dress style comes in various
versions from strapless, to halter, or trumpet flare and even
flamenco—so the sky is the limit.
Who It Flatters: Because
of its body-hugging cut, the mermaid is best worn by brides who are
confident and comfortable in their skin. It is flattering on slender,
short and tall figures, however, girls who love their curves can rock
this dress as well.
Empire: The empire dress is unique for its raised waistline that
sits just below the bust, from which the rest of the dress flows down.
Empire dresses can have varying sleeve lengths ranging from longer bell
sleeves to sleeveless, along with different skirt cuts that can flow
freely or contour to your body. Additionally, empire dresses are usually
made from lighter fabrics, so this style of dress takes on a romantic
feel.
Who It Flatters: An
empire dress works well on a bride looking to enhance her bust. This dress is also ideal for
pear-shaped figures, as it is forgiving of the legs and hips.
Column/Sheath: As you can probably guess from its name, the
column dress has a narrow shape that flows straight down from the top to
the bottom. This dress, also referred to as a sheath, tends to hug the
body and show any and all of your curves. A column dress can be a simple
slip dress to a more contoured dress made of heavier fabrics such as
damask.
Who It Flatters: Although a column dress style is timeless, it's typically not as forgiving as other styles and is
best suited for lean brides. Petite brides can look taller and longer in
a column dress, but there's not much room for hiding problem areas.
Also beware that some column dresses are very tight and may restrict
movement on the dance floor!
Ball Gown: This is the style of dress that fairy tales are made
of. With a fitted bodice and full skirt that can either be one piece or
separate, this dress is perfect for big, traditional weddings. You can
even pair a ball gown with long gloves and a dramatic train for even
more of a “wow” factor. Everything from satin to chiffon is used on top,
along with layers of taffeta or tulle on the bottom to create a
floating effect.
Mermaid: This cut is a very sexy look that highlights a woman’s
curves. Its silhouette contours to the body from the chest to the knee,
and then flares out to the hem. This dress style comes in various
versions from strapless, to halter, or trumpet flare and even
flamenco—so the sky is the limit.
