The Best Wedding Dress Styles for Your Body

Written by Jen Kiaba Barry Monday, 21 June 2010 13:54

Every Body is different. Brides come in all shapes and sizes, so finding The Dress can be a bit of a daunting task if you don't know how to dress for your body. It's probably a safe bet that most of us ladies don't have a clue how!

Admittedly, I am still learning. I was the skinny awkward kid who was all knees and elbows in high school.There are pictures of me running track to prove it - I looked like a geometry problem, decidedly not a teen queen.

It's only been a recent development that I've, uhm, developed - shall we say? My boyfriend's cooking is probably the main culprit. We met, he cooked and *presto* - I have curves. Before I could still shop in the little girls' section and still find baggy clothing. All of a sudden I've had to learn a new language in fashion.

Learning how to dress for your body is a huge help in figuring out what your ideal dress shape would be. Most salespeople at a bridal shop should be able to assist you with finding flattering dresses as well - although I did happen to see an episode of Say Yes to the Dress where the bride wanted a mermaid-stye dress, which emphasized her upper-body so much that she looked like a linebacker. But the bride was so in love with the dress that the sales woman kept her lips sealed.

The research that I did generally breaks body-types into four basic categories:

 

• Hourglass: curvy bust and va-voom hips, with a narrow waist that's smaller than your shoulders and hips. Think Catherine Zeta-Jones! Play up those curves! You can accentuate your bod with a form fitting dress and details that draw the attention to your slim waist!
• Pear: it's all about the hips, bottom, and thighs. Think Beyonce! Look for dresses with graceful tops and off-the-should sleeves. If you look for a fitted or detailed bodice, it will visually balance out the dresses with fuller skirts.
• Straight: slim, with a small bust and hips. Think Audrey Hepburn. Go for a fitted bodice and a full skirt to create a curvy silhouette. Waist detailing will help create definition!
• Full-figured: a plus-sized frame with curvy hips, thighs, bottom, and a large bust. Think about any Renaissance painting, or if you need a more modern equivalent, Queen Latifa. Depending on where your curves are, you will want to look for different styles of dresses. Each body type is unique so look for the assets that you want to enhance and find a dress that brings the focus where you want it!

Most of the brides that I have photographed in recent years have chosen ballgown style dresses, because they tend to flatter all figures. In general an A-Line dress will also flatter many figures.

Brides.com, with their Custom Fit Tool gives you an opportunity to play with six different wedding gown styles and try them on the virtual model with your body type.

Even if you aren't going to shop there, the website for David's Bridal gives you the opportunity to browse styles by the shapes that they would flatter.

Surf around the net until you find a dress shape that is a happy marriage (excuse the pun) with your body. This is your day to shine and you want a memorable dress that will make you every inch the blushing bride that you want to be!

 

Jen Kiaba is a photographer and burgeoning crafter who lives in Rhinebeck, NY with her lovely boyfriend, two crazy cats and an adorable basset hound. When her hands aren't covered in tacky glue, she specializes in taking romantic portraits of happy couples in the Hudson Valley!