Choosing a wedding dress that suits your body type

Video: How to Pick the Perfect Wedding Dress For Your Body Type | The Knot

Content

To step
Method 1 of 3: Grace your waist, hips, and thighs
Method 2 of 3: Improve your bust
Method 3 of 3: Choosing the right dress for your height
Tips
Warnings

With so many styles available, choosing a brides wedding dress can be quite overwhelming! Fortunately, choosing a style that works well with your figure can narrow down the choices, so you can choose something that will look great on you. There are many flattering dress styles available for your body type, whether you are curvy, slim, busty, short or tall, or have small breasts. Try dresses in styles that better reflect your physical characteristics and look for extra details for the most flattering look possible.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Grace your waist, hips, and thighs

Select an outfit silhouette that enhances your curves, if you want to show it off. A dress that fits snugly under your bust and fits snugly around your waist, hips and thighs will emphasize them. If you have an hourglass figure and you want a dress that makes you look and feel sexy, this might be an option for you. Dress styles that can help you achieve a more curvier look include:
- Dropped waist
- Straight
- Mermaid
- Trumpet
Opt for a high and fitted waist, and a long and loose skirt to hide a full waist. If you're apple-shaped or just want to hide your belly, look for dresses that taper at the narrowest part of your waist and then flare out over the rest of your stomach, hips, and thighs. Avoid anything with pleats around the waist, as this can actually make your tummy look bigger. Some good choices include:
- A-line
- Straight
- Empire waist
- Ball gown
Tip: Make sure the skirt slides over your figure or fits slightly if you choose a straight skirt, an A-line or an empire waist. If the skirt is too loose, you can look thicker.
Opt for an A-line skirt to hide wider hips and thighs. If you're not sure what fits your body best, try some A-line dresses. An A-line skirt works well with any figure. This is also an excellent option if you are pear-shaped, meaning you will carry most of your weight in your hips and thighs.
Look for a dress with diagonal drape if you are pear shaped. This style is another great option for drawing attention away from fuller hips and thighs. Look for dresses with built-in details, such as a sash or draped fabric over one side of the skirt.
- You may also like this style if you want a Greek goddess dress. The drape creates that effect.
Avoid trumpet and mermaid style dresses if you are apple shaped. These styles taper towards the waist, are snug at the waist, hips and thighs, and get wider from the knees. They emphasize every curve, so your waist appears larger in a dress in this style. Stay away from these types of dresses if you have a fuller stomach.
- Mermaid-style dresses are also restrictive, so this may not be the best option for dancing.
Try a dress that fits at the waist if you have a straight figure. Any dress that is tight around your waist is a good choice for the straighter figures. These types of dresses will help to emphasize the curves you have and create the illusion of more curves. Some styles you can try if you have a straight and slim figure are:
- Ball gown
- Dropped waist
- Mermaid
- Trumpet

Method 2 of 3: Improve your bust

Make sure your dress is well structured if you have a large bust. Choose a dress with sleeves or wide straps for extra support with a fuller bust. Choose a bodice that is also structured, such as with boning or a slightly thicker fabric, so that it provides good support for your bust.
- Going strapless is possible if you have a larger bust. Choose a dress with a built-in corset or boning to prevent the dress from sliding down.
Go for a neckline that shows some cleavage if you are busty. A curved neckline frames your face and collarbone and makes your bust stand out. Avoid strapless dresses with straight horizontal necklines, as well as fabrics with shimmer and ruffles; they make you look heavier at the top.
- U-neck
- Heart shape
- V-neck
Opt for shiny fabrics and ruffles to make your bust look bigger. If your bust is on the small side, try dresses with a lot of detail around the bust. Shiny fabrics, ruffles, beads, sequins and other elements can all help create a fuller bust. If you don't want a dress with too many details, then at least choose a shiny fabric, such as:
- Organza
- Satin
- Silk
Tip: A padded top in a halter dress can also help create the look of a larger bust.
Try a heart-shaped, deep V, or high neckline if your chest is small. These necklines are especially flattering for brides with smaller busts. The sweetheart neckline creates the illusion of a larger bust and plunging neckline, while a deep V or high neckline draws attention away from your bust and directs it up or down.
- Look for a heart-shaped, deep V or high neck dress that also has embellishments around the neckline for added enhancement.
Choose an off the shoulder neckline to flatter your chest. This is an excellent option if you want something romantic or sexy. Instead of showing off your cleavage, you can do it with your neck, shoulders and upper back. The cut of this type of neckline will also make your chest look bigger.
- Try to find an off the shoulder dress that also has ruffles around the neckline. This can also help improve your bust even more.

Method 3 of 3: Choosing the right dress for your height

If you want to look taller, choose a slim-fitting silhouette with a long skirt. When you're small, choosing a dress that fits your body can make you look taller. If you prefer not to have a tight-fitting dress, then at least choose a dress that fits at the waist and has a long and flowing skirt. Some good choices include:
- A-line
- Straight
- Mermaid
- Trumpet
- Empire waist
EXPERT TIP
If you are small, try an A-line dress with a V-neck or a sweetheart neckline. If you are tall, you will look beautiful in a ball gown. "

Choose an asymmetrical sleeve to add height. Playing with angles can also help make you look taller. Look for dresses that have only one sleeve or that have asymmetrical details on the bodice. These types of dresses will draw attention and make you look taller.
- For example, you could try on dresses with one sleeve or shoulder strap, or dresses with a focal point on one side of the bodice, such as a flower, bow, or beaded detail.
Stick to straight lines and less embellishments if you're little. This will help add height and make you look taller. Try to avoid dresses with a lot of ruffles and excess fabric, as this can overload your body and make you look smaller. However, if you find a dress in this style that you love, it's your special day, so go for it!
- For example, you can opt for a simple straight dress with a lightweight organza overlay or a simple satin wedding dress.
Opt for a simple silhouette that suits you well if you are tall. Simple silhouettes go well with taller figures, which can be oversaturated by dresses with too much detail. Focus on dresses with long, clean lines and few details. Make sure the dress fits well too. For example, if you want a floor-to-floor dress, make sure it actually goes to the floor. If you want long sleeves, make sure they run along your wrists. Some silhouettes you could try are:
- Straight
- A-line
- Empire waist
- Dropped waist
- Ball gown

Tips

Choose your favorite dress from your closet. Wedding dresses are not like other dresses, but you can use what you already have to help you. Find out what makes your current favorite dress so great. Why does it suit you? What do you like about it? Make a list and use it as a guide when you go shopping.
Choose the right size. Even if you plan to gain or lose weight, choose a dress in the right size when fitting the dresses. At a later measurement a little closer to the wedding date, adjustments can be made to the dress.
A clothing size 40 can be a wedding dress size 44! Don't worry if your dress size sounds bigger than you think it should be.
Move around in the dress. You are going to wear it all day (or all night). You must be able to sit, stand and walk with it. What you may love while standing can turn into a nightmare when you sit down.