BRIDAL ADVICE
Wedding dress silhouettes: What dress style best suits your body shape?
There are so many wedding dress silhouettes available, which then becomes confusing when deciding which style best suits your body shape? Do you know which is the best dress shape to show off your curves, and cover up those parts you would rather hide away? We will talk about the 4 main wedding dress silhouettes, and help you decide on which shape, and style, best flatters your body shape.
Ballgown or Princess
The Ballgown or princess dress has a tight fitting bodice, often with lots of support and structure. This silhouette will pull you in around your waist, and fall into a big floaty skirt. If you love big dresses, have a big bust or if your hips are slightly larger than your shoulders then this is the gown for you. You may want to reconsider such a big dress if you are petite as they can look as if the dress is wearing you.
Mermaid
Quite a dramatic styles that suites an bride who's body is in proportion. You don't have to be super slim to pull this shape off. Fitted to the knee, this style is not to everyone's taste but does show the most amazing curves.
A-line
The much loved style for almost any body shape. With almost any neckline, material and applique, this silhouette can make any bride look amazing. For softer looks, go for chiffon and for the more structured appeal try opting for the new Mikado satin.
FIT & FLARE
This style can get confused with the mermaid or fish tail but the skirt actually stops higher above the knee so allows the bride to walk and dance the night away in comfort. It is a comfortable dress and can make your body look taller but maybe look a adding a bardot strap to your arms if your hips are wider than your shoulder as this will balance out your body shape.
When should I be starting my wedding dress journey?
Not many people know that Bridal Gowns can take up to 8 months to be made and delivered to the Boutique. This is why we suggest that you start your trying on process around 18 months before your wedding. At this point you might be completely unclear of what style you are wanting, what colour, whether you want glitter and lace or a simplistic dress.
This is where we come in. You will have a 1.5 guided appointment at Victoria Grace where one of our experienced consultants will help you choose the dress of your dreams. We are there to advise you on styles, shapes, sizes, textures and any other questions you could have whirling around that you need answering. Nothing is too silly to be asked!
Once you have tried a few styles, you will have a direction and know where you are heading and feel more confident in your choices. You might even get 'the feeling', you might not and this is ok, some people don't. As long as a gown makes you feel confident, comfortable and the best version of yourself then its perfect! Do you make the decision there and then? If you feel you can and you know it's the one then you don't need to try on anymore. Sometimes you get more confused doing this. If you need more time to think it over, that is ok as well! Everyone is different.
Don't leave the decision to late though, around a year before is a good time. You will have all the new season dresses to choose from and this gives us time to get your dress in, for you to try it on with any accessories and to then start the all important alterations to make it fit your body perfectly.