Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and your wedding dress should be absolutely spectacular! With countless shapes, styles and trends to explore, finding the one that complements your body type can be overwhelming.
That’s where our True Crew steps in! We’ll unravel the mystery of wedding dress shapes, offering insightful advice and tips to help you find a gown that accentuates your best features and highlights your individual beauty. Keep reading to learn more about the wedding dress shapes available at True Society!
What Are the Four Most Common Body Types?
Understanding your body type will go a long way in helping you find the right wedding dress shapes for your body! The four most common body types, according to Healthline, are hourglass, inverted triangle (apple), rectangle and triangle (pear).
How to Determine Your Body Shape?
Determining your body shape involves assessing the proportions of your shoulders, bust, waist and hips to identify which of the five common body types best describes your figure. Here’s a quick guide to help you determine your body shape:
- Hourglass: Shoulders and hips are roughly the same width, with a well-defined waist.
- Inverted Triangle (Apple): Shoulders are broader than hips, with a fuller bust and less defined waist.
- Rectangle: Shoulders, bust, waist and hips are similar in width with minimal curves.
- Triangle (Pear): Hips are wider than shoulders, with a smaller bust and a defined waist.
What is a Wedding Dress Silhouette?
A wedding dress silhouette is another name to describe one of the wedding dress shapes. It is the overall shape of the dress and is an essential part of your bridal gown design that will accentuate your figure.
The most popular wedding dress silhouettes include A-line, ballgown, fit-and-flare, mermaid and sheath. Read on to discover the features and characteristics of these bridal styles and find out which wedding dress silhouette best suits your body type!
The Five Best Wedding Dresses for Every Shape and Size
Choosing the best silhouette for your body type requires you to consider what features you want to accentuate and those you want to minimize. Keep reading to learn which wedding dress silhouette is right for your gorgeous shape.
Plus Size A-Line Wedding Dress
A-line wedding dresses are the most universally flattering on every body type! A flowy wedding dress silhouette like this will minimize the hips with its skirt that flares into a soft A-shape while accentuating the waist.
This draws the eye in, giving an overall slimming effect that balances out more prominent shoulders or a bigger bust — for example, an inverted triangle shape. The definition at the waist can also create the illusion of curves for the bride with a rectangular body shape. A sophisticated yet modern plus size wedding dress, Stella York Style 7749 wraps the figure in luxe satin that radiates pure goddess vibes.
From a strapless sweetheart neckline bodice, detachable off-the-shoulder straps add a touch of romanticism to this chic gown. Impeccably tailored, the clean seams and minimalist aesthetic include discreet hand pockets, a row of fabric-covered buttons in the back and a sexy skirt slit before finishing with an opulent long train.
Fit-and-Flare Wedding Dress
Fit-and-flare wedding dresses highlight the waist, skim over the hips and flare into a wider shape. It is similar to and sometimes confused with, a mermaid silhouette, which hugs the body more tightly through the thighs.
Fit-and-flare wedding dresses are for brides who want to feel beautiful, comfortable AND sexy on their big day. This silhouette is known for accentuating the body’s natural curves. Keep this style in mind if that’s a feature you’d like to highlight on your wedding day — especially brides with an hourglass or athletic shape.
Martina Liana Style 1595 brings couture style to the aisle with its luxurious silk fit-and-flare silhouette and designer details. A modern sweetheart neckline frames the contemporary strapless bodice. The detachable, high-fashion, off-the-shoulder long sleeves feature classic button details at the wrist, bringing the drama!
Impeccable fit and contour seaming continue throughout the form-fitting skirt and trumpet flare. For a classic finish, the statement-making train features a row of fabric-covered buttons. This wedding gown is also available in plus sizes.
Sheath Wedding Dress
Essense of Australia Style D3823
Sheath wedding dresses are timeless and ideal for brides who want an elegant, sleek look on their wedding day. This slim, sophisticated silhouette hugs your body and falls straight to the floor.
We love sheath wedding dresses on all body types as they hug the body. They give an elongating effect that shows off your shape, so they work particularly well for rectangle or athletic body types. Clean and modern with a touch of sparkle, Essense of Australia Style D3823 is a form-fitting wedding dress with wideset shoulder straps and a draped scoop neckline with a hint of pearl beaded accents.
More shimmering pearls embellish the low open back, while a fitted ruched hip highlights the natural curves of this column sheath silhouette. In luxurious crepe satin, this chic designer bridal look concludes with a soft sweeping train for an elegant and glamorous finish.
Ballgown Wedding Dress
Essense of Australia Style D3753BLK
Ballgown wedding dresses typically have full skirts and defined waists, which can balance a prominent upper body or fuller lower body — all while slimming the waist. They are ideal for the inverted triangle (apple) or triangle (pear) body types.
One of our most universally flattering wedding dresses is Essense of Australia Style D3753BLK. Chic runway fashion takes center stage in this romantic black satin ballgown. This stunning gown features a flattering ruched bodice with a fitted waist and strapless sweetheart neckline for a timeless bridal look. The V-shaped back descends into the show-stopping ballgown skirt, which features pockets for the ultimate bridal moment.
Plus Size Mermaid Wedding Dress
The mermaid wedding dress is one of our top wedding dress shapes for the bride with an hourglass figure! The fitted silhouette hugs the body through the hips and thighs and flares out at the knee. Ideal for the bride who wants to show off their shape for a va-va-voom look!
Martina Liana Style 1679 is a romantic, sexy and oh-so-glamorous mermaid wedding dress. This gown radiates classic bridal beauty from its 3D floral-adorned lace bodice to its luxe silk skirt. The detachable off-the-shoulder straps connect to a flattering floral lace sweetheart neckline with delicate 3D florals and exquisite beadwork.
In the back, pearlescent beads line the entire length of this glamorous plus size wedding gown, forming a natural transition from the floral lace of the bodice and hips to the clean and chic silk skirt and train. Flaring past the hips, the mermaid silhouette takes full shape, concluding in a royal train outlined in delicate lace.
Is It Possible to Alter a Wedding Gown’s Silhouette or Shape?
It is sometimes possible to change a wedding gown’s shape, but it is often more expensive than just purchasing a whole new dress. Taking volume out of a ballgown to make it more of an A-line may be possible, but changing an A-line to a fit-and-flare dress would take more work and time than it is worth.
It is important to consult with a professional seamstress or tailor to see if your dream dress can transform into the ideal silhouette for you. With a skilled professional’s help, you can ensure that your gown fits like a glove on your big day! Check out our blog for more information about bridal sizing tips, measurements and alterations.
You might also want to consider our couture Martina Liana and Martina Liana Luxe labels, which offer wedding gown customizations. For example, customizations to mix and match allow the Design Team to combine the bodice of one dress and the skirt of the other, so you can get the best of both worlds in one amazing custom wedding dress.
Now that you have all the tips, tricks and information you need about wedding dress shapes and body types, it’s time to start your dress search! Our True Crew stylists can’t wait to assist you and be a part of your special day! Find a True Society bridal boutique near you, then book an appointment today and find your dream wedding dress!
Dress availability varies per store.
