What Wedding Dress Shape is Best for Your Body?

Your wedding day is a time to celebrate you, to recognize that every bit of you is worthy of love and adoration. Most women struggle occasionally with aspects of their bodies that aren’t their favorite feature; but when you’re choosing a wedding dress, it’s all about playing to your strengths and highlighting your best assets.

This guide will give you a few hints about what styles often complement certain bodies in a flattering way. However, the most important thing to remember is that there is no ideal female body shape. The perfect dress is the one that makes you feel beautiful and strong, the one that suits your personality and your own style aesthetic.

The Curvy Hourglass

Do you have an hourglass figure? Those curves are gorgeous, girl, and your wedding day is the time to show them off! For women with this type of figure, a mermaid-shaped gown can accentuate your hips and bust in a flattering way. Conversely, if you have a straight body, the mermaid style can give you more of the curviness you want.

Another great option for curvy women with hourglass figures is a fitted, flared gown. A sweetheart neckline makes this style look extra sexy.

The Pear-Shaped Figure

Women with wider hips tend to look stunning in an A-line wedding gown. They’re also showstopping in beautiful ballgowns; so if you’ve got a pear-shaped figure, it’s your time to play the princess!

Bodices with beading, lace, and details look incredibly flattering on women with your shape. And if you decide you want to show off that booty, select a dress that clings to the area you want to highlight.

The Petite Bride

If you’re on the petite side, and you’d like to look taller for your wedding day, there are several optical tricks you can play. Half-length or three-quarter length sleeves tend to elongate the arms. Skip the scrunchy, heavy ballgown styles and try something floor-length and fitted to make you appear taller.

Your shorter stature is perfect for gowns with fun, quirky elements like cutouts or keyholes! Play with waistline height to make your torso or legs appear longer. 

The Smaller Chest

If you have a smaller chest, you can wear certain styles that a large-busted woman can’t manage, including backless dresses or plunging V-necks. However, if you’d rather play up your decolletage, opt for a structured dress with cups, ruching, and decorative elements that visually enhance your chest area.

The Generous Bust

If you’re gifted in the bust area, you’ll need plenty of support. Choose a gown with a slighter higher back or neckline that can conceal the supportive bra you’ll be wearing. If your gown doesn’t have straps or sleeves, take the time to shop carefully for a strapless bra that does its job well, so you won’t have to worry about any mishaps on the big day. And remember to feature that dramatic decolletage with a bold neckline!

The Tall Bride

Women with extra height already look statuesque, so classic gowns with an elegant flair are the perfect choice. A tall, slender bride can wear nearly any wedding gown and look beautiful in it, but if you want to highlight or downplay certain aspects of your figure, you can certainly do so. Fitted sheath dresses enhance your height, while chunkier dresses or low-waisted ballgown styles will make you appear a bit shorter.

The Athletic Silhouette

If you work out, play sports, and do other physical activities, you may have a more angular figure. You’ll also have toned shoulders, arms, and legs to show off, and you can do that by selecting styles that play to your strengths. Fit-and-flare dresses add curves, while shorter styles reveals those gorgeous legs.

Embellished necklines, unique cut-outs or keyholes, embroidery, and beading can highlight your collarbones, back, shoulders, and other areas, depending on where those elements are placed. Strapless gowns or halter necklines are popular choices for women with athletic bodies.

The Apple Shape

If your figure is more round, you can create curvaceous gorgeousness with a ball gown, a fit-and-flare style, or a gown that creates a waistline effect using embellishments. Show off your assets with a sweetheart neckline, and enjoy the coverage and the dramatic effect of luscious ballgown skirts.

What if these style and body shape pairings don’t work for you at all? That’s totally okay! Ultimately, the dress that’s right for you is the one that makes you feel confident, secure, and gorgeous as you walk down the aisle. It’s the one that you want to keep trying on again and again in the days leading up to the wedding. So your favorite dress doesn’t quite fit this suggested lineup, enjoy it anyway, as long as it makes you feel like the lovely woman you are.