How to Choose the Right Wedding Dress Style for Your Body Type
Everyone thinks they know how to choose a wedding gown. What most women don’t realize is fabrics, style and measurements can influence the style of wedding dress that best complements a particular body type.
This article will help you choose the right wedding dress style for your own body shape.
If you’re a full-figured woman, the best silhouette is the A-line style. A-line style lengthens the whole body without drawing attention to your waistline. The empire waist is another good choice. The empire is narrowest just below the bust, which conceals your waist and hips.
Many plus-sized girls tend to purchase wedding gowns that cover a lot of skin. If religion isn’t an issue, don’t be afraid to show some skin. Skin is sexy, and showing your arms and neckline can often make you appear slimmer.
Deep V-necks and scoop necks flatter curvy figures, and always look best on full-figured women.
A-line wedding dresses are also flattering on petite women. As we stated earlier, this style lengthens the body. Sheaths seem to shorten a small body even more, so petite women should avoid sheath-style wedding dresses. Also steer clear of very full skirts, which will make you look ‘bottom heavy’. You want to keep your wedding dress proportionate to your body.
Be careful with strapless gowns — a petite woman may have to lift her arms to reach up to her new husband (can you say ‘wardrobe malfunction’?). A cap sleeve gives the feeling of a strapless gown, and also serves the practical purpose of holding the gown in place.
Off-the-shoulder gowns look wonderful on a full bust. It draws our attention upward, emphasizes the shoulders and minimizes the chest. Keep your skirt narrow. Wearing a full skirt will make you look large both on top and bottom.
Women who are larger through their hips and buttocks should look for a wedding dress that focuses on their upper body — preferably with a full skirt.
Show off your arms, back and bustline.
A corset-style bodice with lacing will highlight your upper body. We want to draw attention away from your hips. Avoid pleats or gathered fabric around the waist. An A-line skirted wedding dress always works the best for this body type.
June 9th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Hi,
I’m having trouble picking out brides maid’s dresses for my girls. There are only three girls, and I have three colors, so each is wearing a different color. I want them all to wear knee length dresses, and a similar style dress, but not the same exact dress or the same neck line. My three girls are all EXTREMELY different and I want each of them to look very sexy on my wedding day (how many brides say that? lol). Could you help me think of what style they should wear? Here’s a description of them. (Oh, in the picture, the order of us is Maid#2, MOH, me, Maid #1. It’s a very bad picture but the only one I have on this computer)
Maid of Honor: She is around 5′3″, she’s about a C/D bra size, and a bit wide around the mid section, like 37″ or so. But from hips down, she’s tiny. Her hips are easily 33 or 34″ and she has very thin thighs. Size 6 or 8 pants and has killer legs. And her arms and shoulders are very feminine too.
Maid #1: She is around 5′7.5″, and has broad shoulders because of sports, wide arms, small bust (A/or very small B), wide mid section, also around 36 or 37″, and about 40″ hips and thick thighs as well.
Maid #2: She is 4′9″. So she’s very petite (I told you they’re all extremely different). But even though she’s small, she has the whole package when it comes to a Latina body. She’s has very feminine shoulders, but thicker arms, full bust (size C), thin waist, big hips, very big butt, and thick thighs.
So could you please help? Some want to wear halter, other strapless, etc. And it’s fine that they all wear different neck lines, because that is what I want, but I don’t know what is right for each of them.
June 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I am 5ft 4ins and weigh 122. I have broad shoulders and small boobs. I also have a small waist but a big butt. I am kinda more athletically built, but my very broad shoulders look bad in everything! I am looking for a wedding dress that will make my shoulders look smaller and take attention away from my shoulders! Please help me!! THANKS
April 17th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I am 5ft 3ins tall and weigh 198lbs. I have big hips and a belly roll. I have flabby upper arms. I am getting married at the end of this year and I need to know what kind of bridal dress will make me look slender and look good on me. Please help..
March 6th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
okay so im 5`7 an very long legs… thin legs and thin arms…. i have wide hips and a little pouch in front that im working on… small boobs well 34B… 130 lbs…. i dont know what i would look good in… and my wedding is in a few months…. HELP ME
February 20th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
If I have broad shoulders which dress type should I look for
January 17th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I’m 5″9 , size 0-2 and 115 lb with 34B I want to find the perfect gown, I have noticed that when i wear strapless the girls just want to come up and say hello, i want to find a the perfect dress for me, the more i look the more frustrated i . I’m looking for a more vintage feel, that will embrase my body in all the right places
January 15th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Hello
I am 5ft2″ and am “untoned”, I weigh 62 kg, have a 34B bust and quite a JLO bum with a very slight pouch on my tummy. Unfortunately my arms are far from my best feature as they are not toned so I need something to pull my tummy in, push my bust up and completely loose sight of my bum, any ideas (this will probably be quite a challenge!)
January 8th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Im about 5′6″ i weigh 132-135lbs. bust-about 34″ a small b cup waist about-31″ hips about 36″. i like the coset princess look…i think…i want something that is BAM! makes my figure look awesome. could you please help????
December 21st, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I’d like advice for someone who has broad shoulder and narrow hips, somewhat like a gymnast, 5′6″ tall, athletic build. What style wedding dress should we look for that would be flattering. Thank you.
October 20th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I am 5′1″ Busty 34D waist 23 hips 33…I want a corsett top and sheath style dress. I workout and want something that shows that.
October 12th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I am so lost…………….I do not know what size of wedding dress i should buy.
Here are my measurements : 35 in the chest (wear a 36B bra) My waist is 30 1/2 inches and my hips are 35 inches. I am wanting to buy a gown off of ebay. I have checked everything out about the seller and there store. They are legit and will refund your money.
I called their store and they told me i would wear a size 10 but then i asked them again through email and they said a size 14 cause of my hips.
The dress is a ballgown and the hips are free so why a 14? I weigh only 125 pounds.
Please help…….
August 28th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I’m 5′3′’ and a little heavy. about 135. I have a large bust and small butt. However my middle is a little chunky. I would like to hid it. What would be best for me.
August 27th, 2007 at 4:52 am
I am a 36DD. I weigh 145lbs. I have thin arms and legs. My waist is 10 inches smaller than my hips. I am a size 6 on the bottom and a 12 on top. I am very hour-glassey and curvy. What gown can I wear to my sons Bar Mitzvah? I need to have some kind of sleeve.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:20 am
I’m 5′ 2″, almost 110 lbs, and I have a long torso but short legs. I normally wear between a size 0 - 2. I was wondering what kinds of dresses I could get away with, because I have my eye on one that would hug my hips a little, and I want to make sure it won’t make me look any shorter and more like a “shrimp”. Can you help?? Thanks!
August 9th, 2007 at 11:09 am
I am 5′6 and 129 lbs. i am bottom heavy but small busted. What style wedding dress would look right on me. Please help!!
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
i am 5′6 , 240 lbs and have a large bust 44dd. what is the best dress style for me?
June 17th, 2007 at 10:30 am
your website is so helpful, i am sending it to my daughter who’s saying her vows next summer. thanks. jan
June 9th, 2007 at 9:52 am
We are having an evening ceremony. I want a elegant sparkling classy no fuss ..clean lines type of a wedding dress for the evening I love the idea of a short corded veil with crystal on the cording.
I’m 5″6 and weigh 105 I’m 32D bust …
I need help I do not even know where to start when it comes to a dress
May 20th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
i have brod shoulders and dont know what kind of dress will go with me plz help
May 13th, 2007 at 12:31 am
Hi,
I am 5″ 4″ = 164cm tall and 59.8 kg. I am not so sure what is my body type, the more i read articles on body type the more confuse i am!! I cant seems to find any wedding gown thats complements my body type from the bridal shops. I almost give up already so i decided to tailor made my gown. I have broad shoulders, big arm-not so tone. I have big frame body. My bottom is heavy as well..i have broad hips and well defined curves at the waist. Could you help me and give me some ideas of what style i should go for?
May 11th, 2007 at 2:17 am
Hello,
Your articles are of great help,thanks.I am 5′7 and weigh 126lbs.Do not have a very defined waistline, slender hipsand have broad sholders.What kind of dress would u recommend.thanks.
April 27th, 2007 at 8:44 am
I am 157cm 55Kg, broad hip (but still looks hourglass shape ), big arm, but small shoulder, please give me advice to choose a best gown for my wedding party, better if you can show me figure or picture of that gown. thank you
April 18th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
I am desperate, top heavy, bust size 38 G, arms not that toned.. with rounded stomach, please what’s the best style of dress to hide all the sins and look best on my day?
April 17th, 2007 at 5:26 am
I am 5′2″ with a long torso, short legs and broad shoulders. What style shoud I be looking for that will make me look slimmer and taller without shoulders of a football player? I would probably be between a size 14 and 16. I am getting amrried on an island so I am also looking for something that won’t be too hot to wear. I don’t know where to start looking.
Thanx
April 9th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Your best choice would be an A-line style with off-the-shoulder sleeves like you mentioned above. As the article indications, the off-the-shoulder sleeves will help minimize your chest. An a-line style is a gown with a skirt that is not huge, but is not fitted either. It covers nicely without adding to much extra dimension to your hips and thighs.
April 7th, 2007 at 4:07 am
Hi,
Read your article and your suggestions, but I have a very large bust and I am also full figured. Not what I would call a big girl but thick. My ideal dress size is around a 12-14. I was thinking something off the shoulder with long sleeved lace, my wedding is in November. what type of dress would you recommend for me.