Dresses for Your Body Style

When it comes to finding the perfect wedding dress, there's a lot to consider... the price, designer, current bridal trends, the style and season of your wedding, not to mention what you’ll think of it 20 years down the road…! To ensure that you look gorgeous on your wedding day, you need to consider what body shape you have and select a dress that will flatter you.  Here’s a quick rundown of what to look for based on body type:
Large Bust: If you have a large chest, you’ll want to go with a dress that has one or more of the following features:
• Scoop neck
• Full coverage V-neck (you don’t want it dropping too low)
• Halter-top neckline
• Off-the-shoulder neckline
• Have your heart set on strapless? Go for sweetheart rather than a straight cut strapless
Avoid
• Bodice fabrics with sheen (organza, satin, silk), as they’ll add volume and call attention to your chest.
• Ruched fabric on the bodice; this has the same affect as fabrics with sheen.
• Straight-cut strapless; these’ll make your chest look like a shelf, not exactly the look you wan ton your wedding day!
Small Bust: Are you a bit smaller on top?  Go for one of these style dresses:
• Strapless with ruched bodice (to add volume)
• Halter-top
• Bateau necklines
• One shoulder necklines
• Empire silhouette dresses
Pear-shape: If you’ve got a pear-shaped body, you’ll want to de-emphasize your hips, and turn the focus onto the narrowest part of your midsection or toward your neckline.  The following styles will help with that:
• Strapless dresses
• V-neck
• Scoop necklines
• Spaghetti straps
• Off the shoulder dresses
• Full A-line gowns
• Ball gown
• Diagonal draping (does a fantastic job of accentuating your curves!)
• Bateau neckline
• Basque waists
• Empire silhouettes
• Go for a fabric that is a bit sturdier in its construction
Avoid
• Sheath silhouettes
• Trumpet and Mermaid gowns
• Fabric that is clingy or too flowing
Apple-Shaped: For an apple-shaped body, you’ll want to go for a dress that will draw the eye upwards toward the bodice or neckline.  Try these:
• Asymmetric neckline
• Deep v-neck – any plunging neckline, really
• Scoop neck
• Strapless empire silhouettes
• A-line silhouettes
• Princess silhouettes
• Empire waists
Avoid
• Ball gowns
• Sheath silhouettes