FIND YOUR FIT

by Emily Echevarria

Dress shopping is far more complicated than white or ivory, short or long. There are many more components to finding the perfect wedding dress that brides must consider before, during and after dress shopping from waistline cut to fabric color, length, detailing and material. There are also many more things to think about: will you decide to wear a hat, a hairpiece, or the more traditional veil? As a bride, are you envisioning an elegant and long train attached to your dress or a short dress that is more fun and flirty?

This helpful guide is designed to provide a strong base from which you can formulate your own tastes based upon the silhouette, waistline, neckline and the style of your wedding dress.

Silhouette

So, what exactly is the silhouette versus waistline? Silhouette refers to the overall shape of the dress as it fits to your body. Will the dress hug tightly to your hips or accentuate your waist? Here are some of the options:

A -Line

Fitted through the bodice, this style of dress flows out to the ground from your natural waste. It is the most universally flattering silhouette as the A-line cut narrows the torso. This style has the ability to maintain that ballroom appeal without the pouf and weight of crinoline. Many fabrics and neck lines work well with the A-line silhouette. Petite brides will appear longer in the torso, while brides with fuller hips will find that the right fabric can draw attention up and away from that area. An A-line silhouette can also create the illusion of curves for straight-bodied brides.

Mermaid

This daring silhouette is perfect for the bolder bride. A mermaid silhouette hugs the entire body, flaring out at the knees. This sleek shape will do more highlighting of your body than hiding. Brides leaning toward this style want to feel very confident in their own bodies as this dress silhouette will contour every curve. A variation on the mermaid shape is the “trumpet” silhouette. Although very similar, a trumpet shape is a bit more forgiving as it will not cinch every curve down to your knees. Sometimes referred to as a “fit and flare” silhouette, the trumpet generally flares out less severely low on the hips with a more A-line-like skirt.

Sheath / Column

A sheath dress is a close-fitting silhouette that accentuates the natural contours of the body. The sheath flows straight down from the neckline to the bottom hem of the dress. Because of the simple silhouette, there are many neckline variations that could work such as strapless halter, v-neck, or a simple scoop. It is harder to hide problem areas wearing a sheath, but fabric and detailing can make all the difference to accentuate your style.

Trumpet

This stunning silhouette is fitted through the body and flairs out mid-thigh and the cut is between a modified a-line and a mermaid cut. It’s form-fitting, highlights a bride’s natural curves and gradually flares out. The key difference between a trumpet and mermaid silhouette is where the flair begins. The flare begins at mid-thigh, which is higher up than the mermaid style. This creates a trumpet-like silhouette that’s often considered a bit easier to move around in versus the other style. Another key difference between the two styles is the overall size of the flare. Mermaid dresses have a more dramatic flare, while the trumpet style flares out more gradually. From sweep to cathedral trains, trumpet style gowns can have a train of just about any length. This style is ideal for brides looking to accentuate a small waist.

Ball Gown

This silhouette is appropriate for the traditional or formal wedding, or both. The bodice of the dress is fitted in contrast to the voluminous full skirt that can be one piece or separate. Like the A-line gown, the ball gown can support various necklines to cater to the style and formality of the wedding. Ball gowns, given the proportion of bodice to skirt, accentuate the hip region and will make the area appear wider. Brides who do not wish to highlight this area should stay away from the fullness of a ball gown. Opt for an A-line for a similar but not so severe effect. Something worth noting: ball gowns are a great silhouette choice to pair with trains as the dress can easily hold the additional weight of material for both short and long trains.

Non-traditional Lengths

The midi is a non-traditional silhouette that hits between the knees and the ankles.. There is no specific measurement or seamlines, but the idea is to curate a length that compliments your proportion and height. This cute and sweet style would complement a much more casual affair such as a backyard or a beach wedding. Another short and sweet cut is the mini silhouette, which has a hem somewhere above the knee. Many brides may choose to have a reception dress as well as the traditional one – this shorter cut makes it easier for a bride to move about the party and would make an excellent second dress. Both of these non-traditional cuts make great choices for destination weddings as they are easy to pack and a suitcase.

Necklines

One of the most important details to consider when searching for a gown is the neckline. Not only does this detail help to highlight your face, but it also impacts your entire wedding day look. As a rule of thumb, petite brides tend to go with a deep neckline, tall brides gravitate toward styles with a higher neckline, and brides with fuller figures complement their curves with looks that brush just below the collarbone. Another thing to keep in mind, particularly for a more religious ceremony, is the dress code. How a bride goes about choosing a neckline to match a silhouette may be determined by the dress code of that chosen house of worship. Many churches have such rules. Check with your congregation leader for guidelines.

Sweetheart

This style is most commonly found on strapless wedding dresses. It creates a heart shape at the bust. The sweetheart creates support while limiting exposure–a feature that is great for bust your brides.

Scoop

A scoop neckline works well with the most sleeve lengths, and depending on the amount of desired exposure, the scoop can be either high or low. Scoop neck lines will likely be on dresses with straps.

Halter

A halter neckline makes quite the statement on taller brides. This design flatters the upper arms and shoulders. This style is best for broad-shouldered brides and taller figures. You’ll want to avoid the halter neckline if you’re short or you have narrow shoulders, as this style can overwhelm your figure.

V-neck

The v-neck can vary in depth from plunging to modest and will most likely come with straps. V-necks are often paired with a halter top-style silhouette.

Square

A horizontal line cuts across the neck in a square neckline. This is an elegant look for most figures, and if desired, it works well with various sleeve lengths.

Straight

This neckline is a very simple cut straight across the chest. It is very common on strapless dresses.

Off-the-Shoulder

The off-the-shoulder wedding gown neckline is a favorite among brides of all shapes and sizes. Its classic design gives off a bit of a regal feel and works well with cap sleeves, short sleeves or gowns with long sleeves. It can look especially flattering on brides with narrow shoulders who want to highlight their collarbone and complexion.

High-Collar/Jewel

A high-collar neckline, which can also be referred to as the jewel, covers the chest entirely. The collar can extend partway or high up on the neck, depending on the designer. It can also work with various sleeve lengths for a refined and elegant taste.

Bateau

This neckline cuts from shoulder to shoulder, resting high on the chest. A bateau neckline draws attention to your neck and collarbone.

by Nicole Willis