How to Get a Hourglass Figure in a Mermaid Wedding Dress

Mermaid wedding dresses are well-suited to hourglass figures.

The mermaid-style wedding dress is a highly complimentary dress for ladies with hourglass figures. Form fitting from the top to the mid-thigh, the dress then flares out dramatically, accentuating curves and cutting a striking outline. Because this style of dress suits hourglass figures so well, the most important factor in fitting into your dress is taking careful and exact measurements so that the form-fitting portion of the dress does not sag or hang off your body.

Instructions

1. Visit the dress shop and have yourself measured. While alterations are usually necessary on any dress, it is particularly important when purchasing a form-fitting dress that you get your measurements as close as possible to the actual size of the dress.

2. Purchase a corset, if necessary. While in most cases a corset will only serve to accentuate an hourglass figure, it can also bring your personal proportions more in line with the dimensions of the dress. Specifically, wear a full-length corset that helps fine-tune the measurements of your hips and bust to fit the dress. Standard belly and bust corsets will not work properly for this purpose.

3. Wear a dress that has a lace-back bodice. These are more fine-tuned to an hourglass figure than a dress that has a button-and-eye closure or a zipper closure, and will require less alterations if you have a particularly small waist combined with a large bust and hips.

Tips & Warnings

• Select the right dress for your size. Going too small and expecting to fit into it on your wedding day can lead to some embarrassing situations, even if you intend to drop some weight before the big day.

References

• "The Perfect Wedding Dress"; Philip Delamore; 2006