How to Pick a Wedding Gown Style
Your wedding will be one of the most important days of your life, so you should be dressed well for it. With that kind of pressure, choosing the right style can be overwhelming. But knowing your body type and the styles that flatter it will help you sort through the thousands of options available to brides. The formality of the ceremony and the season will help you narrow your choices further. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Assess your body type. Most women fall into four general categories: pear-shaped (narrower shoulders, wider hips), apple-shaped (wide shoulder and large bust with narrower hips), hourglass (balanced shoulders and hips with a small waist) and athletic (shoulders, waist and hips the same width with few curves). Bodies are complex, so you may have features from several body types.
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If your pear-shaped, emphasize your shoulders and bustline with a halter or sweetheart neckline. Choose a skirt of non-clingy fabric to skim your hips; A-lines work best.
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If you're apple-shaped or have a large bustline, open up the neck with a V-neck or a sweetheart strapless. Avoid high necks, because they tend to emphasize the bust.
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If you're an hourglass, go for a fish-tail dress to accentuate your curves. The dress can be strapless, or have sleeves.
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If you're athletic, create curves with a cinched waist and detailing along the neckline.
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For a fall or winter wedding, pick heavier fabrics such as silk satin. Pick a a dress with sleeves that has your ideal neckline.
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For a spring or summer wedding, pick lighter fabrics such as silk georgette.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep size in mind. Smaller, shorter frames can look overwhelmed by excessive embellishments or heavy tulle.
Price can play a large factor in choosing a dress. Look for sample or overstock sales or consider buying a white bridesmaids' dress and getting custom embellishments to give it a bridal edge.
Wear the dress; don't let it wear you.
References
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
