Choosing a shape that makes you look and feel amazing!

Many of my brides come into my bridal boutique unsure of the shape or style of wedding dress that will suit them best. Brides who have no idea of what style of dress they would like view the racks and rails of beautiful gowns with the same excitement and anticipation as brides who arrive fairly confident and certain of the choice they will make.

But I always say come to your appointment with an open mind, because until you try styles on your own body, it’s hard to know what best suits your shape and what you will feel comfortable in. And sometimes, when the style of wedding dress that you rush to first doesn’t look exactly as you imagined, we will find ourselves back at the rails and taking a fresh look at the whole collection.

I understand that no bride-to-be who walks through my door is one hundred per cent in love with every area of their body - or is excited to be viewed from every possible angle. But all of us have parts of our bodies that we’re not so happy with. And my firm belief is that instead of hiding the bits you dislike, we need to find a dress that accentuates the bits you love! And the best place to start is with YOU!

All bodies are beautiful so work with your shape, rather than against it, to find a wedding gown that will flatter your figure and have you radiating with complete confidence. Firstly have a think about what body shape you are. And please be reassured that Bridal Gossip is a naturally inclusive bridal boutique - after years of working in the wedding business I understand completely the depth of the decisions that go into choosing a dress and how important the dress style can be to the overall look or theme of your wedding. And I’m proud to say that all of my brides-to-be who choose a wedding dress from my rails leave with the perfect dress for their perfect day - and completely in love with the design that they have chosen.

I want the whole experience of wedding dress shopping at Bridal Gossip to be relaxing and a special memory to cherish for you, not daunting or overwhelming. For more information on what to expect during your appointment view our Boutique page here.

Can you find your body type here? We have wedding dresses to complement every shape - and height - and we really look forward to helping you find the perfect gown.

Hourglass: Balanced bust and hips, defined waist.

Pear: Hips are wider than shoulders, defined waist, proportionately slim arms/shoulders.

Triangle: Wider on top of the body, wide back, narrow hips and subtle waist.

Apple: Voluptuous, full bust, a tummy and round bum/hips.

Athletic/slim: Straight up and down, undefined waist.

Petite: 5ft and under, with a small frame.

Tall: Over 5ft8, can carry off most styles.

A-line

Millie May Bridal available in the Wadebridge Boutique

Named after the shape the dress visually creates, an A-Line style wedding dress is classic and simple and suits every body shape. From the fitted bodice, the skirt flares out on each side loosely (it’s the opposite of fitted) to flow (and cover any skinny or wobbly bits). This skirt always looks wonderful, so if you want to play it safe, try on a few dresses in this style and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the result. Its length can range from above the knee to full length that flows into a large train, and it can be made with everything from free-flowing silks to heavier fabrics such as satin. The princess cut version of the A-line dress is more dramatic and emphasises this style’s clean lines by integrating vertical panels that run from the neckline to the hem.

The A-line dress is a good choice for almost any bride. The full skirt of the A-line can hide a rounder lower body or create the illusion of curves on a narrow frame.

Princess

Venus Bridal UK available in the Wadebridge Boutique.

This is the style of dress that fairy tales are made of. If your main goal is to slim, the princess style is a great option that elongates lines creating a slimming effect as the eye naturally focuses on the length of the dress. With a fitted bodice and full skirt that can either be one piece or separate, this dress is perfect for big, traditional weddings. You can even pair a princess gown with long gloves and a dramatic train for even more “wow” and a breathtaking entrance. Everything from satin to chiffon is used on top, along with layers of taffeta or tulle on the bottom, which creates a gorgeous floating effect.

The ball gown or princess wedding dress is classic and timeless. This style is flattering on all body types as it shows off the bust, arms and shoulders while concealing the waist and hips. However, if you’re petite, you will definitely need to try this style on with an open mind - you might find yourself getting lost in all the material!

While many brides will look beautiful in a princess gown, the cut is ideal for slender or pear-shaped figures as the full skirt helps to accentuate the waist and hide the lower body. Additionally, this style helps create the hourglass look because it emphasises the waistline. If you’re shorter, beware that a skirt of this size can overpower a small frame.

Fishtail, Mermaid & Trumpet

White Rose Bridal available in the Wadebridge Boutique

These styles of wedding dresses cause the most confusion with my brides. All three of these shapes can be similar depending on the style and fabrics, which is why I’m explaining some more detail about these styles all together.

The terms ‘mermaid’, ‘fishtail’ and ‘trumpet’ are often used for similar wedding dress shapes that hug the body before delicately flaring out below the hips. It’s a dream shape for curvy brides and anyone who wants to create an hourglass silhouette.

Mermaid and trumpet wedding dresses hug the bust, waist and hips and are a sexy choice to show off the feminine figure of the hourglass body shape. While a trumpet shape flares out from the mid-thigh to the ground, the mermaid style fits to the knee, providing even more definition

Fishtail

If you’re curvy with an hourglass shape (we’re talking Kim Kardashian) then this style of skirt can be a knockout if you’ve got the confidence to carry it off. It’s a bold look – the top can be strapless or high necked and the bottom half accentuates your bottom, thighs and hips, fitting snugly into your curves.

Mermaid

The mermaid (or trumpet) is a sophisticated look for brides who crave a little drama. The skirt’s trademark flare can be narrow or wide, sleek or ruffled – and each gives your dress a different twist. Brides with curves often love mermaid gowns, but this silhouette maximises the va-va-voom effect on straight-up-down figures, too.

Trumpet

Trumpet shapes are a good midway point between a fit and flare fishtail and a mermaid dress. The skirt gradually flares around mid-thigh and can resemble the shape of a trumpet’s bell – hence the name. The skirt is good for highlighting curves without drawing too much attention to your legs. It also isn’t as dramatic or restrictive as a mermaid. It’s a great style for hourglass and petite figures with small waists. It can accentuate the stomach and hips so pears and apples should wear this style with a sparkly or coloured belt to break up the waist area.

Empire Line

Falling directly from the bust line into loose folds, this shape suits shorter brides who are smaller ‘up top’. If you’re a bit pear-shaped, it’s perfect for you, because it will accentuate your small upper frame while hiding less-than-perfect hips and legs. Empire wedding dresses feature a high waist that hugs your upper torso with a straight, soft and flowing skirt for a simple, stylish and classic bridal look. Empire wedding dresses compliment the slim figure of a straight or athletic body type and can also sit beautifully over wider hips making it a flattering choice for the pear or hourglass shaped bride.

After you’ve found what types of dresses best suit YOUR body, it’s time for the fun part, SHOPPING! Take your time to try on lots of different dresses (even of the same type) as slight differences in shape and fabric can make a big difference to how they fit. Ultimately, choose the dress that makes you feel absolutely fabulous! Work with what you’ve got and wear it with confidence!

Happy Shopping ladies!

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