Every little girl dreams of her wedding day and the type of wedding gown she will wear. In her dreams she may be wearing a princess ball gown, a simple A-line or a sweetheart silhouette. Either way, in her dreams she looks magnificent.

Now YOUR day has finally come and while you may no longer want the same style of gown you pictured as a little girl, you definitely want to look magnificent. But just because a gown looks beautiful hanging on the rack, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for you and your body type, skin tone, or overall personal style.

Finding the right gown can be a daunting task. With so many incredible bridal boutiques and designers to choose from, its important zero in on what will look best on you. Determine what body shape you have, and the style that will most flatter your figure.

HOURGLASS FIGURE
You are a lucky girl. Your nice proportions will complement almost any gown style. With your curvy hips, tiny waistline and full chest, several styles will accentuate your figure, reminding your groom just why you caught his eye in the first place.

What To Wear: Narrow in on a classic A-Line gown or a strapless ball gown. Go for a strapless, off-the-shoulder, sweetheart, scoop or v-neck neckline.
What Not To Wear: Avoid empire or mermaid silhouettes. These styles are for body types that are not as proportionate as yours and can in turn make you look unbalanced. Rather than complementing your figure, these styles will accentuate areas that do not need any help.

FULL FIGURE
So you have a little more shape. So what? You still look fantastic and there are several gown styles that will look radiant on your full figured body.

What To Wear: Try a basque waistline, A-Line or full ball gown. These styles will slim your waistline and give you an hourglass shape. The best necklines for your body type are v-neck, scoop, jewel, bateau or halter.
What Not To Wear: Avoid sheath, mermaid or empire waist gowns. These styles, particularly accompanied by off-the-shoulder or spaghetti straps will make your upper body look broader rather than create a waistline.

PEAR SHAPE
You have delicate bone structure from your waist up, but tend to have fuller hips so the best wedding gowns for your body style will create a balanced shape from top to bottom.

What To Wear: A-Line and ball gowns with off-the-shoulder, strapless or scoop necklines are best for your body type because they will broaden your delicate shoulders, all the while complementing your lower body.
What Not To Wear: Avoid sheath, mermaid or empire waistlines. If you have a smaller chest, you will also want to avoid gowns with v-necklines. V-necks will point toward your chest and hips.
THIN FRAME
Your body type is thin and narrow which is why you look great in skinny jeans, but may make you feel like a teenager in a dress. Shop for a wedding gown that creates curves on your thin frame.

What To Wear: Mermaid, A-Line, ball gown or sheath gowns styles with sweetheart, scoop, jewel or halter necklines will create an hour glass silhouette and make you feel much more feminine.
What Not To Wear: Don’t wear v-necklines, off-the-shoulder portrait gowns. These gown styles will not create enough shape for your body type and will hang too straight around your hips.

Need help with bridal gown terms? Read our style definitions.
A-Line: Flared skirt and fitted waist creating an “A” shape.
Ball Gown: Full skirt and fitted waistline.
Basque Waist: Low waistline that usually comes to a “V” or “U” shape beginning several inches below the waist. This gown will give you an hourglass shape by increasing your appearance of a low waistline.
Bateau: Wide neckline that sweeps below your collarbone to the edges of your shoulder.
Empire Waist: High waistline that flares from the bust and falls straight around the hips.
Halter: Straps that tie around your neck in the back.
Jewel: High neckline that is usually rounded at the collarbone.
Mermaid: Contours to your body but begins to flare at your knee.
Off-the-Shoulder: This neckline sits low on your chest and rests just below your shoulder.
Portrait: Usually a large, wide scoop neck that rests at the tips of your shoulders.
Scoop: U-shaped neckline.
Sheath: Form fitting from top to bottom.
Sweetheart: Shaped like the bottom of a heart and comes to a point toward the center of your chest.
Strapless: Popular style that sits straight across the chest and around the back.
V-neck: V-shaped to accentuate cleavage

Labels: figure