Dressing for Your Figure

Tall

Avoid vertical lines and very straight dresses. Choose an A-line style dress with a sash, belt, or different color top and bottom combination to break up your vertical line.

Short

Take up the hemline - try a short dress. Choose a style with details at the top to draw the eye up. A short hem makes your legs look longer and gives you a taller line. Coodinate your accessories in the same color as your dress to keep the overall effect streamlined.

Full Figure

Opt for a solid color dress with simple lines or a vertical pattern. An empire waist with a skirt that flows away from the body helps to hide a tummy or hips, as does a medium A-line silhouette dress or gown. If you want to wear a sleeveless dress but don't like your arms, just add an elegant shawl or wrap to finish the look.

Skinny

Choose a dress made from a textured fabric instead of a slinky material. Go for layers, ruffles and ruching details on top or on the skirt to add more dimension to your figure. LARGE BUST Avoid styles with detailing across the bust area. Choose a halter style neckline, or a dress with wider shoulder straps so you can wear a supportive bra underneath. Stay away from low cut necklines or tight fitting styles to avoid exposing too much cleavage.

Small Bust

Choose a dress with details at the bust such as a sweetheart neckline, ruching, pleats, beading or other embelishments. Look for dresses with built-in bra pads or ones you can wear with a bra that creates some cleavage.

DRESS SHAPES DEFINED

Popular Wedding Dress and Formal Gown silhouettes include the Ballgown, A-Line, Sheath and Mermaid or Trumpet, fit and flare styles.

Ballgown

The Ballgown features a very full, shaped skirt of tulle, satin, or other bridal fabrics, and a fitted bodice. This style really flatters slim figures and those with wider hips. Short waisted figures can also benefit from this style by choosing a ballgown with an elongated bodice that opens into the full skirt.










A-Line

The A-line shape flatters most body types. Traditionally this style is close fitting through the bodice and flares into the A-line shape skirt at the waist. The A-line shape creates an elongated, smooth line on almost any figure. The skirt flatters in either a full or more narrow cut. Full figures have the added benefit of slimming their hips in this style. Choose a V-neck or halter style to flatter and support a larger bust.








Sheath

The Sheath style dress has a curve conscious silhouette that follows the lines of the body closely. This style works beautifully in structured satin fabrics or soft and slinky materials. The sheath dress is equally glamorous on slim and petite or tall and slender figures. Choose a bodice style with pleating, gathers, embroidery, or beading to create the illusion of a larger bust.








Trumpet/Mermaid

The Trumpet or Mermaid, fit and flare gown, has a sheath silhouette through the bodice and thigh, with a skirt that flares out below the knee. The Mermaid shape has a narrower skirt than the Trumpet shape. These styles are perfect for brides who want to show off the curves of their hourglass figure.