They say that variety is the spice of life and us women come in in all sorts of beautiful shapes and sizes. When dressing for the biggest day of your life, you really can’t take a one size (or in this case one style) fits all approach.
Doing some research into the different styles of dresses that are available and knowing what suits you will make a world of difference! Here are some tips on choosing wedding dresses for different body shapes and sizes:
Pear Shaped
Those who are pear shaped tend to have wide hips with slender shoulders and a smaller bust.
Do:
Pick a dress that shows off your shoulders. Go for spaghetti straps or a dress without straps. Choose a flowing A-line skirt in a heavy fabric such as taffeta as they won’t cling as much as the lighter fabrics.
Don’t:
Don’t pick a dress with a fishtail skirt as this will make your hips look wider.
Hour Glass
Those who are said to have an hour glass figure will have the same size bust and hips and a small waist.
Do:
Look for a scoop or V-neck dress so that your bust isn’t over emphasized. If you really want to show off your figure then go for a fitted gown. Try choosing a ruched skirt to really show off your waist.
Don’t:
Try and avoid any heavy embellishments to either your top of bottom half as they can make your look ‘heavy’ on one side. This means you should look for a dress with details around the waist line to keep you looking perfectly proportioned!
Tall
Do:
Fish tail dresses work very well on tall women and really make the most of their wonderful height. Column dresses also work well on taller brides.
Don’t:
Avoid an empire line as they can make you look disproportionate.
Petite
Do:
Go for an empire or column line dress as it can help petite brides appear taller. Try and find something with a high waist line as this can elongate your legs. Also, look for something with detail on the top half of your body as this will draw the eye upwards!
Don’t:
Fairy tail dresses (think of Cinderella!) with ruffled skirts can be overwhelming on a smaller frame.
For more information pop into your local bridal store and have a chat with the assistants. They will dress women in wedding gowns on a daily basis and will be able to offer you some good advice based on this wealth of experience!
Vicky is from http://www.weddingdays.co.uk/category/my-wedding/wedding-venues/ and absolutely loves weddings! She writes many wedding planning articles as well as numerous wedding craft tutorials!
Filed under Wedding Dresses And Gowns by . Comment. 
Let me start by saying that as a former bridal salon manager, I am not usually a proponent of purchasing a bridal gown over the Internet. Accessories like bridal jewelry, shoes, and headpieces, sure, but online wedding dresses have always made me nervous. I have always believed that it is critical to try on wedding gowns before making a selection. However, some of the newest designs from well-respected companies may yet make a convert out of me. Learn where to find absolutely stunning wedding gowns online:
First things first
A bride should only consider ordering her bridal gown online from a reputable retailer who accepts returns. Never ever buy a designer knock-off from overseas; too many brides have had their hearts broken by dresses that never arrived or gowns that did not meet their expectations. The exciting crop of Internet bridal gowns to which I am referring are made by established American companies, specifically Ann Taylor, J Crew, and BHLDN (part of Anthropologie). All accept returns on un-worn non-sale wedding dresses as long as specifics are met regarding tags, time frame, and receipts. J Crew even permits wedding gowns to be returned to their stores for convenience. Naturally, confirm the return policy on any wedding dress before buying it online, since you don’t get to try it on before purchasing.
Ann Taylor Wedding Gowns
Silk Strapless Vintage Wedding Dress by Ann Taylor
I haven’t heard much about Ann Taylor wedding gowns, but it turns out that they have some fabulous silk wedding dresses on their website. The prices range from about $425 – $895 (excluding some lower priced short dresses), which is a great value for real silk gowns. Many of their wedding dresses are very romantic, with pretty yet un-fussy fabric treatments. One stand out from the collection is a strapless silk gown with a U-shaped neckline and an intricately ruched bodice. Best of all, it even comes in petites! Ann Taylor also has wedding dresses made from lovely materials like softly gathered lace, silk Georgette flutter, silk taffeta, and tulle flowers. I could imagine many of these dresses for an afternoon garden ceremony. A romantic bouquet of garden roses and delicate pearl jewelry for the bride would complete the lovely style of these wedding dresses.
The J Crew wedding collection
Serena Gown by J. Crew
The J Crew wedding collection is another place to look for elegant wedding gowns that can be purchased online. Their wedding dresses range from about $350 – $3000, depending on the fullness and construction of the gown. The collection features the same clean lines for which J Crew ready-to-wear is well known, and is made primarily from silk and silk blended with other natural fibers. This would be a great place to find a simple, sophisticated wedding dress, such as their polyester tricotine or silk crinkle chiffon Sophia dress. It has a graceful drape and a flattering V-neck that would be as lovely on a bride in her 40s as one in her 20s. My personal favorite of the current collection is a more exuberant strapless mermaid wedding gown called Serena, which is made from a fabulous silk-linen blend with shimmering jacquard polka dots. It is a great combination of preppy and sophisticated, and would be fantastic with a hot pink peony bouquet.
BHLDN by Anthropologie
Swirling Platinum Gown in SHOP The Bride Wedding Dresses at BHLDN by Anthropologie
One of the online bridal collections that has received the most buzz is BHLDN by Anthropologie. These gowns are unabashedly vintage in inspiration, and some of them are downright breathtaking. BHLDN wedding dresses will tickle your fancy if you adore antique styles, elaborate detailing, rich textures, and lots of layering. The gowns range from about $600 – $6000, with the majority of them coming in at under $3000. The dresses are utterly unique and definitely have a distinctive flair. If you are looking for a true fantasy gown for your wedding, the BHLDN collection is worth your consideration.
Bridget Mora is the former manager of a fine bridal salon. She now writes all about wedding fashion and wedding planning for Silverland Jewelry. Find the most beautiful bridal jewelry for your wedding at Silverland Jewelry today.
Filed under Wedding Dresses And Gowns by . Comment.
