How to choose a wedding dress that suits your body shape

Congratulations! You’re getting married and we couldn’t be happier for you! As you begin to plan your dream wedding, shopping for your dream wedding gown is likely to be quite an undertaking. There are so many different bridal gown styles and silhouettes to choose from and each is specially suited for a particular body type. So how do you go about figuring out which one would suit you best? Well, we’ve come up with a handy guide that will demystify the whole process, so you can decide which style of gown would be the perfect fit for you based on your body type and style preference.

First of all, we want you to know that there are many different female body shapes and sizes, each of them unique and beautiful.  There is no such thing as an ‘average” or “typical” body size or shape. We are all different and should each embrace our unique beauty. However, female bodies can be broadly categorised into several different shapes. There are 5 most common categories used, and these are – rectangle or straight, apple or round, pear or triangle, hourglass and inverted triangle or athletic. There are also 2 different size categories of women – petite and plus-sized – in which the women who fall into these categories also display the main characteristics of 1 of the 5 common body shapes, but are either shorter than 5ft3” (petite) or larger than UK14/US16 (plus-sized). Most women fall between those sizes and are thus referred to as “average” sized in the fashion industry.

Below, we will discuss each of these 5 common shapes as well as petite and plus-size and what are the common characteristics of each shape. We will of course give you suggestions on which wedding dress silhouette would flatter each body shape. Now, it is important for you to understand that these 5 common body shapes are broadly defined. Categorising them isn’t an exact science, and therefore there is room for variation within each shape. You may find that your body shape falls somewhere between 2 different body shapes. In those cases, we suggest you look at the main factor defining your body shape to begin looking for your ideal wedding dress style. For example, you may find that you have an overall hourglass shape, but either your top or your bottom is larger than the other. In the first case, you would be between an hourglass and an inverted triangle. In the latter, you would be between an hourglass and a pear or inverted triangle shape. In both cases, the mermaid silhouette does not flatter the body shape, but the fit and flare and A-line does. So, our suggestion would be for you to try those wedding dress silhouettes first and see if they flatter you.

The rectangle or straight body shape is also called the “supermodel” body type. It typically refers to the female having the same measurements for your hips and bust and no defined waist. The legs are also usually long and slim. Celebrities with rectangle body type include actresses Cameron Diaz and Nicole Kidman.

• Sheath or column gowns
• A-line dresses with soft flowy skirts and a more structured bodice
• Short dresses to showcase lean legs

• Mermaid silhouettes
• Ballgowns (unless the bodice is very structured and balances the voluminous skirt)

Additional Styling tips: Look for dresses that will create definition and contrast between the waist and hips. With your long slim legs, you’d also look great in short dresses that show them off.

As the name suggests, the main feature of this body shape is a fuller midsection. Your bust will tend to be larger than the hips and the waist is undefined. The shoulders are rounded and the legs and arms are usually slender. Celebrities with this body shape include Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson and Drew Barrymore. 

• A-line dresses in soft, flowy fabric
• short dresses that showcase slender legs

• mermaid silhouette
• sheath dresses

Additional styling tips: Try dresses with an empire waist as these add definition to your waistline. Dresses with V-necks will also help draw attention to your fuller bust and be more flattering on you.

You have a pear shaped body if you have hips that are wider than your shoulders. You’d have a small bust and a slim waist. For this body shape, legs tend to be fuller, especially around the thighs. Celebrities with pear shaped figures include Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Tyra Banks.

• A-line,
• ball gown
• trumpet/fit and flare

• Mermaid (these highlight your hips and thighs)
• Sheath

Additional styling tips: Choose gowns that emphasise your slim waist and necklines like scoop or boat neck or even halter necks would draw attention to your slim shoulders. Wear a push up bra if you wish to add volume to your bust and balance your wider hips.

The hourglass figure is one where the bust and hips are nearly the same size and the waist is well-defined and slim. You are indeed blessed with a very proportional, feminine silhouette and you should take advantage of your enviable figure when choosing your wedding gown. Celebrities with an hourglass figure include the iconic Marilyn Monroe , Selma Hayek and Scarlett Johansson. 

• Mermaid
• fit and flare/trumpet
• A-Line dress with a structured bodice and soft, flowy skirt.

• column/sheath dresses ( these would visually make your hips look wider and do nothing to highlight your small waist)

Additional styling tips:  Do consider adding embellishments such as beading or crystals on your gown as these would draw attention to your gorgeous curves!

Women with athletic or inverted triangle figures tend to have broader, well-defined shoulders and slim hips. They also tend to have toned arms and long, slender legs. Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Cindy Crawford and Zendaya have the inverted triangle body shape

• column/sheath (show off your toned arms and legs, and highlight your strong shoulders)
• mermaid
• fit and flare/trumpet (add definition to your hips and waist)

• Mermaid

Additional styling tips: If you opt for an A-line dress or ball gown, you could try having a strapless bodice and/or add a long slit on the skirt to bring attention to your toned legs à la Angelina Jolie in THAT Oscar dress.

Strictly speaking, plus-size is not actually considered a body shape. In fashion terms, a plus-size is any size over UK14/US16. However, when it comes to body shape, plus-sized women can also be have the same figures as those mentioned above. Plus-Sized celebrities include Queen Latifah, Melissa McCarthy, Kirstie Alley, Ashley Graham and Christina Hendricks.

For plus-sized women, measure the proportions of your body to figure out which of the categories listed above you fall under – rectangle, apple, pear, hourglass, inverted triangle and choose your wedding gown silhouette based on that body shape.

Additional styling tips: Do consider having a custom gown made or if you choose to go with an off-the-rack gown, have it altered to perfectly fit you. Think about which feature in your body you want to highlight the most and which feature you would prefer to hide or draw attention away from. Then it will be easier to decide which wedding dress silhouette would suit you best. Also, pay special attention to accessories. The right type of accessory will elevate any look. 

Just like plus-sized body types, petite body types actually just refer to women who are shorter than 5ft3”. Petite women can fall under various body shapes, just like plus-sized women. That being said, petite women do tend to have a shorter torso, shorter arms and legs or narrower shoulders.

• A-line dress
• column/sheath dress
• short dresses
• trumpet/fit and flare silhouette

• ball gowns

 these dresses will just make you look shorter and the extra fabric in ball gowns would overwhelm a petite body.

Additional styling tips: Add vertical detailing on your dress with beads or ruffles etc. to give the illusion of height to your frame. Also, think about having thin straps, or capped sleeves or even a strapless dress. These will add width to your narrow shoulders. If choosing an A-line dress, tone back on the volume of the skirt as it may overwhelm your petite frame. 

Ultimately, no matter what wedding gown silhouette you choose, the most important thing to keep in mind is if the gown makes you feel confident, beautiful and most definitely, comfortable. It is important to feel like you’re looking and feeling the best version of yourself on your wedding day. Don’t get too caught up with choosing the perfect gown just for your body type. Try on different silhouettes and see how you feel about each one. Start with the dresses that are most suited for your body shape and go from there. Have an open mind as you try various dresses and you might surprise yourself and find yourself falling in love with a wedding dress that’s completely different from what you had in mind at first. Also, remember, you not only have the option of altering the gown so it fits you perfectly, you also have the option of creating a custom wedding gown that is made just for you. Our Alter Me dressmakers are experts in wedding dress alterations as well as creating custom wedding gowns. Book a consultation with us and we’ll help you create your perfect wedding dress or alter the dress you already own to fit you to perfection.