So you've gotten engaged and you've finished flashing the ring to all your girlfriends, its time to find the dress!
But now you're stuck.
You don't know what to go for!
What shape will suit you?
What dress style should you pick?
Should it be tall and sexy? Or should it be puffy and princess-y? Or maybe it should be fitted and unique?
First thing you need to do is determine what your body shape is.
Hourglass = Your Chest and hips are almost the same size (width) and your waist is well defined thus, giving the look of an hourglass
Apple = You have a large bust, broad shoulders but your hips are narrow.
Pear = You have a small bust and shoulders but wide hips.
Tube (banana) = Everything is the same size giving a flat look.
Next, you need to fit your shape to the right dress style: Hourglass = Fishtails and Mermaids work best for hourglass figures as it hugs in all the right places and fully shows off your figure. If you are uncomfortable in something so figure-hugging then an A-Line with a belt would be a good option. Hourglass figures can pull pretty much any dress style off so whatever you feel comfortable in.
Apple = A dress that pulls in at the waist then flares into an a-line is the best style for this shape. Avoid Trumpet dresses as these emphasize the area where your body is the widest and will flare out at the legs and the knees where you are most slender.
Pear = Classic A-Line Silhouettes are great for this body shape as it makes everything look evener. Look for a skirt that's not necessarily massive and ball gown like, it can have the smallest flare to work, whatever you are most comfortable with. The trick with A-lines is it highlights the narrowness of the waist and flares out to hide the wider hips thus giving the impression that you are evenly shaped.
Banana (no shape) = You want to find a dress that will create curves for you. A sheath dress in Charmeuse or Chiffon that is cut of the curving side seam will give you that wow silhouette. A ball gown that pulls in at the waist and falls into a full floor-length skirt would also be ideal is it will capitalise on your slenderness and camouflage the lack of hips and shape. Look for a ruched or heavily embellished bodice to create volume.
If you're petite = A trumpet, sheath or modified A-line gown would work best with a waistline above your natural waist to make it look longer (and therefore make you look taller). The fabric isn't vital to this style and you can pick whatever one you want but bear in mind your shape and what works best for that shape (in terms of embellishments etc.) but keep decoration small i.e. no large bows as this will distract the eye. Be wary of a dress with a dropped waist as this will make your legs look shorter if not non-existent. Ball Gowns and anything calf-length is a no-go too as you will just get lost in the voluminous skirt.
If you are tall: A simple silhouette is best to go for if you are tall as the strategy is to emphasise your natural shape. Every part of the dress needs to reflect your longer proportions, if you want to wear sleeves then they should go past the wrist else you run the risk of looking like you have borrowed a dress that's too small for you. Too many embellishments will come across as cutesy so you want to err on the side of caution with detailing and opt for something simpler.
If you are Plus sized: An empire dress where the skirt starts just below the bust and flows into a gradual a-line is great as it hides any unwanted lumps and bumps. It's important when fitting this style of dress to ensure that the seam for the skirt doesn't start on any part of the bust as this is reminiscent of maternity wear and can give the wrong impression (unless you like that look of course).
You can also look at dresses that have detailing on the stomach area, such as ruffles or pleats pulled to one side, to create a slimming appearance. It is best to talk to a seamstress about fitting this dress style should as if it is too loose then it will add pounds. Find fabrics such as satin that provide structure rather than anything that flows, however, if you love the airier fabrics (such as chiffon) then choose a gown that has stiffer base fabric then add an embroidered tulle overlay.
This dress is a high-waisted a-line, meaning that the top of the skirt starts at your waist rather than your hips, helping to hide any unwanted lumps and bumps.
Serena Necklines and fabrics: Picking the right fabric and neckline is a vital part, especially if you have lumps and bumps in all the wrong places. For a pear-shaped body: Sturdy fabrics such as Duchess Satin and Taffeta are effective as they don't cling. If you have a belly you would like to hide then a dress that is pulled up at the side would be perfect as it helps to hide it and gives you more confidence. A spaghetti-strap or V-neckline will showcase a more slender body frame.
Taffeta - Style 1102 - Anna Sorrana If you are busty then a dress with a scooped neckline (sweetheart necklines/straight across strapless are good) will open up your face and display your chest without showing too much cleavage. This style is great if you love strapless dresses as you have the option of having the neckline go straight across or dipping down slightly for a more modern and younger look. If you want your bust to look bigger, then a straight across neckline is best as it will increase how big they look and more shelflike. Fabric such as organza, satin and silk will bring more attention to your chest (as will adding embellishment or having a material that is ruched) as it adds volume.
Tilly - Bellami Apple: Have a bodice that has plenty of texture to it such as ruche or lace detailing. This helps it to fit snugly to give it more of a corset effect (which is great for boosting confidence). The best neckline for an apple shape is one with a deep V which will draw attention to the vertical size, not the horizontal size.
If you are small chested = A ruched bodice and extra fabric up top will give your chest more volume and create the illusion of curves. A lightly padded halter style would also do the trick. Consider wearing a push-up bra (some dresses can have them built-in) as this will give you a nice boost.
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