Understanding your body shape is the first step towards identifying what to wear and what to avoid when selecting your wedding dress. You should choose a dress that is not only flattering to your figure, but also comfortable and season appropriate.
Short and Petite
If you are short and petite, you should try to stay away from gowns with too much fabric. To create an illusion of height, you will want a dress with seams or lace which runs up and down lengthwise.
Recommended Styles: high neckline, A line, empire, or princess silhouettes, sheath, small collars and cuffs, short sleeves or sleeveless with long gloves, or dresses that are trim at the neckline and shoulders to draw the eye upward. Also, consider a chapel train with a floor length veil.
Recommended Fabrics: chiffon, velvet, lace and schiffli net
Not Recommended: You should stay away from a belt, unless it is a very narrow one. Try to avoid frills and excessive detailing.
Tall and Thin
If you are tall and slender, you will want to look for dresses with trims that wrap completely around the gown and veil, wide midriffs and sashes, large collars, big cuffs, raglan or butterfly sleeves, flared or tiered skirts and low necklines.
Recommended styles: Sheath, Mermaid, A-line, Ball Gown
Recommended Neckline: V-Neck, Sweetheart, Scoop, Jewel, Halter
Recommended Fabrics: Satin and lace
Pear Shaped
The pear shaped figure is a figure that is smaller at the top and fuller at the bottom
Recommended Dress: A-line, Ball Gown
Full ball gown with an accented waistline to minimize hips and bring focus to upper body, Simple skirt that accentuates the waist
Not Recommended Dresses: Sheath, Mermaid, Empire
Not Recommended Necklines: High Neckline (makes shoulder narrower)
Broad Shouldered
Recommended: Spaghetti straps or scoop neckline to shorten width of shoulder, Low V necklines or high, covered necks
Not Recommended: oversized sleeves or off shoulder sleeves with accents
Hourglass
You have an hourglass shape if your bust and hip measures are equal with a defined waist that is at least four inches smaller than either.
Recommended Dresses: A-line or Princess gown
Recommended Neckline: Strapless, Off the shoulder, Sweetheart, Scoop, Queen Anne
Not Recommended: Too much accent on bodice or skirt, Empire, Mermaid, Sheath
Thick waist
Recommended: empire gowns that have a high waistline
Not Recommended: natural waistline gowns that emphasize the waist