Dress Silhouettes

Flattering on you...	A-Line	Ball Gown	Sheath	Empire	Mermaid
Bust Large	Yes	Yes
Bust Small	Yes			Yes
Curvy & Slim	Yes		Yes		Yes
Full Figure	Yes
Petite	Yes		Yes	Yes
Pregant				Yes
Shape Apple	Yes	Yes
Shape Hourglass	Yes	Yes			Yes
Shape Pear	Yes			Yes
Tall & Thin	Yes		Yes

Silhouette refers to the overall cut of a gown. It's the most vital element to focus on, because a gown's shape is its foundation -- it's what sets the mood for the entire garment. The fitted bodice and full bell shaped skirt of the ball gown, for example, gives a princess like presence. More form fitting styles like the A line and sheath, offer a different appeal. The A line elongates the line of the body, adding a classical elegance and the illusion of length. While the sheath ups the ante on wedding dress sex appeal, creating a sleek and modern option for the more daring bride.

Your wedding gown is a distinctive garment that will sanctify the present, honor the past, and celebrate the future. As a bride, you want your dress to represent you and to express your sense of taste, style and tradition. Immerse yourself in the most exciting purchase of your life and your perfect dress will be meticulously chosen. Almost every bridal gown available today is made in one of five basic silhouettes -- ball gown, A-line, empire, sheath and mermaid -- and each of these shapes has strong advantages and disadvantages, depending on your particular figure. To simplify your shopping, the first thing you need to do is to determine which styles are most flattering to you.

Dress Silhouettes
- A Line
- Ball Gown
- Sheath
- Empire
- Mermaid
Dress Trains
Dress Necklines
Hemlines

A line

As its name implies, the A line cut is narrow at the top, cut close to the ribcage, and extends out along the body in the shape of a triangle (or 'A') in a smooth, elongated line. It is perhaps the most popular skirt option, as it looks wonderful on a variety of body types. The lines of the skirt are always clean and ungathered, but there is, as always, a number of versions. The princess cut is exemplified by vertical seams traveling from the bust to the hem. Another take is the circle skirt, a very wide A line with a full skirt.

See All A line Dresses

Good For

This is a fitted bodice shape with an A line skirt. It hugs the waist, so it creates a slimmer waistline and flatters the bust. If you have wider hips, the A line will cover them up effectively and if you have narrower hips the cut of the skirt will give you some shape.

Bad For

The tighter bodice will tend to draw attention to a smaller bust so it will be more flattering if you add a little padding to balance the look. This can be with secretive padding added to the dress or a good bra. A heavy bust will need some structure -- often this support is already built in to the bodice, but if not then boned corsetry is a must.

Ball Gown

The most traditional of all shapes, the ball gown is typified by a fitted bodice and natural or dropped waistline that leads to a very full skirt. Pleats or gathers in the skirt are what make it a ball gown.

See All Ball Gown Dresses

Good For

If you have a slim-hipped figure and a full bust, the Full Skirt shape will balance top and bottom perfectly, giving you that 'fairytale bride' look. This style and the Princess are generally thought of as the most romantic shapes.

Bad For

Avoid the Full Skirt if you are not full busted, as it will make your bust look smaller.If you are petite, avoid this option because you will disappear into the dress! If you have wide hips, avoid the Full Skirt because it will over emphasize them.

Sheath

A modern sexier take on the traditional wedding gown, the sheath is characterized by a slim profile that closely follows the curves of the body.

Fitted but with a straight skirt, this can be soft and floaty as in a Grecian style or fitted and structured with a straight skirt.

See All Sheath Dresses

Good For

The Column dress hugs the figure and looks great on tall, willowy women. This is the one to give you that catwalk look! It will also work well on a more petite figure.

Bad For

The Column shape sits quite close to the body, so if you have fuller hips, this will tend to emphasize them, and is quite clinging so avoid it if you do not have a smooth outline.

Empire

The cropped bodice of the Empire style flatters the small-breasted and thick waisted woman; the raised waist creates a long line, ideal for a petite bride. The skirt may be straight, slightly flared, or even as wide as an A line. Under bust detailing and seaming with an unstructured waist so that it falls in a virtually straight line past the hips and into the skirt.

See All Empire Waist Dresses

Good For

The body of the dress falls from beneath the bust, which is great if you have a broad waist and a small bust. The long line makes petite brides look taller. Thinking of Jane Austen, then this is the one to create the perfect romantic look.

Bad For

The long line makes tall brides look taller. Avoid it also if you have a heavy bust line because it will make it appear bigger.

Mermaid

A body hugging shape silhouette with skirt flares out either at the knee or just below it. Flatters the tall and hourglass figures, not recommend for the pear shape.

Also known as hourglass or figure hugging, the mermaid shape is tightly fitted to the body and flares out from mid thigh or knee.

See All Mermaid Dresses

Good For

The mermaid shape is ideal for curvy girls with balanced hip and bust measurements -- this dress will bring out the Marilyn Monroe in you. If you want Hollywood glamour, this is undoubtedly it.

Bad For

Just make sure you can sit down in it before you buy it or you may spill out, and if it is not boned then make sure that you have good supportive underwear. Careful if your curves are all in your bottom as it will emphasis it, and avoid if you are straight up and down, apple or pear shaped.

Dress Trains

A train can completely transform your look, no matter what shape your dress is. It allows you to change the feel of your outfit from ceremony to reception. The train is simply the elongated back portion of the gown that lies on the floor and trails behind the bride, the added weight demanding a tall and majestic stance. Trains date from the middle Ages, when the length worn at court indicated a person's social rank. The premise being the wealthier you were the more fabric you could afford.

Today, gowns with long chapel and cathedral trains are considered the most formal, lending themselves to bustling following the ceremony. Watteau trains (which spill from the shoulder) and court trains (which start from the waist) are less formal. The sweep gently puddles about a foot behind the wearer, and the detachable train which can be any length and either a flat panel or gathers of fabric -- is generally attached to the gown at the waist with buttons or hooks, and then later removed to be a bit less informal and not as imposing.

Sweep Train

The shortest train, extending back 3 to 6 inches longer from where the gown hits the floor. Also known as a 'brush'.

See All Sweep Train Dresses

Chapel Train

A very popular length, the chapel extends from three and a half to four and a half feet from the waist.

See All Chapel Train Dresses

Cathedral Train

A very formal option, the Cathedral extends six and a half to seven and a half feet from the waist.

See All Cathedral Train Dresses

Royal Train

Also known as monarch, this version extends twelve feet or more from the waist. Managing such a huge amount of fabric often requires pages (young boys), who hold up the train as you walk down the aisle -- very regal.

See All Royal Train Dresses

Dress Necklines

The neckline is a very important feature on a wedding dress. Not only is it the part of the dress people spend the most time looking at, but it's also the one that draws attention to the face, the collarbone, and the déolletage (the low cut neckline on a woman's dress). Some necklines -- the bateau, jewel, and high collar -- sit high on, or even cover the collarbone. Others -- the portrait, sweetheart, scoop, keyhole, and strapless -- are better known for what they leave bare. Because of its prominence, many brides use the neckline to add character to a gown, whether it's to show off an accessory, or to highlight a particular figure feature.

Sweetheart Neckline

A low cut neckline shaped like the top half of a heart, accentuating the déolletage. Often done with an overlay of sheer material that rises higher, elongating the torso and neck.

See All Sweetheart Neckline Dresses

Good For

Larger chest sizes (for a stylish display).

Bad For

Smaller chest sizes.

Scoop Neckline

Also known as a ballerina neckline, this U shaped style is often cut low, and occasionally the scoop will continue on the back of the dress.

See All Scoop Neckline Dresses

Good For

Everyone.

V-neck

The neckline dips down at the front in a flattering V, elongating the neckline and deemphasizing the bust line.

See All V Neckline Dresses

Good For

B or C cups.

Bad For

Anything smaller or larger (the bodice will either seem a bit empty or too full).

Square Neckline

The name gives this one away: the neckline is cut straight across the front.

See All Square Neckline Dresses

Good For

the bust endowed (it cuts low, but isn't revealing).

Bad For

almost no one.

Halter Neckline

The halter features straps that wrap around the neck, or a high neck with deep armholes. This is often backless.

See All Halter Neckline Dresses

Good For

great shoulders.

Bad For

broad or narrow shoulders or anyone who needs the support of a bra.

Off the Shoulder

This neckline sits below the shoulders, with sleeve like straps that cover part of the upper arm. Shows off your collarbone and shoulders.

See All Off Shoulder Dresses

Good For

medium or full chested women (open neck styling with the support of straps); pear shapes; and anyone with good shoulders or collarbone.

Bad For

broad shoulders (accentuates the obvious) and thin lips.

Spaghetti Strap

This neckline is nearly strapless, except for the presence of thin, delicate straps. A bit like strings of spaghetti, funnily enough!

See All Spaghetti Strap Dresses

Good For

small to medium breasts.

Bad For

large breasts or broad shoulders.

Strapless

Guess what, there are no straps on this style... The bodice is usually cut straight across, but it can also peak on the sides or have a slight dip in the centre.