When it comes to finding a bridal gown, there are a number of beautiful options to choose from. Different styles and neckline options allow brides-to-be to choose a dress that perfectly fits their own personal style and body type, ensuring that they have the perfect one for their special day. If you're a bride-to-be, take a look at this simple overview for some helpful descriptions.
A-Lin
An A-line is a classic choice that flatters many body types. Beautiful and elegant, the silhouette of this dress resembles the letter "A." Starting with a close-fitting top, the A-line dress gradually flares out as it goes down the skirt, with the widest part at the bride's feet.
Ball Gowns
Ball gowns are dramatic and carry a special air of romance. These dresses feature a fitted bodice with a full skirt, which usually consists of several voluminous layers. Many women choose a ball gown style gown because it harks back to the fairytales they loved as little girls.
Dropped Waist
Dropped waist is chic and contemporary. This dress has a long, fitted torso with the waist cinched close to the hips. Dropped waist designs can vary from simple and elegant to intricate and detailed. Many women who want to showcase their hourglass figures choose dropped waist as they naturally create this silhouette. This may not be the best choice for pear-shaped women, or those with a higher natural waist.
Empire Waist
A classic design, the empire waist cinches just below the bust. This timeless dress has a short torso with the skirt beginning close to the ribcage. Though empire waists are commonly featured in dresses with full skirts, they can also be used in relatively straight dresses for a slender, streamline silhouette. As with ball gowns, empire waist dresses are popular among women who want to capture a bit of old-world style that's reminiscent of romantic fairytales.
Trumpet Fit
Present an exceptionally beautiful silhouette. These head-turning dresses are relatively form-fitting through the torso and hips, and then begin to flare out around mid-thigh. This creates a very flattering shape and provides enough room around the legs to walk comfortably. Like the dropped waist gown, trumpet fit dresses might not be the most flattering choice for pear-shaped women. Trumpet fit bridal gowns are sometimes referred to as "fit-to-flare" dresses.
Strapless
The material of the bodice provides support instead of straps. Gowns that feature a strapless design often use a more sturdy material in the bodice and may be boned like a corset. This is an excellent option for women with a small to medium bust size. But women with a bigger chest may need the additional support that straps provide. Many strapless gowns will also feature beadwork or other embellishments to make the bodice sturdier and to accent the cut of the dress.
Scoop Neckline
Feature a gradual curve from the shoulders to the bust, showing off the shoulders while still having a tasteful and elegant look. Scoop necklines are available with a number of different styles. They're even found on some strapless in the form of a gradual scooped section at the top of the bodice. Some scoop necklines may also feature variations on the scoop design, still presenting a gradual neckline but without the smooth semi-circular cutout of standard scoop designs.
V-Neckline
Contrary to scoop necklines, v-neckline gowns have a sharper and narrower neck that comes to a point in the middle of the bust. The depth of the neckline can vary from one dress to the next and depends largely on the design of the bodice. V-necks can be traditional and modest, or they can be bold and reveal a bit more skin, depending on the bride's taste. The overall plunge of the v-neck design may be partially concealed with the use of lace or scalloping in the bodice, creating a unique and beautiful design.
Sleeves
There are a number of different sleeve designs that can be included in a gown design. Short cap sleeves, full-length lace sleeves, and even half or three-quarter sleeves can create a unique look for a beautiful dress. Some dresses even have detachable sleeves so that they can be customized depending on the bride's preferences. [via]
A-Lin
An A-line is a classic choice that flatters many body types. Beautiful and elegant, the silhouette of this dress resembles the letter "A." Starting with a close-fitting top, the A-line dress gradually flares out as it goes down the skirt, with the widest part at the bride's feet.
Ball Gowns
Ball gowns are dramatic and carry a special air of romance. These dresses feature a fitted bodice with a full skirt, which usually consists of several voluminous layers. Many women choose a ball gown style gown because it harks back to the fairytales they loved as little girls.
Dropped Waist
Dropped waist is chic and contemporary. This dress has a long, fitted torso with the waist cinched close to the hips. Dropped waist designs can vary from simple and elegant to intricate and detailed. Many women who want to showcase their hourglass figures choose dropped waist as they naturally create this silhouette. This may not be the best choice for pear-shaped women, or those with a higher natural waist.
Empire Waist
A classic design, the empire waist cinches just below the bust. This timeless dress has a short torso with the skirt beginning close to the ribcage. Though empire waists are commonly featured in dresses with full skirts, they can also be used in relatively straight dresses for a slender, streamline silhouette. As with ball gowns, empire waist dresses are popular among women who want to capture a bit of old-world style that's reminiscent of romantic fairytales.
Trumpet Fit
Present an exceptionally beautiful silhouette. These head-turning dresses are relatively form-fitting through the torso and hips, and then begin to flare out around mid-thigh. This creates a very flattering shape and provides enough room around the legs to walk comfortably. Like the dropped waist gown, trumpet fit dresses might not be the most flattering choice for pear-shaped women. Trumpet fit bridal gowns are sometimes referred to as "fit-to-flare" dresses.
Strapless
The material of the bodice provides support instead of straps. Gowns that feature a strapless design often use a more sturdy material in the bodice and may be boned like a corset. This is an excellent option for women with a small to medium bust size. But women with a bigger chest may need the additional support that straps provide. Many strapless gowns will also feature beadwork or other embellishments to make the bodice sturdier and to accent the cut of the dress.
Scoop Neckline
Feature a gradual curve from the shoulders to the bust, showing off the shoulders while still having a tasteful and elegant look. Scoop necklines are available with a number of different styles. They're even found on some strapless in the form of a gradual scooped section at the top of the bodice. Some scoop necklines may also feature variations on the scoop design, still presenting a gradual neckline but without the smooth semi-circular cutout of standard scoop designs.
V-Neckline
Contrary to scoop necklines, v-neckline gowns have a sharper and narrower neck that comes to a point in the middle of the bust. The depth of the neckline can vary from one dress to the next and depends largely on the design of the bodice. V-necks can be traditional and modest, or they can be bold and reveal a bit more skin, depending on the bride's taste. The overall plunge of the v-neck design may be partially concealed with the use of lace or scalloping in the bodice, creating a unique and beautiful design.
Sleeves
There are a number of different sleeve designs that can be included in a gown design. Short cap sleeves, full-length lace sleeves, and even half or three-quarter sleeves can create a unique look for a beautiful dress. Some dresses even have detachable sleeves so that they can be customized depending on the bride's preferences. [via]
