Trumpet / Mermaid
Curvaceous and VERY form fitting, the style is typically for the very confident bride. Mermaid gowns hug the body rather tightly all the way down to your knees, where the dress flares out. This is a really sexy style that shows off ALL of your curves. It screams sophistication and elegance, yet can be chosen for a barefoot beach or formal ball room affair. An elegant choice for anyone with broad shoulders, and if you have a slender or athletic build, this style is also particularly striking. If you're petite it will elongate your figure, and if you're keen to flaunt your curves, However, if there are certain areas you'd rather not accentuate, its clingy design might not be the style for you.
Column / Shealth
Simple, sleek and elegant, a Column Style gown can fall nearly straight down from the neckline to the hem, or it can hug your curves, accentuating your torso, waist and hips. Although flattering for several body types, depending on the fabric chosen, the Sheath or Column Silhouette may not allow much room for hiding certain problem areas, like a larger lower body. However choose your fabric carefully (heavier is less form fitting) this can be a stunning choice. This is the most popular dress style for beach , as well as other destination .
A Line / Princess
Universally flattering, the most versatile and flattering of all the dress styles, the A-line dress really is a girl's best friend. By gently flaring from the shoulders down, it skims curves rather than clinging to them, to create an elegant silhouette. If you're petite it adds the illusion of length; if you're tall it can add fullness, and if you've got curves you'd rather cover, the A-line does that too. It is fitted around the bodice as it flares out into an "A" shape as it falls to the ground. This style is wildly popular as it is flattering to just about anyone, no matter what your body type.
For the pear shaped figures, it hugs the natural curves of your upper body, thus accentuating the top half of the body while camouflaging the lower half. Skirts can range from slim A-lines to full A-lines, but the key is that they begin to flare right below your natural waist, hiding a heavier bottom. The A-Line/Princess consistently flatters most full figured brides. Also heavier fabrics in this style are especially flattering on the fuller figured brides because they don't cling. This style can also create the illusion of height on a shorter body, by elongating the torso thanks to no waist seam. It hugs the natural curves of your upper body, while depending on the gown's fabric, this style can be suitable for ballroom or backyard. This is the most popular dress style today.
Ball Gown
The dress style for those who want a full-on fairytale look! This might be the most dramatic and formal of all the dress styles. It's classic and elegant look is composed of a form fitting bodice, that leads down to a very full, floor length skirt. No longer disparaged as a "meringue", this style of dress is favoured by celebrity and royal brides. With a nipped-in waist and full skirt, it creates a dramatic hourglass figure and is perfect for creating that Cinderella effect you've always dreamed of.
Much like the A-line silhouette, it flatters most figures and is especially good at hiding large hips. But it is also very flattering to brides with narrow hips, as it can give you more of a curvy look. If you have large breasts, the ball gown style will help create the hourglass look since the waistline is emphasized due to the fitted bustline and natural, dropped or basque waistline. This dress style typically doesn't feature a train.
Empire Line
The classic empire line dress is cut with a high waistline that sits just below the bust. Falling with a slight flare, the skirt style can flow freely or be a bit more fitted depending on what is most flattering to your particular body shape. Its slender, flowing style is the ideal choice for creating the illusion of length on a petite figure and is similarly flattering to the fuller figure as, just like the A-line, it gently skims curves rather than clinging to them. This style is also elegant on smaller busted girls. [via]
Curvaceous and VERY form fitting, the style is typically for the very confident bride. Mermaid gowns hug the body rather tightly all the way down to your knees, where the dress flares out. This is a really sexy style that shows off ALL of your curves. It screams sophistication and elegance, yet can be chosen for a barefoot beach or formal ball room affair. An elegant choice for anyone with broad shoulders, and if you have a slender or athletic build, this style is also particularly striking. If you're petite it will elongate your figure, and if you're keen to flaunt your curves, However, if there are certain areas you'd rather not accentuate, its clingy design might not be the style for you.
Column / Shealth
Simple, sleek and elegant, a Column Style gown can fall nearly straight down from the neckline to the hem, or it can hug your curves, accentuating your torso, waist and hips. Although flattering for several body types, depending on the fabric chosen, the Sheath or Column Silhouette may not allow much room for hiding certain problem areas, like a larger lower body. However choose your fabric carefully (heavier is less form fitting) this can be a stunning choice. This is the most popular dress style for beach , as well as other destination .
A Line / Princess
Universally flattering, the most versatile and flattering of all the dress styles, the A-line dress really is a girl's best friend. By gently flaring from the shoulders down, it skims curves rather than clinging to them, to create an elegant silhouette. If you're petite it adds the illusion of length; if you're tall it can add fullness, and if you've got curves you'd rather cover, the A-line does that too. It is fitted around the bodice as it flares out into an "A" shape as it falls to the ground. This style is wildly popular as it is flattering to just about anyone, no matter what your body type.
For the pear shaped figures, it hugs the natural curves of your upper body, thus accentuating the top half of the body while camouflaging the lower half. Skirts can range from slim A-lines to full A-lines, but the key is that they begin to flare right below your natural waist, hiding a heavier bottom. The A-Line/Princess consistently flatters most full figured brides. Also heavier fabrics in this style are especially flattering on the fuller figured brides because they don't cling. This style can also create the illusion of height on a shorter body, by elongating the torso thanks to no waist seam. It hugs the natural curves of your upper body, while depending on the gown's fabric, this style can be suitable for ballroom or backyard. This is the most popular dress style today.
Ball Gown
The dress style for those who want a full-on fairytale look! This might be the most dramatic and formal of all the dress styles. It's classic and elegant look is composed of a form fitting bodice, that leads down to a very full, floor length skirt. No longer disparaged as a "meringue", this style of dress is favoured by celebrity and royal brides. With a nipped-in waist and full skirt, it creates a dramatic hourglass figure and is perfect for creating that Cinderella effect you've always dreamed of.
Much like the A-line silhouette, it flatters most figures and is especially good at hiding large hips. But it is also very flattering to brides with narrow hips, as it can give you more of a curvy look. If you have large breasts, the ball gown style will help create the hourglass look since the waistline is emphasized due to the fitted bustline and natural, dropped or basque waistline. This dress style typically doesn't feature a train.
Empire Line
The classic empire line dress is cut with a high waistline that sits just below the bust. Falling with a slight flare, the skirt style can flow freely or be a bit more fitted depending on what is most flattering to your particular body shape. Its slender, flowing style is the ideal choice for creating the illusion of length on a petite figure and is similarly flattering to the fuller figure as, just like the A-line, it gently skims curves rather than clinging to them. This style is also elegant on smaller busted girls. [via]
