Wedding Dress Fashion Guidelines

More articles on the Wedding Dresses topic: General Info

We've compiled a brief list of recommended wedding dress designs based on body types. These are not hard and fast rules, but they should help you as a getting started point for what would look good with your body shape. We have designs broken down by silhouette and neckline. If your body type is not covered here, leave a comment and we'll try to make some recommendations.

If your body type is: Straight (Thick Waist), these wedding dress styles should look good:

Silhouettes: Empire waist, A-line, tiered skirts.
Necklines: Any pretty, or decorative neckline will focus eyes away from the waist.

And should probably stay away from the following styles:

Silhouettes: Princess line, or basque or dropped waist
Necklines: Avoid plain necklines such as bateau or unadorned short scoops.

Broad Shoulder and/or Big Busted, these wedding dress styles should look good:

Silhouettes: Ball gown or A-line
Necklines: V-neck or plunging neckline

And you should probably stay away from the following styles:

Silhouettes: Empire waist
Necklines: strapless or spaghetti straps

Full Figured (Round), these wedding dress styles should look good:

Silhouettes: Ball gown or A-line
Necklines: V-neck or plunging neckline

And you should probably stay away from the following styles:

Silhouettes: Empire waist or sheath
Necklines: strapless or spaghetti straps

Hourglass (Figure 8), these wedding dress styles should look good:

Silhouettes: A-line or drop waist full
Necklines: sweetheart or V-neck

And you should probably stay away from the following styles:

Silhouettes: Empire or ball gown
Necklines: Nothing to worry about

Bottom Heavy (Pear Shaped), these wedding dress styles should look good:

Silhouettes: A-line, basque waist or ball gown
Necklines: strapless or soft round or scooped

And you should probably stay away from the following styles:

Silhouettes: Sheath
Necklines: V-neck

Short Waist, these wedding dress styles should look good:

Silhouettes: Princess or A-line
Necklines: Portrait or Halter

And you should probably stay away from the following styles:

Silhouettes: Sheath
Necklines: Nothing to worry about

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