Guide to Finding the Perfect Wedding Dress

Wedding Dress Shopping - Your Figure Defined

Understanding your body shape/figure is the first step towards looking for that perfect wedding dress. Determining your shape will help identify the ideal style of dress for you.

Hourglass Figure

As the name suggest, you have curves in the right places. You have a full chest, full hips and a defined waistline. Most dress styles look great on an hourglass figure.

• Do
  Silhouette: A line
  Neckline: Strapless, Off-the-shoulder, Sweetheart, Scoop, Queen Anne
  

  An A-line skirt coupled with a neckline such as V-neck or Sweetheart neckline to accentuate your chest looks great.

• Don't
  Silhouette: Empire, Mermaid, Sheath
  

  An empire silhouette, with its high waistline creates an un-proportional look. Also avoid shapes such as sheath or mermaid shape as their body contouring lines tend to emphasize the wrong areas.

Full Figure

You have a large chest, large hips and an undefined waistline.

• Do
  Silhouette: Basque Waistline, A-line, Ball Gown
  Neckline: V-neck, Scoop, Queen Anne, Jewel, Bateau
• Don't
  Silhouette: Sheath, Mermaid, Empire
  Neckline: Off-the-Shoulder, Spaghetti Straps

Pear Shape

You are narrow on top and heavy below. With this shape, the goal should be to find a dress that brings balance to the top half and bottom half.

• Do
  Silhouette: A-line, Ball Gown
  Neckline: Strapless, V-Neck, Off-the-Shoulder, Scoop
  

  A-line skirt coupled with a strapless neckline looks great. Also consider a Off-the-Should or scoop with an A-line. You'll find that these styles can draw the attention to your upper half and bring balance.

• Don't
  Silhouette: Sheath, Mermaid, Empire
  Neckline: V-Neck
  

  Avoid styles that countour to the shape of your body such as Sheath and Mermaid. V-neck tends to draw the attention towards your chest and hips.

Thin (Tall or Short)

You are characterized by skinny frame with little or no curves.

• Do
  Silhouette: Sheath, Mermaid, A-line, Ball Gown (if you are tall)
  Neckline: V-Neck, Sweetheart, Scoop, Jewel, Halter (if you are tall)
  

  A-line skirt coupled with a strapless neckline looks great. Also consider a Off-the-Should or scoop with an A-line. You'll find that these styles can draw the attention to your upper half and bring balance.

• Don't
  Neckline: Portrait, Off-the-Shoulder, V-Neck