Silhouettes: What style will fit your body best

The Four Basic Silhouettes

What are they?

When beginning your search for the perfect dress there are key characteristics that you need to know. The four basic silhouettes are a great place to start. There are four basic silhouettes for Bridal gowns: Ball Gown, Princess Cut, Empire, and Sheath. These four silhouettes are standard and can help you to easily identify what type of style you are interested in most. Your body type does have an effect on what type of silhouette or style you should try. Here are some tips about what body type is best for each silhouette. However, remember that each dress is different and even though your body type may fit one category, you should still try on one of each silhouette to correctly identify what looks most flattering on you. Wedding gowns are not one size fits all! 

 The Ball Gown

The Ball gown is the most traditional wedding dress silhouette.This style features a fitted bodice and a full skirt. This silhouette has several different waistline options.

Basque: This waistline has a fitted bodice with an elongated triangle beneath and at the front of the center of the waistline. This style diminishes the width of the dress at the waist.

Natural: Waistline for this dress is between the hip and the ribcage. (The gown pictured at the left has a natural waistline.)

Asymmetrical: The waistline changes in height from one side of the gown to the other creating a diagonal slant waistline.

Dropped: This waistline is several inches below the natural waistline and elongates the torso. This waistline is good for individuals with short torsos.

  The Princess Cut 

This style is also known as A-line. The gowns have an A-Shape, created by the seams running from the shoulders to a flared skirt. This style is characterized by a narrow top that flows into a wider bottom. The style is designed to elongate the lines of the body adding an elegance and an illusion of length. This silhouette does not have to have a defined waistline, although some do. The difference between the Princess Cut and the Ball Gown is the fullness of the skirt and how fitted the bodice is.

 The Sheath

This silhouette is a form fitting dress that follows the line of the body. The skirt has either a slit, or can flare out so as to make walking easier. The mermaid and trumpet styles have the flared bottom starting around the knees and fall under the sheath Silhouette. The Fit and Flare and drop waist also fall under this category, but the flare usually starts around the upper leg giving the bride more walking flexibility.

Empire

This silhouette has a high waisted seam just beneath the bustline. From that seam the dress either flows into an A-line (as pictured on the right) or continues to follow the shape of the body into a sheath style. This silhouette has a waist minimizing cut that allows extra room for brides who have tummy problems or are pregnant.

We offer the following suggestions for matching your body type to your silhouette. Please remember that these are merely general recommendations, and each gown fits each body differently. You will still want to try on different styles to find what fits your personal body best and what you fell the prettiest in. Be sure to talk with your bridal consultant about what fits your body best. Feel free to contact one of our bridal consultants via facebook.

Hour Glass Figure (small waist, full hips and bust)

Look at a Princess cut gown with a v-neck or scoop-neck. This silhouette will help to accentuate your small waist.Try to avoid the Empire silhouette as it may hide your figure or make it look disproportional.

Short Waisted and Petite

Think about the Princess cut as it will elongate a short waist and lengthen the torso. Avoid the sheath style as it will emphasize your short waist making it more obvious.

Long Waist

Consider a basque waist ball gown. It will give you the appearance of a shorter waistline. Try to avoid a princess cut. That silhouette is designed to lengthen the torso and will make your long waist more obvious.

Boxy (undefined waistline-the line from your shoulders to your hips is straight)

Look at and Empire waisted gown. It will de-emphasize your waistline and give you a long, thinning look. Horizontal detailing will draw the eye across the body and combat vertical body lines, and oversized shoulders. Sleeves will add width to your top and shape to your overall appearance. Avoid a princess or sheath cut as they will draw too much attention to your middle.

Pear-Shaped (smaller on top; heavier on the bottom)

Choose a gown that will draw attention to the upper half of your body. The silhouette isn't quite as important as the neckline you select. An off the shoulder neckline will flatter your shoulders and chest while drawing focus away from your hips. Avoid the sheath silhouette. It will most likely be unflattering. The neckline is important here-but avoid a V-neck that draws the eyes down.

Full Figure/Plus Size

The ball gown is full and will hide many figure problems in the lower areas. Minimize a thick waist with an Empire waistline. A princess cut will flatter practically any figure. Avoid the Sheath silhouette. It will make you look heavier than you are.