The Wedding Dress, a Brief Guide

Ah, the wedding dress. For most women this is the by far the most critical aspect of the wedding event and, outside of the fortunate few who have no trouble selecting their dream ensemble, it can be quite a baffling task. To make selecting your perfect garment a bit easier we’ve creating a brief guide on finding a wedding dress that makes you feel as elegant as others deem you to be.

 

First, decide if you’d like to go traditional. If you desire a more flamboyant look, or if you are doing a themed wedding, stay tuned for a later article. Today, we will survey the fundamentals of the wedding dress so that you can find the dress flatters you as much as you flatter the dress.

There are five types of traditional weddings dresses: the ball gown, the A-line gown, the Mermaid gown, and the Empire gown. It is also important to address that some of these styles are much more flattering to certain body types — a point that will also be divulged here.

 

The ball gown is the epitome of classic elegance. This is not hard to imagine, as it is said to have changed very little since the mid 19th century. The style of gown ranges from tea and ballerina to full-length. These gowns typically feature luxurious fabrics such as chiffon, velvet and satin. The ball gown is an instant classic, suited for all body types.

 

The sleek and refined A-line gown has become increasingly popular over the years, most likely because of its adaptability around the neck-line area. This dress is sleekly fitted at the waist, but flows to the ground in the shape of an uppercase “A”, accentuating the waist-line of the body. This dress is best suited for all body types, but those who are bigger busted or have the hour-glass figure are more suited to alternate styles of dress.

 

The elegant Mermaid dress acts by silhouetting the figure of the body, adding a touch of subtle sensuality. Also called the “Trumpet dress,” as its name implies, the dress hugs the bride’s bust, waist, and hips, and flares out to a wider skirt. For this reason, this distinctive dress is made for those who are bigger busted or have an hourglass figure.

 

With the similar purpose of the Mermaid gown, the Sheath Gown seeks to accentuate the woman’s body with seams that run vertically from the shoulders down to the hips. Usually composed of chiffon fabric, sheath dresses are especially flattering for those seeking a  streamlined, sleek demeanor. While all body types are free to try this style, above all, the Sheath gown is intended for the hour-glass figure.
Finally, the Empire Gown suits the likes of royalty — made iconic by the likes celebrities such as Kate Middleton. The high waist design is interjected with a piece of fabric that hugs around the midsection just below the breasts. This is intended to emphasize the breast area of the body without being to suggestive.  With the right taylor, this traditional gown can be worn by any body type, although straight, ruler like bodies and those with a fuller lower body are especially befitted to this style.