Congratulations! Youre engaged! Now its time to find your dress. But …. does the thought of finding your wedding dress excite you but fill you with just a little bit of dread? Have you gotten lost in the vortex of Pinterest and you know what you like (maybe?) but you dont know how to put it into words? Our dress silhouette guide is here to help. There are four basic bridal silhouettes that make up each and every dress. The delight, then, is in the details. Lace or sparkle? Sweetheart neckline or square? Today, though were talking basics. Read on to find out just what exactly the dress silhouettes are and which one is perfect for your wedding vision.
Ballgown
What it is: This is the classic style that brides think about when they hear the phrase wedding dress. It has a fitted bodice, hugging the waist at its smallest point, before exploding into a gorgeous poof of skirt. They can come with or without trains, but having a train adds to the layers of fabric which float down the aisle after you. The ballgown draws the eye to the narrowest part of the waist, and can balance a fuller bust with its fuller skirt. Perfect For: Princess Bride anyone? The ballgown can skew into the ultra-girly for brides who want a fairy-tale feel to their wedding. It’s also great for the classic bride. Picking a ballgown with a minimum of decorations gives the traditional style a modern take.
Sheath
What it is: The sheath is the slimmest fitting of the styles, and follows your body’s frame. Many sheath dresses closely trace your frame while others fall straight down like a column. The long lines have a lengthening effect, while the close-fit cut won’t overwhelm petite frames. Some choices are lacy and delicate like the one above, while others have a Greek goddess like effect with their artful draping. Perfect For: Often these gowns have the least amount of construction in them, so they’re perfect for garden weddings and other less formal venues. Utterly modern, the sheath dress is also an excellent choice for the cutting-edge bride.
A-Line
What it is: The A-line is the dress silhouette we see a ton in non-wedding dresses, which means that not only are they timelessly gorgeous, they are utterly wearable. The fitted bodice highlights your waist while the skirt flares out gently. Depending on the dress, the skirt is more or less full but the main difference between an A-line dress and ballgowns is the fullness of the skirt. A great style trick for a ballgown you love but want a little less poof from- you can take out layers of crinoline and make it an A-line! Perfect For: The classic bride who wants the timelessness of a ballgown, but also wants to be a little more casual, whether that’s in her choice of venue, ceremony, or simply outfit! The bride wears a very boho take on the A-line, but the versatility of the A-line means that there’s one available in every style, be that glam, minimalist, romantic, and even more.
Fit and Flare
What it is: Sometimes called the trumpet or mermaid style, the fit and flare style has a bodice that fits through the hips before flaring out into a dramatic skirt. Fit and flare skirts begin anywhere from mid-thigh to the knee. The cut emphasizes your curves in the best way. Perfect For: The sophisticated bride. The fit and flare cut is definitely a dramatic all-eyes-on-you kind of look, and it is awesome! Narrow or wide, smooth or ruffled, the skirt of the fit and flare gives every dress its own unique look, while bodices can be big-drama-blingy or smooth and chic. No matter your style, this cut is perfect for the bride craving a little bit of drama on her day.
Which Dress Silhouette is For You?
No matter what kind of style you want, you can definitely wear any of these dress silhouettes! The key is picking the one that is right for how you envision your wedding day. A bridal stylist can definitely help with that! Book your appointment with K&B Bridals and you’ll get your own personal bridal stylist for your appointment. She’s an expert who will help you talk through the dress silhouette’s and your unique style until you find your dream dress! Enjoyed reading about the dress styles? You might like our blog on the top 2018 bridal trends!