Every bride dreams of walking down the aisle with all eyes upon her, but for many plus size girls that dream is complicated with concerns about how she will look in her dress. That fear should be nowhere near your dream of your big day, and today’s wedding designers are creating wedding gown styles that flatter every type of figure. If you are not sure what style wedding gown looks best on your shape, consider the most popular wedding gown styles for plus size wedding dresses and how they fit and flatter every lovely curve.
The quest for the perfect wedding gown should begin with a realistic assessment of your body shape. Once you know which shape your body fits into, you can choose gown styles that flatter your best features and minimize figure flaws. Designers generally work with these four basic figure types:
Hourglass – If you have a well-defined waist and your hips and bust are about the same size, then your shape is an hourglass shape. You can wear nearly any silhouette or gown style.
Pear – If your shoulders are narrow and your waist is small, but your hips are wider than your top, then your figure is a pear shape. You should choose gown styles that flatter your neckline and bust while minimizing the width of your hips.
Inverted triangle – If you are blessed with broad shoulders that taper to a narrower waist and small hips, then your figure shape is an inverted triangle. The best styles for you are those that balance the width of your shoulders by calling attention to your lower half.
Rectangle – If your hips, waist, and bust are all close to the same size, designers consider your shape to be a rectangle. The wedding gown style for you is one that creates the illusion of feminine curves.
There are wedding gown styles that are most appropriate for each of the four different figure types. While there are ways to make nearly any wedding gown flattering to your figure, most designers agree that these wedding gown styles look best on each of these figure types.
Play up those hourglass curves!
If you are lucky enough to have dangerous curves, you have a wide choice of flattering wedding gown styles from which to choose. Dare to choose wedding gowns that fit to your curves and show off your waist. Avoid dresses that hang shapelessly like far too many “plus size” dresses that you may find on the rack. Especially flattering styles for curvy brides are dresses with sashes at the natural waist and ball gowns that fit smoothly to below your natural waist. Corset style bodice and torso styles show off every daring curve, and form-fitting A-line styles can skim your curvy shape, emphasizing your waist without clinging to any unflattering angles.
Flatter a pear shape by creating balance.
When your hips are wider than your shoulders, you run the risk of looking bottom heavy. Draw attention to your upper half with gorgeous bodice treatments and neckline styles that draw the eye to your upper half. Avoid styles that cling to your hips or create a “mermaid” look. Styles that are especially flattering for your shape are those that fit closely to the waist, then flare and drape over your hips and bottom. Choose an A-line halter dress with a tailored bodice and full skirt to make the most of your best assets, or tailored ball gown style with a pickup skirt that draws the eye down below the hips.
Flatter an inverted triangle by playing to the bottom line.
If your shoulders are wider than your hips, you want to choose a gown that creates the illusion of balance by calling attention to your bottom half. Choose a strapless bodice style or simple portrait neckline without excessive embroidery and beading. Save the attention getting details for your waistline and below. You can dare to wear those smashing ball gowns with pickup skirts and ruched tucks, or gowns with unusual asymmetrical seaming and details at the hips and bottom.
Create feminine curves to flatter a rectangular figure.
If your waist is barely defined, you may want to avoid choosing a gown that falls straight from the shoulders. Instead, choose a wedding gown style that emphasizes and defines your waist while adding width to your shoulders and hips. Ball gowns with a tailored top and beaded sash are an ideal wedding gown shape for your body. The bell-shaped skirt and tailored top fill out your curves and narrow your waist to flatter your figure completely. You can get away with wearing trumpet skirts and ball gowns that would make other girls look bottom heavy. You can also wear portrait necklines and off the shoulder sleeves that could make any bride look amazing.
Jennifer Bailey is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and fashion, often focusing on a specific item such as
plus size wedding dresses.
