Wedding dress shopping can leave you with decision fatigue. But it doesn’t have to. The key is to narrow your search before you ever step foot in the bridal boutique and choose based on your individual frame.
To be clear, the wedding dress that gives you goose bumps and makes your mom cry is always the one – no matter what the magazines or dress shops say is best for your build. Still, if you want to make the elimination process go a little faster, we’ve got you covered.
Want to find the best wedding dress for your body type? This guide will help.
Best Wedding Dress for Petite Brides
Petite brides benefit from wedding dresses that help give the illusion of length. Many of these gowns can also show off a leaner silhouette depending on the cut and style.
Maggie Sottero Tuscany Lynette is the best of both with a high waist, plunging neckline, and lengthening silhouette.
The most flattering fits: Empire waist wedding dresses and sheath bridal gowns.
Dresses that could clash: Tea length wedding dresses that aren’t fitted properly and voluminous ball gown wedding dresses.
Best Wedding Dress for Plus Size Figures
Full figure brides are advised to show off the features they love the very most about their curvy frames. If that’s your décolletage, a v-neck or strapless plus size wedding dress might be in order. If that’s your legs, go with a high slit or short wedding dress.
The most flattering fits: Mermaid wedding dresses that accentuate curves or full skirts that draw attention away from the hips.
Dresses that could clash: Sheath wedding dresses and trumped silhouettes that can make you appear imbalanced.
Best Wedding Dress for Pear Shaped Brides
The trick here is to the draw the eye upward – something easily accomplished with a boat neckline like this Mori Lee wedding dress, some other statement feature up top, or an A-line skirt.
The most flattering fits: Ball gown wedding dresses and wedding dresses with statement sleeves or straps.
Dresses that could clash: Sheath wedding dresses or mermaid cut gowns that hug the hips.
Best Wedding Dress for Big Busts
The best bridal gowns for those with a well-endowed bust depend on the comfort level of the bride. If you want to show it off, you could choose a more revealing plunge neckline. However, if you’re a busty bride who’s looking to cover up, a high neckline may be in order.
The most flattering fits: Off the shoulder wedding dresses and wedding dresses with thicker straps.
Dresses that could clash: Empire waist wedding dresses that accentuate the bust and backless wedding dresses that lack support.
Best Wedding Dress for Broad Shoulders
Wide-set shoulders can be striking with the right silhouette. Instead of attempting to conceal them, embrace what you’ve got or highlight different features like your waist.
The most flattering fits: Wedding dresses with long sleeves, halter necks, or cinched waists.
Dresses that could clash: Puffy or cap sleeve wedding dresses.
Best Wedding Dress for Apple Shapes
In the interest of creating definition, brides with an apple figure look amazing in wedding dresses with straps and certain necklines that give their frames dimension.
The most flattering fits: Wedding gowns with sweetheart necklines.
Dresses that could clash: Strapless wedding dresses or one-shoulder gowns.
Best Wedding Dress for Hourglass Shapes
Hourglass figures do well in wedding dresses that feature their waist and hips. These brides look incredible in a variety of wedding dress styles.
The most flattering fits: Mermaid cut wedding dresses and fit and flare gowns.
Dresses that could clash: Ball gown dresses that don’t showcase your waist-to-hip ratio.
Best Wedding Dress for Athletic Builds
You’ve worked hard for this figure. Make sure your wedding dress does it justice.
The most flattering fits: Strapless wedding dresses or gowns with interesting necklines, beaded busts, and fit and flare silhouettes.
Dresses that could clash: Dropped waist wedding dresses that can make you appear boxy or long sleeves that cover your toned arms.
Best Wedding Dress for Boyish Figures
If you’re straight up and down try defining your waistline.
The most flattering fits: V-shaped ball gown wedding dresses and empire waist wedding dresses.
Dresses that could clash: Sheath wedding dresses and dropped waistlines are not your friend.
Best Wedding Dress for Tall Brides
Tall brides pretty much have their pick of the litter. Just remember that a dramatic veil can help accentuate your height while up-dos are over the top headpieces are probably more than you need.
The most flattering fits: Sheath wedding dresses, A-line skirts, and full ball gowns will show off your height.
Dresses that could clash: Dresses with full coverage necklines that eclipse your shoulders.
Of course all that white lace is bound to look ravishing on the hanger! But you’ll only know if it’s the dress after trying it on. Once you’ve identified flattering fits based on your body shape, you can get on with the fun part: finding your perfect wedding dress.
