During your bridal appointment, you might already have an idea of how you want your dress to look — Flowy? Fitted? A little bit of both? — but knowing exactly how to describe your dream gown will come in handy as you’re working with your stylist to find your dream wedding dress.
Here are five must-know wedding dress silhouettes :
1. Ball gown
If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own fairytale moment, then this is the silhouette for you. A ball gown features a fitted bodice with wide full skirt, most often achieved by using crinolines or layers of tulle. Since the full skirt glides over your hips and lower torso, this silhouette is great for brides who want to cinch in their waist. The ball gown is one of the most regal silhouettes.
2. A-line
image courtesy by Yenny Lee Bridal Couture
Consider the A-line as a halfway point between sheath and ball gown silhouettes. An A-line skirt, which is named for the way it creates an “A” shape on the body, flares out from the waist more than you’d see on a sheath gown, but not as dramatically as the ball gown. This is ideal for all styles. A-line wedding dresses often feature organza, lace, or tulle but you’ll also see them made from structured fabrics aswel.
3. Sheath
A sheath wedding dress skims the body and falls straight to the floor below the hips. This wedding dress silhouette is perfect for brides who want an effortless gown, since it requires less fabric than other silhouettes (and is therefore very easy to move around!). What a sheath wedding dress lacks in volume, it makes up for with its versatility. Sheath wedding dresses are a flattering option for slim figures and petite brides who don’t want to be overpowered by their gowns.
4. Fit and flare
image courtesy by Yenny Lee Bridal Couture
Bride who wants to show off their figure without committing to the dramatic mermaid silhouette should consider a fit and flare wedding dress instead. This version still hugs your body through the chest and waist, while being a little more forgiving through the hips, derriere, and thighs. The skirt flares out above the knee, giving you a little bit more freedom with your legs. Fit and flare gowns are perfect for brides who want to let loose on the dance floor.
5. Mermaid
The mermaid is known for being one of the most flirtatious wedding dress silhouettes, since it’s extremely fitted throughout the bodice, waist, and hips. A mermaid gown will create the illusion of an hourglass shape for brides with slimmer figures. This attention-grabbing silhouette flares out at the knees and is often paired with beading, ruching, or ruffled skirts for added wow factor.