A sheath wedding dress (also known as a column wedding dress) has a slim and snug fit from the neckline to the hem. Some can have a bit of flare from the knees down, but not as much as a mermaid. It looks great on tall, slim bodies, and it can be very versatile when it comes to necklines and textures.
Now that we've covered the major wedding dress styles, let's talk about necklines. Wedding dress necklines are as varied as they are beautiful. Committing to one style can be difficult. However, there are several neckline styles that you'll see over and over again during your wedding shopping journey. You can pair any of the silhouettes above with any of the necklines listed below. Below we show how these popular necklines pair with certain wedding dress styles as well as various body shapes.
The square neckline is a staple choice for A-line dresses, but it also looks great with the high-waisted empire. Depending on where you draw the line (literally), it can show quite a bit of cleavage, so it's best worn by brides with a bigger bust.
You'd think a V-neck would be the best way to show some cleavage, but it's actually quite the opposite--V-shaped necklines help draw attention to your neck and collarbone as opposed to the bust.
One of the most popular styles in the past couple of years, a strapless neckline is pretty self-explanatory. The corsage fits tight around the upper body, so it doesn't require straps and draws a lot of attention to the collarbone and decollete area. This style is typically paired with ball gowns.
A variation of the strapless neckline, the sweetheart, creates a heart shape around the bust, adding a bit of dimension and plunge. The style also comes in a "semi-sweetheart" version which has less of a plunge.
The bateau is a high rounded neckline that resembles the shape of a boat (hence the name). It's usually paired with an open back, for those brides who are looking for a dramatic retro look.
The off-the-shoulder style is here to stay, so it deserves its place among these classic necklines. You can pair it up with pretty much anything, from A-lines to ball gowns and even sheath/column dresses. Great for brides with small, round shoulders.
Now we'll dive into wedding dress fabrics. Although "fabric" is a bit of a misnomer as the textures listed below aren't actually fabrics, but finishes. These finishes can be made up of a variety of fabrics--silk, polyester, or a combination of both. But for ease, we'll just stick with fabrics when describing them. Now there are other wedding dress fabrics outside of the five listed below, but these are some of the most common and knowledge of them we'll allow you to navigate your way around any bridal salon.
Organza is a sheer, light-weight fabric, but unlike chiffon, it is stiff and can hold a shape. It's is great for full skirts, but be careful because it can snag and wrinkle easily.
Charmeuse is a rich fabric with a lovely drape and gorgeous sheen to it. It usually made of silk, but can be made from synthetic fibers. Charmeuse is usually used in sheath/column dresses. The fabric is certainly sophisticated but beware as it can show every flaw.
Chiffon is incredibly airy and lightweight, making it great for destination weddings. Because of its lightweight nature it is often used in combination with another, heavier fabric. One must be careful with this fabric as it does fray and snag very easily.
Lace is an open-weave fabric that brings elegance and refinement to any wedding gown. It is usually used as an overlay or detail and comes in a variety of styles.
Satin is one of the most common and most luxurious wedding dress fabrics. Because of it's heavy nature, it pairs well with structured gowns. However, depending on how the gown is cut, it can be very unforgiving, so consider your body shape and any imperfections you want to hide when choosing a satin wedding dress.
As a bride-to-be, your proposal isn't the only occasion where you'll be asked to say yes to an important question. Since many little details come together to create the wedding of your dreams, there will be a plethora of questions and decisions you'll need to answer and make before you embark on your journey down the aisle. Chief among them? Saying yes to the dress.
Finding a wedding dress will be one of the most important decisions you make while planning for your big day. The sheer magnitude of options out there, however, can make the process extremely overwhelming. Luckily, there are ways to help mitigate the stress of finding your dream gown—and understanding the silhouettes that best complement your personality and body type will certainly make your choice easier. With that in mind, we thought it might be helpful to ask a few fashion and bridal experts for their top wedding dress shopping tips, as it pertains to selecting the perfect silhouette for your big day.
For starters, bridal designer Krésha Bajaj feels that comfort should be your key focus when selecting the right silhouette. “It’s not just your body type that should dictate your decision, it is all about being confident and happy. The important thing is that your gown makes you feel good!” she says. Fashion expert Leon Vaz adds, “That said, keep an open mind. Try multiple options, even silhouettes you may not typically consider. The trick is to draw attention to your most flattering features."
Universally flattering—complementing all body types—Berry notes that A-line dresses will hug you in all the right places and are a great choice for pear-shaped or curvy brides. “An A-line gown hugs the waist area, creating a slimmer waistline while flattering the bust,” he says. “It can make a petite bride look taller with its overall slimming effect.”
This is a silhouette where the waistline is raised higher than the natural waist, adds Wen. "Fans of the Netflix show Bridgerton will spot that most of the fashionable outfits of that era are empire waist gowns!"
Visit UsMore specifically, the designer goes on to share that "The top is usually fitted through the body to the lower waist area or sometimes as low as the hip area. This creates an elongated torso and is often designed together with a fuller A-line skirt style."
If you want to glide into your happily ever after like a princess, this fairy tale-ready gown is for you. Volume? Check. Drama? Check. Classic? Yes, of course! “The voluminous skirt balances the fitted top,” Bajaj shares. “The fuller silhouette accentuates the waist and hides the lower body. However, a bride who is conscious of her hips may want to keep in mind that the skirt can make you look larger.”
The style is known to emphasize the waist and hips, rather than narrowing them, and is a great choice for those who are apple-shaped. Berry does note, however, that choosing the right shapewear is important with mermaid silhouettes. “Considering how fitted it is, you’ll also want to make sure that you can move freely in it, and can sit down easily too," he adds.
“A trumpet silhouette is ideal for slender frames and hourglass body types,” explains Bajaj. “Brides who want to flaunt their curves often pick this outfit.” It's also a crowd-pleaser for brides who want a more toned-down version of the mermaid, as it doesn't have an overly dramatic flare.
What differentiates this style from mermaid and trumpet silhouettes is its gradual flare, as opposed to a dramatic look. "This is a beautiful style that accentuates a bride’s curves without much movement restriction on the skirt," Wen adds.
Minimal, sophisticated, and impossibly chic, the slip dress makes a case for a ‘less is more’ bridal repertoire. It’s best advised to have this design made to measure, though, with elements like a cowl neck, bias-cut, or back detailing for more character.
The designer further adds, “It gives a petite bride an elongated look which helps her appear taller. As for a tall bride, it gives her body definition.” For those with a boxy body, opt for a sash or embellished belt with it to create the illusion of a more defined waist. Moreover, if you're looking for a style that works well without a train, this is it!
The column gown is often given structure using fabrics like taffeta, brocade, or corded lace, and is tailor-made to flaunt a sleek and slender figure. So if you have an athletic frame, don’t think twice before picking this one.
If you’re searching for a style that has a ‘something old, something new’ quality to it, then this ankle-grazing silhouette is for you. Tea-lengths have a vintage charm that lends itself to brides with unique aesthetics. “Brides opting for an intimate ceremony, a brunch wedding, or a simple but beautiful registry should choose this length. The beauty is that it can be easily recycled long after your wedding, too," shares Bajaj.
The Silhouette: Almost identical to tea-length, midi dresses have hemlines that fall between the knee and ankle—and, as Wen points out, "It’s often referred to as tea-length as well."
Wen further notes, "Midi dresses first gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, where it was still a conservative choice with a departure from the long floor length styles."
The Silhouette: "This is a style where the front hemline of the skirt is raised above the ground, whereas the back skirt hemline is at least floor length or has a train," Wen shares.
Though many brides don't often choose high-low silhouettes for their wedding dresses, this style is perfect for those who want to wear something classic but with a twist. "[It] creates a fun asymmetrical look to the dress, and is great to show off your beautiful bridal shoes," Wen notes.
“What’s the best wedding dress style for my body type?” So many brides ask themselves this when beginning the hunt for their perfect gown. Wedding dress shopping is perhaps one of the most fun, exciting parts of planning your wedding. It’s one of the only things you will (maybe) keep a secret from your fiancée and it’s something special just for you; not for your guests or bridal party, etc.
Your gown will be with you in all of your photos and each time you look back at your wedding, you’ll remember that feeling of magic you got when stepping into your dream dress on your big day. You might be wondering how to navigate all of the different wedding dress styles and which wedding dress will work for your body type. There is a flood of information to sift through and countless types of wedding dresses, so it can quickly feel overwhelming. If you’re finding yourself waking up at 3 AM, worrying about wedding dress shapes and which wedding dress silhouettes would be perfect for your style wedding and body type, don’t worry! We get it.
Vintage vibes with modern details? Yes, please. If your vision for your dream dress has ‘princess’ written all over it, then a ball gown might be perfect for you. A ball gown wedding dress consists of a form-fitting, usually sculpted or structured bodice, with a very large skirt. Normally, the skirt of a ball gown will have layers of tulle underneath or require a hoop skirt to be worn for added volume.
