You will learn something very quickly when you start bridal gown shopping. Different silhouettes can completely change the appearance of your figure. You will find a lot of advice columns that list what type of gowns work best for what type of figure. I feel that decision really depends on the bride & not the "experts." If you feel confident & beautiful in a certain silhouette then that is the style for you! I have had brides come in & mention that they were told by other consultants that ballgowns do not work for petite brides. I encourage them to try on every silhouette. You don't need to follow any "rules" on style. It's your day, your dress & how you feel in the gown should take priority over a consultant's opinion.
Let's start by looking at the following sketch that will highlight the different gown silhouettes that are out there.
Ballgown: The “fairy tale” dress, with a fitted bodice, flairs at the waist with a full skirt. Ideal for most body types but looks great on pears, since it hides the lower body. Most ballgowns dresses come with a built in tulle petticoat. You can add an additional petticoat to get that super full look. Below is our best selling ballgown style. Venus AT4613
A-Line: Fitted bodice through the waist and flows out to the ground, resembling the outline of an uppercase "A." Ideal for all body types. We feature David Tutera who offers lovely a-line styles. Below is David Tutera 116216
Modified A-Line: Fitted on the bodice and hips and gradually flares to the hem, forming an “A” shape. The skirt of a modified A-line dress fits closer to the body than a traditional A-line. Ideal for all body types. Below is David Tutera 116205
Trumpet: Fitted through the body and flairs mid-thigh. The cut is between a modified a-line and a mermaid cut. Ideal for frames with small waists, such as the hourglass and petites. Some consultants will discourage curvy brides away from this style. However, if you are confident with your curves you can really show them off with this style! Below is David Tutera 116207
Mermaid: Fitted on the body from the chest to the knee, then flares out close to the knee. Ideal for slender frames and hourglass body types who are willing to show off their curves. While we never discourage any bride from a style this gown may not work for very petite brides. It will depend on how long your torso is. Definitely try on the shape to see if you like the look. Below is David Tutera 116227
Sheath: Narrow shape that flows straight down from the neckline to the hem. Ideal for lean frames, such as petites and bananas. Also good on hourglasses who are willing to show off their curves. Below is David Tutera 115225
Tea-Length: Skirt falls in between the ankle and the knee. Ideal for all body types. Venus Bridal offers lovely tea length styles. We carry Venus Bridal who offers several selections in tea length. Below is VN6856
Mini: Skirt falls above the knee. The fun & flirty style perfect for the informal bride. Below is Venus VN6859
Wedding gown silhouettes : Amara Bridal Boutique
You will learn something very quickly when you start bridal gown shopping. Different silhouettes can completely change the appearance of your figure. You will find a lot of advice columns that list what type of gowns work best for what type of figure. I feel that decision really depends on the bride & not the "experts." If you feel confident & beautiful in a certain silhouette then that is the style for you! I have had brides come in & mention that they were told by other consultants that ballgowns do not work for petite brides. I encourage them to try on every silhouette. You don't need to follow any "rules" on style. It's your day, your dress & how you feel in the gown should take priority over a consultant's opinion.
Let's start by looking at the following sketch that will highlight the different gown silhouettes that are out there.
Sketch credits: Ballgown: Angel Rivera, A-Line: Reem Arca on Wedding Bells Blog, Modified A-Line: Pricilla of Boston, Trumpet: Custom Couture, Mermaid: Claire Pettibone on Bridesfinds, Sheath: Orlando Magazine, Tea-Length: Wedding Dresses by Amee, Mini: Annette.
Ballgown: The “fairy tale” dress, with a fitted bodice, flairs at the waist with a full skirt. Ideal for most body types but looks great on pears, since it hides the lower body. Most ballgowns dresses come with a built in tulle petticoat. You can add an additional petticoat to get that super full look. Below is our best selling ballgown style. Venus AT4613
A-Line: Fitted bodice through the waist and flows out to the ground, resembling the outline of an uppercase "A." Ideal for all body types. We feature David Tutera who offers lovely a-line styles. Below is David Tutera 116216
Modified A-Line: Fitted on the bodice and hips and gradually flares to the hem, forming an “A” shape. The skirt of a modified A-line dress fits closer to the body than a traditional A-line. Ideal for all body types. Below is David Tutera 116205
Trumpet: Fitted through the body and flairs mid-thigh. The cut is between a modified a-line and a mermaid cut. Ideal for frames with small waists, such as the hourglass and petites. Some consultants will discourage curvy brides away from this style. However, if you are confident with your curves you can really show them off with this style! Below is David Tutera 116207
Mermaid: Fitted on the body from the chest to the knee, then flares out close to the knee. Ideal for slender frames and hourglass body types who are willing to show off their curves. While we never discourage any bride from a style this gown may not work for very petite brides. It will depend on how long your torso is. Definitely try on the shape to see if you like the look. Below is David Tutera 116227
Sheath: Narrow shape that flows straight down from the neckline to the hem. Ideal for lean frames, such as petites and bananas. Also good on hourglasses who are willing to show off their curves. Below is David Tutera 115225
Tea-Length: Skirt falls in between the ankle and the knee. Ideal for all body types. Venus Bridal offers lovely tea length styles. We carry Venus Bridal who offers several selections in tea length. Below is VN6856Mini: Skirt falls above the knee. The fun & flirty style perfect for the informal bride. Below is Venus VN6859