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How to pick style
Your wedding gown will sanctify the present, honor the past, and celebrate the future, so it must be a distinctive outfit. The dress will represent you and to express your sense of taste, style and tradition, so just try to immerse yourself in the most exciting purchase of your life and your perfect dress will be carefully chosen. Nowadays, the most popular styles are ball gown, A-line, empire, sheath and mermaid. However, depending on your particular figure, each of these styles has strong advantages and disadvantages. In order to boil down your shopping, the first thing you need to do is to determine which styles are most flattering to you.
A line
Just as the name suggests, the A line cut is narrower at the top, flaring gently wider toward the bottom thereby resembling the letter A. It maybe the ideal dress, most popular because its suits everyone. The lines of the skirt are always clean and ungathered, but there are always a number of versions. The princess cut is one of the examples by vertical which seams traveling from the bust to the hem. Another example is the circle skirt, a very wide A line with a full skirt.
A-line silhouette really is a girl's best friend. By gently flaring from the shoulders down, it skims curves rather than clinging to them, to create an elegant silhouette. If you're tall it can add fullness, and if you've got curves you'd rather cover, the a-line does that.
What to avoid
Because of the tighter bodice, so if you have a smaller bust, you'd better add a little padding to balance the look. This can be with secretive padding added to the dress or a good bra. On the opposite, a heavy bust will need some structure -- often this support is already built in to the bodice, but if not then boned corsetry is a must.
Ball Gown
Sometimes known as Full Skirt or Fairytale, It is traditionally a full-skirted gown reaching at least to the ankles, made of luxurious fabric, delicately and exotically trimmed. Pleats or gathers in the skirt are what make it a ball gown. If you want a "Big" dress then this is the one for you, lots of volume and thoughts of Cinderella!
It is suitable for the hourglass or the full type bride, so if you have a slim-hipped figure and a full bust, it would give you that 'fairytale bride' look. In addition, the effect will be better if you choose a long sleeve style or V-necked waistline. This style and the Princess are generally thought of as the most romantic shapes.
What to avoidIt's not suitable for the petite bride or the slender upper body, lower body plump bride. So if you are petite, avoid this option because the too large train will make you even smaller. Equally, if you are not full busted yet have wide hips, then this type is not for you either.
Sheath
A sheath dress features a figure-hugging silhouette with a defined waist (no belt or waistband). This short (mid-calf or shorter) dress works well in sleeveless styles on well-toned bodies.It is a close fitting dress, suitable for cocktail parties or formal events. The sheath may have darts at the breast and curve slightly inward at the waist in order to suggest the form and curve of a woman's body.
This style hugs the figure and can give you that catwalk look, thus it looks great on tall, willowy women. Of course, it is also suitable for a more petite figure.
What to avoidHowever, as its name, this type sits quite close to the body, so it's not suitable for the bride whose lower body is fullness more than upper body or those who do not have a smooth outline. The bride who does not want to show too much curve of the body should also avoid this style.
Empire
The Empire line wedding dress has a short bodice to just under the bust with a narrow skirt which flows to the hem, usually with a square neckline and sleeves. The empire style is very versatile and is usually floor length. The skirt may be straight, slightly flared, or even as wide as an A line.
The empire style is especially suited for you if you have a small bust as it draws attention to the neckline and creates definition. Design detail such as ruch or lace will give you the illusion of a fuller bust.
What to avoidIf you are a tall bride, you'd better avoid this type because the long line will make you look taller. Also avoid it if you have a heavy bust line because it will make it appear bigger.
Mermaid
The mermaid wedding dresses are designed to be fitted at the bodice and hips, and flare out in a trumpet shape within the knee. This kind of design can show women's body shapes clearly. Hence, the mermaid style bride gowns can help you crate the same result. And they have become very popular and are one of the sexiest wedding dresses.For curvy girls with balanced hip and bust measurements, the mermaid shape is ideal and it will bring out the Marilyn Monroe in you. If you have plump bust, you can choose the mermaid v-neck gowns which can help you show you charming body part.
What to avoidBefore you buy it, you should make sure that you can sit down in it or you may spill out. Of course, you should also make sure that you have good supportive underwear in the case it is not boned. If your curves are all in your bottom, then you should be careful as it will emphasis it. If you are straight up and down, apple or pear shaped, you'd better avoid this type.
Dress Trains
No matter what shape your dress is, a train can thoroughly convert your look. You can change the feel of your outfit from ceremony to reception. The train is simply the lengthy back portion of the gown that lies on the floor and trails behind the bride, the added weight demanding a tall and majestic stance. Trains date back to the middle Ages, it indicated a person's social rank when the length worn at court. The more fabric you could afford infers the wealthier you were.Nowadays, wedding gowns with long chapel and cathedral trains are simply considered the most formal, lending themselves to bustling following the ceremony. Watteau trains (which sit at the shoulder and fall to the end) and court trains (which start from the waist) are less formal. The sweep extends around one-and-a-half feet from the waist to the end of the dress. The detachable train can be any length, either a flat panel or gathers of fabric is generally attached to the gown at the waist with buttons or hooks, and then later removed to be a bit less informal without the feeling of imposing.
Sweep Train
It is the shortest of the train styles, extending back 3 to 6 inches longer from where the gown hits the floor. It is considered as the most versatile train because it can be worn at just about all types of ceremonies, from a spring garden wedding, to an evening event in the fall. Also known as a 'brush'.
Chapel Train
It is a very popular length and is the happy medium between the simplicity of the brush and court trains, and the formality of the cathedral and royal trains, the chapel extends from three and a half to four and a half feet from the waist, making a significant statement without the grandeur of the longer trains.
Cathedral Train
Being Traditional and formal, the Cathedral extends six and a half to seven and a half feet from the waist and has a very dramatic effect. Because of the grand nature of this train, it is most appropriate for formal church weddings.
Royal Train
A show-stopping train, the royal train can be 12 feet or longer from the waist. Because of its length you will need page boys or flower girls to hold it when you walkâbut that all adds to the drama! It is also known as Monarch Train.
Dress Necklines
As the neckline is not only the part of the dress people spend the most time looking at, but it's also the one that draws attention to the face and the collarbone, so it is a very important feature on a wedding dress. Low-cut scoop or v-necks will show off your flirty side, while high collared or bateau necklines are a more sophisticated option. Each neckline will affect the overall look of your gown in a different way, so you want to be sure you know your options. When choosing the right style of neckline for your wedding dress it is important that you are realistic about your body shape - especially take a long hard look at your shoulders and your neck.
Sweetheart Neckline
The sweetheart neckline gets its name from the way it arcs over each breast, connected between them in a "V" and creating what looks like the top of a heart. This style is most commonly found on strapless dresses, but is also available on dresses with a variety of sleeve lengths.
It is ideal for brides with a large bust line since the shape helps create support and control exposure.
What to avoidSmaller chest sizes.
Scoop Neckline
Also known as a ballerina neckline, this basic neckline arcs down from one shoulder to the other in a "U" shape. Much like the v-neck, the scoop can be as deep or as high as you feel comfortable with, depending on the amount of skin you want to expose.
Most all figures can pull off this look, as it is compatible with all sleeve lengths.
V-neck
The V-neck drops the neckline down in a "V" shape between the shoulders. This neckline can range from very subtle to plunging, depending on how revealing you want your dress to be.
A V-neck is a good option for brides with all upper-body types since it can be used with any sleeve length.
What to avoidNot so good for those more amply endowed (the bodice will either seem a bit empty or too full).
Square Neckline
The square neckline has a straight horizontal bodice that meets with straps in a 90 degree angle.
A flattering neckline in general and especially for well endowed brides as it can be cut quite low without being overly revealing.
What to avoidThe crisp clean lines of the square neck will create an elegant look on any dress style and works well with most all figures.
Halter Neckline
This neckline features two straps that connect from the bodice to the back of the neck, or a high neck with deep armholes and it is often backless.
This neckline is most appropriate for those brides that have well-toned upper arms as the halter draws attention to your neck and shoulders.
What to avoidThis type doesn't work well with narrow or broad shoulders or anyone who needs the support of a bra.
Off the Shoulder
The neckline encircles your torso, wrapping around the outside of your upper arms, just below the shoulder, and it can accentuates your good collarbone and shoulders.
Good to balance wider hips, medium or full chested women (open neck styling with the support of straps); pear shapes; and anyone with good shoulders or collarbone.
What to avoidBroad shoulder (accentuates the obvious) , heavy upper arms or thin lips.
Spaghetti Strap
Spaghetti straps create a frame for a pretty neck and minimize big shoulders. If you are heavy busted then opt for a thicker strap as thin ones can create an unsightly red mark.
Small to medium breasts and those who have well-toned arms and beautiful shoulders and neck.
What to avoidThose who have large busts or broad shoulders should avoid this type.
Strapless
This simple neckline extends from one underarm to the other without the support of straps. Very in vogue for current collections, this is the perfect look for the right girl.
This neckline looks best on brides who have well-toned arms since the line of the strapless dress draws attention horizontally across your body, which includes your upper arms and shoulders.
What to avoidUnless you're wearing a push up bra, then if you have smaller chests, you should avoid this type.
One Shoulder
It is an asymmetrical linear neckline that cut across the torso diagonally, usually from one shoulder to under the other arm.
Shows off good shoulders and arms, flatters a smaller bust.
What to avoidNot so good for the bra dependent or those with broad shoulders.
Hemlines
The following are the different length styles for the dresses.
Floor Length
Floor-length dresses are aptly named, as the traditional definition for the style states that the dress should just graze the floor. This style offers a wonderful formal look, and it works well on both straight and full gown styles.
Tea Length
This type is hemmed falls to between the bottom of the knee and the bottom of the calf, so it may be seen as a slightly conservative option, but it has a modern twist. Depending on the accessories and shoes you choose, it can be worn for many different occasions, from wedding to garden party to work,
Knee Length
This kind of skirt ends just below the knee, so it can make another great look both for bridesmaids and the casual bride.
Cocktail Style
A cocktail style falls above the knee, and is sure to up the wow-factor for the super smart bride.
