How To Buy A Bridal Gown Stress-Free

It can be difficult to find a flattering bridal gown, even if you’re tall and thin. If you’re less stylishly shaped, like a pear shape, hourglass, or apple, or if you’re petite, finding the right dress can be a real trial.

However, there’s still hope if you’re having a lot of trouble finding things that fit. Specialty boutiques and non bridal stores can be a great place to shop, but go in with a knowledge of what styles look good on you and which ones don’t. Here are the major shape categories most of us fall into, and the styles that flatter each one.

Classic hourglass shape - Hourglass shaped women have similar bust and hip measurements with a defined waist. Most of them are more than a size fourteen, which can make it a nightmare to shop for gowns. Fortunately, many styles look good on this shape, including strapless gowns, if they have enough support.

Pear - Pear shaped women have a smaller bust and larger hips. This is also called the spoon shape. Add interest to your bridal gown’s bodice with bead work, embroidery, and other detailing. This will help you balance your smaller top half against your bottom half.

Apple shapes - If you tend to have similarly sized hips and bust, but have a poorly defined waist, your shape is called an apple. Empire waists, when used with long full skirts, can help you de-emphasize your waist and hips. Don’t choose a short bridal gown in this style, however - you could look pregnant!

Petite - If you’re under 165 cm (5′4″) tall, you’re considered petite. That means you have your own set of challenges - trying to find a gown that’s not too straight and slim and still doesn’t overwhelm you with ruffles and detailing can be tough. If you do prefer a simple gown, try a more elaborate headdress to set it off.

Plus size - If you’re larger than a size fourteen or sixteen, you probably have a lot of trouble finding bridal gowns. Most dresses in these sizes are simply larger versions of the smaller styles - a recipe for fitting disaster. Stick to specialty boutiques that stock dresses made for your size to look your best.

Flattering dresses are important when you choose a gown. However, knowing what styles look good isn’t all there is to it. Keep track of the way different brands fit, so you’ll know which ones to choose and which not to wear.

Of course, if you’re having lots of problems, you can always have a wedding dress customized or made specially to fit you. This is a lot less costly than you might think, and you’ll be sure to look great. However, give your seamstress or tailor plenty of time - up to a year - so you’ll get the perfect bridal gown for your big day.