Choosing the right wedding dress can be a daunting task. With so many styles and silhouettes, not to mention different designs and fabric options, it can be difficult for even the most fashion-savvy bride to make a decision.
To help make this process easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of some of our most popular wedding dress styles and silhouettes. This will arm you with the information you need for choosing what is arguably the most important piece of clothing you will ever buy.
Finding the Wedding Dress of Your Dreams
One of the first questions a wedding gown stylist will ask you at your bridal dress fitting is which sort of wedding dress silhouette or form you want to wear. You may already have a concept in mind for how you want your gown to appear: relaxed and flowing, curve-hugging, etc., but knowing how to phrase it precisely will help you find the perfect wedding dress for your body and your style!
Our glossary breaks down the distinctions between eight popular wedding dress forms, and each silhouette’s advantages to assist you in making an informed choice.
The following list of terms is a helpful way to communicate your ideas and inspirations with Viero Bridal‘s bridal stylists:
Mermaid Wedding Dress
The mermaid wedding gown style is recognized as one of the sharpest forms for a bride that wants to make an entrance as it is quite fitted throughout the bust, waist, and hips.
A mermaid dress will complement your natural curves, or it can create the illusion of an hourglass figure if you’re slim or athletic. This eye-catching form flares out at the knees and is available in a variety of necklines and sleeves. Keep in mind that the fitted style of mermaid dresses can be difficult for some to move around in, but the end result is undeniably elegant.
Trumpet Wedding Dress
The trumpet wedding dress form appears very similar to the mermaid silhouette, but several slight distinctions exist.
The most apparent difference is close to the bottom of the gown. The mermaid silhouette flares out just above or at the knees, whereas the trumpet silhouette narrows down and gradually widens at the lower thigh. A trumpet gown gives you more legroom to move while still producing a stunning impact.
The trumpet wedding dress, like the mermaid gown, is another form that works well for enhancing or emphasizing curves, regardless of your body type. Like the mermaid wedding gown, this style is versatile and can be worn for any wedding, from a formal, black-tie affair to a chic and modern reception.
Ball Gown Wedding Dress
This silhouette is for you if you’ve ever dreamed of having your own Cinderella moment. Ball gowns are one of the most well-known wedding dress shapes, and they’ll provide you with the feeling of being a princess on your big day. A ball gown has a fitted bodice and a large, flowing skirt perfect for gracefully gliding down the aisle.
The full-skirted gown is a fantastic choice for brides who want to enhance their waist or create the illusion of wider hips.
Ball gowns are often corseted and offer the option to wear regular undergarments, which can be more comfortable for busty brides. The ball gown is fit for royalty—consider the wedding gowns of Princess Diana or Grace Kelly for inspiration.
Tea-Length Wedding Dress
Tea-length dresses are gaining in popularity, particularly with more casual weddings. However, this style is chic for just about any type of wedding. This wedding dress has a longer skirt than a cocktail and mini dresses—the skirt ends halfway down the calf, showing off some of your legs and ankles.
For elopements, brunch weddings, beach or lakeside weddings, or brides who just don’t want to deal with a floor-length gown, shorter hemlines have long been popular. Tea-length wedding dresses have a vintage and fun flair, flatter all body types and come with various sleeve lengths.
As a bonus, you can accessorize this gown to the max—you can highlight a great pair of shoes with a tea-length dress!
Sheath Wedding Dress
Sheath wedding gowns have long, straight lines that follow the body’s natural form. This wedding dress design is ideal for brides who want an easygoing gown because it uses less fabric and layering than other styles. Sheath wedding gowns with long trains are available, but often this style is beautiful in its simplicity.
Though simple, this gown style is perfect for any wedding or venue; the sheath silhouette looks great with a wide range of fabrics, from charmeuse to silk. Sheath wedding dresses are an excellent choice for brides who do not want to be overwhelmed by fabric or design.
Column Wedding Dress
The graceful wedding dress form is similar to the sheath, but it has a narrower and more structured bottom opening. Column wedding dresses, which are also sometimes known as the goddess style, may be tight-fitting in the bust, but are almost always loose at the waist and fall straight to the floor without any flare, which gives them a streamlined look. This style of gown is popular for providing the illusion of a longer, leaner figure.
Column wedding dresses are known for being flattering no matter your body type or shape. They can be found with long sleeves or sleeveless embellishments, as well as in various necklines. These gowns will also be perfect for showing off intricate details like crystals, beading, or lace because the design is less elaborate than some other styles. Column wedding gowns are also easily accessorized and allow for a variety of hairstyles.
Fit-and-Flare Wedding Dress
A fit-and-flare bridal gown may be an excellent alternative for women who want to flaunt their figure without going all out with the mermaid or trumpet styles. This somewhat toned-down variation still hugs your body through the bust and waist while being a bit more forgiving in the hips, bottom, and thighs. The skirt flares out just below the knee.
Fit-and-flare wedding dresses are fabulous for showcasing your curves, but they aren’t quite so restrictive as other forms. With this style, you can also choose to wear undergarments that help create a more comfortable fit.
Because they flatter a wide range of body types, fit-and-flare gowns are among the most popular wedding dress designs. This design looks stunning with a sweetheart neckline and comes with a variety of options for sleeves.
A-Line Wedding Dress
Consider the A-line gown as the halfway point between sheath and ball gown silhouettes. The A-line skirt flares out further than a sheath dress, but not as dramatically as a ball gown. This universally flattering form is perfect for all body types and wedding styles, from rustic to bohemian to formal to beachy.
A-line wedding dresses are available in various fabrics and styles—from sleek satin to elegantly embroidered silk gowns. Due to its classic versatility, you can customize your look with accessories, jewelry, and hairstyles that solidify your ultimate wedding style.
Choosing Your Wedding Gown
Once you’ve decided on which silhouette best suits your personality and body type, bring some inspiration photos— try browsing Pinterest, Instagram, or bridal magazines and catalogs—to your appointment so you can show your consultant what you have in mind.
Whatever wedding dress style or silhouette you love, the most important thing to remember is that you will want to feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful on your wedding day. This might mean that you need to forget the current trends or what you might believe to be “correct” for your body type and put some faith in our bridal consultants. When it comes to wedding dress shopping, there’s no need to stress. The gown you pick may turn out to be different than the one you intended or what you thought you wanted! Keep an open mind while also knowing enough about the basics, and you will have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
If the only style that appeals to you is a vision you have dreamed of, there’s no need to be discouraged! Viero Bridal offers affordable custom couture wedding dresses that will fit your style and personality.
For more information about what style or silhouette is best for your body type and budget, don’t hesitate to get in touch or visit one of our wedding dress boutiques in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Miami!