You Are One-of-a-Kind

As you embark on your journey to find that unique wedding dress design that enhances all that is lovable about you, you might discover that you are uniquely you and don’t fit into any standard mold. Designers have tried to standardize sizes but the dress form size 6 has changed so much over the years that it’s nearly impossible to know what your ‘real’ size is.

Today however it is all about you and finding the wedding dress that is ideal for your unique body type. Each of us is unique. Take a look at your actual shape to help determine the best dress style for you without regard to size number.

What looks divine in a magazine or on someone else might be inappropriate for your physique. You’ll be your best self when you balance your headpiece, embellishments, and dress shape to the figure you have.

Body Type

There are many ways to label various figure types. You may find you fall somewhere in between.

Consider the bulk (flesh) distribution around your skeletal frame; for example, large back and small bust; large bust and small back; wide flat front waist and rounded protruding bottom; large hip and flat stomach; protruding stomach and flat rear.

In this list, some descriptions overlap, or you may see yourself in two or more types, such as petite but curvy.

Apple: Rounder and fuller at the top and middle than at the bottom with little back curve; not narrow hipped; sometimes with a larger belly.

Draw attention to the shoulders and floor with a strapless mermaid.

Athletic: More angular feminine shaped curves.

Add softness and curves with a full skirt and Basque waist.                     

Small Bust: Bust that measures more than 2” less than the hips with most of the weight in the back.

Try sweetheart necklines with beading or surplice wrap folds, ruching, or draping; wide straps, wide necklines, neckline insets.

Curvy: Proportionate features that are soft and full, of any size.

For proportionate girls, anything goes.

Hourglass: Bust and hips are approximately the same size with a waist that measures at least 2” less; a ratio or 10-12” differences between the bust, waist, and hips.

For you, anything goes.

Inverted Triangle: Proportionate body of any size; shoulders are obviously wider than the hips.

Balance hips with a full mermaid or A-line style, V- or U-necks. Keep shoulder embellishments to a minimum.

Large Bust: Bust that measures more than 2” larger than the hips, with most of the weight in the front, not in the back.

A-lines, full skirts, asymmetrical lines at the lower body will elongate you and draw some of the attention down. 

Full Figured: Soft full features but on a larger scale, usually proportionate.

Proportionate figures can wear any style; vertical and diagonal lines slenderize.

Pear Shape: The circumference of the hips is about 4” or larger than the circumference of the bust, with a waist not larger than the hips and often with narrow shoulders.

Upper body embellishments and horizontal lines at the upper body, full sleeves, wide necklines, vertical or asymmetrical lines at the lower body.

Plus Size: Larger overall, of any size, either soft and usually without a defined waist, or angular and defined.

A-lines to soften the waist and camouflage hips, illusion inset at neckline, vertical or asymmetrical lines from draping or beading.

Linear: A straighter line at the sides of the body, having a less defined waist; sometimes referred to as rectangular.

Add curves and fullness with A-line skirts, embellished bodices, sweetheart or rounded necklines, full skirts, draping, and asymmetrical folds, or ruching.

Long Torso: The upper portion of the body is longer than the legs, measuring more than 3x the length of the head. The head is used to measure key points of the body. (Where head length is used, measure from the top of the crown to chin level. Of course, this assumes perfect proportions. Even your head may be somewhat smaller or larger, so use your best judgment.)

Keep the waistline at the natural waist or above, raised waist styles, wide waistband, empire, inverted Basque.

Short Torso: The upper portion of the body is shorter than the legs, measuring less than 3x the length of the head.

Drop waist styles, Basque waist.

Short Waist: The distance between the bottom of the ribs and the hip bone is less than the length of the head.

A-lines and drop waist styles, Basque waist, diagonal or vertical lines from ruching or draping.

Long Waist: The distance between the bottom of the ribs and the hip bone is more than the length of the head.

Keep the waist seam at the natural waist, raised waist styles, wide waistband, inverted Basque, full skirts.

Petite: Approximately 5’3” and under, of any shape or size.

Strapless styles, dropped waists, vertical lines, and embellishments proportionate to your height.

Thin: Little padding, with our without curves.

A-lines with wide necklines, ruching, draping, tiers, hip flowers, and puff sleeves will make you appear fuller.

Thick: Linear but not thin or slim.

To create curves, try A-line or full skirted styles, wide curved necklines.

Willowy: Usually taller than 5’6” with less padding but otherwise proportionate.

You can wear any style. Waist seams at the natural waist will cut your visual height.

Here are some tips to help you balance your figure:

To widen narrow shoulders or upper body: Off-shoulder styles, wide collars and necklines, horizontal detailing, puff sleeves, strapless styles.

To widen hips and balance a wider shoulder: Dropped waists with the waist seem at the hip, any embellishment at the hip such as ruching, draping, florals, or flounces; mermaid or full skirt styles.

To enhance a smaller bust: Ruching or draping, wide keyholes, surplice bodice, wide straps to add bulk, and neckline insets.

To balance a larger bust: A-lines, dropped waists, or mermaid styles, wider straps (instead of spaghetti straps).

To accent or create a waist: A-lines, any embellishments that will make the shoulders and hips appear wider, asymmetrical lines to draw the eye away from the waist.

To create curves: A-line or surplice styles, sweetheart or rounded necklines, and asymmetrical draping, full skirts.

To diminish height: Waist seams at the natural waist, horizontal lines, shorter hem lengths.

To add visual height: Dropped waist styles, floor length styles, neckline inset to carry the eye all the way up, vertical or asymmetrical lines.

Once you’ve discovered the wedding dress silhouette that flatters your unique body shape, the fun really begins. Details like sleeves, fabrics, waistlines, skirt styles, necklines, lace, and embellishments can completely transform the look and feel of your gown.

And remember — the “perfect” dress isn’t about fitting into a certain size or trend. It’s about finding a dress that feels beautifully you.

The right wedding dress should help you feel confident, comfortable, feminine, and joyful as you prepare for one of the most meaningful days of your life.