PerfectGown

The Perfect Gown

How to Know Which Style is for You

Make a lasting impact with the perfect gown for the once in a lifetime wedding. This is the thought of every bride to be as the planning of the big day begins. On average, brides try on 20-35 dresses before deciding on the final three options. Usually, brides under estimate the options that are available for wedding gowns. Most women only consider whether or not they will be the size they want to be by the date of their wedding forgetting that there are options for trains, sleeves, veils and so much more. This article provides a discussion of the different types of wedding gowns that are out there in the world and which styles are good for which body types. Hopefully this will help you spend less time trying on gowns and more time planning the honeymoon!

Gown Silhouettes

A-Line

The A-Line silhouette is the most popular style of gown because of its unique ability to be versatile. Variations of this gown style are available to compliment almost any body type. The long flowing skirt of the a-line can hide a more endowed lower body while the fitted bodice can be structured to accentuate a shapely waist line. Whatever your features, the a-line can be altered to bring attention to your best areas while maintaining the ability to inconspicuously hide the problem areas.

Simple A-Line

Embellished A-Line

Empire

Characterized by the position of the waistline under the bustline, the empire style dress is another popular style of wedding dress. This dress style is best suited for brides with smaller bust since the positioning of the waistline will draw additional attention to that area of the body. Women with pear shaped bodies or concerns about their mid section should avoid this style of dress. The shape of the gown will accentuate these areas of concern. Embellishments on this dress take a simple structure from elegant to glamorous.

Simple Empire

Embellished Empire

Ball Gown

The ball gown style of gown is ideal for very traditional and grandiose weddings. This dress presents the illusion of fairytale and instantly transforms the bride into a princess. Ball gowns are characterized by fitted bodices and large hoop skirts. The large skirt is perfect for hiding larger lower body areas while accentuating a slim waistline. Although this style of dress is perfect for concealing some areas of concern, it is not best suited for every body type. If this style of dress is your favorite, but the construction of the dress is not flattering for your body type, try an a-line dress with a full bottom. The a-line structure will compliment your body while the full skirt provides the drama for your big day.

Simple Ball Gown

Embellished Ball Gown

Column

The column dress is characterized by a long flowing silhouette that gracefully drapes over every curve. This gown style is best suited for slender bodies. Column dresses in their most simplistic form are wonderful centerpieces for casual weddings. However, the addition of embellishments or constructing the dress out of a more structured material can create a more sophisticated look that can be adapted for any style of wedding.

Simple Column

Embellished Column

Mermaid & Trumpet

Confidence and sexiness are the feelings evoked by the bride that can pull of this style of dress. The mermaid and trumpet styles of dress are extrememly fitted around the hip area down through the thighs to the knees. The difference in the two styles is that the mermaid style is fitted all the way down closer to the ankles, while the trumpet style flares out at the knees. Both styles are usually accented with a moderately long train. These two styles are perfect for the bride that wants to accentuate her curves and shapely figure. Both styles will highlight the mid section and thigh area so if these are your areas of concern, steer clear from this style of gown.

Mermaid

Trumpet

Ceremony Gown & Wedding Dress

Traditionally, a wedding dress has been a once in a lifetime purchase that brides agonize over, mothers cry over and once the wedding is over, the use of the dress is over. In these days of high fashion, there are so many optioins for styles of gowns that in most cases brides can't decide which one dress best suits them. Why make the decision? Instead of agonizing over which one dress will be best for your perfect day, consider purchasing two dresses: one dress for the ceremony and another dress for the reception. The feel of your wedding ceremony may be more formal than the reception so why not have a wardrobe change. The reception dress can be a little shorter than the ceremony dress in order to accommodate the relaxed environment. If you decide to go with the two dress approach, be sure that the dress you decide on for the reception does not detract from the elegance of your overall event. Here are some examples of reception dresses: