Wedding Dress Styles Guide: Choosing the Right Gown for Your Body Type
- Iluta Willis
- Jun 11
- 10 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
Choosing the perfect wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day—but it can also be overwhelming. With so many styles to choose from, how do you know which gown will flatter your figure the most? In this guide on wedding dress styles, we break down the most common body shapes and recommend the best dress silhouettes for each.
Whether you're curvy, athletic, petite, or full-figured, this expert-backed advice will help you find a gown that highlights your best features and makes you feel truly beautiful.
Are you looking for the perfect wedding dress in Peterborough? Check out our wedding dress store!
Wedding Dress Styles Guide: Choosing the Right Gown for Your Body Type
1. Hourglass Body Shape
The hourglass body shape is characterised by a well-defined waist, with the bust and hips measuring relatively the same in width. This creates a silhouette where the waistline naturally stands out, forming a gentle curve through the torso.
Brides with this body shape often find that their proportions create a balanced frame, which can be complemented by a wide range of wedding dress styles. The key to dressing an hourglass figure is to choose gowns that follow the body's natural lines and provide gentle structure without overwhelming the shape. Emphasising the waistline and allowing the fabric to flow with the body's curves often results in a harmonious and elegant bridal look.
Best Wedding Dress Styles for Hourglass Figures
A-Line wedding dress: Complements curves while providing gentle structure.
Ball gown wedding dress: Accentuates the waist and enhances the hourglass figure with its fitted bodice and full skirt.
Mermaid wedding dress: Hugs the curves, particularly highlighting the waist and hips.
Modified A-Line wedding dress: Maintains the body’s natural shape while adding elegance.
Luxuriant wedding dress: Amplifies curves with a dramatic, structured skirt.
Sheath wedding dress: Sleek and straight, it outlines the natural silhouette beautifully.
2. Inverted Triangle Body Shape
The inverted triangle body shape is characterised by a broader upper body—particularly the shoulders and bust—compared to the hips, which are narrower in proportion. This shape creates a silhouette where the top half appears more prominent, often giving a strong, statuesque look.
Brides with this body type may have a less defined waistline and longer legs, which can be beautifully highlighted with the right dress style. When selecting a wedding gown, the goal is often to create visual balance by softening the shoulders and adding subtle volume or detail to the lower half.
Best Wedding Dress for Inverted Triangle Body Shape
A-Line wedding dress: Adds volume to the lower half of the body, creating a more balanced silhouette. A petticoat can be added if you’d like a little extra fullness.
Empire wedding dress: Emphasises the bust while softly flowing away from the body, helping to soften the shoulder line.
Luxuriant wedding dress: A voluminous skirt draws the eye downward, counterbalancing the broader top.
Tea-length wedding dress: A playful and balanced cut that keeps the attention evenly distributed.
Modified A-Line wedding dress: A softer version of the classic A-line, which enhances proportion.
Ball gown wedding dress: Accentuates the waist and adds volume to the lower body, creating a balanced silhouette.
3. Round / Apple Shape Body Type
The round, or apple-shaped, body is typically defined by a fuller midsection.
The waistline is often less defined, and the torso tends to be broader, while the arms and legs may appear slimmer in comparison. This body shape often features a soft, rounded upper body with a prominent bust and a gentle curve through the sides.
When choosing a wedding dress, the aim is usually to create the illusion of a more defined waist and to elongate the silhouette. Gowns that draw attention upward or gently flow away from the midsection can provide a flattering, graceful look that enhances overall proportion.
Best Wedding Dresses For Apple Body Shape
These are the best wedding dress styles for round/apple shaped figures:
A-Line wedding gown: This silhouette gently flares out from the waist, helping to create balance and give the illusion of a narrower midsection.
Empire wedding gown: With a high waistline that sits just under the bust, this style draws attention upward and away from the tummy area, providing a graceful and elongating look.
4. Full Hourglass Body Shape
This body shape is often referred to as a “Full Hourglass” or “Soft Hourglass”. Some fashion guides also use terms like “Oval” or “Curvy” to describe this silhouette more generally. It differs from the classic apple shape, which tends to carry more fullness in the upper body with slimmer legs, and it’s not quite the traditional hourglass.
A balanced bust and hip measurement with a well-defined, narrow waist characterises a full hourglass body shape. What makes it “full” is the overall curvier and fuller bust, hips, and thighs, compared to a standard hourglass. This body shape typically features a proportional upper and lower body, characterised by soft, rounded lines and a shapely silhouette.
Best Wedding Dresses for Curvy / Full Hourglass Body Shape
A-Line wedding gown (with structured bodice): A universally flattering option that accentuates the waist while balancing hips and bust. Works well for more formal or classic weddings.
Ball gown wedding dress (if structured): A dramatic, full-skirted dress with a fitted bodice. Classic princess-style silhouette. Works if the bodice is well-fitted; it emphasises the waist and gives a dramatic, princess effect. Be cautious of too much volume that can overwhelm the figure.
Tea-Length Dress: A retro-inspired dress with a skirt that ends between the knee and ankle. Fun, flirty, and often vintage-styled. Most tea-length gowns have a defined waistline, which complements the narrow waist of an hourglass figure. A fitted top + flared bottom silhouette (like 1950s dresses) is ideal for hourglass bodies, as it keeps proportions balanced between bust, waist, and hips.
Mermaid / Fishtail Dress: Accentuates curves and follows the natural body line. Ideal for showing off your hourglass figure from top to knee, then flaring out.
Ruffled mermaid wedding dress: Ruffles add volume at or below the knees, which balances the fitted top half of the gown. Structured ruffles give the illusion of height and elongation — especially flattering for shorter full-hourglass brides.
Trumpet style wedding dresses: Similar to mermaid but flares out mid-thigh (more forgiving). Great for curvy figures who want drama without restriction.
Fit and flare wedding dress: Nips in at the waist, hugs the hips, and flares out gradually. Highlights the waist and curves elegantly.
Sheath wedding dress (with structure): Works best with thicker fabrics and some boning to highlight the full hourglass shape without clinging too tightly.
5. Pear-Shaped Body
The Pear, or Triangle, body shape is defined by hips that are noticeably wider than the bust and shoulders, creating a lower-body dominant silhouette.
Individuals with this shape often have a beautifully defined waist and gently sloping shoulders, with curves concentrated around the hips, thighs, and bottom. The upper body tends to be more delicate in comparison, which offers a lovely contrast to the fuller lower half. When choosing a wedding dress, the goal is often to highlight the waist and upper body while balancing proportions.
Gowns that draw attention to the neckline, shoulders, or bodice—through embellishments, structured tops, or statement sleeves—can harmonise the silhouette beautifully and create a confident, elegant bridal look.
Best Wedding Dresses for Pear-Shaped Body
These are the best wedding dress styles for a pear shaped brides:
A-Line dress: Skims over the hips and emphasises the upper body, balancing proportions.
Mermaid dress: Accentuates curves and highlights the lower body for a bold look.
Empire dress: Draws attention to the bust and upper torso while minimising focus on the hips.
Sheath dress: Works well if the fabric is structured, softly hugging curves.
Ball gown wedding dress: Conceals the hips with a dramatic flare while enhancing the waist.
6. Rectangle-Shaped Body
The Rectangle body shape, sometimes referred to as the straight or athletic body type, is characterised by a balanced and evenly proportioned silhouette. In this body type, the bust, waist, and hips are relatively uniform in width, with minimal natural curves and a less defined waistline.
The overall effect is a straight, elongated frame that often appears sleek and modern. This shape may also include toned arms and legs, which can be beautifully showcased with the right dress.
When choosing a wedding gown for a rectangle figure, the goal is often to create the illusion of curves or enhance the natural symmetry through strategic design elements—like cinched waists, voluminous skirts, or detailed bodices—to bring softness and shape to the silhouette in a way that feels elegant and confident.
Dresses for Rectangle Body Shape
A-Line dress: Creates the illusion of curves and adds a feminine touch. A petticoat can be added if you’d like a little extra fullness.
Ball Gown: Adds volume to the lower body, which helps define the waist.
Sheath dress: Adds sleekness while elongating the frame of athletic build female and showing off a slim figure.
7. Petite Body Shape
The petite body shape refers to individuals who are shorter in stature, typically under 5'4" (162 cm), regardless of their body proportions.
Petite figures can come in any shape—hourglass, rectangle, pear, etc.—but they all share a compact frame with shorter limbs and a smaller vertical line. When dressing a petite bride for a wedding, the goal is often to elongate the body visually and avoid overwhelming the frame with too much fabric or excessive detailing.
The right silhouette can enhance proportions, create the illusion of height, and bring balance and elegance to the overall look.
Wedding Dresses for Petite Brides
Sheath: A slim, straight silhouette that follows the body's natural line. It adds length without bulk and is perfect for minimal, modern bridal looks.
A-Line: Gently flares from the waist down, creating graceful movement without too much volume. It adds structure while keeping the figure elongated. A petticoat can be added if you’d like a little extra fullness, but it isn’t essential for this silhouette.
Empire Waist: Features a high waistline just under the bust, making the legs appear longer and the body taller overall.
Trumpet: Offers a more subtle flare than a mermaid style, starting around the mid-thigh. It adds shape without shortening the frame.
Tea-Length: A playful, vintage-inspired cut that ends mid-calf. Ideal for petite brides who want something fun and flirty that doesn’t require hemming a full gown.
V-Neck or Plunging Necklines: While not a dress silhouette, this neckline elongates the torso and draws the eye vertically, adding height visually.
High-Low Hem: Shorter in the front and longer in the back, this design creates a lengthening effect and allows for dramatic flair without overwhelming height.
How to Choose a Wedding Dress for Your Body Type: Advice from a Seamstress
Finding the perfect wedding dress is about more than just matching a silhouette to your body type—it's about making the gown truly yours.
As a seamstress, my advice is to start by understanding your proportions, then personalise your choices based on what makes you feel confident. Don’t shy away from highlighting your shape—embrace your curves, define your waist, or elongate your frame with thoughtful design details.
Focus on wedding dress fit rather than size, as bridal sizing differs from everyday clothes. The key is how the dress shapes, supports, and moves with you, not the number on the label. A well-fitting dress enhances your proportions better than one that matches your usual size but doesn't fit well.
When selecting a dress for special occasions like weddings, it's easy to be captivated by lace, beads, or embellishments. These details add glamour and elegance, turning a simple dress into a statement piece. However, the true magic lies in the dress's structure and support. Without features like strategic boning or quality lining, a dress can be uncomfortable and distracting.
Always prioritise comfort; you'll be wearing this dress for hours, so it should feel as good as it looks. And remember, no off-the-rack gown fits perfectly—wedding dress alterations are key to achieving a flawless fit that moves with you and complements your figure in every photo and every step down the aisle.
If you’re buying a dress advertised as made to measure, keep in mind that it isn’t always truly custom—especially if the price seems too good to be true. Many of these gowns are based on standard sizing with only minimal adjustments, so professional alterations are still essential to achieve the perfect fit.
When to Buy a Wedding Dress?
When buying a wedding dress, timing is crucial.
Ideally, brides should start shopping for their dress at least six to nine months before the wedding date.
This allows ample time for fittings, wedding dress alterations, and any customisations needed. Additionally, purchasing early can help avoid the last-minute rush and potential compromises on style or fit.
It’s also smart to factor in the season. Spring and summer weddings are particularly popular, and bridal boutiques and seamstresses are often booked well in advance during those times. If you're getting married during peak season or planning a destination wedding, starting your dress search 9 to 12 months in advance is highly recommended. Planning ahead gives you more control and makes the entire experience far more enjoyable.
This approach doesn’t just apply to finding your wedding dress—it’s relevant to nearly every aspect of planning your big day. Many couples choose to get married during peak seasons like spring and summer, thanks to the beautiful weather, blooming landscapes, and lively atmosphere. However, these popular months also bring high demand for venues, photographers, florists, and other key vendors, which can lead to limited availability and tighter schedules. By planning early—ideally a year or more in advance—you’ll give yourself the best chance to secure your top choices and avoid last-minute compromises. Early planning opens the door to more options, helping you create the day you envision—whether that’s a romantic garden ceremony, an elegant ballroom reception, or a relaxed countryside celebration.
Found Your Dress but Still Need Wedding Dress Alterations? It’s Completely Normal
Even if you've found your dream wedding dress, it's completely normal—and often necessary—for it not to fit perfectly right off the rack.
Nearly every bride requires alterations to ensure the gown fits her body like a glove. In fact, one of the most common mistakes brides make is skipping or underestimating the importance of proper alterations.
Wedding dresses are made to fit a general size chart, not your unique shape, so tailoring is essential to refine the fit, enhance comfort, and ensure the dress flatters you from every angle. Working with a professional seamstress is key—they understand fabric behaviour, structural support, and bridal styling, ensuring that your gown looks seamless and feels secure throughout your big day. Investing in expert wedding dress alterations can transform a beautiful dress into your perfect dress.
Wedding Dress Alterations in Peterborough
Looking for professional tailoring in Peterborough?
At iStitch, we specialise in wedding dress alterations, bridesmaid and prom dress alterations and customisation, helping brides feel confident and beautiful on their special day. Contact us to inquire about alterations in Peterborough or book your fitting.
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