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Whether you’re recently engaged and starting to try on wedding gowns or are a member of the wedding party joining for a bridal salon appointment, understanding the various types of wedding dress styles available will help you have a more informed perspective going into the shopping process. Not every dress is universally flattering—so it’s a good idea to learn what cuts create different silhouettes on the body.
But when beginning the bridal shopping experience, it’s best to be open-minded and try a wide variety of gowns. “Don't just go for what you wear every day or what you think works well,” advises bridal designer Rime Arodaky. “Some necklines aren’t commonly found in ready-to-wear or everyday clothing, so brides should explore different options, stay curious, and most importantly, trust the expertise of a specialist!” Lihi Zwillinger, designer and brand manager of Mira Zwillinger, echoes, “I believe that when a bride puts on a dress she feels good in, that's the most important. When she feels beautiful and comfortable, that will radiate out of her.”
It’s also important to be aware that the gown sample you put on in the store will likely not be your exact size, so will require a bit of imagination to know how it will look when made to your measurements. The sales associate will likely use clips or pins to help you get a better idea of the fit. You should also know that most dresses can be altered by either the designer or a skilled seamstress. A dress on the rack can have adjusted necklines, shortened trains, or even more coverage added to a sheer design. “Most of the brides want coverage and not to walk down the aisle with a transparent skirt or top,” notes Zwillinger. “We usually recommend adding a light nude layer of lining. The nude color still gives the gown the airiness and sheerness look without really being sheer.”
Ready to begin that wedding dress shopping experience? Look ahead to first read up on the most common wedding dress styles and shapes to know.
Ball Gown
If you want a dramatic, full skirt for your bridal look, you should consider a ball gown. This style is fitted at the bodice, then expands to a large grand skirt to the floor with considerable volume. A ball gown will likely have pleating and multiple layers of tiers of fabrics like organza, tulle, crinoline, and horse hair to add body and shape to the full skirt.
A-Line
If you want a fuller skirt that’s less dramatic than a ball gown, an A-line silhouette is a great alternative. This gown has a fitted bodice and waist with a skirt that gradually gets fuller towards the hem. “In general, I would recommend the A-line shape or ballgown skirt to brides with a small waist and fuller hip,” notes Zwillinger.
Mermaid
When thinking of a mermaid gown, it’s best to imagine the shape of the dress will parallel the silhouette of the mythical creature—the gown hugs the body snugly until it flares in a dramatic fashion à la a tail below the knees. Mermaid styles are particularly loved by those who want to show off the curves and silhouette of their body.
Fit and Flare
A fit-and-flare gown is a dress that begins with a fitted silhouette through the waist and skirt, then gradually flares out towards the hem of the skirt. Unlike a mermaid or trumpet dress, this style is more subtle with its flare.
Sheath
A sheath or column dress is a silhouette that is fitted and straight. It nips in slightly at the waistline then skims down grazing the body to the hemline. This more minimal wedding dress style can also have a train extending at the back.
High-Low Dress
The look of a high-low dress is pretty similar to what the name implies. The skirt of the dress starts high with a shorter hemline at the front, and tapers symmetrically into a longer skirt at the sides and back of the gown. Some brides like to choose this style for a second look as it exposes the legs for a sexier feel.
Drop-Waist Dress
A drop-waist dress is a style where the skirt begins below the natural waistline. The top may be fitted more along this lower silhouette to elongate the body. Another version of a drop-waist style is a basque waist, where the fabric dips to a V-like shape at the front of the body.
Empire Waist Dress
An empire waist dress has the waistline of the dress sit right below the chest to emphasize the bust and create a longer skirt. This style is particularly associated with the Regency era and gained a resurgence due to the popularity of the show Bridgerton. It’s also a favorite style of pregnant brides as it allows the dress to not cling to a bump.
Overskirt
An overskirt isn’t a dress in and of itself—rather, a removable skirt piece that can be worn over a wedding dress. “The brides who consider them chose a slim-fitted dress but still love the drama of the A-line or grand skirt—that's the best way to enjoy both looks,” explains Zwillinger. An overskirt could either seamlessly hide the silhouette underneath or only partially encircle the body, allowing the gown underneath to peek through.
Topper
Want to change the upper half of your dress? A topper is a removable piece that can add more fabric to the bodice, neckline, and sleeves of a gown. These are commonly worn for ceremonies in religious spaces that require more modest coverage, or by brides who want to create variation in their looks throughout the day. “Your guests will not know that it can be removed as it molds perfectly with the dress,” shares Zwillinger. “By having this, she has two completely different looks for her wedding day, and can feel more comfortable after her ceremony going into her reception.”
Corseted Dress
If you want your wedding gown to truly hold you in and possibly alter your shape, you can choose a dress with a corset. But don’t think of corsets today as the difficult undergarments of the past. “One exciting aspect of wearing a corset in the modern era, is that there is no singular prevailing shape,” notes Jackson Wiederhoeft, founder of the fashion and bridal brand Wiederhoeft. “Since corsets are ‘outside’ the normal conversation of undergarments, it’s up to the wearer to determine the best shape for them. This is why I see the corset as an extremely unique and important detail to a bridal gown—it’s an opportunity to acknowledge tradition, while simultaneously playing up your own physical assets in a way that feels modern and personal.” Corsets can have exposed boning, be hidden beneath fabric to cinch a body in, or even be a separate piece on top of a gown. They also can be paired with a number of skirt silhouettes to best fit your favorite dress style.
Halter Neckline
A halter dress is a sleeveless style with straps that either tie behind or wrap around the neck. This neckline often will expose the collarbone and hide cleavage. “A halter neck can be stunning in both opaque or sheer fabrics, depending on how the dress is constructed, such as by incorporating gathers, pleats, seams, and other design elements,” notes Arodaky. She also says the neckline looks especially beautiful on people with narrow shoulders.
Strapless Neckline
A strapless dress is simply one without any straps. While the style exposes the shoulders and arms, it can vary in terms of how much it reveals the bustline. A higher, straight-across neckline can hide any cleavage, while a sweetheart neckline is slightly rounded, heart-shaped style that can flatter the bust.
V-Neck Neckline
A V-neck dress has a neckline that forms into a V shape to create a peek of cleavage around the bustline. A deeper plunge can create a sexier silhouette, however those who want more coverage in their wedding dress can have a sheer piece of fabric over the exposed area to create an “illusion” effect.
Off-the-Shoulder Neckline
Brides who want to show off some decolletage and have a hint of a sleeve can turn to an off-the-shoulder neckline. Gowns with this style can have straps that attach to the bodice to extend the neckline or have a piece of fabric extend across the bustline and wrap around the arms. In some cases, the straps can be easily tucked in or removed to allow for more movement while dancing later at the reception.