Choosing the best wedding dress
for your figure |
Everyone knows that ALL brides are beautiful and that no woman
is more beautiful than on her wedding day. No matter what your
height or weight, there is a dress out there for you. You'll get
plenty of help and advice at the bridal shop or the dressmaker,
but here's a few tips to help you develop some idea of what you're
looking for before you start. |
|
If you are short, and wish to appear taller, look for a
dress with seams and patterns or lace which run vertically or
lengthwise. The styles you'll be examining are, EMPIRE, PRINCESS
OR A-LINE. Small collars and cuffs, and trim at the neck to draw
attention to your face. |
|
Tall women who wish to minimize their height should shop for
dresses with a wrap-around trim, wide belts, large collars and
cuffs, flared sleeves and low necklines. |
|
|
|
|
Full figured women should choose carefully fitted, solid
color gown in the PRINCESS style or any other loosely cut style
and skims the body. Look for a V-SHAPED NECKLINE and a full
skirt. |
|
If you're Slender, look for materials that have texture
and/or sheen, something with horizontal ribbing or pattern.
Long, full sleeves and a bloused top will also add to the look. |
|
If you've got a thick midriff or waist, go for the slimming
effect of a high waistline or A-LINE skirt. |
|
Slender waist? Try the shaping effect of a belt or sash at
the waistline or some contrasting color. |
|
The broad shouldered should look for a dress with smooth,
set-in sleeves, low V-neck or high, covered necks. Narrow
shoulders, of course, call for the opposite: a cape or caplets
on the shoulder. Gathering sleeves and widely curved necklines
also will help. |
|
Big bosom? Try the V-Shape necklines, or a completely
covered high neckline. Avoid cinched waists and EMPIRE design.
Small bosom? Try the opposite. Look for the high waist and
Empire styles which will accentuate the upper body. |
|
Like every other aspect of wedding planning, you need to
shop early. And shop alone! You may care to bring just your
mother or an attendant, but make sure it's someone whose opinion
you trust. Give yourself plenty of time to make up your mind and
have a dress made to order or fitted. And when trying on, make
sure you have the proper height of shoes and right kind of
underthings which you plan to wear with the dress on your
wedding day. |
|
YOUR HEADPIECE
Suiting your headpiece to your dress is the final step in
assembling your wedding attire. There are many, many styles from
which to choose and the advice of your dressmaker or bridal
salon consultant will be invaluable. They will know which style
matches your gown and you'll have plenty of time to mix and
match and experiment. |
|
YOUR ATTENDANTS' DRESSES
In addition to the problem of choosing a dress style for
your attendants which will complement your own wedding gown, you
have the additional problems not only choosing a style that
will look good on several different women of varying heights and
weights, but a scheduling problem of getting them all fitted,
especially if any of them will be coming to town just for the
wedding! |
|
But don't worry. Most bridesmaids' dresses are designed with
just these problems in mind. They easily translate to any figure
and are easily altered and fitted, even at the last minute. Shop
by yourself to avoid complications. It is your decision and you
can get it narrowed down to just 2 or 3 before you bring other
members of your wedding party to the shop. |
