6 Bridal Gown Silhouettes You Should Try On Before Choosing The one!
With so many wedding dresses to choose from, shopping for the perfect one can seem a little intimidating. That's why we're here to help! We find that brides who approach their wedding dress search with an open mind are often the ones who enjoy their dress shopping experience most. We want to make the process as stress-free and enjoyable as possible, and truly collaborate with each bride to help her find the dress that's right for her.
One of the most frequent questions we hear from brides who are nervous about shopping for their dress is: What can I do to prepare? We suggest getting to know some of the common bridal gown silhouettes, thinking about which clothes you feel best in during your everyday life, and browsing Pinterest for inspiration (with caution, though! Pinterest is great for inspiration, but it's not so great if you become dead set on a gown you find on Pinterest, only to find that it's discontinued or out of your budget!). Other than that, there's really no need to stress about the preparation. We're here to guide you through the process every step of the way.
When it comes to silhouettes, some brides assume that there is ONE silhouette that they will look best in, and we're here to say that is NOT the case! Before you try on gowns and see what feels best in person, we recommend keeping an open mind with the silhouettes you're after. "Traditional" wisdom will tell you that A-lines are the best bet for curvy girls, but that is a total myth for many! We see all the time that girls with curves often feel their absolute best in a fit-and-flare or mermaid shape - and that's ok! The point is: don't listen to what traditional wisdom says about silhouettes. Go with what makes you feel best when you have it on, period.
If you're looking to familiarize yourself with common bridal silhouettes, here is a look at some of the terms you'll most often hear when shopping for your wedding dress!
Ball Gown: Ball gowns feature a fitted bodice and full skirt flaring out from the waist line. The size of the skirt can vary in size and train length.
Ball Gown Pictured Above: Anne Barge - Demi
Sheath: Sheath wedding gowns fit closely to the body's curves, with a skirt that falls straight to the floor. This silhouette comes in many styles and train lengths.
Sheath Gown Pictured Above: Anne Barge - Aubrey
A-Line: A-Line gowns feature a fitted bodice, similar to the ball gown, and flows out gradually to the ground creating an 'A' shape.
**The key difference between an A-line and ball gown is the A-line's gradual skirt versus the more dramatic flare of the ball gown.
A-Line Gown Pictured Above: Anne Barge - Arabella
Drop Waist: Drop waist gowns feature a fitted bodice through the waist and torso with the skirt flaring out at the top or middle of the hip, creating a more elongated torso look.
Drop Waist Gown Pictured Above - Anne Barge, Blue Willow - Tippi
Trumpet: Trumpet gowns are fitted throughout the torso and hip, with the skirt gradually flaring at the mid-thigh - creating a soft trumpet-like shape.
Trumpet Gown Pictured Above: Anne Barge - Raven
Mermaid: Mermaid gowns feature a fitted bodice through the hips and thighs, with a dramatic break into the skirt at or above the knee, creating a mermaid-esque shape.
Mermaid Gown Pictured Above: Anne Barge - Iman
Remember, no matter what silhouette you think may look best on you, be sure to try on all six of the main silhouette types before settling on the silhouette you feel most beautiful wearing! You may end up surprising yourself with something you might not have imagined but which is just perfect for you, your shape and your style!