STYLE GUIDE

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. The wedding gown you choose should reflect your individual sense of style and personality. Since wedding gowns come in different sizes and styles, knowing which style suits your figure can help you choose a wedding gown to enhance your natural beauty.

HOURGLASS - curvaceous. The objective is to maximize your curves and maintain balance.

Here's how:

Choose gown with simple, classic lines like sheaths and mermaid styles
Avoid ball gown or empire waist silhouette that may make you look disproportioned as well as high necklines.
Emphasize a small waist with a fitted waistline. Soft gathered skirts disguise hips and draw attention to the waistline; A-line dresses also work well.
Use details or embellishments wisely: bodice detail such as beading or lace will bring the eye upward and emphasize the upper body.
Consider an open neckline to flatter the shoulder line and bring the eye upwards.

TRIANGLE - lower body is wider than upper body. The objective is to make your upper body look more in proportion to your lower body.

Here's how :

Create height with an elongated waistline.
Wear full sleeves to create the appearance of wider shoulders.
An off-the-shoulder neckline will show your top more in proportion to your bottom.
Details on the bodice to draw the eye toward your face and upper body .

REVERSE TRIANGLE - upper body is wider than the lower body. The o bjective is to de-emphasize your shoulder area and emphasize the width of the lower body.

Here's how:

The ball gown style will give you a balanced look by creating the illusion of an hourglass figure.
A simple bodice with minimal accents will draw less attention to the upper body width.
Look for gown with minimal shoulder details, simple sleeves, moderate padding, and natural shoulder lines
Avoid high necklines, full sleeves, slim, straight skirts, empire waistlines and plunging necklines.
Choose a detailed skirt to draw the eye downward.
Create additional height with an elongated waistline, for example, a drop waist.

RECTANGLE - nearly equal bust and hips, minimal waist definition. To objective is to create the illusion of curves.

Here's how:

Two piece outfits will work well by breaking the vertical body lines.
The ball gown style with details at the waist will give the illusion of an hourglass figure.
Detailed sleeves will draw the eye outward.
An open neckline (jewel or bateau) or off the shoulder look will broaden the shoulder line.
Horizontal detailing will draw the eye across the torso and combat vertical body lines.
Avoid slim silhouettes or gowns in soft, clingy fabrics.
Avoid high or drop waists, instead go with a fitted waist.

OTHER FIGURE FLATTERING TRICKS

Petite frame - A sheath or A-line gown will enhance your figure. These styles will create a long, uninterrupted line, which will create the illusion of height. For slim petites, the sheath or mermaid style is ideal. A princess style works well for full-figured petite women.

Thin frame - The sheath gown was designed with you in mind. You can also wear the ball gown style, which has a very feminine shape.

Full-figured - The ball gown style with a fitted waist will have a slimming effect. The A-line style with a low neckline can also accentuate your beautiful curves.

Short waist - The princess style that gradually opens from waist to a flare/full skirt (A-line) will elegantly elongate your figure.

Thick waist - The empire style (high waist) will de-emphasize your waistline and provide a long, slimming look.

Long waist - A high empire waist, or that just a little lower than empire, paired with an A-line or straight skirt, are best for long torsos. Avoid drop waists.

Full hips - A-line skirts are best for the bottom-heavy bride. Leave detailing to upper portion of body to draw attention from hips.

Small bust - You can have fun with intricate details, such as beadwork, sequins and on-the-shoulder necklines. Draping at the neckline is flattering, as well as an empire-style gown with a seam under the bust line.

Less-than-perfect arms - Don't cover them up - go strapless, because sleeves or straps can often draw more attention to the area. In particular, avoid cap or band sleeves, which cut the upper arm at its widest spot.

Large bust - Avoid a closed neckline, and strapless gowns, which usually push the bust up too much. Sweetheart, scoop and V-necks are the best choices for necklines, and a drop waist helps minimize bustiness by creating space between the bust and the waist.

Tall frame - Big, poufed wedding dresses can be overpowering on a tall woman, and very slim wedding dresses can make you look even taller. For the right balance, try a soft ball gown without too much fullness or a skirt shape that is flat in front with draping or bustles in the back.

Broad shoulders - A halter style is a good choice because it pulls the eye up and makes the shoulders look narrower. Or try a strapless dress, which de-emphasizes the broadness of the back and avoid off-the-shoulder necklines which make shoulders look bigger.

Narrow shoulders - Halters tops and strapless styles accentuate small shoulders, so try a style with thick or wide-set straps. An off-the-shoulder shawl collar can balance out your figure, as can a bolero jacket or a shawl.

Short neck - Open necklines are the key to lengthening a short neck - collars that close around the neck only make it appear shorter. Strapless, V-neck and spaghetti strap styles are flattering.

CHOOSING A NECKLINE
The neckline you choose should flatter your face shape. Listed below are some basic guidelines based on the shape of your face:

Square: Scoop, round or V-necklines are best.
Round: Scoop, angular or V-necklines. Avoid high necklines.
Oval : Lucky you - any type of neckline works well.
Oblong : Round or square necklines will widen the face.
Heart: Any type of neckline works well.
Diamond: Wide open necklines and rounded necklines. Avoid V-necks.
Wide jaw: a V-neck will lengthen and narrow the bottom portion of the face.

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STYLE GUIDE