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Wedding Dress Success
Long Island brides use their assets to find the perfect style for them
You've imagined your wedding dress since you played dress up in mom's nightie. Now you're engaged, and it's magical, then suddenly it hits you…how will you find the perfect dress?
Before your journey starts, sit back and think. What is your style, what is your wedding theme, who is the real you? Is it classic ball gown, sexy sheath or flirty mini-dress? Next, what are your assets? What would you rather not reveal? Experts agree that depending on your physique, certain styles are better than others.
"It's not the perfect dress that makes you shine, but the dress that is perfect for you," says Holly Green of Infinity in Cedarhurst, who has been making couture gowns for 36 years. "Infinity was created to fill a void in the market. Every figure has its own needs and we design bridal dresses to meet those needs."
Wedding dress styles are generally designed with specific body shapes in mind, read on to find out which styles can be most flattering for you.
Slender
If you are thin, most styles look good on you. If you want to add curves, choose a feminine dress, like a ball gown, that nips at the waist and is full at the hips, giving the illusion of curves. A corset top with a full skirt adds a waist and bust shape, creating an hourglass figure. A drop waist with a bow or sash is also very flattering to a thin figure. An a-line skirt with a strapless neckline will draw attention to the upper body, thereby creating balance.
Petite
If you are small, keep away from waistlines that cut you in half or elongate your torso, like empire and drop waist gowns. Elaborate or poofy dresses overwhelm a small physique. Instead select those that achieve a taller look, like the princess cut or empire style. With no waistline, these dresses are elongating and elegant. And don't forget the heels, if you can walk down the aisle in them!
Holly of Infinity favors a long gown; her goal is to slenderize while keeping the look cool. "Everything we make can be worn again, they are the coolest dresses." This goes for their bridesmaid and mother of the bride dresses as well. Long Island is beginning to see short and uneven lengths, but overall long is where it's at, Holly tells us.
Fuller Figure
Never wear shiny fabrics like satin or clingy ones that reveal imperfections. If you don't want to show your arms, you have options. For a winter wedding, long sleeves work, otherwise, quarter length or illusion sleeves made of lace or netting will do the trick. Strapless and cap-sleeves can make arms look leaner. You also have the option of wearing a wrap or shawl. If you have large hips and an undefined waistline, a ball gown or A-line dress will focus on the waist, helping to balance the silhouette. For a large chest, a simple neckline, like a scoop, free of ornate details, works best.
For the full-figured, Holly suggests a round neck with a three-quarter inch sleeve or sleeveless with a high neck and a bolero jacket.
Hourglass
For the shapely bride, a dress with a fitted waist will show off your natural curves. An A-line or princess cut will work well, while an empire, sheath and mermaid will not.
Apple or Pear Shape
Brides with slim hips, who are larger on top, would do well with minimum shoulder details, simple sleeves and bodices that add width to the lower body. To even out your proportions, pick a dress with a lot of detail on the bottom or one that focuses on the lower body, like a ball gown or A-line. Avoid straight skirts.
Those who are smaller on top and larger on the bottom have the opposite situation. They need to accentuate the top with detail, or a horizontal neckline that broadens the shoulders. They can de-emphasize the bottom half with an empire waist.
Tall
Height is beautiful in a wedding gown. An elegant dress with a fuller, but not puffy skirt will balance out length. A-line, ball gown and basque waist, look great on a tall bride, as well the form fitting, straight skirt of a sheath.
Ideally, you should start your search 8 - 10 months before the wedding day. Don't worry if you have less time, it will all get done. Just make your dress decision a little quicker. Don't forget to leave time for two fittings and alteration. Remember - never buy a dress that is too small in the hope of slimming down, always go for the next size up.
Armed with the information above, the definitions below and an idea of your wedding dress budget, go out and have fun finding the dress of your dreams.
Wedding Dress Definitions
Knowing the key elements of a wedding dress and style definitions will be very useful in the quest for your dress. All can be adorned with beading, pearls, crystals, sequins, lace and floral designs. Wraps, shawls and elegant jackets are great accessories, depending on the style of the dress. Trains may be mini, long or bustle, depending on your wishes.
Silhouette - the shape of the dress/skirt
A-line - the skirt flares from the waist to the feet to form an A-shape. Vertical seams run from the shoulders or waist to the bottom of the skirt. One of the more flattering styles for most body types. It does, however, accentuate the waist.
Ball Gown - most formal and classic, fitted bodice and waistline leading to a full skirt.
Basque Waist - a low waistline, usually a few inches below the waist, that is v or u shaped. This style elongates the waist and creates an hourglass shape.
Princess Cut - the skirt is long and A-line, the train is chapel, extending 3 to 4 from the waist or cathedral, extending 6 to 7 feet. The cut is slimming, accentuating the bust and the hips.
Empire - the waistline in this style is high, starting at the bottom of the bust, leading into a slim skirt. An A-line skirt is often incorporated into this style.
Sheath - the style is form-fitting, has a straight skirt, with no waist.
Mermaid - like the sheath, this style follows the contours of the body. It fits snuggly around the waist, across the hips and to the top of the knees, where it flares out into a fish-tail look.
Bodice - is the fitted part of the dress from the shoulders to the waist.
Corset - form-fitting, contains boning and laces or buttons up like the corset undergarment. Can be strapless or have spaghetti straps.
Halter - sleeves, wraps or ties around the neck; can have open back.
Empire - ends below the bust line, the skirt starts there.
Midriff - fits tightly around the middle.
Princess-line -is slimming, with two vertical seams that extend from the bust line to the bottom of the skirt.
Asymmetrical - off one shoulder.
Tank - short sleeveless top, with long arm holes.
Surplice - fabric is wrapped across the chest or the back.
Necklines include scoop, v-neck, sweetheart, off-the-shoulder, portrait, jewel, strapless, halter and high-neck.
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