How To Find The Best Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types Of Every Shape And Size

DressesTips and Trends | January 20, 2022

Today’s post is dedicated to three very important questions in your journey to finding the perfect wedding dress: How do I figure out my body type? Which silhouettes work for my body type? And most importantly, What kind of dress makes me feel like my best self? And lucky for you, we have everything you need to ace your dress-shopping fit strategy below!

Before heading to your first bridal appointment (check out which Authorized Retailer is near you!), it’s a good idea to get to know your general measurements and how they comprise your natural body type. There are tons of different wedding dress styles for body types out there and no bride fits neatly into one shape or another. However, basic categories can be useful to understanding your proportions and narrowing your wedding gown search. It will also help you stay more body-positive going into your appointment by knowing what to expect!

By combining the tips and tricks below (and taking our Style Quiz), you’ll be able to confidently go into your appointment to find the wedding dress that feels like your best self! Ultimately, remember that no matter what we say, the most important thing is about feeling beautiful in whatever dress you choose!

Wedding Dresses for Hourglass Figures

  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types With Bride With An Hourglass Figure Wearing A Dress Called Hattie By Rebecca Ingram
  • Plus Size Bride Wearing A Classic Wedding Called Tuscany Lynette By Maggie Sottero
  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types With Brides Who Have An Hourglass Figure Wearing A Dress Called Mallory Dawn By Maggie Sottero
  • For brides with hourglass figures, a mermaid gown is a MUST. This silhouette is designed to flatter and play up your natural curves. With a snug fit around the hips and ultra-fitted neckline, this is one of many different wedding dress styles for body types.
  • If you’re looking for something a little bit more relaxed, consider a fit-and-flare gown. You’ll find this style to be a little less structured but equally as glamorous! This gown will be form-fitting around your bodice and flare out at your hips.
  • We love a good V-neckline on our brides with hourglass figures! It’s flattering, versatile, and easy to style with any dress. This will also highlight your curves and drag the eyes down the body! From head to toe, you’ll be stunning your guests on your wedding day.

If you’re still unsure if you have an hourglass figure or not, think of celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Beyonce, and Ashley Graham! These hourglass ladies have a few things in common when it comes to their body: full breasts, defined waist, and full hips.

How To Find The Best Wedding Dress For Your Body: Brides With Smaller Chests

  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types For Brides With Smaller Chests Wearing A Dress Called Harlem By Maggie Sottero
  • Wedding Dress Styles For Brides With Smaller Chests With A Bride Wearing Johanna By Maggie Sottero
  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types For Brides With Smaller Chests Wearing A Dress Called Tovah By Sottero And Midgley
  • Want to know how to find the best wedding dress for your body if you’re a bride with a smaller chest? Consider a corseted wedding gown! The structure adds padding and thickness while lifting and enlarging your chest.
  • Or, consider that instead of trying to make your breasts look larger, you could wear something a small-busted bride can rock: a deep plunging V-neck gown.
  • Plunge necklines aren’t the only kind of neckline brides with smaller chests can rock! High-necked gowns are also ultra-flattering. This type of style emphasizes the chest while giving you the illusion of a fuller bust.

Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types: Brides With Petite Body Types

  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types For A Bride With A Petite Figure Wearing A Dress Called Baxley By Maggie Sottero
  • Sheath Wedding Dress For Brides With Petite Figures With Bride Wearing A Dress Called Aston By Sottero And Midgley
  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types For Brides With A Petite Body Type With Bride Wearing An A-Line Gown Called Winter By Maggie Sottero
  • If you’re a petite bride looking for the best wedding dress for your body, look no further! Petite brides can seriously shine in a gown with an open back. This look elongates your torso and makes you appear lengthier.
  • There are many different types of wedding dress styles for body types, but for petite brides, consider choosing smooth, monochromatic fabrics. Heavy embellishments tend to add bulk to your silhouette, so go for the flowy layers and vertical details!
  • While a ballgown wedding dress overwhelms smaller figures, a slinky A-line silhouette plays up your curves and elongates your frame!

Wedding Dresses for Brides with A Pear Shape

  • Model Wearing Colorful Floral Lace A-line Wedding Dress Called Minerva by Rebecca Ingram
  • Black Model Wearing Sparkly Lace Sheath Bridal Gown with Extended Train Called Tuscany Royale by Maggie Sottero
  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types For Brides With Pear Body Shapes With Bride Wearing A Gown With An Overskirt Called Albany By Maggie Sottero
  • A lightweight A-line gown looks great on most brides, but we think they look especially dreamy on a pear-shaped figure!
  • If you want to accentuate your best assets, flaunt your hips and booty with a fit-and-flare wedding gown in a chic and comfy fabrication.
  • To accentuate your waist and hips, consider a wedding gown with an overskirt. You’ll also get to rock a fitted gown while still having the flow of an A-Line!
    • Dress Inspiration: Albany by Maggie Sottero (remember when we mentioned personalizing your gown for your love story? Albany is one of many gowns with this option!)

Unsure whether you have a pear-shaped body type? Take some inspiration from famous brides like Kim Kardashian, Kelly Clarkson, and Jennifer Lopez!

How To Find The Best Wedding Dress For Your Body: Wedding Dresses for Tall and Slender Brides

  • Bride on Beach Wearing Ivory Chiffon Wedding Dress Called Lorraine by Rebecca Ingram
  • Wedding Dress For Body Types With Bride Wearing A Ballgown Called Valona By Sottero And Midgley
  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types For Brides With Tall And Slender Bodies With A Bride Wearing A Sheath Gown Called Monaco By Maggie Sottero
  • A slinky silhouette is to die for on brides with tall and slender frames. Play up your natural height and airiness by wearing a sheath gown.
  • With legs for days, tall and slender brides can pull off a ballgown like no ones business! This kind of style will create a soft and romantic shape for you on your wedding day!
  • The key ingredient to the perfect wedding gown for a tall and slender body is to keep it simple! We love sparkly and glittering gowns as much as the next person, but they might feel like overkill on your lithe and graceful frame.

Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types: Athletic Body Type

  • Bride Wearing Lace Sheath Wedding Dress with a Long Wedding Dress Train Called Fontaine by Maggie Sottero
  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types For Brides Who Have Athletic Body Types With Bride Wearing A Dress Called Josie By Rebecca Ingram
  • Bride Wearing Vintage Wedding Dress with Vintage Bridal Veil with Fringe Called Dover by Maggie Sottero
  • Athletic brides, trying to figure out how to find the best wedding dress for your body? Consider a sexy silhouette like a fit-and-flare to play up your curves.
  • Your shoulder and arms are the envy to everyone around you, so play them up by wearing a strapless gown! And don’t worry about being able to dance at your wedding, with the support put into strapless gowns during alterations, you’ll be able to jam out all night.
  • Work with angles: unique necklines, swirls of beading and embellishments, and a tiered skirt help to add visual interest to your silhouette.

Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types: Brides With A Fuller Chest

  • Bride Wearing Zander By Sottero & Midgley
  • Wedding Dress Styles For Body Types For Brides With A Fuller Chest Wearing A Dress Called Burke By Maggie Sottero
  • Plus Size Bride Wearing A Fit And Flare Classic Wedding Dress Called Weston By Sottero And Midgley
  • Bride Next To Window Wearing A Dress Called Greenley By Maggie Sottero
  • Otherwise known as brides with an apple shape, brides with a fuller chest look (and feel) amazing in wedding gowns with wider straps or sleeves. Not only do they support your bust and hide any pesky bra straps, but they create a soft and romantic figure on top!
  • Wedding dress styles for body types like brides who have fuller chests should choose their neckline wisely. A sweetheart, portrait, bateau neckline, or even an off-the-shoulder neckline will flatter your natural curves.
  • Why hide your figure on your wedding day? Fitted gowns like mermaids and fit-and-flares flatter your curves and mimic an hourglass shape rather than hiding it.

Some stunning celebrities with fuller busts and apple shaped bodies to take inspo from are Jennifer Hudson, Angelina Jolie, and Drew Barrymore!

More questions to consider when looking for the best wedding dress for your body type

Here are some more questions to ask yourself while shopping for your dream wedding dress (find an Authorized Retailer near you!). What makes you feel comfortable for your day job? What makes you feel sexy for a special occasion? It’s a delicate balance of both when getting dressed up for your wedding.

You want to feel like yourself on your big day without playing it too safe. Think about wedding dress styles and aesthetics that make you feel like the best version of yourself—but still true to your individual personality.

Also, can you let go of some insecurities and listen to feedback from your close friends, family, and stylist? Every bride has things they like and don’t like about their body. It’s important to find a gown that fits these preferences, but you can’t let your inner critic dominate your decision-making. We’re willing to bet your loved ones—and most importantly your sweetheart—have a much more glowing perception of your gorgeous features than you do! In the end, remember to find a gown that feels the most like you.

To find some gorgeous wedding dress inspiration, check out our Pinterest and save our pins for later!