Princess Wedding Dresses That Bring the Fairytale to Life
DressesTips and Trends | October 11, 2025
Wedding Dress Styles: Your Guide to Finding the One
Dresses | October 7, 2025
Choosing your wedding dress style starts with understanding your silhouette, it’s the secret to finding a gown that feels just as good as it looks. From dramatic ballgowns and universally flattering A-lines to curve-hugging mermaids, sleek fit-and-flares, and effortlessly minimalist sheaths, every silhouette tells its own story. Whether you’re all about sparkle, structure, or soft romance, the right shape highlights your natural beauty and brings your bridal vision to life.
Ready to start pinning your dream looks? Browse our Pinterest for endless wedding dress style inspo, trending silhouettes, and Real Bride magic!
What’s a Wedding Dress Silhouette (and Why Does It Matter)?
Okay, bestie, let’s talk silhouettes. Think of them as the foundation of your bridal look, the overall shape and vibe that defines how your gown fits, flatters, and moves. Whether you’re drawn to the drama of a ballgown, the sleekness of a sheath, or the timeless curve of a mermaid, your silhouette sets the tone for your entire wedding-day aesthetic. It’s not just about what’s trendy, it’s about what makes you feel confident, comfortable, and totally main-character on your big day.
Understanding the different silhouettes can help you figure out what styles highlight your favorite features (and maybe what you’d rather downplay). Love your waist? Try an A-line or fit-and-flare. Want something romantic and floaty? Go for chiffon or tulle in a soft sheath. Knowing your silhouette preferences can make your dress shopping experience so much smoother, you’ll walk into your appointment ready to slay instead of feeling overwhelmed by endless options.
At the end of the day, your silhouette is all about you. It’s about finding the shape that hugs, twirls, and shines exactly the way you want it to. So, when you step into that gown that makes you feel like the best version of yourself, yep, that’s the magic of the right silhouette.
Ballgown Wedding Dresses: Classic Fairytale Vibes
If you’ve ever dreamed of a fairytale moment, the ballgown silhouette is your cue. Defined by a fitted bodice and full, voluminous skirt, this classic shape delivers instant princess energy. Layers of tulle, satin, or organza create that iconic drama, perfect for a grand entrance or twirl-worthy aisle moment.
It’s all about balance: a cinched waist paired with a sweeping skirt for that timeless hourglass effect. Romantic, bold, and unapologetically extra, the ballgown is pure main-character magic.
Derrick Royale by Maggie Sottero
Serving modern fairytale energy, Derrick Royale stuns with glitter tulle that catches every flicker of light. The exposed boning and soft basque waist sculpt a dreamy, corseted fit, while the plunging illusion V-neckline adds just the right touch of allure. Finished with a zipper closure, trailing covered buttons, and, yes, pockets, this gown is the perfect mix of regal drama and effortless cool.
Diaz by Sottero and Midgley
Diaz is where timeless romance meets modern glamor. This stunning gown features glittering tulle that shimmers with every step, paired with a structured bodice that highlights your natural shape. The off-the-shoulder neckline and subtle plunge add just the right mix of sophistication and allure, while the full skirt brings all the fairytale drama. Elegant, confident, and totally unforgettable. Diaz is made for your spotlight moment.
A-Line Wedding Dresses: The Universally Flattering Favorite
The A-line wedding dress style is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, it flatters everyone. Named for its “A” shape, this silhouette features a fitted bodice that gradually flares from the waist into a soft, flowing skirt. It’s structured enough to define your figure but relaxed enough to move with ease (aka perfect for dancing the night away).
What makes the A-line so beloved is its versatility, it works for every vibe, from boho garden parties to black-tie soirées. Whether crafted in sleek satin or airy tulle, this silhouette offers timeless elegance with just the right touch of whimsy. It’s classic, effortless, and always the right choice for a bride who wants to look, and feel, their absolute best.
Gretchen by Maggie Sottero
Dreamy, delicate, and dripping in detail, Gretchen is a modern romantic’s dream come true. This soft tulle A-line gown features a sheer organza-lined bodice adorned with pearl beading and exposed boning for that perfect blend of structure and sparkle. The soft basque waist flatters beautifully, while the V-neckline and beaded spaghetti straps add an airy, effortless touch. Finished with a covered button closure and a subtle side slit, Gretchen is elegance with a hint of flirtation, ready for your walk (and twirl) down the aisle.
Natalie by Maggie Sottero
Effortlessly romantic and endlessly chic, Natalie is the epitome of understated elegance. This allover lace gown features an illusion bodice and deep strapless sweetheart neckline that highlight your natural beauty with subtle allure. The soft Rosario crepe back satin lining adds a touch of luxury, while side illusion insets and a lace-detailed train create dreamy dimension from every angle. Finished with a horsehair hem and covered buttons, Natalie proves that minimalism can still be utterly breathtaking.
Mermaid Wedding Dresses: Curve-Hugging and Glamorous
The mermaid wedding dress style is the ultimate showstopper, sleek, sculpted, and all about celebrating your curves. This silhouette hugs the body from the bodice through the hips and thighs before flaring out around the knees (just like a mermaid’s tail…hence the name). The result? A dramatic, ultra-feminine shape that highlights every contour in the most flattering way.
It’s a style made for confident, glamorous brides who love a little red-carpet drama. Whether crafted in satin, lace, or glitter tulle, the mermaid silhouette balances sophistication and allure, perfect for that “wow” moment as you make your grand entrance (and an even grander exit).
Giselle by Sottero and Midgley
Giselle is elegance with an edge. This stunning mermaid gown features a sculpted bodice, romantic lace detailing, and a curve-hugging silhouette that flares into the perfect dramatic train. The sweetheart neckline and fitted structure create a timelessly feminine look, while the option to wear it in black takes it to bold, modern, and totally unforgettable. Whether you’re going classic ivory or statement noir, Giselle is made for the bride who owns the room.
Keegan by Maggie Sottero
Glamor meets sparkle in the stunning Keegan gown. This masterpiece features beaded and sequin lace motifs layered over Aurora glitter tulle for a radiant, light-catching glow. The plunging illusion V-neckline and side cutouts create a sculpted, flattering fit, while the deep illusion V-back adds just the right touch of drama. Finished with delicate lace tank straps, covered buttons, and an extended scalloped lace train, Keegan is pure bridal radiance, made for the bride who loves a little shimmer with sophistication.
Fit-and-Flare Wedding Dresses: Sleek With a Softer Touch
The fit-and-flare wedding dress is the perfect middle ground between timeless romance and modern glam. Designed to hug your curves through the bodice and hips before gently flaring out around mid-thigh, this silhouette offers all the figure-flattering structure of a mermaid gown, but with a softer, more relaxed finish.
It’s ideal for the bride who wants definition without too much drama, movement without sacrificing shape. Whether it’s detailed in lace, satin, or shimmer tulle, the fit-and-flare is effortlessly elegant, subtly sexy, and totally dance-floor approved.
Bianca by Maggie Sottero
Bianca is the moment for brides who love a little sparkle and a lot of romance. This fit-and-flare gown shimmers with beaded and sequin lace motifs over glitter tulle, creating a soft, radiant glow from every angle. The plunging illusion V-neckline and low lace back bring sultry sophistication, while the beaded spaghetti straps and side hip dips enhance the sculpted fit. Lined with Virtue stretch jersey for effortless comfort and finished with an extended scalloped lace train, this wedding dress style is made to shine, beautifully, boldly, and unapologetically you.
Melissa by Maggie Sottero
Elegant, timeless, and effortlessly chic, Melissa is the modern bride’s satin dream. Crafted from luxurious Cartago satin, this strapless gown features an asymmetrically draped bodice that flatters the figure while delicate beads and pearls trace the sweetheart neckline for a soft, romantic touch. The fit is smooth and sculpted, lined with Romance satin for comfort and finished with covered buttons trailing to the hem. With its luminous sheen and graceful silhouette, Melissa brings old-Hollywood sophistication to your aisle moment.
Sheath Wedding Dresses: Effortless and Minimalist
The sheath wedding dress style is all about effortless elegance. This silhouette skims the body from neckline to hem, offering a sleek, elongated look without the volume of fuller skirts. It’s the ultimate blend of simplicity and sophistication, designed to highlight your natural shape with clean lines and graceful movement.
Perfect for the modern minimalist or the free-spirited romantic, the sheath silhouette shines in every fabric, from fluid crepe to soft lace or shimmering satin. It’s understated, timeless, and effortlessly chic, proof that sometimes, less truly is more.
Constance by Maggie Sottero
Constance is pure sophistication with a touch of sparkle. This pearl- and bead-embellished tulle gown glows with every movement, layered over subtle glitter tulle for a radiant finish. The sheer, beaded organza bodice features a chic strapless cat-eye neckline, equal parts timeless and fashion-forward, while the illusion back shimmers with pearl detailing. Finished with detachable beaded spaghetti straps and pearl buttons trailing to the hem, Constance is sleek, sultry, and designed for the bride who loves a little luxury in every detail.
Adeline by Rebecca Ingram
Adeline is the perfect blend of classic romance and modern allure. Crafted from sleek Panama crepe, this sheath wedding gown features an illusion bodice adorned with beaded and sequin lace motifs layered over soft Chantilly lace for dimension and sparkle. The off-the-shoulder cap sleeves add a touch of timeless elegance while allowing easy movement thanks to a flexible inner elastic. Finished with a subtle lace illusion slit, Adeline is effortlessly chic, made for the bride who loves sophistication with a hint of shimmer.
Ready to Find the One?
From dramatic ballgowns to sleek sheaths, every silhouette tells a story, and the best one is yours. Understanding your wedding dress style is all about finding the shape that highlights your natural beauty and makes you feel confident, radiant, and completely yourself. Whether you’re drawn to romantic lace, modern satin, or a little sparkle and shimmer, your dream gown is waiting to bring your bridal vision to life.
Need a little inspiration to get started? Follow our Instagram to explore silhouettes, save your favorite looks, and start building your wedding day mood board!
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