Congratulations on Your Wedding! Let These 5 Iconic Dress Shapes Guide Your Choice
Choosing a wedding dress can be a daunting task, but fear not! We’ve rounded up the 5 most iconic wedding dress shapes that will suit any style of wedding and make you feel incredible. Our guide is not about adhering to outdated rules of choosing styles that ‘flatter’ your body shape, but rather a road map to the moods that might suit your own personal wedding aesthetic. Whatever style of wedding dress you’re considering, these definitive dress shapes are sure to fulfill all your big day dreams.
1: Fit and Flare
Halfpenny London’s Founder and Designer, Kate Halfpenny, Creates Fit and Flare Capsule Collection for Net-a-porter.com
Kate Halfpenny has recently designed a capsule collection for Net-a-porter.com featuring a variety of shapes and styles. According to Kate, “the fit and flare silhouette is by far the leader when it comes to hero shapes.” With the body positivity movement gaining momentum, many women are embracing the fit and flare silhouette to showcase their fantastic bodies. This silhouette skims the upper body through the bust and waist, drapes over the hips, and then flares out from the thighs, providing ample space for walking and dancing. Meghan Markle famously wore a fit and flare dress for her ceremony wedding day. Kate also suggests that the fit and flare shape allows for dual silhouettes with a sheer ballgown overskirt on top of the fitted dress, creating lovely, luscious layers. The beauty of wedding dress shopping lies in the ability to tailor the basic silhouette with layers, sleeves, and necklines that suit your individual style.
2: Ballgown
The Ballgown: A Classic Wedding Dress Style with a Modern Twist
The ballgown is possibly the most classic wedding dress style, featuring a fitted bodice and a skirt that balloons from the natural waist. Kate Halfpenny, founder and designer of Halfpenny London, reveals that “the ballgown is the shape I’d draw over and over as a child.” While this silhouette has a traditional heritage (the Princess of Wales wore a ballgown shape on her wedding day in 2011), Halfpenny suggests that it can still have a modern twist by incorporating contemporary fabrics. Paris Hilton recently looked like the main character in her own fairytale in her ballgown wedding dress in 2021. The ballgown silhouette provides a timeless and elegant look, with the added bonus of making you feel like a princess on your special day.
3: Fishtail or mermaid
Channel Hollywood Glamour with Fishtail or Mermaid Style Wedding Dresses
Fishtail or mermaid style wedding dresses exude Hollywood glamour and are a favorite among red carpet celebrities. This silhouette is fitted through the torso and thighs, staying close down to the knees, before the fabric pools out to create volume at the bottom of the dress. You can choose the length of this effect, whether it’s just a little extra fabric or a cathedral-length train. While this style may not be the easiest to walk in, it photographs beautifully and looks timeless, just like Hailey Bieber’s lace-encrusted mermaid dress. This silhouette is sure to make you feel like a star on your wedding day and leave a lasting impression in all your photos.
4: Mini-dress
Mini Wedding Dresses: The Perfect Choice for Micro-Weddings and City Nuptials
As traditional wedding ceremonies evolve into micro-weddings and city nuptials, mini dresses are becoming increasingly popular. Kate Halfpenny has observed this trend and notes that “lots of brides are choosing minis for a city wedding worn with a gorgeous veil, or to change into for the evening. Many are adding a detachable ballgown overskirt so they have the best of both worlds!” Mini dresses can look sweet, sexy, or smart, depending on the choice of fabric and detailing. Lily Allen recently proved that they are also the perfect foil for a full veil. Whether you opt for a classic white mini or a colored mini dress, this style is a great option for a modern and chic wedding celebration.
5: Column
Elegance Personified: The Column Wedding Dress Silhouette
For minimally-minded brides, the column wedding dress silhouette is the ideal choice. This silhouette follows your body shape without clinging, creating a long and lean aesthetic. While intricate fabric can be used to create a column wedding dress, they also look incredible when made from simple silks and satins for a pared-back vibe, as exemplified by Ariana Grande’s strapless column dress. This silhouette is the epitome of elegance and sophistication, perfect for brides who want a timeless and classic look on their special day.
Personalize Your Wedding Dress: Neckline, Sleeves, and Fabric Choices
Once you’ve decided on a silhouette, you can move on to the exciting decisions of neckline shape (sweetheart, square-neck, V-neck, or asymmetric) and your choice of sleeves, whether that be long, cap-sleeve, cape, or sleeveless. These choices can help to personalize your wedding dress and make it unique to you. Additionally, selecting the right fabric can bring your fashion dreams to life. From luxurious lace to sleek satin, there are endless options to choose from. We can’t wait to see the photos of you in your perfect wedding dress, tailored to your individual style and preferences.