County Cream
From fairytale to fishtail, there's one word spilling from designers' and fashionistas' lips the wedding world over: shape. Stand out amongst the crowd by choosing a silhouette that flaunts the most-wanted fashions while showcasing your body shape for wow factor impact.
We've canvassed the catwalks, bridal houses and top trends to deliver your ultimate guide to dress shape. The quest for a frock that suits your body shape, as well as individual sense of style, begins here.
The dress shape: fairytale
The effect: shapely and curvaceous
Best for body type: particularly curvy, but suits all
The look: nouveau romance, whimsical
Wedding fashion never tires of fairytale gowns. Constantly reinvented and revamped, the classic silhouette can be adapted to suit all frames and personal tastes, making it one of the most lusted-after and timeless shapes of them all.
The structure supports curvy brides and accentuates the hourglass of slimmer frames while being perfect for various hemlines and necklines. From scooped bodices to draped shoulders and dropped waists, and short skirts to floor-sweeping numbers - the latest fairytale fashions make for an inspired collection.
Play with palette and don the hottest shades of blush, blue, grey and mint green, and achieve dramatic volume with layered skirts in light-as-air chiffon and tiers of tulle.
Opt for removable and ruched tulle overskirts, long-sleeved lace bodices and a flowing veil for a fashion-forward finish.
The Bridal House of Cornwall
Amanda K Bridal
County Cream
Little Anne-Maids
Little Anne-Maids
Little Anne-Maids
Little Anne-Maids
County Cream
County Cream
The Wedding Company
Amanda K Bridal
The Wedding Company
Amanda K Bridal
The dress shape: mermaid
The effect: classic hourglass
Best for body type: slim/athletic
The look: feminine glamour
Celebrate the female form in style by accentuating the iconic hourglass with a mermaid gown, which lends itself to a wealth of aesthetics from Grecian goddess to screen siren glamour.
Hugging the hips and sculpting the bust, the mermaid smacks of old-school glamour while morphing into the modern: think curve-skimming lace flanked by an ornate floral crown for show-stealing style.
Today's take on traditional also sees skirts with Hollywood-style slits, giving a sexy show of leg alongside high necklines or long sleeves, which add an extra vintage vibe.
Amanda K Bridal
Sam Cox Bridalwear
The Bridal House of Cornwall
County Cream
Lavender Rose
Lavender Rose
Little Anne-Maids
Lavender Rose
Lavender Rose
County Cream
The Wedding Company
Amanda K Bridal
The shape: A-line
The effect: simple, form-flattering elegance
Best for body type: all
The look: modern minimalist, vintage glamour
Whether you wish to cover your curves or dress in era wear, column and A-lines suit most body shapes while featuring in all this year's main trends.
The simpler shape skims over all frames, which means that while it forgives more voluptuous figures, it can be cinched in to flaunt smaller waistlines.
From head-to-toe lace to fitted bodices flaring into handkerchief tulle skirts at the waist, A-lines can incorporate an array of fashionable features.
Whether it's picture collars, capes, illusion high necklines, portrait backs, cap sleeves or silver and gold beading for extra sparkle, the humble A-line can be instantly transformed into a coveted piece of contemporary couture.
Amanda K Bridal
The Bridal House of Cornwall
The Bridal House of Cornwall
County Cream
Little Anne-Maids
Little Anne-Maids
Little Anne-Maids
County Cream
The Bridal House of Cornwall
The Wedding Company
The Wedding Company
The shape: sheath/tailored
The effect: slinky, body-con lines
Best for body type: slender, petite
The look: statement, avant-garde style
From short, slinky slips to long-sleeved sheaths, svelte style continues to make waves for its celebration of the womanly form.
Clingy fabrics and clean lines create a sculpted silhouette that can be embellished with pearl embroidery, a bateau neckline or laser-cut patterns to incorporate either a sense of nostalgia or modern panache.
Imagine sumptuous silk charmeuse flowing from delicate spaghetti straps or short cocktail dresses cut from nude lace.
Alternatively, experiment with two-pieces either via crop tops and high skirts or slimline suits for the more tailored end of the spectrum. Playsuits and rompers smack of fun, flirty fashions, which, as the centrepiece or pre-evening costume change, will ensure fabulous (and very talked-about) bridal fashion.
The Bridal House of Cornwall
The Wedding Company
The Wedding Company
The Wedding Company
The Wedding Company
Little Anne-Maids
Lavender Rose
Lavender Rose
Little Anne-Maids
The Wedding Company
The Bridal House of Cornwall
Amanda K Bridal
The Bridal House of Cornwall
Amanda K Bridal
words Hannah May
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
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