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Your wedding is not the time to be worried about holding in your stomach,
Find the wedding dress that fits best
tugging at your dress or pulling at your
sleeves. Finding a gown for your specific body type is immensely
important. The good news is that even if your body is not in
“ideal” form, there are styles that can accentuate positives and
diminish less-than-perfect, ahem…, assets. We talked to a few
local bridal dress experts for some tips to help you select a style
that fits you best.
Neckline
Strapless or one-shoulder dresses are the new trend, according
to Jessica Meadows, a bridal consultant at Love, A Bridal
Boutique. The straight-across neckline is popular, but it minimizes
the bust and does not show any curves. “The sweetheart
and the modified sweetheart neckline add a slight dip across the
chest,” Meadows says. “These styles move the eye vertically as
opposed to horizontally to give you a slimmer look.”
Torso
If you are worried about a less-than-toned midsection, you will
want a dress that cinches at the narrowest point of the waistline,
or one with a vertical look. “The princess dress has vertical
seams that extend down from the shoulders to camouflage
around the tummy,” says Ann Wallace, a bridal consultant at
Alfred Angelo. Form-fitting dresses work mainly for the petite
body type.
“If your bottom half is larger than your top half, the A-line
dress is most appropriate. This style starts at the waist and
tapers out toward the ground,” Meadows says. The smaller part
of your waist will be accentuated, while taking attention away
from the hips and thighs.
Pattern
Ruching is great for any body type. The pattern involves decorative
edges on gathered or pleated fabric. “It creates a nice, little
silhouette and seems to tighten the waistline. It works for everyone.
If you are already small, it can make your bust look bigger,”
Meadows says.
Color
Color on a dress tends to attract the eye regardless of where
it is located, says Wallace. Though color is generally only located
on the trim, when choosing a dress with color elsewhere, make
sure it is on a spot you want people to see. “Infusing color
under the bust line can be quite slimming, while color on the
bust line accentuates that area,” Wallace says.
BY KATE HELLER
