Style guide

Full Skirt

Perfect fit
If you have a slim-hipped figure and a full bust, the Full Skirt shape will balance top and bottom perfectly, giving you that "fairytale bride" look. This style or Princess are generally thought of as the most romantic shapes.

What to avoid
Avoid the Full Skirt if you are not full busted, as it will make your bust look smaller. If you are petite, avoid this option because you will disappear into the dress! If you have wide hips, avoid the Full Skirt because it will over emphasize them.

Princess or Empire Line

Perfect fit
This is another fairytale look. Starting the waistline beneath the bust works well for smaller busts, and the long line makes petite brides look taller. For the ultimate romantic style, this one won't let you down. The Princess style will also do a marvellous job at covering up wider hips.

What to avoid
The long line makes tall brides look taller. If you have a marvellous figure and want to show it off, a figure-hugging dress might be preferable, but it is difficult to find too much wrong with the Princess style, which is probably why it is so popular.

A Line

Perfect fit
This is like the Princess but the tighter bodice hugs the waist, so it flatters slim waistlines while making the most of the bust. If you have wider hips, the A-Line will cover them up effectively.

What to avoid
If you have a fuller figure, you may choose not to have a dress which hugs the form quite so closely. The tighter bodice will tend to draw attention to a smaller bust.

Bias Cut

Perfect fit
If you are slim and want to look very chic, the bias cut is for you. This is the dress for the bride with the perfect figure. The bias cut flatters tall girls, but is also complimentary for a petite figure. The cloth of the bias cut is diagonal, giving a different fit to the Column, described below.

What to avoid
A bias-cut dress hugs the hips, so if you are fuller in the hip, avoid this style. It will show off a perfect curvy figure, but if there are curves where you don't want them, they'll show too!

Asymmetric Cut

Perfect fit
The asymmetric design is an unusual look which on the right figure can be particularly striking. Beautiful shoulders and arms will look their best in this style, while the flaring skirt is good for hiding fuller hips.

What to avoid
Beautiful asymmetric strap designs will distract from square shoulders, but there is a danger that bringing the eye to the unusual diagonal look will emphasize the shoulders too.

Column

Perfect fit
Like the bias cut but with a straight weft and vertical seams, the Column dress hugs the figure and looks great on tall, willowy women. This is the one to give you that catwalk look! The unbroken line will also work well for a more petite figure.

What to avoid
The Column shape sits quite close to the body, so if you have fuller hips, this will tend to emphasize them.

Corset & Skirt (Two-Piece)

Perfect fit
Corset and Skirt, as in this picture, should be indistinguishable from a complete dress, i.e. they shouldn't part company at the waist. A better fit can be achieved with Separates, especially if you are not stock size. A corset works well at tapering the bodice in to the waist, and is effective if you want to emphasize a full bust.

What to avoid
Separates in opposite colours, can shorten the waist and the lighter coloured part tends to look bigger, although two tones often work well think of the effect in a photograph. And ensure the emphasis is where you want it.

Back

Product Tags: A B C D E F G H I G K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

Charliesbridal is an Upfront Merchant on TheFind. Click for info.