So you've found The One. Now you just need to find the wedding dress to go with him!
If you’re anything like us, you’ve been planning your wedding since you were nine years old. You know what your first song will be, what colour your bridesmaids will be wearing and how many tiers your wedding cake will have. But the one thing you can never take too much time over is finding your dream dress.
We spoke to bridal designer Charlotte Balbier to find out how to find THE dress! You might have set your sights on a princess-cut skirt and a sweetheart neckline, or a Kate Middleton worthy train complete with lace embellishment.
Whatever you’ve been dreaming up for your big day, here’s how to pick the perfect wedding dress for your body shape.
Finding The Pefect Dress For Your Body Shape
If You're A Pear
For brides that are smaller up top with fuller hips, you need something that draws attention to your mini waist and skims over your gorgeous curves. A classic A-Line design will do just that!
Charlotte also recommends keeping the focus on the bodice: "A dropped waistline or strapless ball-gown will cover the bottom half and put more emphasis on the top. A princess ball-gown will balance out a torso and smaller. The classic ‘A’ line also looks beautiful.
"It is best to steer clear of Mermaid or trumpet gowns that draw attention to your lower half. Something like the Gracie gown from the Charlotte Balbier collection will be the best fit for a pear shape."
If You're An Apple
Apple shapes have fuller breasts, rounded hips and a voluptuous derrière so it's important to highlight the smallest part of your figure to create more of an hourglass silhouette.
A dress that cinches in at the smallest point on the waist-line like the Charlotte Balbier Lily Mae dress would look stunning.
"Dresses that flare out into a gradual A shape are good for apple shapes. A bride should opt for a bodice with a lot of texture to it and think about ruche and lace detail to camouflage and create a corset fit. A deep V-neck will be slenderising like the Mabel dress," says Charlotte.
If You're An Hourglass
It's official. The wedding dress world is your oyster. You lucky things can get away with just about anything thanks to your perfectly balanced figure but you still want to show off your BEST asset.
Charlotte recommends opting for a soft fishtail fit gown and topping it off with a pair of high pair of heels to balance out your shape to perfection.
If You're Boyish
With a boyish or athletic figure it's all about creating shape. You haven't got a defined waist so you'll need a dress that can give you curves in all the right places. Embracing the ballerina style is a definite yes since delicate shape hugging designs will only emphasise your slim figure.
"A boyish figure can rock a Princess-cut fuller skirt as it will make the most of a slender frame. A big chunky piece of jewellery might be good as a focus and to add another dimension and shape to a boyish figure. Adding in a belt or sash also gives the illusion of a curve as seen on this style, Petal."
If You're A Cornet
You're looking for a dress that will soften your shoulders and show off your best feature - that's usually your slim pins!
Ruffles, ruching and volume on the skirt of the dress will help bring your shoulders back into proportion whilst framing your feminine curves.
Always avoid boxy shapes as this will only broaden your upper body. It's best to stick to statement necklines to lead the eye away from the widest part of you. Flared skirts will also help balance out your narrow hips.
Charlotte adds: "A cornet body shape or the triangle, as it's also called, typically consists of broad shoulders and a small bust.
"The hips are petite and they are usually lucky to have a slim waist with long-legs. These bodies are blessed with an athletic build for the catwalk. The best wedding dress shape is the Charlotte Balbier ‘Abbie’ wedding dress. This will create the illusion that the upper body is smaller than it is."
How did you find your perfect fit? Share your wedding dress know-how with us @sofeminineUK
© Charlotte Balbier
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