Oscardelarenta - WedZtyle

In our last blog ‘say yes to the right dress’, we explored different body types along with varying styles of dress. In this blog, we are focusing on the different kinds of bodices that will complement different wedding dress styles and body types. The bodice is the upper part of the dress, covering the waist to the bust. The bodice creates body balance, therefore, an essential element of the wedding dress.

Most women know what part of their bodies is their greatest asset. Most would agree that the golden rule for choosing any dress, is to maximise your best body asset. Selecting the right bodice and neckline that suits your body type, creates a visual proportion between your upper and lower body. The symmetry of the balance is what will make the ‘wow’ factor.

Four main body shapes will be covered.

Source: Pinterest

Triangle/Pear Body Shape

Women of this body shape have a smaller upper body and broader hips. The aim is to minimise the balance ratio between the upper body to the hips by creating the illusion that the shoulders are wider than they are.

The ideal bodice type is using various accessories that will add to the volume to the waist and, choosing a neckline that opens the shoulder area up. A boat neckline, adding cap sleeves, or thick straps will add expansion across the shoulders. Consider adding shoulder pads if your dress has sleeves. Halter styles and deep plunge necklines will make your shoulders narrower. Adding ‘bling’ within the waist area will draw the attention away from the hip.

Milla Nova

Cone/ Apple Body Shape

The Cone/Apple body shape women have a larger bust, broader shoulders and narrow hips. The idea is to minimise the bust size, shoulder broadness and add more volume from the hip down.

The neckline perfect for this body type is V-neck, U neck, scoop necks, strapless, focusing on minimising the details on the shoulders with simple straight lines. Softening the shoulders with softly draped fabrics and elongating the neckline will create the visual proportion you need. Sleeves cut on a diagonal, and a plunging necklace will also create a narrowing look. Any detail around shoulders should be balanced with a princess-style gown.

Avoid off the shoulder, puff sleeves, shoulder pads or any structured shoulder design. The idea is to draw attention to the bottom half of the gown.

Berta

Hourglass Body Shape

Hourglass-shaped women typically have small waist and bust and hips that are proportionate to each other. The idea with a body shape such is to create emphasis around the waist area whether it is adding ‘bling’ or cinching the dress around the waist. The focal point is the waist.

The neckline best suited is off-shoulder, sweetheart, strapless, square, scoop, V-neck, oval, rounded or jewel.

Avoid wearing avoiding high, narrow, square, boatneck and wide necklines as it adds volume around the shoulder, creating a disproportionate to the hips.

Oscar De La Renta

Rectangle Body Shape

Women who have a rectangular body lack distinct curves. Busts, waist and hips are sized. The aim with a figure such as this is to add curves. Adding bling to the bodice or cinching the dress at the waist will create an illusion of waist hence curves.

To lengthen the shoulder and focus on the bust area by wearing rounded necklines such as a scoop or jewel neck. Another option is opting for lower, wider necklines such as V-neck, slash, scoop or sweethearts. Off the shoulder, bateau and strapless is another option.

Avoid square, and straight necklines as these will create a shapeless look.

Naeem Khan

Breast Shape

Women with large breasts can minimise the appearance by wearing a scoop, cow and v-neckline. Also, adding delicate accessories that sit at the decolletage will draw the eye away from the breast area. Adding detail around the waist will highlight the waist taking the focus away from the breasts.

Of course, women who want their breast to be their focal point should opt for deep plunging necklines, hence why V-neck is perfect for women with large breasts.

Small breasted women have a lot more choices as the outfits tend to look softer as their breasts are not spilling out of the dress. Off the shoulder dresses suit most small-breasted women. Adding accessories around the bust line will also create the volume around the breast area. Wear a padded bra to create a cleavage.

Source Pinterest

Fitting of the dress

A wedding dress fitting is the best way to sculpt the gown to the body and ensure a proper fit. Brides typically need three fittings before the dress is ready to be worn. Once you have chosen the type of dress you want, whether the dress is designed or off the rack, it is essential to get the fit right.We have all been in a situation where we have fallen in love with a dress, knowing that it does not fit as it should.

Below are ten indicators that the dress does not fit right:

Does not sit well under the breast area
Spillage around the back and breast area
Too tight around the waist. It will not loosen.
Straps keep falling.
The bodice is itchy – think of comfort.
Draglines appearing around the hips
The seamline is crooked.
The zip is difficult to pull up.
When you sit down, bend or move the dress cuts off your breathing.
The waistband is not sitting where it should.

Oscar De La Renta

Looking and feeling fabulous on the day will depend on the fit of the dress and how it suits your body shape.

Wedztyle.com

Main Image: Berta

Ladies, the time has come to say yes to the right dress. A wedding dress is a piece of artwork designed for the bride to make her partner and all guests gasp when she walks in. Like any fashion statement piece, confidence is critical. How the dress fits in with all the other elements such as hair, make-up, etc. creates the wow, not the price tag. We at Wedztyle feel that looking for a wedding dress should be a joyful experience as this is a time for the bride to experiment with different styles, shades of white and materials.

Before we explore the different types of dress, I would like to touch on body shape balance. Despite if a bride is a bottom or top-heavy, has a narrow waist or wide hips, there needs to be a body shape balance between the upper torso, and legs. By creating vertical balance, the body looks in proportion, so the ‘good’ bits stand out, and the ‘not so good’ bits are hidden. However any dress can be the right dress, regardless of recommendations, your dress should make you feel special and beautiful.

Vertical Body Balance

Image: Pinterest

In essence, the primary axis (legs) and the secondary axis (upper torso) should be in balance when wearing any outfit. There are four main body types.

Images: Pinterest

Based on a vertical body balance, as a guide, a triangle body shape should balance out their shoulders to their hips. Dresses can include a boat or scoop neckline, even a strapless. A straight A-line, empire, or a gown style gown would create the right proportions.

An hourglass body shape would look fabulous in a dress that accentuates their tiny waste such as a ball gown or A-line. Any wedding dress that frames or flares from the waist will create that nice vertical body balance. A nicely fitted jumpsuit pinched at the waist will look stunning.

A cone body shape needs to find balance on the lower half of their body. A wedding dress that flares from the knee would look amazing on this type of body shape. Gowns like a mermaid, trumpet even strapless would work well.

As for a rectangular body, the ideal type of dresses would be A-line, empire, and drop-waist. A suit with a longer jacket that is fitted would look fabulous.

Styles of Wedding Dresses

The Ballgown

For brides wanting a princess look, the ballgown is for you. The style of the dress tends to be fitted at the waist with a full skirt. The bodice can be strapless, with straps, or halter style. Perfect for all body types.

Source: Elie Saab

The Trumpet

The style of the Trumpet gown is similar to a mermaid style as it hugs the body in the right places and gradually flares outwards. The trumpet flare begins in the mid-thigh area. The stylishness is ideal for hourglass and petite figures. For our pear and apple figured brides, the style does accentuate the stomach and hip area. Wearing great shapewear will slim down those areas.

Source: Elie Saab

Mermaid

Over the years the mermaid style dress of dress has increased in popularity. The design hugs close to the body, flares at or below the knee, creating a mermaid-like tail. These dresses tend to be harder to move around in than the trumpet, so maybe think about having a different dress for the reception so you can move around more easily. This type of style suits the hourglass-shaped ladies but once again, if you have your heart set on this one shapewear is the key.

Source: Berta

A-Line

The A-line gown is a popular style of dress which is a standard go-to for many brides. Although it is similar to the ballgown with its fitted bodice, the A-line gown skirt has more flow less fullness. This gown suits all body types. The stylishness of the dress is a good option for bridesmaids with different body shapes.

Source: Oscar De La Renta

Modified A-Line Gown

This gown is a modified version of the A-line dress. The style is fitted through the bodice and the hip, flaring to the hem forming an A-Shape. Flattering design for shapely women. A belt will look amazing with this dress, again bringing in the waist to give it a different look.

Source: Anna Campbell Bridal

Sheath

This dress, referred to as the column style, is straight down from the hip to the hem with little or no flare. Sometimes a slight flare can be added tapering at the heals—an ideal gown for petite and hourglass-shaped women, especially taller women.

Source: Toni Maticevski

Empire Dress

This gown is fabulous for flaunting your curves. The dress has a fitted bodice ending just below the bust, giving a high-waisted appearance. It has a long gathered skirt which is loosely fitted but skims the body—a perfect style for diamond and pear-shaped and pregnant women.

Source: Vera Wang

Tea Length

The tea-length style was trendy in the 1950s and is loved by vintage brides. The stylishness is an A-line or ballgown shape with a shorter hemline ending right below the knee. Perfect for many body types.

Source: Naeem Khan Bride

Jumpsuit

The jumpsuit has gained popularity over the past years. Designers add their spin on the jumpsuit to make sure it has enough bling to make it the perfect choice. It is an ideal option to change into after the ceremony as you can move around in it better at the reception. Great for all body types.

Source: Jenny Packham

The Suit

The white suit has gained momentum within the last couple of years, especially for the couples that have chosen to elope during COVID19 pandemic. As there are different styles of suits, choose one that will compliment your body shape. Do not be afraid to add some bling. Pair the suit with accessories such as jewellery, headpiece, and flowers.