Choosing Gown's Neckline According To Your Body Shape

Choosing Gown's Neckline According To Your Body Shape

Big Bust
Go For:
1) Elements such as lines and patterns that are consistent throughout the dress, which will draw attention to the face and the flow to the dress
2) Dresses with straps for extra support. If you prefer strapless gowns, look for a neckline with a slight dip (e.g sweetheart) that shows off cleavage tastefully
3) Scoop, boat and square necklines and off-shoulder styles to open-up your face and neckwithout showing too much of cleavage.

Avoid:
1) High necklines (e.g jewel or bateau) that make breasts look droopy
2) Straight horizontal necklines that make breasts look too big for the dress
3) Empire waistline that can give the illusion of a big stomach
4) Fabrics with sheen (e.g silk) or material that ruched

Small Bust
Go For:
1) Designs with details on the bodice such as beads, crystals, ruffles, gathering, etc. These add volume and give the illusion of a fuller bust line
2) High, jewel or bateau necklines that make the bust seem larger due to the curve of the material from the neck to the bust
3) Low-cut lines such as "V" halters, scoop, square and spaghetti straps. Add padding for a cleavage if needed

Avoid:
1) Designs with simple, straiht lines that are repetitive
2) Dresses that gape at the neckline such as off-shoulder styles and sweetheart necklines, which only work to enhance larger chest

Long Legs
Go For:
1) Dresses that hug the figure, such as sheath and memaid cuts, while more voluptuous brides can try the empire or A-line cuts
2) Lower waistlines, floor sweeping hems and trains for a flattering style
3) Two-piece dresses such as a bodice and skirt in different shades or petterns. The separate pieces will help break up a long silhoutte

Avoid:
1) Too many details on the dress as this looks overwhelming on a tall silhouette
2) High necklines that elongate the body, making legs appear even longer
3) Skirts that end at the ankles and sleeves that end before the wrists - it will seem as though the dress is a size too small

Short Legs
Go For:
1) A-line dresses with natural waistlines as they elongate the silhouette, making a short bride appear taller
2) High waistlines that are above the natural waist, to elongate the lower body
3) Small design details that are limited to the bodice of the dress. This draws attention to the upper body and will not overpower short silhouettes

Avoid:
1) Full skirts and ball gowns - short legs can get lost in them
2) Dresses with dropped waistlines as they'll only make the leg look shorter
3) Anything that ends at the calves. Try floor sweeping or knee-length skirts instead.

Broad Shoulders
Go For:
1) Dresses with straps that will "close up" some shoulder space or halter dresses that flatter broad shoulders
2) High, round, sweetheart, scooped, "V" or "U" necklines
3) Sheer, flowing fabric that gives the illusion of softer shoulders
4) A full or A-line skirt, which is in proportion to the width of your shoulders

Avoid:
1) Short, puffed or off-shoulder sleeves and bolero jackets
2) Asymmetrical necklines that make your shoulders look disproportionate
3) Big design details on or around the shoulder or arm area, as they call attention to the broadness of the shoulders

Narrow Shoulders
Go For:
1) Off-shoulder and strapless dresses that will make your shoulders look broader. Necklines for these styles can be straight, round or sweetheart.
2) Potrait, scoop or boat necklines that are wide enough to define the collarbone
3) Full arm and cap sleeves that create the illusion of wider shoulders

Avoid:
1) Spaghetti straps or halter tops, or high, narrow "V" and "U" necklines which reduce shoulder width
2) Anything that draws attention to the centre of the body (eg. vertical lines leading to the waistlines as they highlight the fact that the hips are wider than the shoulders

Wide Hips
Go For:
1) Flared skirts such as A-line or princess line, or those with higher waistlines. The skirt should flow away from the body at the waist or hips
2) Broad necklines such as scoop, bateau, off-shoulder and potrait
3) Design details such as ruffles, gathering or bows on the bodice, below the hips and on the back

Avoid:
1) Dresses that are tight on the hips, such as mermaid and sheath styles
2) High necklines such as collar, Queen Anne and halter that elongate the upper body and make wide hips more prominent
3) Design details at the waist or hip areas, which add unwanted volume

Narrow Hips
Go For:
1) The right style and cut (e.g the sheath with a bias cut at the waistline creates curves where there are none and emphasise any that you do have)
2) Dresses that clinch in at your natural waist and descend into a slight A-line skirt to accentuate your slim body and hide the lack of curves around the hips
3) Skirts with heavy design details or layers to add volume to your silhouette

Avoid:
1) Full skirts or ballerina dresses as they emphasize your (lack of) hips
2) Plain dresses - the plainer it is, the more obvious your lack of curves will be
3) Styles that hug the figure too tightly, such as mermaid dress. It's more suitable for the bride with an hourglass figure

Flabby Arms
Go For:
1) Portrait necklines that frame the shoulders and collarbones while hiding fuller arms, and halter V-line dresses that emphasise your face and bust
2) A loose-fitting cut or thin, sheer fabric such as chiffon which doesn't wrap around your arms too tightly
3) Cover ups such as a wrap, shawl, bolero jacket or a really long veil. Something's that sheer or with details to take attention away from your arms
4) Long sheer sleeves that lend an airy, romantic vibe while hiding your arms

Avoid:
1) Spaghetti strap or strapless dresses without any cover-up
2) Off-shoulder dresses, fitted sleeves or satin sleeves
3) Bodice with sleeves that stop at the edge of the shoulders