If you just started your search for the perfect wedding dress, it can be hard to even know where to start! There are so many choices- color, material, length, neckline, embellishments, shape- it can definitely be overwhelming if you’re just starting out! One of the most basic elements of a wedding dress is the silhouette, or the cut/shape of the gown. You should definitely start here, as each silhouette dramatically changes the look of the wedding dress!
While it’s good to know what kind of silhouette you may be interested in before you go to try dresses on for the first time, we usually recommend that brides try on ALL silhouettes because you never know what you’ll fall in love with! We have seen plenty of brides walk away with dresses they never thought they would even try on. It’s all about what makes you feel magical!
There are a few classic silhouettes that every bridal store will carry, so it’s helpful to know about them before going in for your bridal appointment. We’ve defined them below and included a selection of gorgeous wedding gowns from the newest collections, all of which can be found at Studio I Do!
A-Line
A-line is probably the most classic, widely used dress silhouette for any occasion- and for good reason! A fitted bust flares out into a flowing, “A”-shaped skirt, allowing free movement of the legs, making it the perfect choice for someone who wants to do a lot of dancing at their reception! Because of the way the dress hugs the body, then flows out, it is one of the most universally flattering silhouettes, meaning it will look great on any figure!
Ball Gown
We’ve all heard of this classic dress shape- think Cinderella or Glinda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz. A fitted bodice is paired with a gorgeously full, dramatic skirt that will accentuate your waist beautifully and make you look like the queen you deserve to be on your wedding day! Ball gown wedding dresses are great at a very formal or classic styled wedding, paired with a full-length cathedral veil for maximum drama!
Sheath
Minimalist, sleek and chic, sheaths feature a fitted cut that skims close to the body and follows the body’s natural shape with no true defined waistline or flaring skirt. Because of their elegant simplicity, these wedding gowns are great for summer weddings in dreamy destinations, where a flowing skirt might get in the way. They are also great for short or petite brides that don’t want to be overshadowed by a dramatic skirt!
Mermaid
One of the most interesting and fun wedding silhouettes, mermaid or trumpet gowns are fitted through the bodice and hips, then flare out at or below the knee in a skirt that can be super ruffled and dramatic, or sleek and simple! Because it is fitted through the bust, waist and hips in a really flattering way, the mermaid silhouette is the perfect choice for any bride that wants to accentuate her curves and create a super va-va-voom hourglass figure!
Now that you know all about the most common wedding silhouettes, you can browse even more gorgeous dresses on the Studio I Do website! Then, book an appointment and visit us in-store at one of our locations in Roanoke or Virginia Beach, Virginia! We would love to help you make your wedding dreams a reality!
