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| JENNIFER WILLIAMS / Scroll |
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| A future bride tries on a dress at Circle of Love that will flatter her figure. |
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Yards of pure and glistening white fabric sway back and forth in a slow, steady motion as a radiant smile shines from a young lady’s face.
The gown is a sight to behold. If only the groom-to-be could see her now.
She has found the perfect dress; a dress that not only fits her personality, dreams and hopes, but one that flawlessly fits her body type.
“To almost every young woman, the most magical part of planning a wedding is picking out the perfect wedding gown,” Heather Weber, co-owner of Circle of Love, said. “Because all of these women are different with unique personalities, there are all different types and styles of dresses that look good on different body types.”
When in the beginning stages of finding the perfect wedding dress, different types of gowns need to be noted. The dress type is not determined by bodice but rather by the skirt style.
There are five main categories that gowns fall into: A-Line, the ball gown, a sheath, the mermaid and the empire dress.
Not every distinct design style is right for every body type, and there are definite guidelines.
“Wedding dresses need to fit the girl in all the right places or else it doesn’t look good, as opposed to a wedding gown that fits the girl just right. It can be a knockout,” Diana Powell, a former BYU-Idaho student, said.
For petite frames, think long vertical lines. Choose a style of dress that gives the illusion of height, such as a column-like sheath, A-line or empire cut. Keep it simple by avoiding large embellishments, any length of trains and vast ball gowns with volumes of fabric.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, for a tall frame think horizontal lines that break up the natural vertical. Try a sheath, A-line or a full ball gown style.
A wide sash, ruffles or a trim that wraps around the gown draws attention away from height. Steer clear of high necklines, updos or anything that adds extra height.
Ball gowns with a Basque waist have a slimming effect, as do fitted v-neck bodices and dropped v-waistlines.
Avoid ruffles, shiny gowns and fabrics that hug as they create the effect of being hefty when dealing with a full figure.
Try a flowing gown such as an empire gown where the high waist presents a long and trimming appearance for a thick waist.
A long waist can hold the appearance of being shorter when the waistline is cut higher above the stomach.
Keep the amount of beadwork on the bodice to a minimum and raise the neckline to minimize a full bust. To accentuate a smaller bust maximize elaborate details onto the shoulder neckline.
Above all, remember to choose a wedding dress that truly compliments not only a particular body type but also personal style and personality.
“I’ve planned my wedding since I was 12, and I have always known that I wanted to find the perfect wedding dress,” Powell said. “It was the third store that day, and I had picked out two completely opposite but gorgeous wedding dresses. I stepped out of the dressing room, my mom told me I had an obvious glow and a huge smile. I loved it! I just knew it was the one, it fit ME!”
