All About Wedding Dresses

As plus women know, we do have a shape. And our shapes vary from one another. Good designers know this. Some designers make dresses designed to cover up, however gowns should be for showing off a little here and there are be a little flirty, even plus size gowns. The trick to finding a great evening dress that shows off a fuller figure is finding one that emphasizes curves and assets as well as concealing problem areas. It not about hiding your entire body–it’s about highlighting and enhancing! Here are some tips for figuring out what type of plus size gowns look good on your shape.

• Are you on the short side, 5′3″ or shorter? Two flattering dress styles are princess or A-line. To look taller and slimmer, avoid knit fabrics.
• Are you taller, 5′10″ or more?. Avoid small prints. Avoid large details like bows or big collars. Wide necklines look good.
• Have an hourglass figure, heavy at the bottom, full bust and defined waist with the possible “love handles” or belly bulge? If comfortable, show off your cleavage with scoop or “V” necks. Wrap tops work very nicely for your bust and waist. If your legs are shapely, consider skirts that are cut straight.
• Is your plus size shape more of an inverted triangle-you are top-heavy with broad shoulders and fuller bust, but with hips, thighs, and buttocks that are proportionally smaller? Gowns where the skirt flares out at the bottom can help balance your shape. Flaunt your bust line with V- or scoop necklines.
• Do you have an oval shape with a prominent tummy with no defined waist? Go for plus size gowns with an empire waist, full skirt or A-line dresses. If your legs are proportionately slender compared to the rest of your body, consider a short dress to show off your legs.
• Is your shape generally a triangle shape? You have a defined waist, full hips and thighs, but your shoulders and bust are smaller relative to your body. Wear light colors on top and dark colors on bottom. You might not want to go with a sleeveless gown, but instead gowns with detailed sleeves or large collars. When buying plus size gowns, just as important as the style is finding the right fit. There’s nothing like the confidence you have when you are comfortable.
• Don’t forget the little black dress. Any body type can look sexy in a trendy simple black dress that ends an inch or so below the knee.

A gown is meant to show off, not matter what your size. Plus size gowns can have bustier tops to show cleavage, come off the shoulder and show off arms, or have a cut high on the leg. Your gown should be glamorous and make you feel beautiful, right now, as you are now.

It is a wonderful thing to be athletic. Being fit will make you look better, feel better, and live longer. For women who are more used to hitting the gym in sweats than hitting the town in an evening gown, though, making the transition from sporty gal to fancy bride can be a challenge.

Some women love to be princesses. For them, getting dressed up in a formal gown with a long flowing veil and dazzling bridal jewelry is a dream come true. Sportier types of women, however, may have a hard time channeling their inner diva. The key is to find a wedding gown that makes you feel like a bride while still feeling like yourself.

Sometimes an athletic body may pose particular difficulties in finding the right bridal gown. Swimmers, for example, usually have powerful shoulders and back muscles. This is not a problem when you are wearing something stretchy like a tshirt, but it can become an issue when you are trying on more fitted formal garments. Other types of athletes will have different issues to contend with, such as a runner’s strong thighs.

On the plus side, an athletic bride is going to have a lot of great features to highlight. You are likely to have nicely toned arms, attractive shoulders, and a more firm physique than a lot of other women. When shopping for your gown, look for styles that will really showcase your assets to their full advantage.

Brides who are unaccustomed to wearing very fancy clothing may find that they are more comfortable in a gown with straps instead of a strapless wedding dress. Nothing is less attractive than a bride who is constantly fussing with her gown, so if you feel nervous in a strapless dress, choose a different style. V-necks are often a very good shape for a bride with strong shoulders, which many athletes have. Also look for gentle scoop necks. Spaghetti straps look nice on toned shoulders, but only if they are not too muscular.

Another type of bridal gown to consider is the halter neckline. It can be the perfect cut to show off well-conditioned arms, shoulders, and upper back. A halter style also has a certain sportiness about it, which can make it a great fit in terms of style as well. Halter gowns can take many forms. They can tie at the neck with soft chiffon for a beach wedding, they can be fixed at the neckline with crystal buttons for a more formal wedding (which go nicely with crystal bridal jewelry), and they can have a variety of shapes within the neckline, including square, v-neck, and sweetheart. This makes the halter bridal gown one of the most versatile options.

The fabric that you select can make all the difference in the world when it comes to how you feel in your wedding gown. If you do not consider yourself to be a dainty type of person, stay away from very fragile fabrics like chiffon. You do not want to be worried about damaging your gown. Look for more durable materials such as silk shantung or linen. Many sporty women feel much more at home in those fabrics.

You accessories are an important part of your bridal ensemble. Brides who are usually more casual might feel overwhelmed by a cathedral length veil, high heels, a big tiara, and elaborate bridal jewelry. There are many simpler alternatives that will make you look polished without feeling ridiculous. Options include: a fingertip length veil, cute flat shoes or sandals, a dainty headband, and a single pearl or crystal pendant for bridal jewelry.

Athletic brides will have many wonderful features to highlight when dressing for their weddings. Choose a bridal ensemble that feels like you, not like a princess bride. As long as you seek the styles that make you feel comfortable, you will look radiant on your wedding day.

By Laura Firenze

Her dream gown was perfect in the bridal salon…layers of bustled silk mikado, a corseted bodice keeping every curve in place, and a fully beaded cathedral length train. The only problem was the wedding location–a beach ceremony in Jamaica. She didn’t plan for the heat, the humidity, or the afternoon rain!

Many brides dream of outdoor nuptials, and with good reason. Beaches, gardens, vineyards, and even farms all exude their own natural beauty. However, brides need to think about the style of gown that will be both beautiful and comfortable once she steps beyond the barriers of air conditioning!

The bridal gown should not only reflect the formality of the venue, but also the climate. For very warm locations, the most important factor to consider is fabric. Lightweight chiffons, charmeuse, georgette, and linen are not only easy to wear, but also dance beautifully in the breeze. These fabrics travel well and take up less room in your luggage.

Oceans and waterfalls are breathtaking backdrops. But rain, rogue lawn sprinklers, or an over-productive steam iron can ruin some fabrics. Most silks, including silk satin, mikado, dupioni and shantung will stain from the smallest droplet of water and must be professionally dry-cleaned (no Shout Wipes!). So if the event will be set near water or there is the possibility of rain, consider cotton, a polyester blend, or other manmade fabric.

Unless you enjoy vacuuming sand or dirt from your carry-on, keep the train length short. Many gowns can be ordered with a shorter train or without a train at all. The “sweep train” is a popular length for outdoor brides. With 3″-5″ in length, sweep trains give the look of a traditional bridal gown without all the extra weight. (And they look great in a low French bustle!)

Whether your wedding will be seaside in San Diego, among rose gardens in Raleigh, or by-the-barn in Branson, remember to dress the part!