Whittington's Guide to Dress Styles

When venturing out in the world of wedding dress shopping, it’s good to know a few basics to help eliminate confusion. Knowing the different shapes will help you find the dress that is best suited for you. So, here are the five basic shapes with some advice to boot!
 
A-line: We love this gown shape because it is forgiving and flatters all body types – it elongates shorter brides and slims full-figured brides. There are two different types of A-lines: natural waist and dropped waist.
 
Natural Waist: The skirt starts at the smallest part of the torso, the natural waist. A natural waist is flattering on anyone wanting to hide larger hips or midsection.

Dropped Waist: The skirt starts at the top of the hip and tapers out in the shape of an "A". This style helps define the waist –giving the appearance of curves. It is slimming in the bust area as well as in the midsection. It can also help to elongate the torso, but can look a tad off balanced if you have short legs.

Ball Gown: This is a classic bridal look with a fitted bodice and full skirt. If you wish to hide fuller hips or if you are slightly taller, this is an ideal choice for you! A fuller skirt might be a bit overwhelming if you are a petite bride, but if you have always dreamed of your princess moment, a ball gown is a must try!
Whittington Bridal Collections
Empire: The empire cut creates a high waistline that stems from under the bust and falls to a slender skirt. Empire waisted wedding dresses are very forgiving and work well with many shapes. If you are short, it can help you look taller and it’s a great option if you want to hide anything in the mid-section. It can also be very comfortable, which is always a plus!
Whittington Bridal Collections
 Fit-to-Flare: This is a very slimming silhouette that really lengthens the body. It is slightly different from a mermaid, because it will taper out higher on the skirt at the mid-thigh. Although the fit-to-flare style flatters all body types, this is a great option for the shorter bride who loves the mermaid look, or if you are wanting to show off those curves in a more subtle way.
Whittington Bridal Collections
Mermaid: If you want to show off your curves and look a bit sexy, this silhouette is for you! The dress is fitted through the thighs and flares out near the knee. In order for this style to look as fabulous as it is intended—you must have the height and the curves!

Remember that there is no golden rule with body types paired with silhouettes, so you owe it to yourself to be open-minded when tying on gowns. You will never know what you look like in certain styles if you never try them on! Happy shopping!