Wedding Dress Silhouettes Guide

So you're engaged and ready to start trying on wedding dresses! You've made your first appointment, but aren't entirely sure what kind of wedding dress silhouette is going to look best on you. Or, maybe you have an idea of the shape you like, but aren't exactly sure what the silhouette called. White Bridal Boutiques can help! We've rounded up popular types of wedding dress silhouettes to help guide you toward your dream dress.

Ballgown Silhouettes

Let's start off with arguably the most well-known gown silhouette - the ballgown! Categorized by its large skirt, the ballgown is often used in fairytales and can give brides the royal feeling they're looking for. This dress shape is great for any body type, but may be favorable for brides that do not want to show off their hips, yet do want to accentuate their waists. Ballgown skirts are usually accompanied by a very structured bodice to flatter the waistline even more.

Looking for the drama of a ballgown silhouette? Lazaro has you covered! Lazaro wedding dresses are available at White Bridal Boutiques - Raleigh.

A-line Silhouettes

If a ballgown sounds like a little too much dress for you, an A-line wedding dress may be more your style. An A-line will still give you a snatched waist, but with freedom of movement in your hips. A-lines come in a range of "poofiness" (we use very technical terms in the bridal world) that can be increased or decreased to fit each bride's exact vision. They also come in "natural waist" and "dropped waist" styles. A "natural waist" A-line is the most common. This is when the bodice stops at the body's natural waistline and the skirt starts flowing out. A "dropped waist" A-line is when the bodice goes an inch to three inches below the natural waist and then the skirt flows out. The A-line shape is extremely versatile which is the reason it is among the most popular types of wedding dress silhouettes!

Anne Barge makes some of our favorite timeless A-line wedding dresses! Find your perfect Anne Barge wedding Dress at White Bridal Boutiques - Dublin!

Column or Sheath Silhouettes

Does an A-line still seem too poofy for you but you know you don't want a fitted gown? Then you may be looking for a Column or Sheath wedding dress! The names can be used interchangeably and are a little more uncommon as they offer very little shape. That said, they are starting to rise slightly in popularity as Slip dresses fall under this category.

This wedding dress silhouette is best for body shapes that are slimmer and longer as the dresses are more straight up and down (hence the name "column"). They will come in slightly at the waist and then just drape straight down to the floor.

Is this your perfect wedding dress silhouette? Hera Couture has got you covered! Find your perfect slip Hera Couture dress at White Bridal Boutiques - Raleigh!

Fit and Flare Silhouettes

A fit and flare is a popular silhouette for fitted wedding dresses. They come in a variety of "flare" levels and begin to flare out at the mid-thigh (this is what differentiates them from mermaid wedding dresses). This is the most common fitted dress silhouette as they still offer decent movability while still showing off a bride's curves. They are also great for any height!

Most fitted crepe gowns fall under this category and have been very popular in recent years. Fit and flare wedding dresses are also the most common to be paired with overskirts for a dramatic two-in-one look. This silhouette is popular for brides that have hourglass figures.

Martina Liana has a fit and flare for every bride! Check out our incredible Martina Liana wedding dress collection at White Bridal Boutiques - Dublin!

Trumpet Silhouettes 

A trumpet wedding dress is the fullest version of a fit and flare. It has a very dramatic flared skirt that starts at the mid-thigh. Trumpets are great for brides that feel they have broader shoulders, and the fuller bottom creates a beautiful balance and gives the illusion of a smaller waistline! If it's good enough for Queen Bey, it's good enough for us!

Galia Lahav knows how to do a trumpet gown right! Find your dream Galia Lahav wedding dress at White Bridal Boutiques - Dublin.

Mermaid Silhouettes 

The mermaid is another of the most well-known wedding dress silhouettes! Mermaid wedding dresses are the tightest of the wedding dress shapes as they do not flare out until the knee. These gowns are often seen as sexy and look incredible, but they are not going to be the easiest to move (or sit) in. Mermaid wedding gowns are great for most body types as they will accentuate your curves, but are best for taller brides since they flare out so low. 

Berta makes some absolutely stunning mermaid wedding dresses that can be found at both our Raleigh and Dublin locations!

The "Fun" Silhouettes

Are none of these shapes really speaking to you? Are you looking for something non-traditional? There's also high-lows, tea-length, minis and jumpsuits! These silhouettes are going to be the most uncommon to find in stores, but if you're looking for one of these, don't be afraid to ask boutiques if they have them. If they are not available in-store, many boutiques may be able to request loaner dresses or jumpsuits be sent in for you to try on pending availability.

Check out our designer Dany Tabet! He has some great minis and jumpsuits! Dany Tabet wedding dresses can be found at White Bridal Boutiques - Raleigh.

Find Your Dream Dress at White Bridal Boutiques

We hope our guide to wedding dress silhouettes helps you on your dress shopping journey! If you're ready to find the wedding dress of your dreams, book an appointment at our Dublin, OH or Raleigh, NC bridal shop. Our expert bridal stylists are here to advise you on available gowns in your favorite silhouettes. We can't wait to help you say "Yes!" to your dress!