Think that you know the best wedding dress for your body type? Think again. Your perfect gown might look very differently than the picture you have in your mind. And you know what? That's okay.

Are you in the market for a wedding dress? There’s so much content out there about matching your body type with a particular style of wedding dress (when the list goes to like, 6) that it might seem as if you only have a few options available to you.

But the reality is, there’s more than one type of bridal gown style that’s perfect for you. You just have to try it on.

You won’t believe how many brides-to-be that we meet shopping for their wedding dress who are set on trying on one single type of gown silhouette for their appointment, but then finding their dream bridal gown in a totally different type of silhouette for their body.

That’s because there’s NOT just one type of wedding dress for you and your unique body type. Curious? Keep scrolling and you’ll see what we mean.

two gallery image block of two different brides in each image wearing a-line wedding gowns. One outdoors and one styled shoot indoors at pre-owned gown bridal shop Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal, New Jersey.

A-Line gowns: best wedding dress for your body type

What's your body type?

To start things off, let's take a look at some of the different body shapes. While we know that there are countless options of wedding dress styles to fit your unique body type, we hope that this list will help give you a better idea of this hot bod that you'll be working with.

Hourglass

"Hourglass" bodies tend to have a more distinctive waistline. Plus, their bust-lines and hips are closer together in size.

Pear

Pear-shaped bodies are known to be a little wider on the bottom than on the top.

Apple

Also referred to as oval shape, apple bods have a wider middle area compared to their bust lines and hips. While this body shape might seem like the polar opposite to hourglass body shapes, we've seen similar gown silhouettes fit amazingly on both body types!

Rectangle

Rectangle bodies have a more equal distribution between bust, hips, and their midsection.

Triangle/Inverted triangle body shape

Those who are triangle shapes have beautifully wide shoulders and bust, which means that you might want to rock a wedding dress that shows these features off!

two image gallery block of two different brides wearing fitted wedding gowns with long trains.

What’s the best wedding dress for your body type?
Whatever feels most comfortable on you!

This list of different body shapes is simply a guideline folks, and there are no cut-and-dry rules when it comes to one body shape equals one specific wedding dress style.

So, when preparing to shop for your wedding dress, the question you really should be asking yourself is, "What do I want to work with?" "What do I want to flaunt?"

On top of just feeling great in your new dream gown, wearing a wedding dress is also an opportunity to show off some of the favorite parts of yourself. So whether it's about your amazing arms or your beautifully long neck, we've got some tips further down in this blog post that'll help lead 'ya to your perfect match.

two image gallery block of two different brides wearing ball gown style silhouettes for styled shoot. One in bridal shop and another in well-lit white venue with table setting.

Ball gown styles: the best wedding dress for your body type

A quick look at wedding gown styles and silhouettes

Now that you have a better sense of your body type, use this list of the most common wedding dress silhouettes and gown styles as a jumping off point.

All wedding dress styles will vary depending on the fabric, designer, and so many other factors, and are mostly categorized under the umbrella of these classic gown silhouettes.

A-Line

These gown silhouettes make a flow-y A-shape from your waistline. It'll usually have a tight and detailed bodice, but not always.

Ball gown

A showstopper and big and bountiful like a ballroom, ball gown wedding dress styles have a billowing shirt that flairs out at the waistline. These types of wedding dresses typically come with long trains.

Sheath

Simple, chic, sheath. Sheaths are your go-to form-fitting bridal gown silhouette that will flow off of you perfectly if it's the right fit.

Mermaid

Live your Ariel dreams in a mermaid gown, which has arguably been one of the most popular wedding dress trends over the past decade or so. This gown is fitted until just past the knee when it dramatically flares out. Contrary to popular opinion, many different body types can pull off these wedding dress style, from the more full-figured to petite types.

Fit and Flare

Fit and flare bridal gowns are similar to the mermaid gown silhouette, but this type of silhouette is a tad less dramatic. This is the wedding dress type you want if you want some hip-hugging and to pull off a beautiful silhouette.

Tea length

No train for this bride! A very trendy gown silhouette nowadays, tea length wedding dresses are shorter gowns for the stylish bride. Maybe you want to show off those ankles and stunning wedding shoes? This is the dress type for you.

two image gallery block of the same bride wearing a different gown in each image and smiling. One in a sheath gown silhouette and the second in a mermaid style wedding dress.

Sheath and mermaid wedding dresses: they work on so many different body types!

Finding your perfect wedding dress for your body type

When it comes to meeting your match when it comes to wedding dresses, the journey might look a little different than you thought. This theory might also apply to the story of how you and your fiance met? We're sure that more than a few of y'all can agree. So, why not bring that thinking with you to your bridal appointment? Be open and expect a bunch of wonderful surprises along the way.

Like we mentioned before, the best way to know if a wedding dress is the right fit for is to TRY-IT-ON-AND-YOU-JUST-KNOW.

While knowing your body type and all the bridal gown silhouettes on the market can help you, there's no way to make both match before you actually try the dress on yourself. You can research, Pin, and even spreadsheet all you like, nothing can really prepare you for saying yes to trying on a dress and just like that, you've found the one.

two gallery image block of two different brides in gowns. The first one in a typical flow-y A-line gown and the second in a fitted gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves.

There’s so many ways to show off your arms with sleeves on your wedding gown!

Expert tips for bridal gown shopping

All you need to do is make sure to book your bridal appointments at shops that you feel like you vibe with, and get ready to meet your perfect wedding dress. That being said, here's some things to keep in mind for your bridal appointment. These expert tips are all you need to put you in the right mindset for meeting your dream gown

1. Know your style (not necessarily your shape)

Like with any type of outfit or dress, you want to rock something that vibes with your personal and unique style. When looking at the different types of wedding dresses, whether that be on Pinterest or in a magazine old-school style, approach the situation with a 'which one is more me?'

Rather than 'which one is the hottest or the trendiest?'. And when you try on a bunch of different bridal gowns during your appointment, you'll be surprised at how your personal style has so many layers.

2. Don't stick to one type of gown silhouette

When it comes to choosing your perfect wedding dress, try taking a bit of a speed dating approach here. Zeroing in on one type of gown can limit you, just like it can when it comes to choosing the right partner. Why not see what's out there?

This is what a bridal appointment is for, ladies! It's super important, because a your perfect silhouette on the screen might not look so great once you try it on. And this goes the other way: Something that might look just okay online or even on the rack might just be your stunning, show-stopping bridal gown after all. The right bridal stylists will put their professionalism to work to guide you all the way.

3. Don’t skimp on good fabric

Good things shouldn't be brushed over or ignored, and that applies to good quality fabric. What is arguably one of the most significant dresses that you'll wear in life, why settle for less? But this doesn't mean that you have to go over your wedding dress budget, especially when the pre-worn option is available. It does mean that fabric and quality really does make a difference in the look for any particular gown and how it will look on you.

No matter the silhouette, a cheap fabric on a wedding dress will just look different. The shade of white might not be that exact shade you pictured, and the gown won't likely flow as perfectly as you pictured.

Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal, South Jersey

From personalized bridal appointments (your own Spotify playlist!) to hundreds of pre-owned wedding dresses in all styles, shapes, and sizes available to our brides, Hand-Me-Gowns is not your ordinary boutique.

Our mission is to offer affordable wedding dresses to those brides out there looking for something a little different. We have gowns on offer that are sold on consignment, and others we’ve received from shops that have never been worn at all. Put all of that together, and our shop in Downtown Hammonton, New Jersey is there for you to find your dream gown with the help of our passionate bridal stylists.

We’re currently serving those in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area and beyond, so book an appointment today and get ready to be wow-ed with what we have to offer you.

Sustainably Yours,

Hand-Me-Gowns Bridal
xoxo

What’s the Best Wedding Dress for Your Body Type?