Choosing Your Bridal Dress Silhouette
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By PAGE Editor
So, you're ready to wed. Congratulations, and may the path you walk be filled with sunshine and flowers!
You must be excited about planning your wedding and thrilled at the idea of shopping for a wedding dress. Of course, it can be overwhelming, too. You have so many options to choose from. If you have a specific theme in mind or a family tradition to adhere to, that should help you trim your choices somewhat.
For instance, if you're planning a traditional Emirati wedding, limit your search for haute couture bridal dresses in the UAE. The bridal gown is one of the highlights of any Emirati wedding ceremony. It's lavish and often very expensive – a sophisticated ensemble, finely crafted with high-end fabrics and tastefully embellished with jewels, colored beads, crystals, lace appliqués, sequins, pearls, or beaded lace.
Are you ready to dive deep into the world of wedding dresses? Below are five of the most popular silhouettes for today’s bridal dresses:
Ball Gowns
No silhouette says bridal more than the ball gown. Think fairy tales and iconic princesses. Imagine the beautiful bride now, waltzing to the music with her new husband. You probably envision her in a full skirt with a fitted bodice.
This image encapsulates what a ball gown is. It was originally made for dancing in balls, with the voluminous skirts displaying captivating movements as the wearer sways and sashays on gilded dance floors. Today, ball gowns make for a grand entrance into any wedding venue.
Ball gowns are wonderfully romantic and ultra-feminine. They can be flattering to any body shape as long as they're tailored well.
The true beauty of a ball gown wedding dress is in the fabric and its detail. Full skirts may be overlaid with exquisite sheer fabrics to create volume. The bodice can contrast with or match the skirt’s fabric and be further embellished with jewels, beading, sequins and much more. While a sleeveless bodice is popular, an off-the-shoulder sleeve is also a classic choice.
A-Line Dresses
A-line dresses have skirts that flare from the waist and down to the ground in a triangular shape that looks like the letter A. The skirt has volume, especially if it's an A-line dress meant for a wedding, but it's not nearly as bouffant as the skirt on a ball gown. The bodice, however, is equally fitted.
A-line bridal dresses are typically floor-length. However, they can be tea-length, too, especially if you are aiming for something a little more casual. A tea-length A-line silhouette may be particularly appropriate for a garden or a beach wedding.
An A-line bridal dress will always be a safe choice. It's a universally flattering silhouette. It is not, however, a boring choice. Just like the ball gown, A-line wedding dresses can be created from an array of fabrics and adorned with sheer overlays and embellishments, meaning no two dresses are the same.
Mermaid Gowns
The mermaid silhouette is distinctively elegant, dramatic and stylish. It fits like a glove from the chest to the knees (or below the knees), emphasizing every curve of the body. From the knees (or below the knees) down, the dress flares out in seamless folds to the floor and onto a short or long train. The fitted top and flared bottom give this dress its distinctive mermaid-like silhouette.
Exceptional tailoring is an absolute requirement in a mermaid dress. While it must faithfully follow your body contours, it needs to have strategic paneling to provide support (especially in the bust region). The designer must also craft it in such a way that it accentuates your curves and ensures you can move effortlessly and comfortably regardless of its seemingly tight fit.
Satin is a popular fabric choice for mermaid wedding dresses. This is because it gives the dress a sleek and elegant finish while also being stiff enough to hold the dress’ shape. However, a delicate fabric like organza or chiffon may be added, particularly to the flair of the skirt.
Sheath Dresses
The sheath dress exemplifies the minimalist aesthetic. It looks exceptionally simple, falling in one straight column (thus, a sheath dress is also known as a column dress) from the shoulders to the hem. A draping fabric such as crepe helps the dress fall beautifully towards the floor.
The sheath dress is straight and narrow, skimming over the bust and hips, but not in a mermaid dress's tighter manner. To further flatter the wearer, it may have a nipped but seamless waist, so the fabric subtly follows the curve of the waist. It may also have stitching or embellishments around the waistline to give the sheath a greater illusion of shape.
Empire Waist Dresses
The empire waist dress has a high-waisted silhouette. It was popularized during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, during the First French Empire, thus its name.
Empire waist dresses have a cinched waist that starts well above the natural waist, typically under the bust. This design gives the illusion of greater length.
The skirt that starts just under the bust especially gives the appearance of longer legs, making it the perfect silhouette if you want to look taller. It also loosely flows over the belly, hips and thighs. Empire waist wedding dresses can utilize a huge variety of fabrics, from delicate and romantic lace to sleek and minimalist satin.
Choose Your Silhouette
Bridal dresses typically come in five silhouettes: ball gown, A-line, sheath, mermaid, and empire waist. Each offers its own charm and allure. Choose the silhouette that fits your shape, style and personality, as well as the theme and style of your wedding celebration. Consider how you will move and dance on the day.
As well as the silhouette, you will need to consider the fabrics and embellishments of the dress, and accompaniments like veils or boleros.
Remember that your dress is more than just a garment. It should reflect you and your love story and be a symbol of a beautiful beginning. That said, take your time to choose the perfect wedding dress at a boutique like Nour Sabi.
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