Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life and finding the perfect
wedding dress to match your unique shape and style is a huge part of that
experience!
Here at Peggy we know this one item of clothing is one you’ve been dreaming about
since you were a little girl. The team are fully equipped to navigate you on the
journey to finding your dream dress! With so many different silhouettes, fabrics, and
designs to choose from, it can feel overwhelming but fear not! We’ve created a mini
guide to help you along the way.
First things first, understanding your body shape is key to finding a dress that
highlights your best features.
The most common body shapes are:
-Hourglass – Bust and hips are approximately the same width with a defined waist.
-Pear – Hips are wider than the bust with a well-defined waist.
-Apple – Fuller around the midsection with narrower hips and a fuller bust
-Rectangle – Hips, waist and bust are fairly uniform in width.
- Inverted Triangle – Shoulders are broader than the hips with a narrower waist.
For Hourglass Figures: Embrace Your Curves
If you have an hourglass shape most wedding dresses will naturally complement your
figure. Focus on accentuating your waist while balancing out the proportions
between your bust and hips.
Styles recommended for this shape:
-Fitted: A form-fitting silhouette that hugs your curves from the bust to the knee,
flaring out at the bottom. This style highlights your natural shape.
-A-Line: A timeless option, the A-line dress flares gently from the waist, balancing out
the hips and emphasizing your curves.
- Ballgown: This dramatic, full-skirted style can draw attention to your smaller waist
while giving you that classic, princess-like look.
For Pear Shapes: Highlight Your Upper Body
With a pear shape, your hips are wider than your bust. The key is to highlight your
upper body while balancing your proportions.
Styles recommended for this shape:
-A-Line: This style is perfect for pear shapes, as it gently skims over the hips and
balances your silhouette.
-Ballgown: The voluminous skirt can help draw attention away from your hips and
create an overall balanced look.
-Off-the-Shoulder or V-Neckline: These necklines help add focus to the upper body
and draw attention away from the hips.
For Apple Shapes: Create Balance and Elongate
If you carry more weight around your midsection your dress should focus on creating
definition and elongating the body. You’ll want to highlight your legs and shoulders
while drawing attention away from the midsection.
Styles recommended for this shape:
-A-Line: The A-line silhouette is your friend! It’ll create a nice flow and balance out
your shape.
-Ballgown: A full skirt can help disguise the midsection and provide a more balanced
look.
-Fit-and-Flare: The flare from the knee down helps balance the proportions while still
giving a fitted look on top.
For Rectangle Shapes: Create Curves and Shape
If your body shape is more straight up and down, you’ll want a dress that creates the
illusion of curves and adds some definition to your waist.
Styles recommended for this shape:
-Ballgown: The voluminous skirt helps create the illusion of curves while giving you a
defined waistline.
-Fit-and-Flare: This style adds volume from the knee down while hugging the upper
body and waist, creating the appearance of curves.
-Sheath: A more fitted, streamlined silhouette can show off your natural shape and
add some sleekness to your figure.
For Inverted Triangle Shapes: Balance the Proportions
With a broader shoulder or bust and narrower hips, an inverted triangle body shape
can benefit from dresses that create balance by drawing attention to the lower half
of your body.
Styles recommended for this shape:
-A-Line: The A-line silhouette is great for balancing your broader upper body by
flaring out over the hips.
-Ballgown: A full skirt can create balance by adding volume to the lower half of the
body.
-Off-the-Shoulder: If you want to draw attention away from your shoulders and
towards your lower half, a sweetheart neckline or off-the-shoulder style can work
wonders.
While style is crucial, ultimately, comfort is key to enjoying your day to the fullest. Be
sure to choose a dress that allows you to move easily, especially if you plan to dance
or spend a lot of time on your feet. Once you’ve tried on different shaped dresses
you can then narrow down the finer details like neckline, lining colour, fabric etc.
Remember, you can always have your dress altered to fit just how you imagined it
don’t be afraid to make tweaks if something doesn’t feel quite right!
Choosing the right wedding dress for your body shape is all about celebrating your
unique features and feeling confident. Focus on silhouettes that make you feel
beautiful, and don’t be afraid to experiment with styles that you might not have
initially considered. Most importantly, trust your instincts and remember that the
best dress is the one that makes you feel like yourself on your big day.
Happy wedding dress shopping!
Lots of love
Team Peggy
xxx