Advice for Brides - dress styles

Wedding Dress Styles

- a beginner's guide to wedding dress styles, necklines, colours and fabrics. Reproduced with permission of Sincerity Bridal.

A-Line Wedding Gowns
The classic A-line style will flatter and slender almost any figure and is characterized by the fitted bodice with no waist but gently flares at or near the natural waistline. Our beautiful A-line wedding dresses come in a variety of styles many with delicate lace trim and intricate beading and embroidery designs. Some also include chapel length train.

Ball Bridal Gowns
This classic and elegant style has a fitted bodice with the traditional full skirt. The bodice is often embellished with beaded Lace motifs and the skirt is frequently layered with airy fabrics such as crushed organza ruffles.

Mermaid Wedding Dresses
This curvaceous bridal gown style exudes grace and elegance with it's fitted waist and hips and a gentle flaring at the knees. Bell sleeves and a sweetheart neckline provide beautiful accents and a stunning slender look that will evoke many admiring glances from your guests.

Two Piece Wedding Gowns
A two piece bridal gown offers a less traditional yet very chic and stylish look.

Sheath Bridal Dresses
These wedding gowns are very fitted and almost tube-like in appearance.

Wedding Dress Necklines

Off the Shoulder - The wedding dress sits just under the shoulder line
Spaghetti Straps - Thin or very thin straps that go over the shoulders to back
Bateau - 'Boat' neckline slightly scooped from shoulder to shoulder
Halter - Straps go around the back of neck
Scoop - U-shape
Square - Square neckline
Strapless - No straps
Sweetheart - Heart-shaped
Jewel - Rounded
V-Neck - V-shaped

Bridal Gown Waist Styles

Basque - Waistline dips below natural waist forming a 'V' in the centre
Dropped - Waistline dips below natural waistline and sits more on hips
Empire - High waistline just under bust
Princess Cut - Many wedding gowns, especially A-lines, have no defined waist
Natural - Waistline sits between the empire and dropped waistlines.

Wedding Gown Bodice Styles

Corset - A form-fitting, strapless, or spaghetti-strap bodice with boning and lace-up or snap closures. Styled in the fashion of the ladies undergarment with the same name -- think Titanic.
Empire - A super-flattering bodice that ends just below the bust, this style looks great on pregnant brides and petite women alike. Like Gwyneth Paltrow in 'Shakespeare in Love'.
Halter - A sleeveless bodice with a high wrap neck. Sometimes backless; always sexy.
Midriff - A bodice that fits snugly around the mid-cage. Great for accentuating tiny waists.
Asymmetrical (one-shoulder) - An asymmetrical bodice with one exposed shoulder. Extremely fashionable, and therefore popular, in recent years.
Princess-line - These wedding gowns are super-slimming and have a sleek bodice characterized by two vertical seams that travel from bust to hem, giving the illusion of extra height.
Surplice - Another fashion-forward style, the surplice bodice is created by the cross wrapping of fabric in either the front or back. The lower the neckline, the higher the sex appeal!
Tank - A short, sleeveless top with wide armholes, this style has become the most sought after in the last few years. Looks great when paired with a sheer wrap.

Wedding Gown Fabrics

Batiste - Lightweight, sheer, delicate fabric in a plain weave. Similar to cotton, but thicker
Brocade - Heavy material with a pattern
Chiffon - Lightweight, flowing sheer woven fabric with a soft drape
Crepe - Lightweight fabric with a wrinkled surface
Peau de Soie - Is a medium to heavy, drapable fabric with a satin weave and de-lustered finish
Damask - Medium weight fabric with pattern formed by weaving
Dupioni - Thick, heavy 100% silk
Gazar - Sheer stiff fabric similar to organza, linen-like
Organdy - Stiffer semi-sheer fabric
Organza - Sheer fabric similar to tulle but heavier
Polyester - Man-made fabric often blended with silks or made to mimic a certain type of fabric
Rayon - Similar to polyester but more elastic
Satin - Smooth and heavy fabric typically used for wedding gowns. Comes in Silk or Polyester
Shantung - Rough textured fabric with lines and nubby.
Silk - The most popular fabric for wedding dresses. It soft and has a beautiful luster
Taffeta - Crisp, rustling fabric
Tulle - Stiff netting similar to organza but stiffer and coarser

Wedding Dress and designer bridal gown colours

Wedding gowns are available in many designer colours, however, when selecting "whites" or "off-whites", here are some useful tips. Off-white. Stark white. Bright white. And what exactly is eggshell? Choosing a shade of white for your wedding gown has become almost as difficult as choosing the bridal gown itself. Here's everything you need to know to get the "right white" wedding dress.

The shades

Stark White
The brightest, crispest white you can find. Looks great on brides with a darker complexion.

Silk, Diamond, or Natural White
A shade off of stark white and may be hard to differentiate from stark white in photos. "Eighty percent of the population looks best in a soft, diamond-white wedding dress, which isn't as chalky as a white-white," explains dress designer Melissa Sweet. "When in doubt, buy diamond white."

Ivory
Also referred to as "eggshell" or "candlelight." Some ivory wedding dresses have yellow undertones, making them look creamy; some are just a "quiet" white.

Rum or Champagne
A white with pink undertones that looks nearly white in photos.

The colour for you

The key to finding your shade? Knowing your skin tone.

If your skin is fair: you'll look best in yellow-ivories and warmer natural colours. You should probably steer clear of stark white, though - it may wash you out.
If your skin is medium with pink undertones: opt for creamier colours.
If your skin is medium with yellow undertones: try diamond whites or champagne.
If your skin is dark: lucky you - most shades of white will complement your skin. If you have yellow or olive undertones yellow-ivory wedding dresses may not be best for you. Try a stark white or rum pink wedding gown.