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Lovely Bride Silhouette Guide

Silhouette Guide Hero 1 1

Getting ready to shop for wedding dresses but don’t know where to start? We’re here to break down dress silhouettes.

Newly engaged and preparing to shop for your wedding dress, but have no idea what you’re into? Team Lovely has got your back (and your front… and your sides)! Learning about silhouettes is a helpful way to narrow down wedding dress styles that you can envision yourself wearing on the big day.

Elements of a dress’s design such as fit or skirt shape can convey a certain bridal look or mood. Fitted, contoured gowns can be effortlessly sleek, or a little bit sexy. Flowy A-line gowns are romantic, while ballgowns are made for the bride who wants to look glamorous and regal. Voluminous skirts with many layers bring the drama while gowns with no layers can feel minimalistic and modern.

A bride’s fit and comfort preferences on their wedding day can also determine what silhouettes they gravitate to. Some might feel more secure in a fitted, structured gown, others might prefer a looser, slinkier fit. No choice is better over the other – comfort is different for everyone!

Plus, getting an idea of what silhouettes and styles you are inclined to will make the dress shopping experience easier and eliminate any doubts about the dress you ultimately say ‘yes’ to. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else does!

From glamorous ballgowns to chic sheath dresses, Lovely Bride offers a variety of wedding dress silhouettes for every bride. Once you’ve read up on each bridal silhouette, book an appointment to find your dream wedding dress at a Lovely Bride shop near you. Then, follow us on Instagram and Pinterest to stay in the know on all things Lovely.

Fit and Flare

Fit and flare wedding dresses are aptly named — these dresses are fitted through the bust, waist, and hips, flaring out at the skirt. They are a soft and contemporary choice for modern brides who like fitted gown, but don’t want restriction of movement.

Top Left: Renhue ‘Lina
Top Right: Louvienne x Scorcesa ‘Camelia
Bottom Left: Made With Love ‘Winnie
Bottom Right: NEWHITE ‘Haven
Renhue Lina LA 1
Louvienne Camelia London 1
Made With Love Winnie Miami 1
NEWHITE Haven Miami 1

A-Line

The A-line silhouette is characterized by a flowy skirt that gradually flares out from the waist, creating the shape of an ‘A’, hence its name. They have always been a top choice for brides, as A-line wedding dresses are comfortable and look great on every body shape.

Top Left: SAINT ‘Ophelia
Top Right: Louvienne ‘Sullivan
Bottom Left: Louvienne ‘Malea
Bottom Right: Rue De Seine ‘Valley
SAINT Ophelia Charlotte 1
Louvienne Sullivan Miami 1
Louvienne Malea Phoenix 1
Rue De Seine Valley NYC 1

Drop-Waist

The drop-waist silhouette has taken the bridal world by storm recently after coming into popularity in the 1920s. These gowns feature a body-hugging bodice and a low-slung waistline starting at the hips rather than the natural waistline. Designed to elongate the torso and accentuate curves, drop-waisted wedding dresses are the perfect balance of unconventional and timeless.

Top Left: SAINT ‘Salomé‘ + ‘Ivy’ Blouse
Top Right: Renhue ‘Hutton
Bottom Left: Floure Studio ‘Lyn
Bottom Right: SAINT ‘Reine
SAINT Salome Seattle 1
Renhue Hutton Phoenix 1
Floure Lyn Houston 1
SAINT Reine London 1

Basque-Waist

A nod to the late 19th century, basque-waist wedding dresses feature a structured corset and form-fitting silhouette that hugs the waistline. Also known as a V-waist, most basque-waist gowns feature two angled seams that form a triangular shape at the lower front of the bodice.

Top Left: Rue De Seine ‘Valentine
Top Right: SAINT ‘Josephine‘ Ensemble
Bottom Left: Flora ‘Emmanuel
Bottom Right: SAINT ‘Marie‘ + ‘Chloe‘ Ensemble
Rue De Seine Valentine NYC
SAINT Josephine Ensemble London
Flora Emmanuel Phoenix
SAINT Marie and Chloe Ensemble Dallas

Slip

The slip dress is designed to skim closely to the body, often cut on a bias to highlight the figure. Slip wedding dresses are perfect for a bride who wants a chic, minimalist look. Their designs often incorporate small details like delicate straps, a cowl, or draping, but are otherwise clean.

Top Left: Alexandra Grecco ‘Harriet’
Top Right: Sarah Seven ‘Gigi
Bottom Left: NEWHITE ‘Palm
Bottom Right: Alexandra Grecco ‘Phaedra
Alexandra Grecco Harriet Charleston 1
Sarah Seven Gigi Charlotte 1
NEWHITE Palm Charlotte 1
Alexandra Grecco Phaedra Phoenix 1

Ballgown

The ballgown silhouette is characterized by a very fitted top with very full skirt. The difference between a ballgown versus an A-line gown is that ballgowns have major contrast between the contoured top and voluminous skirt, whereas A-line skirts are flowier. Perfect for brides who like a vintage or traditional nod, ballgowns bring the drama.

Top Left: Made With Love ‘Raine
Top Right: Floure Studio ‘Haven
Bottom Left: Louvienne ‘Beck
Bottom Right: Floure Studio ‘Danbury
Made With Love Raine NYC 1
Floure Haven Seattle 1
Louvienne Beck Philly 1
Floure Danbury London 1

Mermaid

Mermaid wedding dresses are easily recognized due to their dramatic skirt flare that starts at the thigh or knee. Snugly contoured so they emphasize the waist and hips, they are perfect for brides who want to show off their curves and are seeking a glamorous look for their big day.

Top Left: Sarah Seven ‘Shelby
Top Right: Made With Love ‘Ollie
Bottom Left: Louvienne ‘Callum
Bottom Right: Sarah Seven ‘Ruby
Sarah Seven Shelby Charlotte 1
Made With Love Ollie Charlotte 1
Louvienne Callum London 1
Sarah Seven Ruby Phoenix 1

Column

Column gowns have a narrow shape and linear structure that flows straight down to the hem. What differentiates them from sheath dresses (we’ll go into more detail about those next), is that column wedding dresses are often made of more structured fabrics and have no skirt flare. This silhouette is good for creating or accentuating height.

Top Left: Renhue ‘Elara‘ with Overskirt
Top Right: Sarah Seven ‘Candy
Bottom Left: Renhue ‘Harlow
Bottom Right: Renhue ‘Loren
Renhue Elara Seattle 1
Sarah Seven Candy Philly 1
Renhue Harlow Phoenix 1
Renhue Loren London 1

Sheath

A sheath gown flows over the body curvature but is less narrow than a column silhouette. It has a snug, contoured fit that elongates the figure, with a slight skirt flare and minimal or no layers. Sheaths are often made with a less structured fabric than column gowns. Like column gowns, sheath wedding dresses are modern, comfortable, and look great with or without a train.

Top Left: Alexandra Grecco ‘Dakota
Top Right: NEWHITE ‘Pado
Bottom Left: Alexandra Grecco ‘Viola
Bottom Right: Alexandra Grecco ‘Sloan‘ + ‘Emmett’ Overlay
Alexandra Grecco Dakota Houston 1
NEWHITE Pado Atlanta 1
Alexandra Grecco Viola Charlotte 1
Alexandra Grecco Sloan w Emmett Overlay Houston 1

Empire-Waist

Empire-waisted wedding dresses feature a fitted bodice that ends just below the bust rather than at natural waistline, giving a high-waisted appearance. This silhouette is good for lengthening the frame and emphasizing the bust.

Top Left: Alexandra Grecco ‘Gwynevere
Top Right: Renhue ‘Neoma
Bottom Left: SAINT ‘Madeleine‘ + ‘Ivy’ Jacket
Bottom Right: Renhue ‘Lindvall
Alexandra Grecco Gwynevere London 1
Renhue Neoma Houston 1
SAINT Madeleine w Ivy Jacket Philly 1
Renhue Lindvall Charleston 1

Ready to find the one?

Once you’ve figured out what silhouettes you’re interested in trying on, book an appointment to find your dream wedding dress at your nearest Lovely Bride. Then, follow us on InstagramTikTok, and Pinterest to stay in the know on all things Lovely.

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