How to find a flattering wedding dress for curves

Gowns

If you have beautiful curves, which wedding dress will help you show them off? From curve-flaunting necklines to slenderising gowns, check out our suggestions on the perfect wedding dress for a curvaceous woman.

Wedding dress choices for petite curvy women

Wedding ceremony

Many curvy women are also smaller in stature, which can make finding the right wedding dress a daunting task. However, curvy-petite women have options that can both flaunt and balance out their figures. Dresses with long, gossamer skirts are a wonderful choice, since they give the illusion of more height. This in turn balances out a curvy figure.

Heels are obviously a great choice for giving you some more height under a flowing skirt. But don’t fret if you find the perfect dress and it’s too long for you – you can easily have the skirt taken in to a flattering length (and one which won’t have you tripping over the excess material!). In contrast, a mermaid gown – where the back of the skirt slightly trails out from the rest of the dress – can be a boon for a petite woman, as it helps to elongate her frame.

Also consider smaller aspects of your wedding dress. The raised waistline of a dress will help lengthen your stature, as will top-heavy embellishments and designs that draw the eye to the shoulders and the upper half of the torso.

Balancing out your curves

If you’d like to go for a dress to help balance out your curves, there are a number of ideal dresses on the market. Women with a classic pear-shape should choose one where the skirt takes centre stage. This will help provide balance. Examples include a full chiffon skirt, a skirt with ruffles and asymmetrical elements, or an A-line skirt.

Finding a dress

If you have a larger chest you may be tempted to cover up, but this will actually make your chest appear larger. Go for a dress with a slight v-line or a smaller sweetheart neckline. It will offer a gentler curve without drawing unwanted attention. On the other hand, if you’d like to bring focus onto your upper curves then you can choose the same style but a deeper cut.

Make sure to look for a dress with supportive upper straps. Otherwise, invest in supportive shapewear under the stress, to help bring definition and support to your chest.

A universally flattering dress feature for a curvy woman

As a curvy woman one element of a wedding dress will universally flatter – a dress with a cinched waist design. A cinched waist will craft a striking hourglass figure and will balance out and highlight your curves. You can also achieve this look by wearing shaping underwear, such as a corset. Modern corsets are comfortable and safe to wear, they won’t have you gasping for breath and passing out!

Dress with your size in mind

It’s important to shop with your actual dress size in mind. Wedding Ideas Mag explains why:

Trying on a dress“It is best to look through bridal magazines and on bridal websites and find labels that cater for the fuller figure. Bridal gowns sampled in size 12 and 14 were designed for a size 12 figure, so you need to look for a label that specifically designs for a size 18 plus as this is a dress that has been designed especially with the curvier bride in mind. For example, the corsetry, the size of the bust cups and the proportions of the dress would have all been altered with a curvier figure in mind. A dress designed for a size 12 girl will not look as good on a size 20 upwards as the proportions will not be correct. It is important that you try on a dress that is nearest to your dress size so that you do not have a surprise when your dress arrives.”

Finding the right dress for you

As a curvy woman, it’s a great idea to go for a dress that celebrates your curves and simultaneously, slims you in the right places. The right design will ensure that you look and feel beautiful on your wedding day.

If you have any questions relating to having your wedding at Leez Priory, please don't hesitate to call Gemma via the contact details below:

Gemma

T: 01245 362 555
E: info@leez-priory.co.uk

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