Which Shape Wedding dress will suit me?

Choosing the perfect wedding dress is one of the most important decisions a bride will make. But lets not stress too much, you made the biggest decision saying YES to your other half, and we are here to help you choose the perfect dress. With so many different styles and silhouettes to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, by taking into account your body shape, you can narrow down your options and find a dress that will flatter you perfectly.

Here are a few tips on how to choose the best wedding dress for your body shape:

Best Wedding Dresses for a Rectangle Body Shape

If your shoulders, waist and hips are fairly similar in width, with a straighter silhouette and less definition at the waist, you may have what’s known as a rectangle body shape.

The brilliant thing about a rectangle figure? You can have so much fun with shape.

A-line wedding dresses are a beautiful choice, adding movement through the skirt while creating definition at the waist. Fitted and sheath wedding dresses can look equally incredible, particularly if you love that sleek, modern bridal look.

Want to play with your proportions? A belt or beautifully defined waistband can draw attention to your waist, while off-the-shoulder necklines, statement sleeves and straps can add gorgeous shape and detail through the upper body.

And don't be afraid of volume. A fuller skirt or ballgown can completely transform your silhouette if you fancy a proper bridal moment.

At Holmes & Co, we'd never tell you there's one wedding dress shape you should wear. Your figure doesn't need fixing — we're simply here to help you discover what you love seeing yourself in.

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Best wedding dress styles for an Inverted Triangle Shape

If your shoulders are broader than your hips, often with a defined waist and slimmer lower body, you may have an inverted triangle shape.

And you’ve got some gorgeous options.

A fishtail can be incredible on this figure, defining the waist, celebrating your shape and creating those beautiful curves through the hips. If you love something softer, an A-line gives you effortless movement and a classic bridal silhouette.

When it comes to necklines, V-necks and sweethearts are beautiful choices, but don’t be afraid of straps, sleeves or something more statement-making either.

At Holmes & Co, we’re not big believers in rules about what your body shape should wear. Knowing your shape can be a brilliant starting point, but the right dress is the one that makes you look in the mirror and think, “Oh… I love me in this.”

Best Wedding Dresses for an Apple or Oval Body Shape

If you have a fuller bust and tummy, with your shoulders and hips a similar width and a less defined waist, you may have what’s often described as an apple or oval body shape.

The best wedding dresses for an apple shape are all about beautiful structure, great proportions and finding the silhouette that makes you feel amazing.

A well-structured A-line wedding dress can be a gorgeous choice, gently defining the waist before flowing over the hips. V-necklines are another favourite at Holmes & Co, particularly for brides with a fuller bust, as they beautifully frame the décolletage and create a longer line through the upper body.

But don’t rule out a fitted wedding dress either. The right construction, clever corsetry and beautifully placed seams can give incredible support and really celebrate your curves.

And that’s the important bit: your curves aren’t something your wedding dress needs to hide.

Body-shape guides are a great place to start, but they’re never a rule book. At Holmes & Co, we’d much rather get you into different shapes, see what makes you feel fabulous and take it from there.

Best Wedding Dresses for an Hourglass Body Shape

If you have a defined waist with fuller hips and bust, you may have what’s known as an hourglass body shape — and our advice? Embrace those curves.

Fishtail, mermaid and fitted wedding dresses can look incredible on an hourglass figure, following your natural shape and really celebrating that waist. Go figure-hugging if you dare.

If you have a fuller bust, structure is your friend. Look for wedding dresses with good corsetry, supportive bodices and clever construction that give you support while still feeling comfortable. Some softer illusion bodices may not offer quite enough support on their own — although that doesn’t necessarily mean they're off the table.

Straps can be a gorgeous choice for a fuller bust, but don't assume you need to limit yourself to dresses that already have them. Our seamstresses can often add straps or make clever alterations to sweetheart and strapless wedding dresses, opening up far more options.

And while fitted styles are fabulous for showing off an hourglass figure, they aren't your only choice. A-lines and ballgowns can look equally beautiful.

At Holmes & Co, body shape is a starting point, never a set of rules. Sometimes the wedding dress you were convinced wouldn't suit you is the one you never want to take off.

Book here to try her on for yourself!

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Best Wedding Dresses for a Pear Body Shape

If your hips and bottom are fuller than your upper body, often with a smaller bust and beautifully defined waist, you may have what’s known as a pear body shape.

Girls, say HALLELUJAH — you have so many gorgeous options.

If you want to show off those curves, fitted, fishtail and mermaid wedding dresses were made for moments like this. They can hug the waist and hips beautifully — and just wait until you turn around and see that booty in the mirror.

Prefer something softer? A-line wedding dresses are another gorgeous choice, defining your waist before flowing beautifully over the hips.

If you have a smaller bust, a well-constructed wedding dress will often have built-in cups and corsetry to give you shape and support, while sweetheart, plunge and detailed necklines can all look incredible.

But please don't think having a pear-shaped figure means you need to “balance” or disguise your hips. Show them off if you want to. Sometimes seeing your curves properly celebrated in a wedding dress is the very thing that gives you that YES, this is me moment.

At Holmes & Co, we'll show you the shapes that traditionally work beautifully on a pear figure — and then we'll probably encourage you to try something you never expected too.

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