What is the perfect wedding dress?
The perfect dress is different for every bride. Depending on her venue, season formality, body shape, etc. she will have any number of dresses to try. In fact, there are so many different options that in order to make this easier to read, we will use current trends that you may be familiar with if you are searching for your dream dress now!
We always recommend to our brides to keep an open mind and try on a variety of styles to find the one that makes them feel perfect. Some brides will say they know exactly what they want, only to try it on and be disappointed.
Before heading out for your wedding dress appointment, familiarize yourself with the common silhouettes and fabrics that follow:
1. Wedding Dress Silhouettes
We start out with the silhouette. There are five main shapes when it comes to bridal gowns, which are:
A-line, Ball Gown, Fit and Flare, Mermaid & Sheath
The A line gown is so named because the full skirt is shaped like the letter A. This silhouette can have any number of neck, lines or sleeves, but it is typically designed with a fitted bodice and a natural waist connecting to an A line skirt. These are made in most any fabric, can range from plain sophistication to full beaded glam, and are flattering on every body type.
Ballgowns are quite similar to A line, but have a much fuller skirt. In addition, ball gowns can have waistlines including natural, dropped, and basque waists. The A line and ball gown dresses are easy to move and dance in, however, certain ball gown styles will have a longer and heavier train, which will require a more elaborate bustle. This is the the perfect silhouette for a traditional, formal wedding.
Fit and Flare gowns, also known as ‘trumpet gowns’, is fitted through the bodice, hips, and mid thigh where it then flares out. There is normally no designated waistline on a fit and flare gown, and this tends to elongate the body. These are not always recommended for petite brides (under 5’4″) as much of the skirt may need to be hemmed off, unless she is planning on wearing a substantial heel.
The Mermaid dress is similar to the fit and flare, with the distinction being a much more dramatically flared skirt. Picture the fin on a mermaid and you get the idea. Mermaid gowns are normally very tight, sometimes down almost to the knee. Very sexy and the perfect dress to accentuate hourglass figures, the mermaid will be more difficult to move in.
The Sheath gown is also known as a column dress. They are a straight cut and simple design, and the sheath silhouette is a popular choice for modern brides.
The below trend graphic illustrates the silhouettes that our brides purchased in 2023. As you can see, the A-line was the overwhelming favorite, with fit and flare (what we call “fitted” for short) in second place:
2. Wedding Dress Fabrics
Choosing the best fabric for your wedding gown may come down to your venue and or season. For instance, if you are having a summer wedding on the beach, you may not want to choose heavier fabrics, like satin or Mikado. Similarly, if you are having your wedding on a snow-capped mountain, a lightweight fabric would not make much sense.
However, let’s go over the five most common fabrics available.
Satin, Crepe, Lace, Organza, Tulle
Satin is a luxurious fabric and can be in a variety of forms, such as Dutchess, mikado, slipper, and charmeuse. The first two are thick and heavy with a gloss shine, very formal and often used in ball gown silhouettes because it will easily keep its shape. Slipper and charmeuse are lighter with the same high gloss but not as thick. These are more often in the sheath shape or as a layer underneath lace. The best quality satin is made from pure silk, however, this is very expensive.
Crepe is a type of silk fabric with a crisp, clean appearance. Comfortable and breathable, this is a lovely and soft fabric for a wedding dress because of its luster on the front and a matte finish back. Most crepe fabric dresses will be in a sheath or slim a line silhouette.
Lace fabric dresses also come in a number of different types such as Venice, Alençon, corded, and Chantilly lace. Lace is a lovely and romantic choice for a wedding dress. You can match the type of lace with the overall look of your wedding theme, for instance, a corded or laser cut lace is perfect for a Boho theme, whereas Alençon would work for a traditional formal wedding.
Organza is a very pretty, thin, and lightweight fabric type easily identifiable from its smoothness and its shine. This sheer fabric is traditionally made from silk woven with synthetic fibers suc,h as nylon or polyester. Organza can be tiered or layered on the skirt and often in an a line shape, and is also the perfect fabric for a ruffled skirt on a fit and flare or mermaid style of dress.
Tulle is an airy fabric and a form of netting that is made with very small openings. It is a stiff weave, unlike it soft and stretchy counterpart English net. Many veils and skirts are made of this type of fabric.
As you will see from the below graphic, our fabric trend for 2023 was overwhelmingly tulle, with Mikado and crepe tied for second place:
3. Wedding Dress Embellishments
Unless you are specifically wanting a plain dress, chances are you will want some embellishments. Embellishments include beads, crystals, rhinestones, sequins, appliqué, embroidery, and lace edging. Any of the fabrics above can have embellishments.
You can also have embellishments in your accessory pieces, such as veils, headpieces, belts, capes, bows, sleeves, or jackets.
It is a great idea to find photos of dresses that you like to show your stylist. Once you begin trying on, you will know quickly what you like and what looks best on you. Once you find the silhouette and fabric, you can find the details that you love, like neckline, straps or sleeves, back features, and train lengths.
This is an exciting time and a very big decision as you go on the hunt for the best dress you will ever wear. Take your time and we tell our brides, “You will know when you found the one!”
We are always available to help or answer questions! Feel free to text our store number at 215-491-8500 or contact us here.