Consider your body basics and kick off your quest for a fabulous figure-flattering wedding dress.
 
Though it’s recommended to shape up to look your healthy best, you shouldn’t succumb to starvation in order to fit into your frock. It should work around you. Flaunt the finer parts of your figure and conceal the more shady spots by acknowledging that – like everybody else on the planet – you are not a perfect type, but are humanly unique. It’s all about making the most of your natural self and learning to love and dress it with individual styling. In short ladies: it’s time to find your form.

The first step to achieving a stunning signature look that suits you from your tresses down to your toes is to take a decent look in the mirror. Next step, ask your fiancé what aspects of your form he favours; I’m sure the list will afford you both plenty of positive points to play with. Finally, gather some honest girlfriends for a brainstorming get together and canvas the professionals’ opinions at a bunch of bridal houses. Having seen a huge selection of bodies in their time, they will be expert at how to clothe accordingly.

In order to help you get started on the design and decision-making, we’ve compiled a guide that will assist you in putting your best fashion foot forward and down the aisle. Don’t panic though: we’ve kept it simple and broken the body down into three parts with tips on how to handle the features you’d rather focus on or forget with super sass.

Upper Body
This area stretches from the bust right up to the nape of the neck and is often the trickiest portion to ponder. Many brides-to-be instantly opt for a traditional strapless number without any prior consideration. Contrary to common belief, there are a variety of shapes and cuts for the bustier, which, if chosen well, can make every piece of flesh appear freshly fitted. How much cleavage and back do you want to show? Are you looking for a tight or less restricted fit? Remember that you will be wearing it for the entire day, so it has to provide both breathable comfort and maintained support.


Ella (Vu's Bridal www.vusbridal.co.uk)

If you want to concentrate on your upper body, then a strappy or strapless gown will show some skin. The neckline can conceal or boost your bust according to shape. The best to maximise your cleavage is a style with built in padding or shape so that the uplift effect is in full force. Detail such as ruffles, ruching and sequins illusively bulk up the area, and a princess or square neckline opens it up to the spotlight.


Impression Bridal (Bliss Bridal Gowns www.bliss-bridal-gowns.co.uk)

To offset a larger bust, keyhole, scoop or deep V-necks will flatter, or total tank cover up can be considered. Shapes to avoid include empire and cinched waists.
Shoulders can be a spectacular point of focus. Halter necks and deep backed V-necks that fall down to the derrière are sexy solutions for narrow shoulders, but are generally best avoided by broader forms.


Charlotte Balbier

You don’t have to bare your arms, depending on how comfortable you feel and what level of exposure suits your outfit. An easy way to conceal your arms without compromising style is a simple bolero or shrug, or for a very ‘now’ look sleeved gowns with sheer, lace or loosely flaring material can work wonders.

Trunk
From below the bust line to the hips, this area can be something of a definer or debacle. For the more curvaceous bride, you may not want the outline of your dress to be totally figure hugging, instead honing in on your best features whilst gliding over the rest. In this case, a ball gown is a sweet-talking option with its classic full skirt and fitted bodice. Similarly, Goddess gowns are glorious to this effect, being floaty and forgiving in their ways.


Ian Stuart

Currently seeing a revamp, shift and column dresses are a kitsch cover up idea, and high waistlines, for example, with the princess or A-line silhouettes, will savour your shape.


Essence (Vu's Bridal www.vusbridal.co.uk)

Vertical lines lengthen the torso, making it appear more narrow and can easily form the structure or finer detail of a dress.


Ellis Bridal (County Cream www.countycreambridalhouse.co.uk)

For slimmer waists, avoid looking consumed by your gown by selecting body conscious contouring, such as achieved by the sheath and mermaid styles. Volumise your appearance with velvet and satin for a more textured, luxe look that will pile on the feminine wiles and extra dimension to your profile. 


Stevies Gowns

For petite figures, high and off-the-shoulder necklines compliment well, as do short-sleeved dresses, but don’t get too busy with the current multi-layered, origami styles or veiling as they will overwhelm your outfit.

Lower Body
Just because it’s the furthest from your face, doesn’t mean it should be the last thing on your mind. Your legs can make your groom buckle with desire if you manage to flash a little pin action his way and can contemporise and individualise an outfit with ease.


Amanda Wyatt

If you’re in no way keen to expose your lower appendages, then a full-length gown, especially a full skirt, is a necessity. Toy with the trends a bit and opt for a mermaid gown that conceals, but flares out at the very lowest part of your body with chic shaping.

 
Ella (Vu's Bridal www.vusbridal.co.uk)

Work subtle suggestion into your look with a slit that casually and demurely allows for a little leg exposure. Go thigh high for a sexy, statement edge or knee or calf high for a delicate ankle tease.

Hemlines are the hippest way of ensuring that your fashion finger hits the pulse. Mini skirts are the top trumps of skirt length making for a flirty, confident wedded scenario.


Ian Stuart

For the less brazen, knee and calf length dresses are equally as en vogue, and depending on the cut and shape, can ensure that your legs are perfectly limber for both the aisle and dance floor. Tea length smacks of vintage chic and full skirts swaying just above the knee is ‘50s cute ‘n’ naughty or preppy prom queen.

Fluted and tulip hems are part of the new wave of shapes to be adorning the catwalks, but be careful if you have a wider or fuller figure as the cut can stretch your appearance horizontally.


Jenny Packham (County Cream www.countycreambridalhouse.co.uk)

The idea, in these transient times, is to find yourself amongst the fashion flurries. Don’t be afraid to experiment and tailor trends in order to create a truly show stealing look that guarantees everyone is getting the best of you.

words Hannah May

Copyright WED magazine 2010