Types
As a professional bridal shop manager, mastering the fundamental types of wedding dresses and their distinctive features, along with accurately matching them to various settings, is the cornerstone of enhancing our expertise. This knowledge not only allows us to tailor the perfect wedding dress selection for each bride but also significantly increases the likelihood of closing sales, further optimizing the quality of our customer service. Our goal is to ensure that every customer who steps into our bridal shop experiences unparalleled care and satisfaction. Therefore, having a solid grasp of these basics is an indispensable core competency for every bridal shop manager. Ready to learn more? Below, we’ll introduce you to the different styles and silhouettes of wedding dresses that you need to know about.
A Line
Silhouette: An A-line wedding dress features a fitted bodice that cinches at the waist and then flares out, creating a soft A-shaped skirt (hence the name).
Characteristics: The A-line dress is universally flattering and is one of the classic wedding dress styles. It complements all body types, hugging you in all the right places, making it an excellent choice for brides with pear-shaped or curvier figures. The A-line dress accentuates the waist area, creating a more defined waistline while enhancing the bust. It can also make petite brides appear taller and has an overall slimming effect.
Mermaid
Silhouette: A mermaid gown contours the body through the bodice, waist, and hips, then flares out at the knees.
Characteristics: This style is well-known for highlighting the waist and hips, rather than minimizing them, making it a good choice for clients with an apple-shaped figure. It’s also one of the classic foundational wedding dress styles. However, selecting the right shapewear is crucial for achieving the desired mermaid silhouette. Given how form-fitting this style is, it’s important to ensure that the bride can move freely and sit comfortably while wearing it.
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Trumpet
Silhouette: A trumpet gown features a straight, fitted bodice that extends to the hips, then gradually flares out from the mid-thigh.
Characteristics: The trumpet silhouette is ideal for slender frames and hourglass figures, often chosen by brides who want to showcase their curves. It’s also a crowd-pleaser for brides seeking a less dramatic version of the mermaid style, as it has a softer, less exaggerated flare.
Ball Gown
Silhouette: A ball gown wedding dress features a fitted bodice that extends into a voluminous skirt.
Characteristics: The voluminous skirt complements the fitted bodice, creating a fuller silhouette that accentuates the waist while concealing the lower body. However, brides who are conscious of their hips should be aware that the skirt can add extra volume, potentially making them appear larger.
Fit-and-Flare
Silhouette: The fitted trumpet silhouette hugs the bodice, waist, and hips, then gradually flares out toward the skirt’s hem.
Characteristics: The key difference between this style and the mermaid or traditional trumpet silhouette is its more gradual flare, creating a less dramatic look. This elegant style highlights the bride’s curves while offering more freedom of movement in the skirt.
Slip
Silhouette: The slip dress offers a loose and breathable fit, creating a relaxed and minimalist look.
Characteristics: Simple, elegant, and incredibly chic, the slip dress is the epitome of the “less is more” bridal gown. However, it’s advisable to have this design tailored to fit, incorporating elements like cowl necklines, bias cuts, or back details to add a touch of personalization.
Sheath
Silhouette: The sheath dress fits snugly, tracing the body’s contours from top to bottom.
Characteristics: This style elongates the figure, making petite brides appear taller and more slender. For taller brides, it adds definition to the body. Brides with more rectangular body shapes might consider adding a belt or decorative waistband to create the illusion of a more defined waist. Additionally, this is a great option for those seeking a style that works well even without a train.
Column
Silhouette: The column dress is defined by its sleek, straight-up-and-down silhouette.
Characteristics: Column dresses are typically crafted from structured fabrics like taffeta, satin, or corded lace, designed to showcase a slim and stylish figure. This silhouette is tailored for those with a slender or athletic build, so if you have a more athletic frame, consider this option carefully before committing.
Tea-Length
Silhouette: Tea-length dresses have a hemline that falls between the knee and mid-calf, often accompanied by a full skirt.
Characteristics: If your bride is looking for a style with a “something old, something new” quality, this ankle-grazing silhouette is perfect. Tea-length dresses have a vintage charm, ideal for brides with a unique aesthetic. Brides opting for intimate ceremonies, brunch weddings, or simple and beautiful courthouse nuptials should consider this length. The beauty of this style is that it can easily be repurposed long after the wedding.
Empire Waist
Silhouette: The Empire silhouette features a waistline located just below the bust, creating an elongated skirt.
Characteristics: This silhouette, with its waistline higher than the natural waist, is reminiscent of Regency-era fashion. Fans of the Netflix show Bridgerton will recognize this style, as most of the fashion from that era featured Empire-waist dresses.
Mini
Silhouette: The mini refers to a dress length that ends above the knee.
Characteristics: Is your bride looking for something fun, flirty, and completely unconventional? Then consider a mini dress. It’s an excellent choice for a reception outfit perfect for dancing the night away, or for a slightly less formal style during an elopement.
Midi
Silhouette: The midi dress is nearly identical to the tea-length dress, with the hem falling between the knee and ankle—often referred to as tea-length.
Characteristics: Midi dresses first gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, offering a more conservative option compared to the longer floor-length styles.
High-Low
Silhouette: This style features a high-low hemline, where the front hem of the skirt is elevated above the ground, while the back hem extends to floor length or includes a train.
Characteristics: Although many brides typically do not choose a high-low silhouette for their wedding dress, this style is perfect for those who want something classic yet distinctive. It creates an interesting asymmetrical look, ideal for showcasing the bride’s beautiful wedding shoes.
Drop Waist
Silhouette: This is a unique silhouette where the dress’s waistline is dropped a few inches below the natural waist.
Characteristics: The bodice is usually fitted through the body down to the lower waist area, or sometimes even to the hips. This creates an elongated torso and is often paired with a fuller A-line skirt style.
