closeup of bride in veil smiling and laughing

SILHOUETTE GUIDE

With so many wedding dress styles, it can be hard to know where to start! We have lots of options for bodies of all shapes and sizes. Explore our silhouette guide to help narrow down your favorites.

bride posing with her left arm on her head

ball gown

The regal ball gown silhouette is timeless and worthy of a fairy tale. This wedding dress style features a slim-cut bodice and full bell-shaped skirt that seems to float down the aisle.

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mermaid

The glamorous mermaid silhouette amplifies curves for a sultry result. An elongated bodice hugs the body, and the skirt flares out mid-thigh or at the knees, creating the hourglass effect.

bride holding bouquet and standing in front of gate

sheath

The sheath silhouette skims gracefully along, highlighting your body’s natural shape. The wedding dress style’s straight lines lengthen—and lend an effortless and modern air.

bride in field walking away and showing off her back

a-line

With its subtle and balanced lines, the A-line dress silhouette flatters all body types. The fitted bodice highlights your narrowest point, and the gradually flared skirt is easy to wear.

bride holding large bouquet sitting on the edge of a couch

separates

A two-piece twist on the traditional wedding dress, separates, like a top and skirt set or a dress with a removable overskirt, allow you to switch things up for a second (or third) look.

bride on the street holding a handbag and drinking a coffee

jumpsuit

The jumpsuit is polished, modern, and fun. Whether slim-cut or wide-leg, pants ensure extra comfort from the ceremony all the way through the after-party.

With so many beautiful options available, finding the perfect wedding dress for your special day may seem a little daunting. At David’s Bridal, we are here to guide you with confidence. We know how different wedding dress styles can achieve different results and which silhouettes can provide the most flattering fit for your shape. Let us match you with the ideal dress silhouette to help you say “I do.”

A-Line

Similar to ball gowns, A-line wedding dresses are fitted through the waist or hips before extending into a full skirt, creating a beautiful A-shaped silhouette. The skirt on a simple A-line dress is less flared than a ball gown and looks flattering on all shapes and sizes.

Ball Gown

This striking gown evokes fairytale magic. With its fitted bodice and dramatically flared skirt, it’s no wonder so many brides dream of wearing this silhouette on their special day. Ball gown wedding dresses are a stunning choice for many brides, however they can overwhelm a petite frame.

Mermaid

Ethereal and enchanting, mermaid wedding gowns dazzle with timeless elegance. This fitted gown hugs the length of the body before flaring out at the knees in a romantic skirt. This fit-and-flare wedding dress style, also called a trumpet wedding dress, is best suited for hugging slender frames, hourglass figures, and full-figured curves.

Sheath

Effortlessly stunning, this bridal style provides a tailored, narrow silhouette from neckline to hem. Simple sheath wedding dresses are traditionally lighter than their full-skirted sisters and offer a body-hugging silhouette. This straight wedding dress looks best on slender, petite, and hourglass frames.

Short

Growing in popularity for casual weddings, pre-wedding events, and as a second-dress option for the reception, short wedding dresses bring versatility to the party. From true knee-length skirts evocative of mid-Century fashion, to tea-length wedding dresses with hemlines hitting between the knee and ankle, to high-low styles cut shorter in front and longer in back, short bridal dresses are perfect for showing off your legs, dazzling shoes, and epic dance moves.

Separates

If a traditional gown isn’t for you, create your own unique wedding day style with chic bridal separates. Options include two-piece wedding dresses fashioned from a top and skirt, as well as classic suiting pieces like tops, pants, jackets and skirts. Bridal separates are a modern way to highlight your best assets, flatter your figure, and express your personal style.

Jumpsuits

One of the freshest trends in bridal fashion, the wedding jumpsuit is almost universally flattering because it creates a long line on the body and comes in a variety of necklines, sleeves and even pant widths. A one-piece jumpsuit offers brides a stand-out style that highlights the narrowest part of the body – the waist – and creates the illusion of long legs, making you look and feel great on your wedding day.