Your London Wedding - Page number 77 - September/October 2021 (Issue 79)

Knowing your body shape is a great place to start when thinking about your wedding dress. Your everyday wardrobe might already be screaming clues at you as it’ll be full of styles and shapes that you naturally gravitate towards. Have a look at other dresses you’ve worn to formal occasions or even to the office and see if they follow a general shape. If they do, this is a great guide to what silhouette of wedding dress to try on first. But the golden rules really are to keep an open mind and trust your bridal consultant. If you’d describe your body as “curvy” and your bust and hip measurements are roughly equal, you most likely have a hourglass figure. Look for a corset back to really show of those curves, along with a beautiful sweetheart neckline to enhance the balance between bust and hips. If you’re not sure about a bold mermaid silhouette, a trumpet gown is a more subtle version and will look incredible on you! You’re most likely sporting a rectangle figure if you have straight hips and a straight body line. Don’t be deceived, you can still have a rectangle shape whether you’re size 8 or 28. Think about adding some angles with a pretty belt or sash, a V-neck, or a bolero. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something completely different why not try a bridal two piece or suit, great for an ultra-stylish city wedding. You’re likely to be boasting a pear or triangle body shape if you’d consider your hips and bottom to be wider than your shoulders and bust. V and U-shaped necklines are great for the pear-shaped bride as they bring the angles away from the hips. Styles with sleeves also work wonders to broaden the shoulders and bring balance. Your body shape is likely to be described as apple if your shoulders, bust, waist and hips are fairly similar in measurement, with slightly narrower shoulders and hips. Avoid strapless gowns. Instead look out for modern styles with wider straps, which flatter the shoulders and offer plenty of support. Choose a neckline that will show off your bustline and draw attention upward. If you deem your shoulders to be the widest part of your body and you find your measurements narrow as you move down to your hips and waist, you can call your body shape an inverted triangle. A stunning dress with plenty of lace or detail will draw the eye away from any one area in particular. Opt for sleeves or wide straps to play down the shoulder area or give a daring sheath a try for a super-sleek look. Hourglass Rectangle Pear Apple Inverted triangle Body beautiful 77 BRIDAL BOUTIQUES