Nothing is eternal in this world, especially when it comes to wedding fashion. Leading bridal couturiers bring new visions and set new trends season after season. They juggle new shapes, styles, and accents, creating new wedding dress types to match evolving fashion tendencies and modern brides’ preferences.
However, just like white remains a traditional wedding gown colour, there are a few wedding dress styles brides have adored for generations. Consistently iterated, these style types of wedding dresses can be deservedly called timeless classics and don’t seem to ever go out of fashion.
7 Main Wedding Dress Shapes and Styles
With so many different types of wedding dress styles around, some of them come and go, while others keep inspiring bridal designers and popping up in the latest collections. A bridal gown is more than a tribute to a wedding tradition and fashion. It symbolizes the bride’s beauty, dreams, aspirations, and the biggest promise two people are going to make in their lives. These truths remain unchanged, irrespective of time, embodied in styles of wedding dresses that stand as pillars of bridal fashion.
A-line
When you think about what type of wedding dress for my body works best, a few designs can beat the versatility of A-line bridal gowns. A graceful structure is their biggest forte. They snugly embrace the bodice and gently flare from the waistline to achieve balanced proportions that elongate the figure while following natural curves. It’s one of those types of wedding dresses silhouettes that flatter all body types, offering comfort and movement.
Another reason why this shape will never fade is that A-lines effortlessly marry tradition with innovations. The style readily accommodates modern detailing and looks amazing in various fabrics. It exudes elegant simplicity with a universal appeal appropriate for intimate garden ceremonies and grand cathedral celebrations alike.
Ball gown
Capturing the essence of fairytale romance and regal style, ball gown wedding dresses have reigned supreme for years and are still one-time favourites for many brides. A fitted bodice cinches the waist and contrasts with a full, floor-sweeping skirt, creating a signature look that renders royal grandeur and sophistication.
Ball gowns owe their top popularity, as compared to other types of wedding dresses styles, to their majestic impact. These gorgeous dresses make the dreams of millions of little girls come true, enabling them to live out their “princess moment” as they tie the knot.
Modern designers keep reinterpreting ball gowns with whimsical details, unexpected fabric combinations, neckline experiments, and bold elements to give the style a fresh twist. However, the core allure remains the same. These dresses are confident scene-stealers.
Mermaid
Brides who want all eyes to be set on them during the wedding keep choosing the irresistible appeal of mermaid gowns. Their body-hugging design, dramatically flaring at or below the knee, perfectly highlights curves and creates a striking hourglass shape. This sharp silhouette is a showstopper, making the bride feel both powerful and graceful as she walks down the aisle.
Mermaid gowns still stand out among different types of wedding dresses as statement pieces, blending modern chic and sassy drama with a sensual vibe and iconic shape. We can also enjoy new iterations with illusion backs, off-the-shoulder necklines, long sleeves, and minimalist cuts to offer classic and fashion-forward looks.
Sheath
Sheath wedding dresses embody the understated elegance and modern minimalism. Slim, straight cut clings to the body contours for a clean look and sleek shape. It elongates and balances the silhouette, setting the right accents and making the bride’s figure more slender and refined. This streamlined design is much loved by those who appreciate simplicity and seek to embrace a classy aesthetic. It’s one of the timeless bridal dress styles that feels current and will never be bound by fleeting trends.
Fit-and-flare
Brides who seek the appeal of a mermaid dress without drama stay with fit-and-flare wedding gown silhouettes. Neatly hugging the curves and slightly flaring into a flowy skirt mid-hip, this dress type can stand out as an attention grabber or convert into a modest, minimalist piece. It depends on the choice of fabric and detailing.
Similar to other types of dresses to wear for a wedding, the fit-and-flare shape evolves to match modern tastes and expectations. Yet, it always retains its essence, perfectly balancing drama and subtlety.
Off-the-shoulder
This neckline type reveals the shoulders and collarbone, beautifully framing the face and drawing attention upward. Keeping the focus on the face and bust, off-the-shoulder wedding dresses easily adapt to meet just about any bride’s vision and match any venue. With a voluminous skirt and rich embellishments, this gown design creates a stunning red-carpet-worthy bridal image for a pompous, regal-style wedding. When crafted in lace or flowing fabrics, it will have you set for a breezy beach or yacht club wedding.
Off-the-shoulder gowns are extremely feminine, embracing the sense of romance that feels classic and fresh at the same time. As such, this style will never lose its inherent charm and attractiveness.
Lace dresses
If there is an immortal wedding trend, it’s lace. Do you want to step back into a vintage era? Strive for an express romantic allure? Need a delicate touch for a modern event? Lace dresses can do it all and even more. Bringing an old-world vibe and subtle opulence, lace can instantly elaborate on different wedding dress styles. An A-line gown entirely covered in intricate lace patterns will cater to a bride seeking to embrace the legacy of the past. A sleek sheath gown in satin, featuring dainty Chantilly lace sleeves, will win the hearts of modern minimalists.
Expert Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Dress
What type of dress should you wear to a wedding? Choosing a dream gown is one of the biggest excitements and challenges for a bride. As you search the market, you’ll come across a variety of different types of wedding dress shapes, silhouettes, and designs that might leave you bewildered. Check our helpful tips to structure your search and pinpoint your perfect bridal dress fast and without stress.
Match Your Dress to Your Venue & Theme
Just like the theme and venue should complement each other, you want a gown that will make you shine and perfectly blend with the atmosphere of your big day. What will your ceremony be like? Classic, romantic, modern, bohemian, rustic, vintage, or glamour? Will it be in a church, grand cathedral, city hall, hotel, museum, old mansion, woods, beach, or a barn on a farm? All these aspects set the tone for your wedding dress, including fit, cut, hem length, colour, and overall style.
Factor in Season & Fabric Choice
The season will dictate the choice of fabric for your wedding attire and its design details. Traditionally, light and breathable fabrics like tulle, chiffon, organza, and silk will keep you cool and ethereal in spring and summer. In autumn and winter months, on the other hand, you want warmth and more coverage. At this time, thicker fabrics like satin, mikado, or velvet will add a touch of seasonal romance, while long sleeves, high necks, and caped designs will enhance comfort.
Balance Comfort and Style
All brides want a dress to impress. Yet, don’t forget that you are going to walk, dance, and celebrate in this gown all day long. So, never sacrifice ease for the glamour. Seek balance. Your bridal dress shouldn’t restrict your movements or make you feel awkward. You should feel comfortable and confident when wearing it.
Be Open to Trying Different Silhouettes
The best type of wedding dress for your body type might be completely different from what you’ve imagined. You’ll never know what makes you look and feel like a queen unless you try. Give various silhouettes, lengths, and cuts a chance. Your dress will be the one you’ll never want to take off.
Trust a Bridal Stylist’s Expertise
Even if you are looking for something specific, feel free to share your ideas and cravings with a bridal stylist and consider their suggestions as well. They may notice details and nuances you overlook. Their keen eye and rich experience can become the key to finding your perfect match.
Discover the Wedding Dress Made Just for You at Bridal Boutique MISSIA
At MISSIA, your wedding chase will succeed. Check our stunning online collection of wedding dresses, split into categories by style, silhouette, and fabric. It brings together a refined selection of gowns to match the most demanding requests and intricate tastes.
If you live in Toronto or its surrounding area, you can book an appointment and visit our boutique at 66 Jutland Rd Unit 45 in Toronto to see how the dresses you like fit you in real life. Our seasoned consultants will closely listen to you and help you pick the dress that ticks all the boxes on your wish list. And if you seek something truly special and unique, we can alter the dress to your needs or even create a custom gown from scratch that will be made just for you. Say yes to your wedding dress at MISSIA because your love story deserves the best.