A Guide to Wedding Dress Silhouettes (2024)

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• Krésha Bajaj is the founder and creative director of her eponymous bridal label.
• Karan Berry and Leon Vaz are the co-founders of Mumbai-based couture brand Karleo, which specializes in wedding gowns, evening and co*cktail gowns, and bridal accessories.
• Danielle Wen is the is the founder ofLace & Libertyin San Francisco, California.

A-Line

The Silhouette: A-line gowns feature a fitted bodice, which cinches at the waist and then flares out to create a soft A-shape skirt (hence the name).

Universally flattering—complementing all body types—Berry notes that A-line dresses will hug you in all the right places and are a great choice for pear-shaped or curvy brides. “An A-line gown hugs the waist area, creating a slimmer waistline while flattering the bust,” he says. “It can make a petite bride look taller with its overall slimming effect.”

Empire Waist

The Silhouette: Empire silhouettes feature a waistline that "sits right below the chest area, creating an elongated skirt," shares designer and salon owner Danielle Wen.

"This is a silhouette where the waistline is raised higher than the natural waist," adds Wen. "Fans of the Netflix show Bridgerton will spot that most of the fashionable outfits of that era are empire waist gowns!"

Drop Waist

The Silhouette: "This is a unique silhouette where the waistline of the gown is lowered several inches down from the natural waist," explains Wen.

More specifically, the designer goes on to share that "The top is usually fitted through the body to the lower waist area or sometimes as low as the hip area. This creates an elongated torso and is often designed together with a fuller A-line skirt style."

Ball Gown

The Silhouette: Ball gown wedding dresses feature a fitted bodice that trails into a voluminous skirt.

If you want to glide into your happily ever after like a princess, this fairy tale-ready gown is for you. Volume? Check. Drama? Check. Classic? Yes, of course! “The voluminous skirt balances the fitted top,” Bajaj shares. “The fuller silhouette accentuates the waist and hides the lower body. However, a bride who is conscious of her hips may want to keep in mind thatthe skirt can make you look larger.”

Mermaid

The Silhouette: Mermaid gowns contour the body at the bodice, waist, and hips, and then flares out at the knees.

The style is known to emphasize the waist and hips, rather than narrowing them, and is a great choice for those who are apple-shaped. Berry does note, however, that choosing the right shapewear is important with mermaid silhouettes. “Considering how fitted it is, you’ll also want to make sure that you can move freely in it, and can sit down easily too," he adds.

Trumpet

The Silhouette: Trumpet gowns feature a straight bodice to the hips and then flares out starting mid-thigh.

“A trumpet silhouette is ideal for slender frames and hourglassbody types,” explains Bajaj. “Brides who want to flaunt their curves often pick this outfit.” It's also a crowd-pleaser for brides who want a more toned-down version of the mermaid, as it doesn't have an overly dramatic flare.

Fit-and-Flare

The Silhouette: Fit-and-flare silhouettes are "fitted on the bodice, through the waist and hips, then gradually flares out towards the hem of the skirt," shares Wen.

What differentiates this style from mermaid and trumpet silhouettes is its gradual flare, as opposed to a dramatic look. "This is a beautiful style that accentuates a bride’s curves without much movement restriction on the skirt," Wen adds.

Slip

The Silhouette: Slip dresses provide a loose and airy fit, resulting in an effortless and pared-back look.

Minimal, sophisticated, and impossibly chic, the slip dress makes a case for a ‘less is more’ bridal repertoire. It’s best advised to have this design made to measure, though, with elements like a cowl neck, bias-cut, or back detailing for more character.

Sheath

The Silhouette: “A sheath gownboasts a snug fit and contours the body from head to toe,” says Bajaj.

The designer further adds, “It gives apetitebride an elongated look which helps herappear taller. As for a tall bride, it gives her body definition.” For those with a boxy body, opt for a sash or embellished belt with it to create the illusion of a more defined waist. Moreover, if you're looking for a style that works well without a train, this is it!

Column

The Silhouette: Column gowns are defined by their structured column silhouette.

The column gown is often given structure using fabrics like taffeta, brocade, or corded lace, and is tailor-made to flaunt a sleek and slender figure. So if you have an athletic frame, don’t think twice before picking this one.

Tea-Length

The Silhouette: Tea-length dresses have hemlines that fall between the knee and mid-calf. They also feature a full skirt.

If you’re searching for a style that has a ‘something old, something new’ quality to it, then this ankle-grazing silhouette is for you. Tea-lengths have a vintage charm that lends itself to brides with unique aesthetics. “Brides opting for an intimate ceremony, a brunch wedding, or a simple but beautiful registry should choose this length. The beauty is that it can be easily recycled long after your wedding, too," shares Bajaj.

Midi

The Silhouette: Almost identical to tea-length, midi dresses have hemlines that fall between the knee and ankle—and, as Wen points out, "It’s often referred to as tea-length as well."

Wen further notes, "Midi dresses first gained popularity in the 1940s and 1950s, where it was still a conservative choice with a departure from the long floor length styles."

High-Low

The Silhouette: "This is a style where the front hemline of the skirt is raised above the ground, whereas the back skirt hemline is at least floor length or has a train," Wen shares.

Though many brides don't often choose high-low silhouettes for their wedding dresses, this style is perfect for those who want to wear something classic but with a twist. "[It] creates a fun asymmetrical look to the dress, and is great to show off your beautiful bridal shoes," Wen notes.

Mini

The Silhouette: "Mini usually refers to the length of the dress, where the skirt ends above the knee," explains Wen.

Need something fun, flirty, and completely unconventional? Consider wearing a mini dress for a portion of your big day. "It’s a great choice for a reception dress to dance away the night, or a style that’s slightly less formal for an elopement," shares Wen.