Mermaid Wedding Dresses: 30 Styles + FAQs (2024)

FAQs

What are the cons of a mermaid wedding dress? ›

Restrictive- The fitted silhouette of a mermaid wedding dress can be restrictive and may limit the bride's movement or ability to dance.

Ballroom gowns need 8-10 yards, while trumpet or mermaid gowns could use 4-6 yards. Lastly, a tea-length wedding gown needs around 3 yards. Please note that these amounts of wedding dress material are estimates.

The mermaid style is characterized by a fitted silhouette that hugs the body from the chest down to the knees or mid-thighs, where the skirt flares out into a dramatic mermaid “tail”. Mermaid dresses are usually made in stiffer fabrics like lace and satin, and sometimes even crepe.

Mermaid dresses are designed to hug the body down to the hips, where they splay out at thigh level to create a sensual, curvy look. This dress style is always long and flares out in the shape of a fish tail, which is why it's also called a fishtail dress.

However, this does not mean that they are impossible to move in or that they are uncomfortable to wear. With proper fit, alterations, and practice, a bride can move comfortably in a mermaid wedding dress. It is essential to take small steps when walking in a mermaid wedding dress to avoid tripping or falling.

If you're in a fitted style wedding dress, such as a trumpet, mermaid or fit and flare, there's really no way for you to lift it up to use the restroom. Your best bet is to take off your wedding dress, use the bathroom, and put your wedding dress back on when you're done.

Mermaid wedding dresses are fitted to below the knee where they then fan out like a mermaids tail. They tend to have a lot of tulle and structure in the bottom to give a dramatic flare.

Mermaid Skirts

Just like its name states, it is like a mermaid's tail. In this, the waist area down to the knees is tight and fits snugly and from down there, it flares. Organza fabric and chiffon fabric are the most used fabrics for the flaring of the mermaid's tail skirts.

The short answer is yes definitely, a mermaid wedding dress can be easily altered by an experienced bridal seamstress. The fit of your mermaid dress is so important! The hips need to be tight enough to look good but still have enough ease to enable you to move freely and sit down.

They Play up Natural Curves: Unlike ball gowns or A-lines, mermaid wedding dresses hug the chest and waist, which helps create an hourglass figure. Generally, the snug fit around the hips includes flattering tapering and ruching, and the fitted neckline complements the bust.

How would you describe a mermaid wedding dress? ›

A mermaid wedding dress is a style of gown designed to fit closely around the body. An eye-catching hourglass shape starting from the chest and extending down to the knee. These gorgeous bridal gowns then flare out dramatically below for a stunning, head-turning effect.

Common Alterations for a Mermaid Formal Dress

A skilled tailor can hem the dress while maintaining the original hemline and structure of the dress. Mermaid dresses are typically form-fitting, and adjusting the seams can ensure a snug fit without being too tight.

In the 1930s, the fishtail silhouette gained prominence. The influential French couturier, Jeanne Lanvin, is often credited with popularising this style. She introduced bias-cut gowns that hugged the waist and hips and gradually flared out at the knees, creating a mermaid-like shape.

Essentially, A-line wedding dresses are fitted until the waist then they follow the shape of an “A” as they flow to the ground. Ballgowns are essentially a poufier version of A-lines. Mermaids are fitted until around the legs then they have a large skirt and train.

Hourglass-shaped bodies can usually find a flattering fit in almost any of the typical gown silhouettes, including mermaid, ballgown, A-line, sheath, and empire.

For those with an hourglass figure, a mermaid dress can accentuate and showcase their curves, creating a stunning, feminine silhouette. For those with a pear-shaped body, a mermaid dress can help balance out their proportions by adding volume to the upper body and creating a defined waist.

Well, mermaid-cut wedding dresses are lightweight, so they're easier for moving around comfortably and dancing all night long!

The short answer is yes definitely, a mermaid wedding dress can be easily altered by an experienced bridal seamstress. The fit of your mermaid dress is so important! The hips need to be tight enough to look good but still have enough ease to enable you to move freely and sit down.

Crop tops, dresses with mesh on the sides, short skirts, plunging necklines, and form-fitting gowns are more appropriate for a night out than a wedding.