Find the perfect dress

Dress shapes
Speak out if your body type won't be flattered by the dress you've wanted since you were two. Designers can be geniuses when it comes to finding the compromise that makes your dream come true without giving you a Miss Piggy silhouette.

A-line (a.k.a the Princess shape)
The top of the dress blends into a skirt, flaring from the waist to create a long, lean silhouette.
Yay! Looks great on hour-glass figures, fuller figures, short-waisted and petite figures.
Oops Thick waists will be emphasized by this style.

Ball gown
This silhouette has a much fuller skirt than the A-line, with a distinctly separate bodice.
Yay! Tall and thin body types.
Maybe not Hour-glass figures may look disproportionate.
Oops Short-waisted or petite girls are likely to be overwhelmed by this shape.

Empire waist
This silhouette is high-waisted, with a slimmer skirt – think Jackie O.
Yay! Thick-waists are hidden by this style.
Maybe not It's a waste of a good waist, if you follow – if you have an hour-glass figure, you may look disproportionate with a hidden waist.

Sheath (or Mermaid)
These dresses follow the line of your body.
Yay! Petite or tall and thin.
Oops Fuller figures, short-waists and pear-shaped bodies have all their faults emphasized.

Necklines
With your hair gorgeous and your face sparkling and gleaming in all the right places, your soon-to-be husband will not be looking at your feet. This is when the wrong neckline could really let you down (or push you up).

Portrait
An off-the-shoulder style with more fabric, characterised by a wide, soft scoop from the tip of one shoulder to the tip of the other.
Yay! Flatters fuller arms and makes the most of prominent collarbones.
Oops Undefined or particularly bony collarbones should avoid.

Sweetheart
Shaped like the top half of a heart, and accentuates the décolletage.
Yay! If you want to emphasise a beautiful décolletage. Generally works on everyone, except for the very bony.

Sabrina/Bateau
This modest neckline curves just below the collarbone to the outer edge of the shoulders.
Yay! Small breasts look fabulous.
Oops The well-endowed will threaten to look matronly.

Halter/High neck
Straps tied around the back of the neck, or a high neckline with deep armholes.
Yay! Women with broad shoulders or who are taller look fabulous in this.
Oops Narrow shoulders will be dwarfed and very bony collarbones will be emphasised.

Scoop
A 'U'-shaped neckline.
Yay! Flatters everyone.

Jewel
Similar to an actual T-shirt neckline, sitting at the throat base.
Yay! Small-chested women will look bustier.
Oops Large-chested women will look bustier too...

V-Neck
The name says it all.
Yay! B or C cups
Oops Anyone bigger or smaller. V-necks should also be avoided by pear-shaped people, as they draw the eyes downwards.

Fabrics
Don't forget, you'll be sitting and standing all day. Don't choose a fabric that creases easily, makes you perspire (nerves will take care of that) or scratches. Beyond that, the world's your oyster. Beadwork is fabulously bridal, crystals are gorgeously upmarket, and embroidery is beautifully romantic.

Women24