4 Types of Common Silhouette Gown

1. Ball gown

Ball gowns, commonly referred to as princess gowns, are known for their royal appearance. A ball gown typically has a fuller, more voluminous skirt that’s paired with a fitted bodice. The skirt starts at the natural waist and can also feature a train of any length. On your big day, nothing makes more of a statement than a real-life fairytale ball gown wedding dress. Overall, ball gowns flatter every body type. The fuller silhouette accentuates the waist and hides the lower body.

2. Mermaid gown

A mermaid wedding dress is characterized by its fitted style, which hugs close to the bride’s body. This style flares at or below the knee, creating a mermaid-like “tail” that’s utterly elegant. This “tail” typically features some sort of alluring detail, such as ruffles, lace or beading. It also can feature any length of train. Mermaid gowns accentuate your curve which makes them a party favorite.

They contour your body starting from your chest to your knees and then flare to the edges. Mermaid gowns are best suited for slender, pear-shaped and perfect hourglass physiques. Though they are not suitable for fuller bodies, one can choose such gowns to highlight their curves further.

3. A line gown

An A-line dress is characterized by the silhouette of the skirt. An A-line skirt is fitted at the hips and gradually flares out from the natural waistline of the bodice towards the hemline giving the skirt the shape of the capital letter A. The A-line silhouette is extremely versatile as it can be paired with multiple fabrics, many different types of necklines, and it can feature any train length.

A-line gowns are perfect for any ceremony, from a simple backyard wedding to a grand church wedding. While this dress is flattering on most body types, it’s perfect for creating an illusion of height and curves for slender and petite brides. This silhouette can also slim down rounded figures and hide the larger lower body of any brides who are blessed with curves.

4. Empire waist gown

An empire waist dress is fitted just below the bust and flares, creating a silhouette that floats away from the waist and hips. The look became popular during the 1780s in Europe when women were inspired by the dresses they saw in classical art.

The outline is especially flattering to pear shape body as it disguises the stomach area or emphasizes the bust. The shape of the dress also helps to lengthen the body's appearance.