Attire & Accessories Forum

Dress style?? I'm toally lost!

I'm having trouble trying to figure out what type of dress will flatter my figure!  None of the guides seem to fit my "type" exactly and a lot of them say different things. I really want to have some idea of what type I want to look at before I start trying on dresses! Any dress experts out there that can help me?

I've got medium sized shoulders, slim hips, and a narrow rib cage, but i've kind of got larger breasts which if really limiting i think (i'm really really nervous). I'm 5'7ish and my abdomen is kind of on the shorter side. Any ideas what type of dress would look good? I'm so nervous that I won't be able to tell what type of dress looks good! Please help me!

Re: Dress style?? I'm toally lost!

  • Nope! There is honestly no "magic' equation for this sort of thing. My suggestion would be to make an appointment with a couple of girlfriends at your local David's Bridal, go on in and start trying things on!

    Only when you have that sheath/ballgown/mermaid/a-line silhouette ON YOUR BODY will you start to get an image of what you're going to actually want. My first wedding I was kind of stunned to realize that strapless looked best on me- never saw that coming!

    So make an appointment and go get some gowns on that body- soon enough you'll find what doesn't work- and then you can take it from there! :)
  • I thought I had an idea for what I wanted when I went in, but it turns out that I wasn't liking anything that I was trying on.  So, I started picking random dresses in the store and sure enough what I love on is totally different then I loved in pictures.  You have to try dresses on.  Even if there is any tiny aspect of dresses that you like, maybe sparkle or lace etc., you can mention that to the sales people and start that way, but you have to be willing to try on try on and try on again!! ;)
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  • I would think about looking at dresses that fit at your natural waist. Also, I found it difficult to find dresses that covered the girls enough to wear I would feel comfortable all night long. I ended up customizing my dress, bringing the neckline up 2 inches to acheive that goal.

    Honestly, though, you never know until you try some things on. Keep an open mind and try to verbalize what you like/don't like about each dress. It's hard, but it helps your consultant know where to go next, I think.
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  • You really have to try on everything.  I never thought I would pick a ball gown, but that's what looks best on my figure.  The dress I saw and fell in love with in magazines looked absolutely awful.  After trying on a bunch, you'll get some idea of what will work best for you.
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  • I'm going to completely agree with everyone else.  I was absolutely in love with a strapless ballgown, but when I tried it on, it completely overwhelmed my body.  I ended up with a trumpet style dress. 

    Just go in with an open mind and I'm sure you'll find the perfect dress Smile

    Happy dress hunting!
  • PP have great ideas...

    Also, try having a friend take pictures of you in the dresses that you like from different angles.  Don't buy anything right away, go home and look at the pictures.  How things look in the mirror might be different than how things photograph on you.  It's a good way to compare and take all the options into consideration.
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  • The dress I finally went with is nothing like I originally envisioned. The very silhouette was one that I thought I liked the least, but it turns out, on me, it's the most flattering option. I never would have known until I just tried it on. So while you might have some ideas of what you're looking for, don't be afraid to try on different styles. You never know!
  • If the girls are on the larger side, try going with a halter neckline.  It tends to reign in the bosom while still accentuating it in a good way.  Also try ball gowns and A-lines with a natural waist, and empire cut.  The natural waist with volume below will balance your shoulders and your hips.  Empire will draw the eye upward.  Mermaid tends to make small hips look smaller, and sweetheart makes breats look larger, so you might want to steer clear of that.  But remember, these are just guidelines for where to start.  If you find a dress you love and it defies all these suggestions, try it on anyway.  It might look amazing!
  • tldhtldh member
    2500 Comments
    You really need to try on different silhouettes.   I'm also 5'7" and have a short torso.  My dress is an A-line chiffon.
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  • Your best bet is to go to the store and try on every different style you can and decide how you like the dress and which style you like. I'm 5'3 140 with medium bust and I'm wearing a strapless dress and I love it-- I was set on a halter top-- but I ended up not liking it at all and loving the strapless. So like I said, go to the store and try everything on, and then figure out.
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  • EffieBEffieB member
    10 Comments
    A-line is a good choice. If you wanna more womanliness, a strapless one is suitable.
    Maybe you will like this kind.
    http://www.dinnel.com/products/Champagne-Strapless-Wedding-Dress-Luxurious-Long-Train-Wedding-Gown-112_1844.html
  • I think a strapless, sweetheart neckline, empire waist, possibly full skirt would look fabulous on you!
  • Agree with the PP about trying stuff on with an open mind. As an example, here's two dress styles that I absolutely loved and tried on at the store only to find out that cut and style and material looks absolutely awful on me. The one I actually picked is in my bio.







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  • Ohmygosh, you guys have been soo helpful! Thank you for all the advice, those are all really great ideas and points! I think i'll defintiely do the picture taking thing while trying on dresses because i'm terrified of not realizing something looks awful on me(that pretty much one of my top wedding fears). Hopefully it won't be too painful. Thanks again everyone, you're all awesome.
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