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Attire & Accessories Forum

What's the right dress for my body type??

I'm feeling daunted by looking for a wedding dress.  I'm on the shorter side, between 5'5" and 5'6" and have a rather large chest. My chest has always been a challenge when it comes to clothes, and I can't really wear a lot of the popular styles because of the way clothes hang off me. I'm trying to figure out what the right style is for my body so I can look and feel my most beautiful on my wedding day.  Tips? Thoughts? Anyone in the same boat who can share their experience?

Re: What's the right dress for my body type??

  • i don't think anyone could really tell you without measurements. it depends on the shape of your figure not just the bust and height. a-line is usually a general style though.
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  • I've got a curvy figure, but my chest is not in proportion with my hips, it's bigger.  The only measurement I can give you is my bra size, unfortunately.  It's a 36D.  Just looking for general guidelines for someone with a curvy shape I guess.
  • Personally, I think the best thing you can do is to try different styles. I am shorter, 5'2, and a 38DD, and things that I didn't think would look good were actually nice. I actually really liked a fit-and-flare, and felt that (though I don't like them) a corset was nice because I could tighten it enough so the girls didn't fall out. I ended up with an a-line dress with straps and a different dress for my reception. They are both on my planing picture. I'd just try things on and go from there!
  • A lines and fit and flare designs are good for an hour glass figure. 
  • Maybe rather than looking for a particular type of dress just try on one of each silhouette to see how the different shapes look on you. That will give you a pretty good idea of what you are comfortable in and what shape fits your figure the best. Once you know what shape you like the best you can start thinking about details like fabric, neckline....
    Keep an open mind, sometimes the dress you least expected will look amazing
    Good luck!
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    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments 5 Love Its
    When I saw you refer to yourself as on the shorter side, and yet you are 5'5" 5'6", I chuckled and thought "she must be in the upper Midwest, the land of tall women."  The I saw I was right.  The average American woman is about 5'4" so you are above average in height.  Your bra size is pretty average.  It sounds like you are built very similarly to my eldest daughter, who looked great in almost all the dresses she tried on.

    With that said, your options are probably wide open.  When you go shopping tell the consultant that you want to start by trying on all sorts of silhouettes.  From there you can narrow down what you like.  Have fun!
  • My DD is a similar shape and here is what she wore:

    It's a fit n flare with a sweetheart neckline.  I think the sweetheart neckline is very flattering on ladies with a larger bust.


    If I say so myself, she looked beautiful.Wink
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_whats-the-right-dress-for-my-body-type?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:ec50c8e8-aa9d-42d7-acb5-2b888fe87aa9Post:53ef2f3e-570a-4691-919b-cafb65d34fcf">Re: What's the right dress for my body type??</a>:
    [QUOTE]Maybe rather than looking for a particular type of dress just try on one of each silhouette to see how the different shapes look on you. Posted by mtbentley[/QUOTE]

    This!  I went in totally against some styles and had my heart set on a princess style when actually the princess style looked like poop on me and some of the styles I thought for sure I'd HATE were quite pretty. :) 
    Good Luck!!!
  • I am 5'2" with a 36D bust and I chose a sweetheart neckline, ballgown type dress.  It doesn't cut down too low and it really gives me that hour glass shape I'm looking for. 

    The dress is Allure 8904 if you want to look it up.  (I don't have pics because I'm here at work!)

    Its actually really flattering.  Before I picked it I had narrowed it down to that shape.  That one seemed to be the most flattering.  I tried on like 10 different styles but none came close to that. 

    If all else fails thats what I'd suggest you do.  Things look totally different on the hanger than they do on your body.

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  • Definitely go try on different styles, but also keep in mind that wedding dresses aren't made like other dresses and it will be ordered to fit the biggest part of you and altered to bring it in where it needs it.  I am only a 32AA, but I have a bigger ribcage than normal for my size so I ordered my dress to fit my ribcage and will have it taken in to fit the rest of me. 
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_whats-the-right-dress-for-my-body-type?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:ec50c8e8-aa9d-42d7-acb5-2b888fe87aa9Post:53ef2f3e-570a-4691-919b-cafb65d34fcf">Re: What's the right dress for my body type??</a>:
    [QUOTE]Maybe rather than looking for a particular type of dress just try on one of each silhouette to see how the different shapes look on you. That will give you a pretty good idea of what you are comfortable in and what shape fits your figure the best. Once you know what shape you like the best you can start thinking about details like fabric, neckline.... Keep an open mind, sometimes the dress you least expected will look amazing Good luck!
    Posted by mtbentley[/QUOTE]


    This. Exactly This.
  • lol I guess I am very short 5' 2" and I wear 38DDD bra, I bought a fit and flare with a sweethart neckline I love it!! But it isn't one I ever would have thought I would like...so just keep trying on untell you find what makes you feel beautiful.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_whats-the-right-dress-for-my-body-type?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:15Discussion:ec50c8e8-aa9d-42d7-acb5-2b888fe87aa9Post:48a7ea07-4066-45ea-b030-f190955e0386">Re: What's the right dress for my body type??</a>:
    [QUOTE]Personally, I think the best thing you can do is to try different styles. I am shorter, 5'2, and a 38DD, and things that I didn't think would look good were actually nice. I actually really liked a fit-and-flare, and felt that (though I don't like them) a corset was nice because I could tighten it enough so the girls didn't fall out. I ended up with an a-line dress with straps and a different dress for my reception. They are both on my planing picture. I'd just try things on and go from there!
    Posted by futuregabriel[/QUOTE]

    totally agree! i'm the same height as you (5'6") and wear a 36F. I trued on all different styles and ended up in love with an a-line. I think it helped that my dress is lace-up so there is room for the "girls" lol
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