Eco Wedding Dress Advice for a Flattering Fit
Eco wedding dresses to make every body look gorgeous!
Have some assets you want to highlight on your Big Day? Or some bits to camouflage? It's easier than you might think.
The points listed below are suggestions, not prescriptions. The basic principle is to strike a balance between extremes. If you have any questions about terms used here, try using a Google image search, which should bring up many clear examples.
TL:DR* Warning: this page isn't meant to be read from top to bottom. Click on your figure description(s) below for a short-cut down to the relevant section. If any of this advice seems overwhelming, just skip it and contact us with any questions you might have. We'll be glad to help.
Figure Type:
Full Figured:
What designs flatter your fabulous assets? Longer streamlined silhouettes may be key.
A-line dresses (also called princess seams or fit-n-flare) give a long graceful shape and smooth seams all the way down past the waist. The silhouette highlights what might be the narrowest part of a curvy person: the ribcage. A-line's are perfect for a full chest or full hips, or to smooth over a tummy.
A-line wedding gown suggestions:
Ball gowns are the classic formal silhouette and can look fabulous if a person has a narrow waist. The wide skirt can softly drape the tummy and hips while highlighting the waist. But be careful of fullness in gathered skirts, as the gathers can add width at the hips. We're glad to adjust the fullness of any of our skirts at no extra charge.
Ball gown suggestions:
Consider a gown that has features elsewhere than the waistline, such as decoration or an especially detailed skirt/bustle (or veil!). Suggestions:
A strapless bodice often looks best on squarish shoulders. Strapless gowns also need extra support to keep them in place, which might require boning, or a very tight fit.
If you are tall, or large on top and/or have large shoulders, you might want to consider avoiding large-shouldered gowns. We have designs with minimal shoulder height yet include straps for bodice support. We are also happy to add straps to any strapless design. Suggestions for strappy designs:
Be careful of fullness in the lower sleeves; they can add width to the waistline area. Slim sleeves, straps or strapless may work better. Consider using long gloves for arm coverage, but only if they aren’t too tight.
Avoid tight or form-fitting gown silhouettes such as mermaid (which is tight then poofs out at the bottom) or sheath (tight all the way down). Consider avoiding A-lines if your tummy is larger than your chest and seek out empire-waisted bodices. Suggested empire waist designs:
Slim figure:
Ball gowns look fabulous on the lucky ones who can afford the extra fullness. Suggestions for the slimmer figure:
We are happy to add extra fabric to fill out skirts if your design supports it; contact us for details.
A-line gowns can also add curves and width to the hips. Suggestions for wedding gowns:
How well these work will depend on the overall curviness of your figure.
Unless you have extremely broad shoulders or are very short, any detail that widens the shoulders can help to balance out the bodice, such as strapless gowns, capped or puffed sleeves, or a shrug or bolero. Overly narrow-shouldered figures might also benefit. Full, long or three quarter sleeves work well, as do wide, shallow scoop or bateau necklines:
Beware of off-the-shoulder necklines or wraps if your collarbone is very thin.
Toned arms and shoulders look great in thin straps or strapless. Strong is beautiful!
Beware of close-fitting sheath-type designs if you are very slim overall.
Styles that suggest a slim waistline, such as fitted bodices paired with fuller skirts, can also add width and balance.
Fitted bodice/full skirt Wedding Gown suggestions:
Narrow hips and/or minimal natural waist definition benefit from horizontal details like wide sleeves, full skirts, bustles or flowers/bows to add volume. Suggestions:
Small Chest:
Strapless designs can work well if you have fabulous shoulders. But beware: trying to fill out/keep aloft a strapless gown might be problematic for the very small-chested. You can always wear a padded bustier but be careful of overdoing it; it could look false and out of proportion. Also be aware of very full skirts that can make your top half look even smaller.
Lighter strapless suggestions:
Any of these designs can have straps added at no extra charge, in case you'd like a little more support.
Full sleeves or straps with a bit of width may help balance out a petite torso. Suggestions:
If your chest is narrower than your hips, avoid tight or sheath gowns.
Adding a wrap or a bolero can widen the upper torso and can also help balance a full skirt.
Avoid too plunging a neckline as it might highlight a thin chest and take attention away from a favorite feature. A beautiful necklace may help to add interest and camouflage a petite chest, especially if you have a long and graceful neck. Think Audrey Hepburn.
Avoid A-lines or princess seams if your waist is wider that your chest. An empire waist silhouette may work better, such as Charlotte, Jemma or Chelsea.
Full Chest:
Look for a smoothly fitted bodice with good coverage. Consider avoiding sleeves that add width across the chest line area and be sure that the bottom edge of the sleeve either falls above or below the fullest part of the chest.
A simple bodice will minimize the width on top, as will unadorned shoulders or straps that still give maximum support. Suggestions for wedding gowns:
Consider avoiding sweetheart necklines if you have an ample cleavage. Also, high necklines can make a large bust look bigger.
The A-line of the princess-seam draws the eye smoothly down past the waist and makes the most of curves. Be careful, though, that it doesn't create a top-heavy look; full skirts can help to balance that out.
A-line design suggestions:
A long set-in bodice, such as a basque-style, also draws the eye downward and diverts attention away from a full chest
.
Long-bodice design choices (not only basques):
All this said, be wary of strapless or thin spaghetti straps unless you know that you will be well supported with undergarments.
A ballgown, especially a gown with a drop-waist, might help create balance if your chest is your largest feature. Ball Gown Suggestions:
Full hips:
The goal here is to create a balance between your upper body and lower body.
A-lines and princess seams can do wonders to smooth out or soften the hips. Unbroken vertical seams add length and height by running down past the waist.
A-lined suggestions
Ball gowns can conceal hips and highlight the waist, but be careful of where the width of the skirt begins and how full the skirt should be. Definitely this is an area where trying on dresses or a toile could be helpful. You might consider having a skirt that avoids bulky gathers around the hips such as:
We are happy to reduce a skirt's fullness at no extra charge.
Full sleeves or shoulder details such as:
can create the appearance of a wider top for overall balance.
Try to avoid set-in or fitted bodices (such as basque) or any style that would accentuate the hips, such as a sheath or tight mermaid style.
Soft drapes near the waist can camouflage. Softly-draped waisted designs:
But, as with everything, be careful of overdoing it. Full skirts and large puffs near the waist might create too much width, especially if one wants to smooth and balance out a lower half. Let us know if that's your concern and we'll be glad to work with it.
Use minimal details at center front and waist to allow other details to direct the eye elsewhere.
Minimal Waist Detail Wedding Gown Designs:
If your chest is narrower than your hips, avoid slim or sheath gowns.
Narrow Hips:
The goal here is to emphasize lower body width. You can wear almost anything that doesn't fit too tightly around the hips.
A-lines with a flare from the waist can work very well.
A-lined designs:
Consider avoiding sheath or tight mermaid dresses as they will highlight a straight figure and draw the eye vertically.
Clients with narrow hips get to wear the full ball gowns and detailed gathered skirts with wide dramatic bustling. Gowns with extra fullness in the hip area can create the look of a narrower waist as well.
Ball Gown Design Suggestions:
Short-waisted:
A-lines, with no set-in bodice, can give a long graceful shape; the unbroken line of the princess-seam draws the eye smoothly down. Vertical seams add length and height by running all the way down past the waist.
A-lined Gowns:
Avoid sashes that can cut the waist in half. A sash under the chest might suit better.
A long bodice, which is lengthened at the center, such as a basque-style, also draws the eye downward:
However, if your waist is ample, you may want to consider avoiding basque or dropped waists since they might highlight a problem area. We're happy to set your gown's waist to anywhere you desire at no extra charge.
Long-Waisted:
The idea here is to emphasize width and draw the eye outward. Detailed sleeves can create extra interest.
Sleeved and shoulder-draped Wedding Designs Include:
An open neckline or off the shoulder look will broaden the shoulder area. See:
Think about styles that focus on the horizontal, such as non-pointy waistlines (see Stephanie), wide sashes or wide shoulders/sleeves. You may also elect to have the waist of the gown cut an inch or so above your natural waist; we are happy to accommodate such a request at no extra charge. A princess-seamed bodice, with a flared skirt starting just above the natural waistline, might be helpful. See:
Consider avoiding low or drop-waisted/basque waist gowns. Empire waist bodices, such as Charlotte, Kamela, Chelsea, Jemma, Loressa, may be helpful.
A wide contrasting sash or roses at the waist does wonders for breaking up a long torso and can be added upon request to any design. See especially:
Broad shoulders:
You can show off your beautiful shoulders by avoiding width in the top part of your dress. Steer clear of wide straps, puffed or mutton-chop sleeves and consider spaghetti straps, strapless or close-fitting sleeves. Long gloves can look positively elegant. A simple bodice with a full skirt can add beautiful balance.
Simple Bodices with Full Skirt Designs Include:
Narrow or Sloping Shoulders:
Width and volume at the neckline and sleeves can help to widen your top half. Seek out wide, shallow necklines (such as with a bateau or wide scoop) and larger sleeves, especially at the shoulder. Avoid halters and v-necks.
Wide Neckline Wedding Dress Styles:
Narrow shoulders can especially benefit from adding a wrap or a bolero jacket; both can widen the shoulders and accentuate the upper torso. This looks especially good if a strapless dress is involved.
A silhouette that emphasizes a slimmer waist can make the shoulders look wider by comparison. Most of our designs emphasize the waist, as does our signature lace-up bodice.
Tall:
Most tall people can wear anything so long as it does not call attention to a less-than-favorite figure area. See other sections for advice on specific areas.
What gown works best might depend on whether your figure is a long torso with short legs or a short torso with long legs. Keep the torso in mind while choosing a dress silhouette.
If you are also slim, then the goal here is to emphasize width and avoid long vertical lines. Set-in bodices with specific waists might suit better than fit-n-flare. Most waistline shapes should work well if your waistline isn't a problem area for you. See
Detailed sleeves will draw the eye outward. See:
An open neckline or off the shoulder look will broaden the shoulder line. See
Full skirts and ball gowns can look fabulous and help balance out a long figure. And we have lots!
Beware of a very long train, as that can make a tall person look even taller. An option would be to bustle the train throughout the wedding day, including the ceremony. The bustling would not only add interest but would lend volume near the floor, thus breaking up what might be too long a line. Alternatively, any of our trains can be shortened at no extra charge.
A belt, sash or flowers in a contrasting color are wonderful and can help to break up your height and create proportion. Take a look at Laura, Melanie, Johanna or Rose. We are happy to add belts to other styles upon request.
Petite or Short:
The goal here is to avoid too much of anything (too wide, too long, etc.) as it will likely overwhelm, but use your other figure features to guide you in specifics.
A-lines lengthen and add a smooth shape, which can be accentuated with a skirt that flares from the waist. The best skirt for you might be a skirt that isn't too wide. See:
Sheath gowns can be flattering, especially if there are some curves to be highlighted. Be careful, though, of having the gown look too tight. A sheath-like silhouette might emphasize a lack of curves; a gown with a fuller skirt, like Johanna, might work even better.
Conversely, be aware that very full skirts can be overwhelming. We're glad to adjust the fullness of any of our skirts at no extra charge.
If you prefer a dramatic train, be careful of overdoing it. All of our trains can be bustled to rein in the length..
See:
for truly wonderful trains. Do bear in mind that we can adjust any train to your preferences at no additional charge.
Be mindful of strapless designs. A petite person may have to lift their arms to reach up to a new partner or to hug friends and relatives during a reception. Cap sleeves can do wonders for stability. Delicate spaghetti straps give the feeling of a strapless gown but serve a practical purpose in helping to hold the bodice in place. We are happy to create straps in any width desired.
Set in bodices/ballerina-type gowns can look wonderful on a delicate figure. See
But beware: drop-waisted dresses can make short legs look shorter. We can set the waist at any height you choose to help balance out your proportions.
Arms to conceal and modesty concerns:
Many religious venues require (or at least strongly encourage) extra modesty in the attendee's attire. And there are people who would like to cover their arms for other reasons. What to do? Use sleeves, coats and wraps, and bolero jackets of course. Though many conventional gowns include wispy, sheer fabric for sleeves, sadly we have yet to find sheer fabric appropriate for wedding attire among our environmentally-kind and organic fabric options; we're sourcing vintage and reclaimed fabrics and might just have what you want - ask us! We love sleeved gowns and offer several options that can be both dramatic and demure. Suggestions for sleeved gowns include:
If a client might wish to conceal large arms, off-the-shoulder straps or three-quarter or long sleeves works best to elongate the arm line. Sleeves should never look tight.
Please note that active dancing is almost impossible with fitted sleeves. If you want to be able to twirl and dance, consider choosing a short-sleeved or strapped/strapless gown.
One could always wear a wrap or jacket inside the ceremony and shed it for the reception. Wraps look elegant and add warmth. The same can be said for gloves of varying lengths, which look fabulous with both the strapless and strappy designs. We are on the lookout for a source of organic/environmentally sound gloves but for the moment, we can suggest that they can be 'Something Borrowed' or bought second-hand to minimize the environmental/social impact.
*TL:DR = Too Long: Didn't Read
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