Which wedding dress suits my body?
There are endless guides that divide women into pears, apples and hourglasses and tell you what you can and can't wear. We have watched many hundreds of brides try on dresses, and our experience is simple: those rules only work half the time. But it helps to know the shapes, so you know what you are looking for.
A-line, the safe choice
The name comes from Christian Dior, who in 1955 launched a collection where the dresses were shaped like an A: narrow at the top and gently flaring out towards the hem. An A-line fits close at the waist and falls freely over the hips. It is the shape that suits the most women, because it shows off the waist and leaves the rest alone. If your upper body is narrower than your hips, it is almost always a good place to start. See our A-line wedding dresses.
Ball gown, when it has to be big
The ball gown, or princess dress, is an A-line with more of everything: a fitted bodice and a big skirt with layers of tulle or satin. It is the dress most of us drew as children. It gives a clear waist and hides everything underneath, but it is also heavy, and you will feel it after four hours. Walk around in it, sit down and lift your arms before you say yes. See our ball gown wedding dresses.
Mermaid, for those who want to show their curves
The mermaid dress fits close all the way down over the hips and only opens out at the knee. It is made to show off your figure, and it is popular all over the world, not least in southern Europe and the US. It asks that you like feeling the dress against your body, and that you practise walking and dancing in it. Many are surprised by how good it looks, including those who were sure it wasn't for them. See our mermaid wedding dresses.
Empire and the simple line
An empire dress has the waistline just under the bust, and the fabric falls freely from there. The shape dates back to Napoleon's time and is soft and easy to move in. It makes your legs look longer and works well if you are petite, pregnant or simply don't want anything tight around your stomach.
The completely simple, smooth dress without lace has made a huge comeback since Meghan Markle married in a clean Givenchy dress with a bateau neckline in 2018. It suits the Scandinavian style well, and it lets you be the centre of attention. See our simple wedding dresses.
Try the one you don't believe in too
This is the most important thing we can say about silhouettes. Brides come in with pictures of one type of dress and leave with a completely different one. It is not because they change their minds. It is because a dress looks different in a photo than on your own body in a mirror.
Book a fitting and ask to try one of each: an A-line, a mermaid and one with a high waist. You will see the difference in ten minutes. We are a Danish shop with over 1,000 dresses in sizes 34-74 (EU), so there is plenty to choose from. If you want to read more, you will find answers about necklines, fabrics and colours in our FAQ on style and silhouette, and you can book a fitting here.