Arguably the most important feature of any wedding dress is the silhouette, also referred to as the style or the shape. Knowing what the silhouettes are called, and what features are unique to each of them, will be a huge help when you're looking for inspiration photos, when you're talking about dresses with friends and family, and, most importantly, when you're picking out gowns to try on at your appointments. 

A lot of guides will talk about specific silhouettes being better suited for certain body types, but my experience working as a bridal consultant didn't match with the most common 'advice'. Try not to get too hung up on whether or not you think your hips are too wide for a certain style, or your shoulders too broad, or your boobs too small, and just try on a whole range of different silhouettes.

As I said in the main wedding dress article - Picking out a dress in each of the silhouettes to try on is what I always recommend for your first appointment. It might turn out that you were right and the one silhouette you were thinking of is the one that's made for you, but even if that is the case, it can be great for your own peace of mind to know that you did try on and properly rule out the other cuts. 

And don't be surprised if it goes the complete other way - You might try on the style of dress that you've got your heart set on only to discover that, actually, you don't really like that silhouette on you. I can promise you that this is a really common occurrence. Just keep an open mind, and remember that the most important thing is not how the dress looks, but how it makes you feel. 

So, with that out of the way, read on for a guide to each of the different wedding silhouettes.

fuller skirts

ballgown

Ballgowns have a fitted bodice and a full skirt that flares out dramatically from the natural waist - they're the classic princess silhouette.

With their voluminous skirts, made up of layers and layers of different materials, they really will make you feel like royalty for the day. They're so much fun to twirl in, and when else are you going to have an excuse to wear a dress like this? If ever there was a time to go all out with a dramatic fashion statement, it's your wedding day. Ballgowns are perfect for grand, fairytale weddings, and are always romantic and regal.

a-line

A-line dresses have a fitted bodice that cinches in at the natural waist and a skirt that flares out softly in the shape of a capital letter A.

They're very versatile, as they still have a romantic, fairytale feel to them, but with less drama and weight than a ballgown. Having fewer layers of material means they can be easier to dance in, and comfier to wear for longer periods of time. A-line dresses are a timeless option that work for every type of wedding, as they're always romantic, classic, clean and universally flattering.

basque waist

Basque waist dresses have a fitted bodice that reaches the top of the hips on the sides, and then follows the line of the hips down to form the shape of a V or U in the front centre, with a full skirt flaring out from there. 

This style has regal connotations, being inspired by gowns from the Victorian era and also featuring commonly in fantasy attire. As such, they're most commonly seen on dresses with ballgown-size skirts. There are variations as to how dramatic you can go with the dip of the bodice, and how much of a peplum effect you can add to the skirt at the hips, so you can tailor basque waists to be more understated if you'd like to, or you can go full fairytale.

drop waist

As the name suggests, drop waist dresses have a fitted bodice that extends down to the hips, before the skirt flares out from a straight, horizontal seam there. 

The dramatic swap at that straight line across the hips, going from the structured bodice to the skirt, be it voluminous or flowy, makes this silhouette just as striking as mermaids and trumpets, but provides a lot more flexibility in how figure-hugging the bodice can be. Drop waists are very on-trend in 2025, making them perfect for fashionable brides, or weddings that are taking inspiration from 1920s aesthetics. 

empire waist

Empire waist dresses are fitted only over the bust, with the skirt falling from there instead of at the natural waist or hips.

Overall a flowy and undefined silhouette, the elongated skirts of this style create a sense of airy romance. Meanwhile, the incredibly high waist line flatters and draws attention to the bust and cleavage. Inspired by the fashion of the regency era, empire waist gowns another very trendy choice in 2025, and are popular for both more whimsical weddings and classic, elegant events.

form fitting

sheath

Sheath dresses are fitted through the bodice, with skirts that fall straight from the hips.

Falling along the body's natural lines and not featuring any defined waistlines or horizontal seams, this style of dress provides a a streamlined, slim look that can be either minimalist or intricate depending on your choice of embellishments. To match their slinky silhouette, sheath dresses are most commonly made of fabrics like silk, satin or crepe, that contour to the curves of the body.

column

Column dresses can have a straight-cut silhouette, falling in one line for their entire length from bodice to hem, or they can cinch in slightly at the natural waist line before falling in a very narrow, straight cut skirt.

Highly structured, these dresses are often made of stiffer materials like to help keep their shape. As the skirts stick so close to the legs, they can accentuate those long lines and are a very sleek, sophisticated style. Column dresses are a fantastic choice for modern, minimalist brides.

slip

Slip dresses have a loose fit, but aren't baggy - they stick close to the lines of the body, skimming over the curves of the bust and hips, and feature spaghetti straps.

Originally inspired by slip undergarments and nightgowns and still made of unstructured materials like silk or satin, while not scandalous by any means, this style retains its sultry connotations. Slip dresses as outerwear and evening wear gained popularity in the 90s and have remained a fashionable, sleek choice of bridal gown silhouette ever since. They're perfect for minimalist brides looking for a way to make a statement without a whole lot embellishment.

fit and flare

Fit and flare dresses have a form-fitting bodice that hugs the body through the bust, waist and hips before the skirt flares out softly from mid-thigh down. 

They can be a sexy style that highlight your figure, but the gradual flare of the skirt means they still provide lots of freedom of movement. There's more variation in just how much 'flare' the skirt can have compared to similar styles. There's also not a visible cross-seam at the point where the bodice joins the skirt, with the same material instead being carried the whole way through. Overall, the silhouette of the fit and flare dress tends to be softer and more romantic than other fitted options.

trumpet

Trumpet dresses have a form-fitting bodice that hugs the body through the bust, waist and hips before the skirt flares out dramatically mid-thigh - like the bell of a trumpet.

These dresses emphasise curves and confidence without being uncomfortable to wear. The skirt starting at mid-thigh means that they still provide enough freedom of movement for comfortable walking, sitting and dancing all through the night. They often feature a visible cross-seam at the point where the skirt begins, and, if you'd like to add a little more drama, the skirt can be made of a different material to the bodice.  

mermaid

Mermaid dresses are form-fitting, hugging the body through the bust, waist, hips and thighs before flaring out dramatically at or just below the knees - like a mermaid tail.

This is a wedding gown silhouette staple, especially for brides looking to inject a little sexiness into their wedding day style. These dresses are a sultry choice that highlight your figure, emphasising the curves of your bust, waist and hips, but still let you have all the dramatics of a voluminous skirt. Fitting with their mermaid theming, the tight fit extending so low on the legs might make sitting and dancing a little hard, so be sure to talk to your seamstress about getting the fit just right.

To return to the main article on wedding dresses, click here.

If you'd like to learn more about the different lengths of train and skirt that your wedding dress can have, you can read the next article in this series.