Are You an Athletic Shaped Bride? If so, Here are the Wedding Dresses for you!

You can let your cavalry of friends join you in looking for your wedding dress once you have determined your body shape.

With the help of your best maid, measure your general height, the size of your bust, the width of your waist and your hips. If you have a large bust, slim waist and slim hips, you are what we refer to as THE CARROT SHAPED OR THE ATHLETIC BRIDE. Your body shape generally looks like an inverted triangle.

The aim of dressing this body type should focus on creating balance between the broad shoulders and narrower body parts. Choose either a dress or a top and skirt that will emphasise hips and bottoms while defining the waist area. De-emphasise the upper body part.

Choose styles that add volume and widen your hips and bottom area. All styles that flare from the hips will look great on an athletic shaped bride. Suggested styles include the A-Line, ballgown, tiered/ruffled and dropped waistlines. Suitable necklines for this body shape include narrow scoop necklines, U and V-neckline shapes. To make the upper body part appear slimmer, choose a gown which is sleeveless or with short, tight fitting sleeves such as short and cup.

We have chosen these style of dresses for the discerning bride:

The Empire style hugs the bust area with a v-shaped neckline. Its skirt flares out from just above the waist area, adding volume to the lower part of the athletic body. This style of dress comes with a straight sleeved jacket that can be worn at the Church and later on in the evening as temperatures cool down.

The tea length gown usually fits the bust and waist area well. Fitted with a wide, flowing skirt that reaches just under the knee, this style is very flattering to an athletic bride. This style of wedding dress looks lovely in an informal, garden setting. Ball-gowns generally have a fitted bodice with a very full skirt. This style of wedding dress emphasises the bust of the carrot shaped bride.

This A-Line Style is also suitable for the athletic shaped bride.

Avoid any styles that cling to the hips and legs such as the mermaid style. Also keep off any wide necklines that broaden the shoulders such as the bateau and square necklines. Do not choose a style with shoulder pads. Puffy, big sleeves that widen the shoulders should not be included in designing or styling the dress.