The hourglass figure is often considered the most harmonious of all silhouettes. Women with this shape have hips and a bust that are well-balanced and rounded, with a clearly defined waist. The great advantage? Many wedding dress styles are designed with this very feminine silhouette in mind.
So, which wedding dress should you choose when you have an hourglass figure? First and foremost, one of your greatest assets is your beautifully defined waist — so it makes perfect sense to show it off. You might consider an A-line wedding dress, fitted at the top and flared at the bottom. Steer clear of empire-waist wedding dresses. As elegant as they are, they tend to conceal the waist — a real shame when you have such a stunning figure!
You can absolutely embrace the mermaid wedding dress, which hugs every curve of your silhouette. This type of glamorous wedding dress will beautifully accentuate your figure, including your lovely rounded hips. A strapless wedding dress is also a great option — just be careful not to choose a style with an overly embellished top, which could overload a silhouette that is already naturally striking. A sleek, understated bodice in a fabric that contrasts with the skirt, however, will look absolutely stunning.
If you have a fuller bust, a flattering neckline can work beautifully. In that case, keep the skirt relatively simple. Also avoid overly voluminous styles, which can add unnecessary weight to your silhouette.
While your body shape is of course a key consideration, there are other elements to keep in mind. Your height, for example: if you have an hourglass figure but are petite, a mermaid wedding dress may actually make you look shorter (whereas it looks breathtaking on taller women). That said, a fitted wedding dress that is shorter in length can be a wonderfully original and flattering choice.
Your colouring — skin tone and hair colour — is another important factor. There is little point in choosing a perfectly shaped dress if the colour doesn’t suit you. If you are fair-skinned and blonde, for instance, ivory or champagne will be more flattering than a stark white. Conversely, if you have darker hair, a pure, bright white can look absolutely spectacular on you, whatever the silhouette.
Finally, while body shape is important, it should always be balanced against your personal desires and dreams. If you have an hourglass figure but have always dreamed of wearing a princess wedding dress on your big day — go for it!
In that case, pay close attention to the fabrics so that your dress doesn’t feel overwhelming. And if you’re not comfortable in a figure-hugging dress, don’t be tempted by the mermaid style — it’s a look that needs to be worn with full confidence to truly shine!
Above all else, the most important thing — beyond body shape — is to find a wedding dress that truly reflects who you are, both physically and in terms of your personality.
