Screen sirens Christina Hendricks and Scarlett Johannson are perfect examples of an hourglass figure—voluptuous breasts and hips matched with an enviably narrow waist. Play up your va-va-voom figure by choosing a dress that celebrates your sexy curves.
Your silhouette styles: An hourglass shape gives you a well-proportioned figure, allowing a bride to flaunt her curves. “Today’s curvaceous girls are confident and feel sexy,” says Mark Ingram, owner of Mark Ingram Atelier in New York City and cofounder of TheAisleNewYork.com. “Traditionally, curvy girls want to minimize their hips with a fuller A-line or ball gown skirt and a fitted waist.”
While Ingram suggests embracing your curves, he also recommends choosing one area to accentuate with your wedding gown: your bust, waist or hips.
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The best bodice: Any neckline will flatter a bride with an hourglass figure, but Ingram’s favorite look is a deep plunging v-neck, especially one that crisscrosses or wraps over the bustline.
The right embellishments: Accentuate your tiny waistline with ruched fabric or a beaded belt. Avoid beading and other detailing at the hip and bust area, advises Ingram.
The most flattering fabrics: Brides who want to minimize their curves should steer clear of bias cut dresses, as well as softer fabrics like charmeuse and silk crepe. Instead, opt for constructed fabrics such as satin and taffeta.
Check out our photo gallery of wedding dresses that flatter an hourglass figure.GALLERY: Wedding Dresses for an Hourglass Body Shape
