Wedding Dress

Hello! Former bridal stylist here!

Sheaths can be a bit tricky because if they are a more "stretchy" material, they can be a good option, but more often than not, I have seen sheath dresses flatter a tall, slim frame to enhance the petite curvatures.

I find as a generality that mermaid dresses flatter curvy women, especially those that are pear shaped and want to attract attention to their derièrre (and rightfully so!). You can never go wrong with a classic white or ivory fabric and a blingy belt or sash to enhance the waist. if your pear shape is very enhanced. BUT: I usually advise that curvy women opt of a pattern that goes from top to bottom of the dress rather than have the waistline cut.

Corset-like "boning" is very important as it will give the appearance of a defined waist and help support the breasts and the overall structure of the dress itself.

If you need inspiration, look at Nigerian brides.

The second potential option is a ball gown. Ball gowns don't have to be super heavy, as you can have the dramatic effect done with a Tulle skirt.

While ball gowns may not cling to the waist and hips, attention to the body is done with the bodice and detailing of the skirt, which provides a timeless, and classic choice.

Notes:

-Dresses that have corset ties and/or boning will be more forgiving than a dress with a zipper. Make sure that the fabric(s) of your dress will be strong enough that they can withstand heavy pulling (such as satin or taffeta) because lightweight fabrics such as fine lace tend to tear if not adjusted or cared for properly if you do choose to have a corset.

-Dresses are like swimsuits: You will usually fit into a dress that is marked three sizes larger than your normal "street size", and each designer has a different size chart. Get measured by a professional seamstress or at a bridal store if you can. Always go with a dress that fits at the largest and widest part of your hips, as the rest of a dress can be taken in. 98% of the time in the bridal world, you can take dresses in, but not take fabric out to make the dress bigger.

-The more detailing/lace on a dress will bring the cost up. The reason for this is that the layers, and fine detailing need care, and the detailing will often need to be re-created by hand once fabric is cut.