How Do I Tell The Difference Between Bridal Waistlines?
You’ve heard the terms before – empire, basque, drop – but what do they mean for you and your body type? There are many things to think about when selecting your wedding dress that it’s easy to overlook various options when it comes to dress shapes and styles. The bridal waistline is one of the most important decisions to make as it can be the key to creating the most flattering silhouette for your body type.
For a complete guide to navigating the world of bridal gowns, download our free ibook “Wedding Gowns” on Itunes. From understanding the various silhouettes, necklines and waistlines and how they flatter the body, to shopping and accessorizing, this book is the perfect starting point for a bride looking to create her dream wedding day look.
Empire: Waistline is directly under the bust which creates a flowing appearance that is universally flattering.
Ideal for: most body types especially if you want to disguise a larger waistline
Not ideal for: hourglass figures because it doesn’t show off the slim
Natural: Waistline falls at the smallest part of your waist
Ideal for: hourglass and minimizing a long torso
Not good for: apples and plus sizes
Asymmetrical: Waistline begins at the natural waistline and falls to one side, flattering the waist and enhancing the curves of the body
Ideal for: pears
Not good for: apples and plus sizes
Princess: No waistline – the dress keeps it’s shape with two “princess seams” that typically run vertically from the shoulder (or under the arm) over the bust point and down to the lower hem creating a long, slimming look often seen in dresses with an “A-line” silhouette
Ideal for: Most body types
Not good for: Those with thicker mid sections
Drop: A low, horizontal waistline that usually falls near the level of the upper hips usually about one to two inches below the natural waist
Ideal for: hourglasses, tall, and slim frames
Not good for: petites and apples
Exaggerated Drop: Waistline falls on or below the low hip and rises in the center to form an inverted v-shape
Ideal for: hourglasses, tall, and slim frames
Not good for: petites and apples
Basque: Begins just below or at the wearer’s actual waist with the center plunging downward to form a ‘V’ or ‘U’ shape (also known as the drop V waist)
Ideal for: all body types, especially bananas as it accentuates and define the waist
Not good for: those with thicker mid sections as it draws attention to the waist
Inverted Basque: Crosses the body below the natural waistline, and forms an arch or triangle, accentuating the waist and adding length.
Ideal for: pears and petites
Not good for: those with thicker mid sections as it will draw attention to the waist
