Wedding Gowns for an Hourglass Body Shape

Turn Heads with the Dress that Perfectly Compliments Hourglass-Shaped Brides.

Your wedding day is one of the most significant moments of your life, and choosing the right dress to walk down the aisle is a big part of your day!

What is The Hourglass Shape

The Hourglass is a body shape characterized by a beautifully defined waistline, with the bust and hips almost symmetrical in width. It’s often a coveted body shape, as many silhouettes complement it, giving women with this shape many options of gowns to try!

Characteristics of The Hourglass Shape

  • Round Shoulders

  • Bigger Thighs

  • Hips and Bust Share a Similar Width

  • Smaller Arms

  • Fuller Bottom

  • Small Waist

What to Look For

The hourglass body type is extremely versatile and can pull off a lot of dress styles and silhouettes, all of which can best showcase your curves.

What to Consider for Hourglass Body Types

There are some key factors that you need to consider while selecting a dress for the Hourglass body type.

Accentuate The Waist

Prioritize gowns that emphasize your waistline. Look for a gown with cinched waists, belts, sashes, or corset-style bodices that highlight this defining feature.

Bust and Hip Focused

Opt for dresses with a sweetheart or V-neck style and fitted bodices that complement your upper body. You can also consider a flared or mermaid-style skirt to showcase your hips.

Elongate The Figure

Choose dresses with vertical lines or details like vertical lace patterns or princess (vertical) seams. A gown that flows smoothly from the bust to the hips can help you visually elongate your figure.

Dresses to Avoid for Hourglass Shape

While an hourglass figure can easily pull off many styles, however, there are some dresses you should steer clear of.

Sheath

Avoid dresses that have a straight, narrow cut, as they can conceal your curves. Even if you’re a more modest bride, this style (along with the Column style, described below), can make you appear boxy in appearance.

Column

Similar in appearance to sheath-style dresses, column dresses can hide your hourglass shape and make you appear less curvy than you actually are.

Empire

You should avoid this dress style as it has a high waistline just under the bust, which generally takes away from your natural waist.

Best Dress Silhouettes for Hourglass Shape

An hourglass figure looks great in most silhouettes, although, some silhouettes work the figure a bit better than others.

A-line

A-line gowns have a fitted bodice and a skirt that gradually flares from the waist. They are a timeless choice for hourglass figures.

Mermaid

Mermaid gowns hug your curves and flare below the hips. It creates a dramatic and romantic silhouette that helps accentuate your waist, bust, and hips.

Slip

Slip dresses are a sleek and sensual choice for hourglass body shape. They follow the natural contours of your curvy body and drape over your curves.

Trumpet

A trumpet dress fits snugly through the bust and waist and gracefully flares around the mid-thigh area. This elegant silhouette is particularly flattering for those with an hourglass body type.

Get in Touch!

Feel free to contact me so we can begin finding that perfect dress for your special day together. Let’s make this tiring process a little easier for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Hourglass figures are versatile and well-suited for many silhouettes. Dresses that accentuate the waist and complement your curves are generally going to work best, but in reality, this body type can look good in virtually all silhouettes.

  • While I believe that ALL BODIES ARE BEAUTIFUL, the Hourglass shape is often coveted by women because it represents a balanced and proportioned physique.

  • You can tell you are an hourglass body shape if your bust and hips are roughly the same width, with a noticeably smaller waist.