For the glamorous bride who wants to be nothing less

Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Dress Silhouette

Il admit it: Even though there are, at last count, 4,386 reality shows that share the premise that fashion is the most important thing in the whole universe, I hadn really been paying attention.

So when I started shopping for my wedding dress, I had some catching up to do. My saleswoman started throwing new and faintly terrifying terms at me. I thought about just trying to fake it, but I became increasingly sure that if I said the wrong thing a trap door would open up under my feet and send me tumbling down a long, greasy Chute of Shame. At the bottom would be Anna Wintour, and Tyra Banks, waiting to confiscate my Girl Card.

I dove in with hand gestures instead: want it to sort of?go up here?And then maybe like this??The saleswoman cocked her head at me like the RCA dog and took a moment to consider pressing the silent alarm, then suggested I look through the racks a bit.

To save you from that particular slice of pre-wedding embarrassment, here a quick rundown of basic wedding dress silhouettes.

A-line

Youe probably worn an A-line dress at some point. (If you haven, give one a try! Theye flattering on just about any figure.) Some flare out gently from the shoulder, creating kind of an overall letter A shape, and other versions flare out from the waist with a more fitted bodice. Either way, youl look terrific.

Ball gown

Youe seen these on most animated princesses. A ball gown has a closely fitted bodice, then poofs out into a very full, bell-shaped skirt that is usually floor-length. The waistline may dip down into a V, and may sit higher or lower on the hips, depending on your preference.

Ballerina

This is a less common wedding dress style, and youe probably already guessed how it looks. Like the ball gown, a ballerina dress has a fitted bodice and a skirt that poofs out from the waistline, but in this case there more of a tutu effect, with the skirt hitting about mid-calf. Youl be working with very light, floaty fabrics in lots and lots of layers, and there may be some petticoat action.

Bustle back

When seen from the side, this dress has an S-shaped silhouette that was popular from the 1890s through the 1910s or so, when folks liked to (demurely) emphasize the fact that Baby had back. Youl see either a big bow-style decoration or maybe even an extra bunch of fabric in back. Some women automatically freak at the idea of emphasizing the badonk, but I think bustles are classic and fun.

Empire

This confusingly named waistline actually starts just below the bust, and then the dress drops straight down, or close to it. Youe seen these in Jane Austen adaptations like Emma and Sense and Sensibility. Ie read alleged experts who say that empire dresses look best on slender women and others who say they look best on full-figured women. Me, I think they give all women a little-girl look, which may or may not be your bag. So forget the experts and just go by whether or not you like them.

Mermaid

A mermaid dress will give you a shapely silhouette without being inappropriately sexy for a wedding dress. The dress hugs your curves from your bust to your hips, then flares out at the knee to create a fishtail effect. (That looks way better than it sounds.) Mermaid dresses can be strikingly beautiful, but because they are fitted so closely, they may not be good for ceremonies in which you have to kneel. You may even have some trouble sitting down if your dress is very form-fitting, so consider changing into another outfit for your reception.

Princess

In this case, youe going for a grown-up princess instead of a Grimm. Think Grace Kelly. This dress is less close-fitting than a mermaid or sheath, but still follows your natural curves. The bodice has vertical panels of fabric and then the skirt flares out gently. This is an elegant style that brings out the inner stone-cold fox in most women.

Sheath

Like mermaid dresses, sheath dresses are very form-fitting. In this case, though, your guests get to see your feet as well as your curves. A sheath dress will be clingy from shoulder (or bust, if youe going strapless) to hem, with no flaring out. It looks like an evening gown ?one that really hugs your body, so make sure youe feeling bold. And, as with the mermaid, make sure youe not feeling like sitting down or kneeling.

Slip

This is an elegant style that is usually kept very simple. It a slinky fall of satin (or satiny material) that clings to your body. Slip dresses are often cut on a bias, with shoestring shoulder straps.

A final word on fashion xperts?br /> Ie seen a lot of expert commentary on how women should dress to look their best lately, and Il just say this: Many of these people are well-intentioned men and women who love, love, love women and their bodies.

But many of them aren.

Some love clothes but don like women, and some only like very tall skinny women, and some sincerely mean to love women but are carrying around great big laundry baskets full of issues, and some of them like to lash out at anyone who might be an easy target because they secretly don like themselves and being snarky reassures them that theye superior to somebody.

Some of them are people who just need to fill that magazine issue and sell some ads and are terrified of doing anything different from the last 117 issues lest someone else get mad or make fun of them. And some people just can stand it when not everyone conforms to their idea of what looks good.

My point is that you may want to take expert advice with a grain of salt, and maybe the whole shaker. Some fashion experts can be positive and wonderful, and some can really mess with your head, whether they mean to or not. By all means, read or watch them, but if youe starting to feel worse about yourself as you do, pull out. The most useful fashion experts are the ones who start with the premise that youe a babe and then work to help you become the most fabulous version of yourself.

And, in the end, your instincts trump them too. If a dress breaks all the rules but makes you feel absofreakinglutely amazing, that The One.

Good luck, Gorgeous. Happy shopping!

Flattering Wedding Dresses For The Bride To Be

It the worst nightmare for any bride-to-be: discovering that your wedding dress is unflattering.

Fortunately, it a fear that is never realized for several reasons. First, your seamstress or bridal shop is capable of working magic to make your dress fit you like a glove. Next, nothing is more flattering than your emotions of joy and happiness - which will be the focal point of all your guests as you walk down the aisle. Finally, there are so many different wedding dress options to choose from that you are bound to find one that will give you the precise look that you are searching for.

Here are several flattering dresses from Oleg Cassini, Galina, Galina Signature, and David Bridal:

Oleg Cassini Strapless Lace and Tulle Slim Gown

Consider this the perfect wedding gown if you want to hear the collective gasp of awe as you sashay down the aisle. The bodice features beaded lace and a slim silhouette and the tiers of tulle on the chapel length train give this gown a one-of-a-kind appearance.

Oleg Cassini Satin Ball Gown with Laser-Cut Floral Appliqu

This item is the dress for the stunning princess bride who wants the romantic wedding of her dreams. The strapless bodice showcases the intricate floral appliqu, which have been carefully laser-cut. The full skirt with a sweep train comes with eye-catching horizontal bands for a unique effect.

Oleg Cassini All Over Lace A-Line Gown with Obi Sash

This dress completely embodies the term tunning.?Its elegant all-over lace patterns provide a spectacular look to the entire dress and chapel train. The ruched waist, obi sash, and halter bodice add a dash of drama to the ensemble.

Galina Strapless Shantung Taffeta Sweetheart Ball Gown

Perfect for the bride who likes to be on the cutting edge of all fashion trends, this gown jaunty sweetheart bodice perfectly complements the flirty bow at the waist. The exquisite gown with sweep train is constructed of radiant shantung taffeta ?and it also comes with side pockets for convenience.

Galina Tea-Length Satin Gown with 3D Floral Detail

This dress is an ideal long white dress combination of retro and chic. Its three-dimensional floral beaded detail lines the strapless bodice, providing a timeless appearance. The empire waist and structured tea-length skirt give the entire gown a carefree and cheery look.

Galina Short Dress Featuring 3D Floral Appliqu

For the woman who has tons of sex appeal and isn afraid to flout it, this dress only drops to the knee and is decorated with horizontal satin bands. The strapless silhouette is accented with several 3D floral appliqu.

Galina Signature Organza A-Line Gown with Angled Draped Pick-Ups

For the glamorous bride who wants to be nothing less than divine on her special day, this strapless gown features a striking sweetheart neckline to show off the shoulders, while the waist is highlighted by three-dimensional floral embellishment. But the angled draped pickups are guaranteed to catch the eye of this A-line silhouette dress with a sweep train.

Galina Signature Satin Trumpet Gown with Cascading Ruffle Back

This dress screams sleek and ultra-chic. It all starts with the artfully-embroidered asymmetrical ruffles and the cascading ruffle back. This dramatic strapless silhouette dress with sweep train is beautifully accented at the neckline with modern beading detail.

Galina Signature Charmeuse V-neck Halter with Ruched Surplice Bodice

This visually astonishing dress has ornate detail wherever you look. It boasts plenty of unique features from the attractive V-neck halter to the dropped waist with beaded embroidery. There are even beaded embroidered appliqu on the godet chapel train.

David Bridal Soft A-Line Chiffon Gown with Side Drape

A timeless look with a healthy dose of dazzle, this gown side drape detail, lace-up back, and the sweetheart neckline will flatter any figure. The waist is nicely accented with fun 3D flowers.

David Bridal Cap Sleeve Organza A-Line Gown

Enchanting and opulent, this dress is perfect for the lady who wants to feel like a queen on her wedding day. The lace maxi dress gown has several intricate features like the illusion cap sleeves and beaded lace on the bodice and skirt hem. And the lavish organza fabric creates an attractive A-line gown with a chapel train.

David Bridal Modern One-Shoulder Pick-Up Gown

This gown is perfect for the woman who wants the ideal balance of modern and classic styles. The taffeta ball gown with chapel new york evening dresses train is highlighted by pick-up detail on the skirt. The trendy one-shoulder design blends beautifully with the beaded embroidery on the side-drape and hip.

Of course, you can add little touches of your own to make your dress completely unique. You can select a stylish veil or a floral headpiece. You can opt for white gloves or a brightly colored sash. Or you can pick out the perfect accessory like a clutch or purse.

In the end, whichever choice you make will be created specifically for your figure and body style ?so youe guaranteed to look your absolute best. Then all you have to do is smile, glide down the aisle, and watch the faces of your guests light up as you pass by them on the way to your awaiting groom.