There are seven main wedding dress styles: A-line, ball gown, mermaid, trumpet, sheath, the two-in-one with a detachable skirt, and the bridal jumpsuit. They differ in where the gown fits close and where it releases. The right one depends on your body, how you want to move, and where you are getting married.
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What are the types of wedding dresses?
A silhouette is decided by two things: where the gown is fitted, and where the skirt begins to move away from the body. The table puts them side by side. Each style has its own guide with more detail.
| Style | The shape | Who it suits | How it feels on the day | Where it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-line | Fitted bodice, skirt widening gently from the waist like a letter A | Almost every body shape and height | Easy to walk, sit and dance in | Anywhere: church, garden, ballroom, beach |
| Ball gown (princess) | Fitted bodice, full skirt from the natural waist, supported underneath | Brides who want drama; balances a fuller hip and suits a defined waist | Grand and heavier; needs some practice to sit and dance | Churches, cathedrals and ballrooms with room to move |
| Mermaid | Fitted to the knee, then flaring out | Brides who love their curves and want to show them | The most fitted; walking takes shorter steps | Evening receptions, ballrooms, city venues |
| Trumpet | Fitted through the hips, flaring from mid-thigh | As for mermaid, with a little more freedom | Easier to move in than a mermaid | Most indoor venues |
| Sheath | Follows the body in a straight or column line | Slim and petite frames; anyone who likes a clean line | Light and simple, depending on fabric | Registry, city, garden and destination weddings |
| Two-in-one | A fitted gown with an overskirt or train that comes off | Brides who want a ceremony gown and a party gown | Full drama for the aisle, freedom for the dance floor | Church ceremony followed by a reception |
| Jumpsuit | Trousers in place of a skirt, often flared | Brides who do not want a traditional dress | The most freedom of all | Relaxed, modern or outdoor weddings |
What is each wedding dress style like to wear?
A-line
The most forgiving silhouette. It defines the waist and then skims everything below it. Alexandra’s petite frame suited an A-line with a sweeping train, in layers of soft tulle with lace cascading from waist to hem.
Ball gown
The princess dress: a fitted bodice and a full skirt held out by layers underneath. Lia’s fairytale gown used thirty metres of duchess silk satin. A ball gown takes up space, so think about aisles, doorways and the car.
Mermaid and trumpet
Both are fitted through the body and flare lower down. The difference is where: a mermaid flares at or below the knee, a trumpet from mid-thigh. Anna’s strapless gown flared into a skirt of ostrich feathers from the knee down.
Sheath
A sheath follows the body without a full skirt. Because there is no volume to hide behind, the fabric and the cut do all the work. Vanessa wore a long-sleeved lace sheath with a high neckline.
Two-in-one
A gown with a detachable skirt or train gives you two looks without a second dress. Taharna arrived at her reception with her ball gown skirt removed, revealing a fully beaded gown underneath.
Jumpsuit
For brides who want to move freely all night. Katie wore a halter-neck jumpsuit that flared at the hem, with pockets in the sides.
How do I choose a wedding dress style?
- Start with how you want to feel. Grand, relaxed, sensual, classic? Most brides know this before they know the shape.
- Think about the day, hour by hour. If you plan to dance for hours, a heavy ball gown or a tight mermaid may not suit, unless the skirt comes off.
- Look at your venue. A cathedral can carry a long train; a beach or a small restaurant usually cannot.
- Then consider your body. Every style can be adjusted: a mermaid can flare a little higher, an A-line can be slimmer or fuller. Our guide to dressing for your body shape goes into this.
- Try the shapes on. Photographs are not the same as wearing a silhouette. Try the styles in a boutique, or in sample gowns, before you commit.
Can you combine wedding dress styles?
Yes, and this is where bespoke design comes in. A sheath can carry a detachable overskirt, as Jamie’s did. A ball gown can sit on a high waist, as Vanessa’s princess gown did. Necklines, sleeves and fabric change the look of every silhouette, so the same outline can feel completely different in silk dupion or in lace. See our guides to necklines and fabrics.
If you already know the style you want, a custom made wedding dress lets you shape it exactly. If you would like help deciding, book a consultation in our Dulwich Hill atelier and talk through the shapes with Catherine.
