Sierrastyle Weddings - 118

FASHIONS A bride wants to look and feel her best on her big day; the perfect fit is a great start. By Kelsey Nagie Illustrations by Kelsey Nagie Hourglass Body The hourglass figure is the most balanced of all body shapes, balancing a mixture of a fuller chest and hips with a defined waistline. Whether a size 2 or a size 18, the naturally well-proportioned body can be seen on a slue of sizes, heights and weights. Many women dream to have this shape because almost any style will be flattering to the figure. Therefore, since this silhouette is the most versatile of all body shapes, whether it be shoulders or legs, one lucky enough to have this curvy figure should avoid disguising any particular area. While finding the perfect wedding dress for your big day can become treacherous, there are a few dos and don’ts when it comes to the hourglass figure. A flattering A-line dress works suitably because it defines the waistline. Strapless, offthe-shoulder, scoop neck, or a sweetheart neckline all accommodate a curvaceous body and balance a dress with a fitted waist. Although the hourglass figure is the most versatile of the group, there are also some dress styles to steer clear of. An empire and mermaid can create too much fullness on the bottom half. Balance is key and with an hourglass figure, the work is already cut out for you. Pear Body A pear shaped silhouette consists of a fuller hip, defined waist, and narrow shoulder, just like the fruit, hence the name. Curvaceous and voluptuous, this body type can often encounter difficult choices in relation to choosing a garment that will best emphasize the appropriate assets. The obstacle with a pear shaped body is to divert focus away from the problem zone of the figure and balance it with the smallest area of the body. Dress styles that work wonders to hide the unfavorable areas and highlight other areas are ball gowns, A-lines, and Basque waist styles. Classic in nature, these dresses are exceptional choices for hiding the not-so-favorite childbearing hips on such a monumental day. Strapless creates a bare-all sexy shoulder while simultaneously accentuating and balancing the top half with the bottom. In addition, an offthe-shoulder, scoopneck, or even sleeved dress can establish a beautiful ambiance and sense of stability while still masking the problem areas. Of similar importance is knowledge of what styles to avoid, such as the mermaid, sheath, or empire style, which can all steal the spotlight. Photo courtesy of XSiGHT Photography and Video, xsightusa.com. THE PERFECT FIT Apple Body Fullness, from top to bottom best defines the apple body. Just like the fruit, curves and roundness sculpt the body with broad shoulders, no defined waistline, and a slimmer hip, yet still with a pronounced curve. Also known as an inverted triangle figure, the apple silhouette’s approach to finding a perfect wedding dress relies solely on styles that can distract attention from the mid section. Efforts include finding clothing that accentuates either the shoulders or legs to gain an even steadiness. An apple silhouette can successfully wear an A-line dress. A flattering alternative for the apple shape is to add an empire waist to the A-Line style, which then reduces the focus of the mid-section and moves it upward to the top half of the body. Equal importance includes other styles that will not make the cut for an apple body. Similar to the pear body, one with this shapely figure should avoid tightfitting dresses that emphasize the mid-section. Mermaid dress styles and traditional A-line dresses with fitted waistlines are red flags. Thin Body Coined with several different names from the rectangle, athletic, or slim body, the thin body is just that: thin. Lack of curves in the bust to the waist and a slight, almost unrecognizable change to the hips compile the thin body figure, creating a rectangular shape in the silhouette. While the thin body ranges from tall women to short women, this figure can easily wear most types of clothing for fit. The missing puzzle piece is what clothes make the thin body look shapely. A strong knowledge of what creates an illusion of curves for the top or bottom half of the body will really come in handy during wedding dress shopping. Therefore, a dress style with a flared train around the thigh or knee, such as the mermaid, will really build the illusion of an hourglass figure. Tight fitting, strapless, and if desired, gathered material from the bust to the knees is ideal to give the impression of a voluptuous body. Slim-fitting and figure-forming, the sculpture of a curvy female figure is implemented when donning these styles. While the thin silhouette can pull off most wedding dress styles, being able to turn shapeless areas into curvaceous zones really build a flattering form. O O 118 Sierrastyle Weddings Premiere 2007

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Sierrastyle Weddings

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