Finding the best wedding dress for your shape is about knowing what flatters your body best. It is about putting the attention to details where you want it and minimising where you don’t.

There are no rules in finding your dream dress, but there are guidelines that can help you.

Firstly and most importantly, determine your shape.

Apple

You are an apple if you are widest on your torso

Tips:

• Use Deep V neck and sweetheart necklines to draw attention upwards
• Consider showing off your legs with knee or tea length dress

Avoid:

• Mermaid and trumpet: Focus on your widest part and Flares at the slimmest
• Ballgowns: Won’t elongate your look
• Straight across strapless neckline: Won’t accentuate your bust line

Pear

You are a pear if you are thinner on top with more curves on the bottom half

Tips:

• Put attention to your upper half
• Wear one shoulder, strapless, v-neck, bateau or scoop neckline

Avoid:

• Sheath: Too clingy to your shape
• Mermaid and trumpet: Wrong focus
• Halter: Creates a disproportionate look

Rectangle

You are a rectangle if your shoulder and hips are about the same width and you don’t have a lot of waist definition

Tips:

• Create an illusion of curves by drawing attention on the upper half with strapless or v-neck or towards the hem with mermaid
• Define your waist line. An empire waist will showcase the smallest part of your body.

Avoid:

• Halther or neck line: Shoulders will look narrow and won’t flatter your waist
• Sheaths will make you look boxy

Hourglass

You are an hourglass if your shoulders and hips are about the same width and you have a well defined waist

Tips:

• Showcase your curves using sheath, mermaid or trumpet
• Use waistline accents like a jeweled or ribbon belt

Avoid:

• Empire waist: Won’t accentuate your slim waistline