Wedding Dress Necklines for Your Body Shape

Have you ever put on something that just didn’t look right on you? Chances are it wasn’t the ideal shape or fit for your body type. Jasmine Bridal wants you to look and feel the most beautiful on your wedding day. This means determining different wedding dress necklines that work for you. You may think that finding the perfect silhouette is the most important, but necklines are just as important too. Save this post as a guide to help you figure out wedding dress necklines that compliment your body shape.

First, let’s figure out what your body shape is. It can be one of these or maybe a combination of two. Because some of these shapes are similar or opposite of one another, we grouped them together. Pear shapes have fuller hips and narrow shoulders, while inverted triangles have broad shoulders, flatter chests, and narrow hips. Lean columns have narrow shoulders, smaller bust, and narrow hips and bottom. Rectangle shapes have a narrower/undefined waist and broad, straight shoulder definition. Both lean column and rectangle shapes are almost the same, but rectangle shapes are a bit fuller than lean column body shapes. Once we figure out what category your body type falls under, we can specify a neckline to flatter your collarbones and shoulders. Then, we’ll see some Jasmine dresses that will look best on you!

Necklines for Hourglass Shapes

Having an hourglass shape is the “ideal” type of body most women strive for, thanks to the Kardashians and early historic fashion for creating the corset. Hourglass body shapes have full busts (think B- C+ cups), and curvier hips. Regardless of broad or narrow shoulders, your bust and hips compromise the shape, so accentuating your bust with a scoop, V, or either variations of sweetheart necklines work flawlessly. Not only that, bateau or boat necks show lots of collarbone and *cleavage*. Silhouettes for your body include almost every kind- lucky girl! You look best in gall gowns, A-lines, but most of all mermaid/fit-and-flare gowns. Because of your shape, mermaid fits enhance them curves!

Hourglass shapes are defined by a full bust, smaller waist, and fuller bottom and hips. Sounds great, but there are some things you want to avoid with this shape. Boxy shoulders create a broad, more full bust and shoulders, so this will put your defined waist and hips off-balance. Also, you’ll want to skip the sheath silhouettes as your waist will get lost in the skirt’s straight lines. High necklines cover your bust, but you can compromise with a sleeveless top, like a halter neckline.

Celebrities with an Hourglass Body Shape: Sofia Vergara, Scarlet Johanssen, J. Lo

Necklines for Apple Shapes

Apple shapes are more round- fuller torso, rounder shoulder/biceps. This body shape has less definition in waist and hips, so finding skirts that draw attention away from your middle area is important. Also, the shoulders are broader and may slope down. Your arms are typically thinner along with thin legs and narrow hips. Fuller busts and torso are typical, so you want to draw attention to that with plunging, square, or sweetheart necklines. Strapless necklines work well with full skirts to balance the amount of skin showing with a big ball gown. Though square necklines aren’t popular wedding dress necklines, they emanate a princess look. Ball gowns, A-line, sheath and empire dresses elongate the body.

Avoiding any embellishments on the waist, thick waistbands, and fabrics that cut at the waist. The idea is to point the eyes away from the waist and hips because there isn’t too much definition. So to properly compliment your body with the perfect wedding dress should exclude these.

Celebrities with an Apple Body Shape: Jennifer Hudson, Drew Barrymore, Catherine Zeta-Jones

Necklines for Pear Shapes

Pear shape body types tend to have fuller thighs and hips. Busts and shoulders are more narrow, so those measurements are smaller than the hip measurement. With this body type, there are ways to broaden or widen the shoulders while slimming the hips. It’s good to look for wide sleeves, boat necks, and necklines that expose the collarbones and shoulder width. Bust-enhancing wedding dress necklines look good for pear shapes like strapless sweethearts, but they may not always be the most comfortable. It’s important to make sure that you feel comfortable as soon as you put on your wedding dress. After all, you are wearing it all day! Mermaid fit-and-flare, A-line gowns or a high-low skirt paired with the right neckline is the fool-proof combination for a pear shape bride.

You must avoid drop waist dresses as it draws attention to your bigger hips. Also, ruffles, heavy beading around the waist and hips should be avoided, unless the bodice is kept simple and flattering or embellishments are all over. The point is to bring the eyes to the mid section and up, so too many details on the skirt can prevent the attention on your bottom half.

Celebrities with A Pear Body Shape: Kim Kardashian, Beyoncé, Jessica Simpson

Necklines for Inverted Triangle Shapes

Quite the opposite of a pear shape is an inverted triangle body shape. With this body type, shoulders are very broad, actually, broader than the hips are. So your top half is wider than your waist and bottom half are. There is little definition between your waist and hips, so creating a waist with cinching and a waistband is ideal. Wedding dress necklines perfect for an inverted triangle body shape are halter, wide straps, and V-necks- even deep V-necklines. The idea is to slim the shoulders while creating vertical lines to even out the width of your shoulders with your hips. Defining your waist with a thick waistband, paneling, or a jeweled belt provides contouring in your mid section. Doing so won’t make your shoulders look so wide.

It’s best to steer clear from ruffles on the neckline, spaghetti straps (when paired with tight skirts), and bateau and boat neck styles. These enhance your broad shoulders, not slim which is what you want. If you absolutely must wear spaghetti straps, choose a ball gown, fuller A-line gown or fit-and-flare. Strapless gowns with skirts like trumpet or mermaid aren’t ideal as you want to create volume around your hips.

Celebrities with an Inverted Body Shape: Cindy Crawford, Demi Moore, Dolly Parton

Necklines for Column/Rectangle Shapes

We grouped these two body shapes together because they are quite similar. Column body shapes are the “thinner” version of a rectangle body type. Women who have this shape have the same shoulder and hip measurements. There is little to no definition in the waist, but your bust varies from small/flat to average or busty. With rectangle and column shapes, your body is boxy, so creating definition, contouring with a cinched waist and creating vertical lines with your neckline helps give your body curves. Wedding dress necklines best for this type are scoop, illusion sweetheart, off-the-shoulder, and V-neck. When you pair these necklines with the right skirt silhouette, you’ll achieve that dream wedding day look. You wedding dress should have a cinched waist to nip the waist.

Some things to avoid with a column or rectangle body shape are sheath silhouettes, noticeable waist embellishments like a thick waistband, or jeweled belt, and strapless gowns with tight fitting skirts. Also, don’t bother with boxy shoulder dresses or anything with shoulder pads and peplums. They only create a more boxy look.

Celebrities with Column/Rectangle Body Shape: Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz

Our Fall 2020 collection hasn’t released yet, but you can get a sneak peek before our launch in the Spring. Which body shape are you? What necklines are you drawn to that fit your body shape? Tell us in the comments below and we’ll find a perfect fit for your style!