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Gowns are extremely versatile items of clothing and are a popular outfit choice for special occasions of all kinds. When selecting the perfect design for a gown, a lot of elements need to be considered, such as the fabric, colour, neckline, train length, and sleeve style. However, one of the most important design elements of a gown is the silhouette, because the right silhouette will ensure that the gown flatters your body type and highlights your best features. In this article, we will take you through all the essential steps that you should follow to select the perfect gown silhouette for your body type as per the occasion at hand
The Significance of Gown Silhouettes
In design terminology, silhouette refers to the overall shape of the garment, which comes in different variations to flatter different body types as well as to suit the dress code of different events. A clever choice of gown silhouette can allow you to mask your problem areas and can make you appear slimmer or taller, as the need may be. The wrong gown silhouette, on the other hand, can drown your frame in fabric or draw attention to your problem areas. Therefore, one of the first steps towards making the right silhouette choice for your frame is to identify your body type
Determining Your Body Type
Understanding your body shape will allow you to identify your best features, and you can then select a gown silhouette which showcases these features while drawing attention away from the other areas. To determine your body type, first measure your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips using a tape measure. Here is a reference article to help you measure yourself correctly. Once you have noted down these measurements, you can easily identify your body type using the following classification
Source: SizeCharter.com
1. Triangle or Pear
Your hips are at least 5% wider than your bust or shoulders
2. Rectangle
Your hips, bust, and shoulders are almost the same size without a defined waistline i.e. your waist is <25% smaller than your shoulders or bust, and your hip, bust, and shoulder measurements have <5% variation from each other
3. Inverted Triangle
Your bust or shoulder measurement is >5% bigger than your hip measurement
4. Hourglass
Your shoulders and hips are almost the same size with a well-defined waistline i.e. your waist measurement is more than 25% smaller than your shoulder or hip measurement and your shoulder and hip measurements are within 5% of each other
5. Round
Your waist and bust measurements are >5% bigger than your hip measurement
Different Gown Silhouettes and the Body Types They Flatter the Most
Once you have identified your body type, you can refer to the following list of silhouettes to find out which silhouettes will flatter your body the most
A-line Silhouette
An A-line silhouette consists of a fitted bodice with a skirt that flares out from the waist, to create an A-shape. This flattering silhouette complements most body types but is particularly suitable for triangle or pear body types because the flare creates a balance between the hips and shoulders, diverting attention away from the wider hips and towards the shoulders
Source: Kleinfeld
Source: Wedding Dash
Sheath Silhouette
A Sheath silhouette is a figure-hugging silhouette that follows the body’s natural shape. It is appropriate for those with an hourglass figure who want the gown to showcase their curves. This silhouette is also suitable for those with a slim rectangular body type because it will impart a curvier appearance to your straight frame
Ball Gown Silhouette
A Ball Gown silhouette consists of a fitted bodice with a full skirt. It is a classic silhouette that suits most body types and gives the appearance of a slimmer waist. This silhouette cinches the waist and is therefore suitable for round body types who have a wider waist region. However, those with a petite frame (who are shorter than 5 feet 3 inches) should avoid this silhouette because the poofy skirt can drown your frame and make you look shorter
Source: Devilnight
Source: EasyWeddings.com
Mermaid/Trumpet Silhouette
A Mermaid silhouette hugs the contours of the body till the knees and then flares out to create a beautiful fishtail effect. This silhouette is ideal for those with an hourglass figure who wish to show off their curves. Those who are looking for a softer silhouette can opt for a trumpet silhouette instead, which is similar to the mermaid variant but flares out slightly above the knees. The mermaid and trumpet silhouettes are also suitable for those with an inverted triangle body shape because the fit-and-flare design draws the attention away from the broad shoulders and towards the hip region
Choosing the Right Gown Silhouette As Per the Occasion
Now that you know which gown silhouettes will suit your body type the best, you can choose from the same based on the occasion to which you plan to wear the gown. Different gown silhouettes suit different occasions and dress codes, and by choosing the appropriate gown silhouette, you can create a formal, semi-formal, or casual look respectively
Black-Tie/Formal Events
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A ball gown silhouette is synonymous with a classic ensemble for formal black-tie events. However, if you are looking for a slightly more modern outfit then a mermaid gown in a thicker fabric might be worth considering. Evening gowns for black tie events should be well-tailored and the design shouldn’t be too over the top. You can ask your boutique designer to suggest you appropriate necklines and fabrics that pair well with the silhouette and adhere to the dress code
Parties/Semi-Formal Events
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As per the timing and occasion behind the party, you can opt for a silhouette that is comfortable yet elegant. If it is a sit-down event then a mermaid style gown or a ball gown will be a stunning choice, but for a more casual party where you will be walking around, an A-line gown or a trumpet gown might be more practical. If you are going to be dancing at the party then make sure to test the gown for ease of movement during the fitting sessions
Weddings/Festive Occasions
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If you are a bride to be then you can opt for an embellished A-line gown or mermaid gown for your wedding reception and cocktail party, as an alternative to traditional Indian wear. You can also take a cue from classic Christian wedding gowns and opt for a ball gown silhouette. This would look particularly spectacular for the Sangeet function when the spotlight will be on you at the dancefloor. Wedding guests can choose lightly embellished A-line gowns or trumpet gowns that look festive and are comfortable too. As a guest, you wouldn’t want to outshine the bride, so opt for lighter fabrics and non-bridal colours
Casual to Semi-Formal Daytime events
Source: Shopify
Wearing a gown to a daytime event can be tricky, but with the right choice of silhouette and fabric, you can rock a gown even to a brunch party. Opt for a sheath silhouette with a slit or a trumpet silhouette to feel comfortable while looking chic at a semi-formal daytime event. For a more casual setting, opt for a breezy A-line silhouette to glide across the venue with ease
Following these simple tips will allow you to determine the best gown silhouette for any occasion as per your body type. Do not get bogged down by the plethora of unfamiliar design terms and the sheer variety of gown styles on offer. Engage a professional gown boutique & go about selecting your gown design in a systematic manner as explained above. Expand your gown collection with zero inhibitions!
