Most flattering wedding dresses for the pear shaped body

Reader Mary writes to ask: “My daughter is getting married in October. What is the best type of dress for a pear shape?”

Many of the tactics for flattering a pear shape with other garments, like a T-shirt, carry over into dresses. So when it comes to wedding dresses, the biggest difference is the length of skirt and level of embellishment we can draw on to employ these tactics.

• Draw the eye upwards. Look for gowns with embellished bodices but simpler skirts. Think beading, detailing and interesting necklines.
• Widen the shoulders. Speaking of necklines, a bateau (boatneck) or deep scoop is perfect here.
• Emphasize your narrowest part. Let a well-fitting, boned bodice (and shapewear) be your friend here. An Empire waist is another option.
• De-emphasize your widest part. Be careful that the fullness of the skirt doesn’t begin at your hips. And whatever you do, no bows or trimmings here, either.

As for the skirt style, your best bet is fuller without being voluminous. You don’t want the hemline to be narrower than your hips; it will just emphasize them more. But a giant ballgown skirt will only make your bottom half look that much more voluminous. You want to wear the dress, not have the dress wear you.

Of course, you’ll want to try on lots of options in order to find the one that’s best for you. When you find the right dress–you’ll know it!

What to buy

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3. What to wear to a spring wedding
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