Silhouette Style

Shopping tips to help plus-size brides find the most slimming looks

By Nola Sarkisian-Miller
CTW Features

Image courtesy Galina Signature/David's Bridal

If brides want to create the slimmest silhouette possible, they can follow the tried and true guidelines every figure-conscious gal employs:

First and foremost, wear the right undergarments to get the right fit.

“The first thing we do is put the right bra, the right slip on, then the gowns go on, and you can really see a difference,” says Catalina Maddox, bridal fashion director for David’s Bridal.

Pick a gown with draping and ruching in strategic places – a la the bodice and derriere.

Opt for a dropped waist gown; they’re elongate and trim torsos, and they’re are all the rage right now.

Go for the va-va-voom factor with a plunging neckline that draws the eye up to your face.

For the well-endowed, create a nice bustline with either sturdy straps, such as a halter-style gown or custom bodices to give structure to the bosom.

Keep it simple. Stick with elegant fabrics, like chiffon or silk satin, and avoid heavy ornamentation, which may draw attention to body parts you wish to camouflage.

Ultimately, for some brides, there are no rules. They can wear what they want and simply rock it.

“Whether a bride can wear clingy silk charmeuse or floating silk chiffon has more to do with self-image than her body size,” says San Francisco-based designer Amy Kuschel.

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