Top 5 Wedding Dress Silhouettes of 2019
Dear Friends:
When shopping for your wedding dress, the DRESS, you should start by familiarizing yourself with some basic silhouettes. This helps you identify some common wedding gown shapes. Different silhouettes can help highlight different areas of your body, as well as disguising others. Depending on your body shape, you may opt to go with a certain silhouette that best fits you.
THE A-LINE
The a-line silhouette is fitted on top and through the waist. It then flares out toward the hem, essentially creating an ‘A’ shape. Although seemingly basic, this silhouette creates a universally flattering wedding gown shape that works on most, if not all body types. This elegant cut of dress is timeless and a very popular style choice for brides. There is also a modified a-line that features wedding dresses that fit a little closer at the hips than the traditional a-line. This newer silhouette works well for a lot of brides that want to get closer to the mermaid shaped gowns but whom still like the ease, gentle flow and flare of an a-line gown.
THE BALLGOWN
The ballgown silhouette is perhaps the best-known, classic wedding gown shape. Also known as the princess cut, this wedding gown silhouette features a fitted bodice that leads into a full, voluminous skirt. This silhouette works on most body types, especially for brides that have a more pear-shaped lower half or a wider waistline. The contrast between the fitted bodice and the full skirt helps better define your waist. The full skirt is very forgiving for the lower body. A ballgown might be a little harder for petite or smaller framed brides because of its almost overwhelming shape. This timeless silhouette definitely brings to mind a more formal and elaborate wedding.
THE SHEATH
The sheath silhouette is a form-fitting shape that is also known as a column dress. This wedding dress closely fits the body, but doesn’t flare out like a mermaid or trumpet dress. The sheath gently hugs the body’s curves in a gentle flow, rather than a more fitted silhouette. This shape works better for more slender or petite brides. The straighter cut of the gown helps elongate the figure. This gown creates an elegant cut that tends the more simplistic side.
THE MERMAID
The mermaid silhouette gown is perhaps the most glamorous wedding dress shape. Like its namesake, the mermaid gown is sultry and closely fitted to the body. The gown is fitted through the waist and hips and flares dramatically right below the knees. This bridal gown really accentuates the curves of the body and amplifies an hourglass shape. This silhouette works best for curvier brides that want to show off their figure. For shorter brides, the mermaid gown should start flaring above the knees to best give the illusion of longer legs. The mermaid gown is also known as a fishtail gown and falls into the category of fit and flare dresses.
THE TRUMPET
Much like the mermaid silhouette, the trumpet shape is fitted from bodice to hip and flares at the bottom. But unlike the mermaid, the trumpet starts flaring mid-thigh and has a more subtle flare. The fit and flare shape resembles a downward facing trumpet, hence its name. This silhouette is great for brides that want to accentuate their curves, but would like a little more comfort than what a closely fitted mermaid gown allows. Because the trumpet starts flaring out higher on your legs, it also gives the illusion of longer legs. The fitted top and flared skirt also help accentuate the waist.
The five silhouettes above represent some of the more basic wedding gown shapes. They cover a wide range of body types. Although it is a good idea to start your wedding dress shopping with an idea of what silhouette looks good on your body, do not skip out on trying different shapes. Many times, we are so use to wearing certain silhouettes that we miss out on some other ones that also look amazing on our body. A photo of a dress or a dress on a hanger looks very different on the body. Be open to trying on different options to best narrow down to the right look for you. You might be pleasantly surprised by the different options that work well for your body shape.
Happy hunting!
Connie Tao Designs
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2017!
Dear Friends,
I cannot believe how LONG it has been since I have written! As we approach our third year (!) in this beautiful Pasadena boutique, I cannot help but look back at all the wonderful adventures we have had!
In September of 2015, we made our TV debut on the show “Little Women of LA”. The lovely, Elena let us create for her a wedding and reception dress for her destination vow renewals. It was a fun experience getting to know those ladies and having a film crew in our shop! In May of 2016, we had our first cover feature! Beautiful bride, Marcile, had her wedding featured in “Arroyo Weddings Magazine”. We were so excited to see her on the cover in a custom gown we created for her and to read about her love story. In October of 2016, we were presented with the 2016 Best Bridal Shop award from “Pasadena Weekly”! We were so honored to be awarded this title and in such great company with all the other wonderful businesses that won.
These past three years have been an amazing learning experience for me. I have met so many great brides and other small business owners that have inspired me to work harder and continually grow this business. As I continue on this journey, I want you all there with me! Knowing that, makes me feel awfully bad about neglecting my blog. One of my New Years’ resolutions (a couple months late L) is to update this blog a LOT more frequently. I have been met with a lot of different challenges in the wedding and business categories these past three years and would love to share my take on them. I am going to try to update this blog once a week with some interesting topics. I hope you all stay tuned for more! Meanwhile, happy Monday and I hope you are all enjoying the wonderful Spring weather (if you are on the West Coast ;)…)
xoxo,
Connie
Update
Hi Friend! ☺
It has been quite a while since my last post! Many big things have happened since then! This post marks about one year since I quit my job to start on this amazing adventure. Every moment is still scary and exciting. There is so much more to learn about staring a business than I ever imagined!
In February, I finally found the right retail space. The space ended up being bigger than what I first anticipated, but we have been able to fill every corner of it. The months following that was dedicated to transforming this vanilla shell into my vision. I want the store to be a warm and welcoming place where friends (and brides ☺) can come hang out. Every little detailed was scrutinized and underwent many edits. The space is still an ongoing process, I am constantly changing and rearranging the sales floor.
We officially opened our doors on April 29th and on the following week, we had a small grand opening party on May 9th. Delicious cookies and cupcakes were provided by our friends at local bakery, Sugar Fix (www.sugarfixdesserts.com). The outpouring of love and support from family and friends was wonderful! I feel very lucky to have this incredible opportunity and plan to make every moment count. I will keep you all updated on my progress. In the meantime, stop by, have a coffee and hang out with us ☺.
xoxo,
Connie
Welcome To Connie Tao Designs
Close observers of Alessandro Michele’s entourage of collaborators and muses will remember Jayde Fish, the San Francisco based artist discovered by the designer on Instagram and later tapped to supply gorgeous, whimsical illustrations for the Spring 2017 collection. Early this month, Fish made yet another visual splash, this time in New York’s Soho.