Here is our ultimate + comprehensive guide on all body shapes! Scroll through to find which body shape you are and know which dress suits you the best. 

Rectangle Body Shape 

If you are unsure if you have a rectangular body shape, here are the 3 criteria that you can tell if you are or not. First, the easiest way to tell is that your bust, shoulder, and hips are approximately the same width. The second way to see is by looking if you have little or no waist definition. Lastly, just for you to make sure, if you have a rectangular body shape you would generally have a lack of curves since your weight gain will be evenly distributed throughout the body. What if you still want to have a professional stylist to see what shape you are, fear not, book a virtual style appointment to go over your concerns but also find your dream dress! 

Here are some tips for brides with rectangular-shaped bodies to style that compliments to best! 

ADD VOLUME TO UPPER & LOWER BODY 

To enhance the waist, add volume to both your upper and lower body.  For the upper body, we recommend wearing a push-up bra. If you don't prefer having the enhancement on your cleavage area, wearing a dress with an embellished neckline or bust could also work the same magic too. Don't forget, to achieve this effect, wearing a dress with a structured material/fabric would also work as well!

Check out these Afarose dresses that have included these enhancing necklines! 

Noemi A

Regina 

Vita

Lucine

By wearing the right type of sleeve style, it could add volume to your upper body. 

Here's our general rule of thumb: avoid sleeves that are shapeless and without volume. We wouldn't want that those fitted sleeves to give you that straight and rigid look. 

Here are the Afarose dresses that got your back (sleeves)!

Astrid

Pearlette 

Maxine A

Ilaria

OR VISUALLY PULLING THE WAISTS IN 

As we mentioned earlier that rectangular body shape has no waist definition, here are some tips and tricks to create the effect! You can choose a figure-hugging/corset dress, define the waist with a belt/sash, avoid 2 piece dresses. Most importantly, avoid too many details around the waist.

Here are some Afarose dresses that got you could help you show off some curves! 

Angela 

Nola A

Charmaine 

Hourglass Body Shape

Here are our style recommendations to hourglass brides to maintain balanced proportions. 

-Fitted silhouette to show off your curves 

-Clean and simple design 

-Avoid too many embellishments on the shoulders/bottom 

-Avoid loose/boxy style, which will then make you top or bottom-heavy 

NECKLINE 

For the neckline, we recommend any styles that don't unbalance your natural silhouette. The advantage of the below neckline styles is that it doesn't create any widening effect or volumizing effect. 

Try out Afarose dresses in the below styles: 

Doreen

Elysia 

Bliss

Briana 

SLEEVES 

The same goes for sleeves, it should also not be unbalancing your silhouette. For sleeves, we recommend something that is more fitted instead of going for boxy or ruffled looks. 

Check out our Afarose styles that flaunt your natural curves. 

Pearl

Margaret

Vita 

Pear and Triangle Body Shape 

If you have wider hips, smaller top half, and full hips & thighs, weight gains tend to first be more visible around the hips, thighs, & lower midriff. Stylistically, it is best to highlight the upper body and minimize the lower body. Below are the necklines that would create will balance it out. The commonality these necklines styles have is they are wide, which will then vertically stretch and direct the eye upwards. 

Shop these styles: 

Margaret 

Nola A

Lecia 

Maeve

If you are a bride who's getting married during fall, winter, or spring (where some areas may still be chilly) you could opt for dresses with sleeves that can keep you both warm and stylish. For dresses with sleeves, we recommend styles such as cap tapered long sleeves, and bell. These kinds of sleeve styles could add volume to the should area, which is the effect we would like to achieve. 

Janeka A 

Miya 

Lecia 

Inverted Triangle Shape 

The following are a few characteristics of an inverted triangle shape: 

-Wide shoulders 

-Big bust 

-Undefined waist

Here are some tips 

Soften shoulders & add volume at the hips: 

-Avoid wide neckline so it doesn't expand the appearance of  shoulders 

-Look for clean and uncluttered bodice designs (avoid pleating or patterns)

-Look for waist details so that will add volume to your lower body 

-Avoid tight silhouettes that emphasize your original body shape 

NECKLINES

V-neck: V-necklines are slim and long and reduce the length of your upper body visually 

Halter: even though halter necklines don't give you that deep and scooped look; however, it still has the effect of elongating your upper body

Asymmetric: the helps you break up your bust area vertically, therefore elongates your body shape. 

Scoop: same as the effect of a V neckline 

Aine 

Olga 

Sherry

Dolly 

Ranita Allure 

Emma

Ida

Stephanie

SLEEVES 

-Wide straps: better than thin or spaghetti straps as thinner straps will make your shoulder wider

-Dolman: the loose and wide sleeves creates a balanced proportion of your upper and lower body 

-Tapered long sleeves: this will not add any volume to your upper body  

-Drop shoulder: designs with cuts and slits will definitely make your shoulders slimmer 

Gamila 

Nola 

Catherine 

Janeka A

Ranita Allure 

Patricia 

Antonia

Michelle 

This body shape guide is just a convenient reference for brides to have a solid start on finding their dream dress! However, the most important thing is that you say yes to the dress that makes ‘YOU’ feel beautiful and stunning no matter color or style! 

Stay tuned for another upcoming discount event that you wouldn't want to miss! In the meantime, all ‘Ready-to-Ship’ bridesmaids + mother of the bride dresses are all $49.99.