And a big hello to you all. I’m here today with a feature that’s an absolute must-read if you’re hunting for your perfect wedding dress. Having recently hit the boutiques myself, I know that there’s a bewildering choice and even when you think you know what you like and what suits your body, when it comes to wedding dresses, things can be different.
I’m so happy to be joined by the wonderful Marion Mathews, UK Agent for one of my favourite labels, Jesus Peiro, to tell us more about finding the right gown for you.
There’s no doubt about it – getting undressed in a boutique changing room and wiggling and wriggling into those amazing dresses can be quite an overwhelming experience, particularly when you’ve seen so many images of immaculate model-esque brides. I don’t have any particular body hang-ups but I still felt quite exposed when I was trying on dresses and I know that lots of brides do find choosing gowns quite stressful. Marion’s keen to re-assure us all because there really is a dress out there for everyone.
“You absolutely don’t need to be a 6ft size 6 model and the beauty of Jesus Peiro is that we cut each dress individually so it’s tailored to each bride’s individual shape. Having a dress cut to your body shape really does make all the difference in terms of fit but always remember that bridal shops see every type of shape and size and know their stock well enough to be able to advise on the best shape for each body type.”
Jesus Peiro 912
“If your arms aren’t your favourite body part, don’t automatically assume that sleeves will be your saviour. Sleeves can work but the wrong shape of sleeve can just draw attention to your arms. Instead, moving the focus away from the arms with a statement or detail in another area can be more effective. If you really want a sleeve, I’d advise a loose-fitting or billowy sleeve as the best option. The Jesus Peiro Wallis dress ticks a lot of boxes for an arm-conscious bride with billowy sleeves and a dramatic back drawing the eye elsewhere.”
For tummies, structure is the key. Marion recommends choosing a fabric with structure like Mikado or opting for a design that comes with some boning in the stomach area. Of course, for lower belly coverage, a full skirt is a great idea and Jesus Peiro’s fabulous Style 909 comes with a high waistband and a full skirt so that any tummy consciousness is kept at bay.
A full skirt is also ideal if you’d rather not have your hips on show. Style 110 from the as-yet unlaunched 2020 collection has all the wow factor without any hip hang-ups. This fabulous design will be available from most UK stockists in July but it’s also on preview in a small number of stockists right now.
On the flip-side, if you’ve got body bits that you love, your wedding day is definitely the time to flaunt them. Shoulders, backs and chests can be highlighted with the right dress:
“A Bardot or off-the-shoulder neckline will really enhance the shoulder area,” says Marion. “This look is super flattering and bang on trend. Style 873 combines a mixture of texture and colours to create interest and it’s perfect for showing off a beautiful décolletage.”
“Interesting backs are always important in bridal – after all, guests often spent most of the ceremony looking at a bride’s back! Back detail or an open back offer the opportunity to draw the eye to this area. Style 8074 for example, uses delicate straps to decorate an otherwise open back. Finally, for a dress that highlights a great chest, plunging necklines are the perfect option. Style 933 is a very pretty dress with a hint of sexiness created by the open V at the front.”
Now, let’s talk boobs. I’m firmly in the small boobs category but if you’re more well-endowed than I am, what should you go for?
“For big boobs, a split neckline works like a minimiser! Choose one that you can wear with a proper bra and then you can achieve a great shape with lift. Style 955 is a great example – a split neckline, clean lines and impeccable tailoring.”
“Those brides will smaller busts are one of the few body shapes who can easily wear some of the transparent bodices that are widely seen on Insta and Pinterest. Style 103 from our new 2020 preview collection is a bohemian two-piece that floats over the bust area with a hint of transparency. I’d also suggest this with nude stick-on cups for some extra shape.”
One of the things that I was really surprised about when I shopped for my gown was that one of my ‘best bits’ didn’t suit the kind of dresses that I thought it would. I will very happily flaunt my toned shoulders but any gowns that showed too much shoulder made me feel a bit like a Six Nations rugby player. So, what should we do with straps and similar?
“When it comes to straps, the best advice that I have is to listen to the bridal consultant – they have seen every dress on numerous body shapes and they know what suits but remember that normal rules don’t always apply. Firstly, we don’t go around wearing ballgowns in our everyday lives and secondly, the way that wedding dresses are made is quite different to high street clothes. For example, architecturally inspired tailoring like style 966 can be surprisingly flattering on someone who is broad but toned.”
“It’s also important to think about the proportions of the gown – if you’re longer or shorter in the bodice, wearing clothes that never quite seem to sit right can often be the norm in everyday life. So, getting a made to order wedding dress means that you can have the bodice modified to the right length and this can make the world of difference. If you’re petite, consider a multi-length hem, like style 912.”
“Your body shape might also influence the types of embellishments that suit you best. A petite bride will probably want to steer away from very large bows on the bodice as they can overwhelm whilst for a tall bride, the opposite is true and small details can be lost. Style 921 has a subtle bow that’s perfect for petites while style 8029 makes a statement with a larger bow.”
Finally, what shopping tips can Marion give so that you hit the boutiques feeling brilliant? Well, she has these wise words and they’re just ace:
“Relish the opportunity to choose a dress that will be customised to your body shape, either in the manufacturing or fitting process. Bridal consultants are there to help – they see every shape and size come through their door and their job is to help you be the very best version of you. Research stores before you visit so you can be sure you’re choosing a store with brands that resonate with you. Remember, you’re only trying on sample dresses, your dress will be made for you so keep an open mind and enjoy the experience.”
So darling readers, go forth and fall in love with your perfect gown.
To find out more about the latest collection from Jesus Peiro, do visit their website for a sneak peek and for those all-important stockist details.
Love,
Tamryn x
Tamryn Settle View all Tamryn's articles
Self-confessed wedding addict Tamryn spends her days in her Berkshire studio writing about all things beautiful and romantic with her black Labrador for company.
