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A Jealous Bridesmaids Guide
Find Your Silhouette
Every gown starts with a shape. Before lace, beading, or necklines, the silhouette decides how a dress will move, what it will hug and what it will let go of. Here's a plain-language look at the six shapes you'll meet in our boutique, so you can walk in already speaking the language.
A-Line
Fitted at the waist, gently widening to the floor
Named for the letter it traces, the A-line follows a fitted bodice down to a defined waist, then releases into a smooth, triangular skirt. There's no dramatic flare and no clinging through the hip — just a steady, balanced line from shoulder to hem. It's the shape most brides picture when they first imagine "a wedding dress," which is exactly why it disappears so easily into almost any body and any venue.
Flatters
Nearly every body type — a genuinely universal starting point
Best For
Church aisles, ballrooms, gardens — anywhere
Movement
Easy to walk, sit, and dance in
Ball Gown
A fitted bodice above a full, dramatic skirt
This is the fairy-tale shape: a close-fitted bodice sits above a skirt built out with layers of tulle or organza, often from the natural waist. Where the A-line tapers in a straight line, the ball gown skirt bells outward, giving it real volume and a sound of its own as it moves. It's the most formal of the six silhouettes and the one that fills the most space in a room — which is precisely the point for a bride who wants a grand entrance.
Flatters
Hourglass and pear shapes; balances a fuller hip beautifully
Best For
Ballrooms, grand halls, formal evening weddings
Movement
Show-stopping, but mind narrow aisles and small dance floors
Mermaid
Fitted through the hip and thigh, flaring at the knee
The mermaid hugs the body closely from bust to knee, tracing every curve along the way, then flares out suddenly at or just below the knee into a fuller "fishtail" hem. That late, dramatic flare is what separates it from every other silhouette here — it's the boldest, most figure-defining shape in the boutique, built for a bride who wants her waist and hips to be the headline.
Flatters
Hourglass and curvier figures who want to show them off
Best For
Formal, glamorous weddings; a striking photo moment
Movement
More fitted through the leg — smaller steps, statement entrance
Sheath
A slim column that skims the body's natural line
The sheath is the most minimal of the six — a straight, narrow cut that follows the body from shoulder to hem without a defined waist seam or added fullness anywhere. There's no flare, no volume, just clean fabric falling in one continuous line. In a lightweight crepe or satin, it's quietly modern; in a heavier fabric, it reads sleek and architectural. Either way, it's the shape that relies most on cut and fabric rather than structure.
Flatters
Slender and petite frames; elongates the whole figure
Best For
Beach and destination weddings, intimate or modern venues
Movement
Lightweight and easy — the most packable shape for travel
Tea Length
A hem that stops between the knee and ankle
Tea length isn't a body shape so much as a hemline decision — most often paired with a fuller or A-line skirt, but cut short enough to fall around the mid-calf. It's a nod to a more vintage silhouette, and the shorter hem means your shoes actually get to be part of the outfit, not just a detail underneath it. It naturally reads a little more playful and relaxed than a full-length gown of the same shape.
Flatters
Petite brides especially — a floor-length hem can overwhelm a shorter frame
Best For
Vintage, garden, or casual daytime weddings
Movement
The most freeing hemline — easiest for dancing, no train to manage
Trumpet
The mermaid's softer sibling — flaring from the mid-thigh
Trumpet and mermaid are often mistaken for each other, and it's easy to see why — both hug the body closely before flaring out. The difference is entirely in where that flare starts: a mermaid stays fitted all the way to the knee, while a trumpet begins its gentler, more gradual flare around mid-thigh. The result is nearly as curve-hugging, but with more room to walk, sit, and move through a long reception.
Flatters
Hourglass and pear shapes wanting definition with more ease
Best For
Brides who love the mermaid look but want more comfort
Movement
More forgiving and flexible than a true mermaid cut
Quick Reference
Comparing all six side by side, if you'd rather scan than read.
| Silhouette | Shape | Where it flares | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-Line | Fitted bodice, straight taper to hem | Gradually, from the waist | Almost any body or venue |
| Ball Gown | Fitted bodice, very full skirt | Dramatically, from the waist | Formal, grand venues |
| Mermaid | Fitted through hip and thigh | Sharply, at the knee | Curves, formal glamour |
| Sheath | Slim column, minimal shaping | Doesn't flare | Petite frames, destination weddings |
| Tea Length | Any skirt shape, shorter hem | Varies by skirt style | Vintage or casual weddings |
| Trumpet | Fitted through hip and upper thigh | Gradually, from mid-thigh | Curves, more ease of movement |
The Fitting Room Tells the Real Story
Come Feel the Difference in Person
Descriptions only get you so far — the same silhouette can feel completely different from one designer to the next. Book a fitting and try a few shapes side by side with our stylists.
Book Your FittingAlready browsing? Add your favourites to your try-on list from any dress page and bring the shortlist with you.