Whether you are a plus-size woman or woman who is model thin, you want to look your absolute best on your wedding day.  Therefore, it is important for you to select a style of wedding gown that will be the most flattering to your figure.  While there are certainly many styles and designs that a plus-size woman can pull off and look simply amazing, here are a few of the best choices for different body times.

The Hourglass

A woman with an hourglass figure is very curvaceous, which is why it is also referred to as the X shape.  For the plus-size woman with this shape, the goal is to accentuate the waist.  As such, ball gowns, a-lines, soft fabrics and sheaths are the best option.  Shorter women with an hourglass figure should avoid drawing too much attention to their waist, however, as this will make them appear even shorter.  Maintaining balance is important in order to prevent looking as if your body has been simply cut in half.  As such, shorter women with an hourglass figure should select gowns with vertical lines that slightly curve in toward the waist.

The Apple

The apple figure, which is also referred to as the O shape, is characterized by being narrower in the hips and larger above the waist.  The trick to flattering this shape is to avoid a dress with a horizontal waistline and to use vertical lines as much as possible.  Pleated material or any other material that gathers around the waist is generally unflattering, as it makes body appear larger than it actually is.  Two-piece gowns, on the other hand, are usually a good choice.  A straight skirt coupled with a tunic-style top is a good option, as are dresses with an empire waist or a-line dresses. 

The Rectangle

Often referred to as the I shape or the H shape, the rectangular shape is straight with few curves.  Therefore, the goal is to accentuate the waist in order to create a more curvaceous figure.  Fitted bodices are a good option, as are dresses with v-waists, slightly dropped waists, raised waists, a-lines, sheaths, and basque waists.  Horizontal waistlines, on the other hand, should be avoided. 

The Pear

The pear figure, which is also referred to as the A shape, is characterized by being wider on the bottom and narrower at the top.  Horizontal waistlines work well with this shape, as do fitted bodices.  V-shaped bodices are a good type of bodice to select, as they help make the body appear more elongated while making the skirt flow outward.  As a result, the hips do not appear to be quite as wide and brings more balance to the shape.  For this reason it is best to avoid dresses with straight skirts as well.  Many pear-shaped women also have slight shoulders, which means it is also a good idea to add shoulder pads to the dress.