Read up on tips for how to select the best wedding colors for your special day.
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Colors and Shapes to Flatter Your Skin Tone and Figure
olive color skin, pale color skin, peach undertone, dark tone
If you’ve been trying on wedding gowns and can’t seem to find the right one for your figure and skin tone, you aren’t alone. There is a dizzying array of styles and shades that can make even the most dedicated bride-to-be throw up her hands in defeat. Understanding the basic wedding gown shapes as well as the most popular shades of white and ivory can help you quickly narrow down your gown choices to those that will be most flattering to your body type.
The traditional, pure white wedding gown is not the best choice for most women. This stark, bright white washes most women out or gives them a sallow look. If you are trying on pure white and feel like your complexion has lost its glow, try a few cream and off-white gowns. You may be surprised at the sudden warmth and healthy glow your skin wearing a shade that’s not-quite-white.
If you hire a fashion consultant or ask a wedding planner, consider asking one to help you select your wedding gown style and color. You may also want them to work with you on selecting wedding dresses for your bridesmaids. Take a good look at your skin tone under good lighting. The video above explains where and how to find your skin color undertones.
As a general rule, warm whites with a slightly yellow cast to them will give new life to very fair skin. The right shade for medium skin depends on whether the skin has an olive undertone or a pink undertone. Olive or sallow skin will look best in cool whites. These have a slight pink undertone that will give you a fresh, glowing look without emphasizing the sallowness of your skin. Look for gowns in shades like rum white, silk white, or champagne.
If you have pink or blue undertones, look for rich ivories and creamy whites with a yellow base. These will tone down any ruddiness in your skin and allow your peaches and cream complexion to glow without looking to red.
If you have dark skin, you can wear almost any shade, including stark white or bright white. Do be careful, however, that you choose a shade that will look its best with your skin at the right time of day for your wedding. Evening weddings mean lower light and lots of candles. A bright, stark white might look a bit too gaudy, since it can tend to look like it is glowing in low light.
Deciphering the Whites
There are as many names for white as there are bridal gowns. In recent years, the industry has tried to standardize the names to make it easier on brides. A few of the most common names are defined here.
Champagne White
Champagne white is a soft, off-white shade with a pink undertone. It’s very close to a pure white, but it adds warmth to sallow or olive skin. For an even deeper shade, look for Rum white. Champagne white is one of the most popular whites for wedding gowns because it flatters so many skin types and still looks traditional.Ivory
There are so many shades of ivory that the name means very little. Ivories range from pale, off-white shades to Antique Ivory, which is similar to genuine, aged ivory pieces. Antique Ivory will have a bit of yellow in it and is a darker shade, while Eggshell is one of the lighter shades of ivory.Candlelight
This is a richer, darker ivory that leans toward beige. This shade is sumptuous and regal and is particularly suited to evening weddings. It has a depth of color and warmth that makes it suitable to a wide range of skin types. Candlelight also tones down any tendency toward ruddiness.Ecru
The darkest shade that you’ll usually be able to find for a wedding gown is Ecru, which is almost tan. It is very similar in color to unbleached linen, which is where the name Ecru came from. Be very careful choosing this shade; if it is too close to the actual color of your skin, your gown and face could blend together too much and you will fade into the background. Ecru looks best on very fair or very dark skin; the mid-tones tend to be too close to the Ecru color.Bright White
This is the purest, brightest white you can find. This shade is so bright it almost lights up from within and can be gorgeous against dark skin or a deep tan. It does, however, tend to sap the color from women who have fair or medium skin.Understanding the Shapes of Gowns
Now that you understand color a bit more, take the time to consider the basic shapes of wedding gowns so that you can choose a dress that flatters your figure.Ball Gown
This is truly the fairytale version of a wedding gown. It is fitted on the upper body and has a full, bell shaped skirt that often features layers of tulle or a hoop so that the dress is as wide and swingy as possible. A ball gown can flatter a variety of figures if you choose the right one. Whether you are full figured, pear shaped or slender, a ball gown can look fabulous. If you are thin, keep the embellishments toned down so that the dress doesn’t overwhelm you. Even a petite bride can wear a ball gown as long as the skirt isn’t too heavy. Rich satins or heavy brocades can weight a petite figure down.A-Line
The classic A-line dress looks like it sounds – the dress will form an “A” shape that is almost universally flattering. An A-line dress will be fitted on the upper body with a skirt that flares out gently from the waist. It isn’t as full as a ball gown because it doesn’t have the multitude of gathers at the waist that a ball gown has. Almost any figure type can wear an A-line gown. Try several versions on to see whether you want a sweetheart neckline, a strapless version or one with long, fitted sleeves. The beauty of an A-line dress lies in its versatility – it looks wonderful with almost any neckline.Empire
Empire gowns generally have small, cap sleeves, but their defining feature is the waist, which is much higher than on other gowns. Rather than falling at your natural waistline, an Empire gown is fitted just under the bustline and then softly skims the rest of the body. Empire gowns are perfect for small busted women, as they draw the eye upward and give added definition to the bust. These gowns are also very attractive on women with little or no define waistline and on petite women. The long line from bust to the gown’s hem can add height to a woman with short legs or a short waist. Ladies with an hourglass figure may want to avoid this style, as the straight line from the bust may be snug over the hips.Sheath
Sheath dresses are cut close to the body all the way down, creating a smooth, elegant line that is particularly suited to an evening wedding. It has a sort of Hollywood glamour that is very much in demand for today’s brides. Many sheaths are made of material cut on the bias so that it drapes beautifully and clings to your curves. A sheath is lovely on a bride with an hourglass figure (as long as you aren’t too top-heavy) and adds a bit of feminine curve to thin or petite bride. Short-waisted or pear shaped brides should avoid sheath wedding gowns, as they will only emphasize these attributes.Mermaid
The mermaid gown is relatively new to the wedding scene but has become very popular for brides who want a contemporary or trendy style. These form-fitting gowns fit like a sheath to the knees, where the dress then flares out.If you have a great figure, a mermaid gown can certainly show it off. If you have a thick waist or are pear shaped, the mermaid style isn’t your best choice. Petite women can pull it off if the dress is relatively simple and if the flared ruffle at the bottom of the gown is properly proportioned.
You are the only one who can decide which gown is the perfect wedding dress for you, but the tips outlined above can help you narrow your search to the best colors and shapes for your figure.
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