Wedding Dress Silhouettes for Every Style

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

If there's one dress you'll never forget, it's your wedding dress. Not only will it be what you're wearing while you make some unforgettable memories, but there will undoubtedly be countless photos immortalizing the occasion. Just like everything else pertaining to your big day, choosing a wedding dress is a very personal decision. You want to feel and look your best while showcasing your personal style for the monumental moment. There are an endless number of wedding dress styles to consider when you're tying the knot, so we've rounded up some of our favorites here to act as a guide. Below are some of the top wedding dress silhouettes and styles that have stood the test of time or are making waves with their fashion-forward sensibilities.

Lace

When it comes to wedding dress styles, it doesn't get more classic than lace. Coming in a variety of silhouettes, lace is a lovely fabrication that can be timeless and traditional but also fashion-forward. With the current "naked" dress trend having a moment with bridal style, lace provides the perfect sheer overlays to work the daring look on your big day.

Famous bride: Pernille Teisbaek

Slip

Slip wedding dresses are the epitome of effortless elegance. There's something inimitably relaxed about the hanging slinky silhouette and spaghetti straps that give the feel of a laid-back bride without compromising style. They're understated yet statement-making and let the bride's beauty be the star of the show. The look was popularized in the '90s but is just as refreshing today. 

Famous brides: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy; Cindy Crawford

Minimal

For brides who love streamlined, pared-back style, a minimal wedding dress boasting clean lines and a tailored cut is a beautiful choice. The look transcends passing trends and seasonal fashion sensibilities.

Famous bride:Riley Keough

Bohemian

For the boho bride, the wedding dress is the perfect opportunity to showcase their free-spirited style. Be it embroidered detailing, eyelet cutouts, or unconventional silhouettes, bohemian details make for a romantic wedding day look. 

Famous brides: Kate Moss; Bar Rafaeli

Jumpsuit

Jumpsuits are a decidedly modern spin on the traditional wedding dress. Available in a range of styles on their own, jumpsuits never fail to make a statement in a variety of cuts. 

Famous bride: Solange Knowles

Tea Length

A tea length dress is a pretty alternative to a full-length gown. They bring a vintage-like quality and daytime appeal befitting garden weddings and other alfresco settings.

Trumpet

Trumpet and mermaid silhouettes have long been popular choices for wedding dresses. With a trumpet gown, the flare begins at the mid-thigh, whereas with the mermaid it flares below the knee. 

Bell-Sleeve

Bell-sleeve detailing can bring either a bohemian or vintage feel—or both—to a wedding dress. There's something wonderfully retro about the dramatic sleeves, especially if the dress also sports a shorter hemline.

Column

A column wedding dress is a sophisticated silhouette that proves the idea that less is more. The sleek look is a fresh departure from the volume and decadence of some other wedding dress silhouettes.

Midi

Brides who prefer a no-fuss approach to their wedding style might find that a midi dress is right for them. In a variety of styles, a midi dress looks just as lovely as a full-length dress while being slightly more relaxed—and certainly more comfortable to move around in.

Dacy Knight
Weekend Editor
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