ELLIE SANDERSON, the multi-award winning Bridal Boutique owner talks about choosing the right wedding dress!

Making the right dress choice

It’s so important to choose a dress style that makes the most of your figure. Your height and your body shape are the key things that should influence your style of dress. The average British Woman is size 14 and more often than not slightly pear shaped and so when a bride goes shopping for the ‘Dress of her Life’ it is so very important that she tries on a number of dress shapes until she finds the one that makes her figure look as perfectly in proportioned as possible.

A few golden rules – Choosing the right shape

COLUMN LINE / FISHTAIL These two styles look terrific on girls that have a figure that is in good proportion all over. They are fairly unforgiving shapes so steer clear if your hips are bigger than your bust size (i.e. 12 bust on 16 hips) A-LINE This is probably the most popular dress shape as it’s brilliant on all figure types, fitted bodices are totally flattering on the bust and waist but the A LINE of the skirt falls away over the hips. Repeat after me – A LINE IS MY FRIEND, Trust me they are everyone’s friends. In silk, in Lace and in taffeta we love them. BALLGOWN This shape of gown is great on girls who have slim tops and bigger bottoms; they fit to the waist and have full circular skirts which exaggerate a small waist and hide a problem bottom! Sassi Holford is Queen of the English Ballgown, soft floating silk organza will ensure you float of puff of smoke down the aisle. A few golden rules – Choosing the right neckline SWEATHEART NECKLINES and SCOOP NECKLINES These necklines are great on small to medium busts and brilliant on petite girls as it opens up the décolletage making them look taller. All illusion of the eye, they are also so very flattering and terribly feminine. STRAIGHT NECKLINES Are perfect for bigger busted girls, without doubt it will help keep your bust contained and prevent you from looking too ‘booby’ on your big day. They are also great on medium sized busts. BACKLINES Backs are the new fronts without question – designers like Claire Pettibone have some incredible dress back detail, no wonder she is tipped to do Jennifer Aniston’s dress when she finally gets up the aisle! SHOULDERS / STRAPS / DETAILS Shoulders and straps are great on most girls except those with a very broad athletic frame as it can make you look broader. Shoulder straps can also make full busted girls feel more comfortable and supported. Little jackets can also change the neckline of a dress and hide arms if you feel uncomfortable exposing them, cap sleeves or longer length sleeves are possible for that extra bit of coverage and glamour. Also think about points of detail on a gown, they will draw people’s attention to that point, girls with a tiny waist and larger bust and hips look amazing with a flower or sparkles at the waist – drawing the eye to the waist and away from the bust and hips. Girls with a small bust look great in dresses with rushing on the bust and sparkles or flowers to make the bust look bigger and more in proportion. Petite girls look amazing in dresses with empire lines or sash detail to the waist, making them look taller and longer and pulling the eye to under the bust on the waist. Once you have chosen your dress there are a few final golden rules.

1. Wear a small heel even if you hate heels, your posture is so much better when you are tilted onto the ball of your foot, if heels are a no go zone, try wedges, trust me you look and feel more glam in a heel.
2. Choose great underwear, most well made dresses have corsets if yours doesn’t buy one. A corset helps you stay in place and look shapely all day, it also helps your posture.
3. And keep your undies nude – white or ivory can show, lots of lace and bows can show. Plain is best and save the fancy glam bits for the honey moon!

Whatever your shape you should make sure you go to a boutique that offers you a one to one consultation. Being told to pick 6 dresses and leaving you with a sea of dresses is not going to help you. At Ellie Sanderson you will be booked in for a 1½ hour consultation with one of my great girls who will guide you through all of the above and help you select the right dresses to try. You will be styled, spoiled and totally looked after. Finally once you have chosen a dress you will be invited back to a personalised styling appointment with one of our stylist who will help you with shoes, veils and accessories – we are a little bit crazy about the detail and love to make sure your look is perfect from your tiara to your toes!! We have two main shops, one in Beaconsfield, Bucks and the other in Oxford town centre and also a dedicated fittings and styling boutique ‘The Dressing Room’ in Beaconsfield with some of the UKs top labels like Jenny Packham, Sassi Holford to Suzanne Neville (who will both be on our stand at points over the National Show London weekend) mixed with world famous names like Augusta Jones and Claire Pettibone.   Call us today to book your appointment by visiting our website http://www.elliesanderson.co.uk/appointments or come and visit us on stand H60 at the Earls Court The National Wedding show   [vc_row][vc_column width="1/1"][slider animation="fade" slide_time="5000" slide_speed="650" slideshow="true"][slide style="width:600px !important;"][/slide][slide style="width:600px !important;"][/slide][/slider][/vc_column][/vc_row]