Brides considering a ball gown wedding dress should consider these six flattering styles. They vary in sleeves, neckline, and details, so you should find what would look best on you.
You’ll also know the history of the ball gown silhouette, the most popular style, what would flatter you best, and how to accessorize the ball gown wedding dress. And for comparison to other wedding dresses, you can refer to what are the different types of wedding dresses.
6 Flattering Ball Gown Wedding Dress Styles For Every Bride
Princess-style wedding ball gown
The most common wedding ball gown is the princess style, which you can easily distinguish from other wedding dresses because of its exaggerated skirt. Its poofy and full skirt will make any bride feel like a princess, and it’s also flattering because of the contrast with the fitted bodice that will create a cinched waist illusion.
The princess-style wedding ball gown can come with or without sleeves or straps or feature a V-neck or sweetheart neckline. It will also use a lightweight fabric like tulle, so the voluminous skirt won’t get too heavy to walk with.
Sweetheart neckline wedding ball gown
The sweetheart neckline that resembles the top of the heart is the most popular neckline in a ball gown wedding dress. Because of the double-scalloped edge, this wedding dress neckline is flattering for brides with full chests.
The sweetheart neckline typically doesn’t have straps, so it balances out the voluminous skirt of the ball gown. You can also include lace in the wedding dress bodice if the neckline shows too much skin.
Long-sleeved wedding ball gown
Ball gown wedding dresses are not limited to straps and sleeveless styles. You can also pick a long-sleeved wedding dress and a full skirt.
The sleeves are perfect for a cold wedding, but you can also choose illusion lace sleeves that create an “embroidered” tattoo look for the arms. This is also flattering for brides who want a slimmer look for their arms.
Off-shoulder wedding ball gown
Brides who can’t commit to losing sleeves or straps to their ball gown wedding dress can consider the flattering off-shoulder style. Off-shoulder wedding dresses come in different styles, such as incorporating ruffles, lace, or having the neckline shirred or with a band.
This romantic style is perfect for maintaining elegance while showcasing your neck and collarbones. And to create an hourglass silhouette, ensure the bodice’s waist is fitted, and the ball gown skirt is full.
Lace wedding ball gown
Incorporating lace into any wedding gown style is perfect for a delicate but sexy look. And the ball gown silhouette can have lace details on its corset to further elongate and slim down the bride’s waistline.
You can also have lace on the sleeves, neckline, or back of the wedding dress to show some skin elegantly. And depending on the type of lace you’re using for the wedding gown details, you can create different vibes, like vintage or romantic.
Embellished wedding ball gown
The princess look of the wedding ball gown can even be more glamorous with sparkly details and embellishments. Think of incorporating sequins, beads, and gemstones in the ball gown skirt or bodice.
Adding details to the ball gown wedding dress creates visual interest if the bride opts for a simple ball gown style. And, of course, pick your wedding jewelry to complement the embellishments you have on your wedding dress fabrics.
What Is The Ball Gown Silhouette?
From the name itself, the wedding ball gown silhouette is a wedding dress inspired by dresses worn at ball events. It is considered the most dramatic wedding dress silhouette because of the voluminous skirt that can make any bride feel and look like a princess.
It’s typically floor-length with a fitted bodice and full skirt, so it’s also a flattering silhouette with the illusion of the cinched waistline. In addition, it will hide the stomach and hip portions if the bride doesn’t want to highlight these areas.
You can also consider the wedding ball gown a leveled-up look from the A-line wedding dress. The latter also has a flaring skirt but uses less fabric for volume and can even be shorter.
What Is The History Of The Ball Gown Wedding Dress?
Ball gown wedding dresses became popular around the 1950s. This was when details like lace and other feminine elements also became apparent in bridal gowns.
The rise of princess-style wedding gowns from the media might’ve also influenced this trend in bridal fashion. And, of course, weddings are once-in-a-lifetime, and brides would want to wear something that will make them stand out on the aisle.
What Are The Different Types Of Ball Gown Wedding Dresses?
Ball gown wedding dresses come in different styles based on their fabrics, necklines, sleeves, or colors. Depending on the designer or bridal boutique, it should be easy to find various options for this silhouette, as many brides want the princess look for their big day.
Wedding ball gown necklines
- Sweetheart: flattering neckline to elongate the neck and showcase full chest
- Illusion: create a sexy look on your chest with details and embellishments
- Off the shoulder: flattering for brides with prominent collarbones
- Plunging: a sexy detail to add to the romantic ball gown silhouette
- Straight: often partnered with straps that flatter brides with broad shoulders
- High neck: provides ideal coverage, especially for cold weddings
Wedding ball gown sleeves
- Long sleeves: can be illusion sleeves or full sleeves for coverage and slimming down the arms
- Short sleeves: for brides that want to hide their underarms
- Spaghetti straps: can be partnered with different necklines
- Strapless: perfect for showcasing your neck, chest, and arms
- 3/4 sleeves: universally flattering as it highlights the smallest part of the arms
- Cap sleeves: perfect for the vintage ball gown look
- Halter: flatters the bride with broad shoulders and full chest
Wedding ball gown waistline
- Natural: showcases the bride’s hourglass silhouette
- Empire: hides the tummy area
- Drop: creates a vintage look that also showcases the bride’s curves
- Basque: slims down and lengthens the torso of the bride
Wedding ball gown back bodice
- Embellished illusion: add visual interest to the princess ball gown
- Plain illusion: shows skin without feeling too bare
- Low back: add sexiness to the romantic ball gown silhouette
- Keyhole: a trendy and flattering detail for any ball gown style and bride
Wedding ball gown fabrics
- Lace: can be used as details on the back, sleeves, or neckline
- Organza: popular ball gown fabric because it’s lightweight and can be layered comfortably
- Tulle: similar to organza, designers often use tulle on the ball gown skirt for volume and appeal
- Satin: perfect for an elegant ball gown that’s not reminiscent of prom dresses
Wedding ball gown colors
- White: classic and bridal color
- Ivory: a trendy alternative to white for the wedding dress
- Beige: flattering on brides with warm skin tones
- Pink: romantic color for the ball gown silhouette
- Black: perfect for the bold and gothic look
- Blue: royal color for the royal ball gown silhouette
- Red: sexy and confident ball gown style
- Purple: elegant color that represents royalty
What Is The Most Popular Style Of Ball Gown Wedding Dress?
The princess or fairytale style is the most popular look for ball gown wedding dresses. The full and voluminous skirt is already reminiscent of royalty and fantasy books, so most brides pick a ball gown style that would look like something a princess from a fairytale would wear.
Besides the poofy skirt, the princess ball gown might feature off-shoulder straps, a sweetheart neckline, sparkly details, or even a corset. However, there are also more mature ball gown wedding dresses made from satin, which do not have much beading and embellishments and would look like actresses would wear to a gala.
What Is The Difference Between A Ball Gown Wedding Dress And A Traditional Wedding Dress?
The difference between a traditional wedding dress and a wedding ball gown is the exaggerated and poofy skirt of the ball gown. A traditional wedding dress can feature an A-line silhouette with a flaring skirt but won’t use too many fabrics to create a voluminous skirt.
Some brides also imagine a traditional wedding dress as a simple white slit dress compared to the grand and glamorous princess style of wedding ball gowns. The ball gown has an exaggerated widening from the fitted bodice to the skirt, creating a pronounced cinched waist and dramatic movement from the skirt when the bride walks the aisle.
Because ball gowns are distinguished by their dramatic and exaggerated skirt, you can read what goes under a wedding dress to make it poofy. Brides might’ve chosen this silhouette because they want the princess look of the poofy skirt, but there’s so much more happening besides using fabric layers.
How Do I Choose The Right Ball Gown Wedding Dress For My Body Type?
Ball gowns are flattering on most brides because the cinched waist and poofy skirt create a cinched waist. The full skirt also hides the tummy, hips, and thighs if you find these areas of your body unflattering.
And depending on the designer, ball gowns come in different sleeves, straps, necklines, and even colors, so you can pick the style that would make your best features stand out and highlight your complexion. You can never go wrong with “universally-flattering” wedding dress details like long sleeves, sweetheart neckline, illusion back, and beige fabrics on your ball gown.
What body type looks good in a wedding ball gown?
Brides with a pear-shaped body type will look good in a ball gown because the silhouette creates a slimming look as it highlights the bride’s waist and minimize the hip. However, if you also have a rectangular body shape with similar width for the shoulders, waist, and hips, the full skirt of the ball gown will create a curvier figure.
And, of course, if you don’t want your tummy and rolls showing, the full skirt of the ball gown can hide them. You can even pick details like long sleeves to slim down your arms or showcase your bust with a plunging neckline on the ball gown.
Should you wear a ball gown for your wedding?
Which brides should avoid a ball gown? If you’re on the petite side, you might want to consider an A-line wedding dress instead, as the poofy ball gown skirt can drown you and make you look smaller.
If the top portion body is also fuller, the exaggerated skirt of the ball gown can make you look larger. The same goes for brides with an hourglass body because the silhouette adds extra weight to the hips.
To know more about the best silhouette, brides should know what style wedding dress for my body type.
What Is The Best Way To Accessorize A Ball Gown Wedding Dress?
What shoes do you wear with a bridal ball gown?
Brides typically pick kitten heels for their bridal shoes with their ball gowns for more comfortable walking. The big skirt can make each stride challenging, so you want to avoid very high heels.
You can even wear flats if it makes you more confident walking. But practicing with the shoes during wedding dress fitting will help gauge if you’re picking the right pair for your wedding.
What jewelry to wear with a bridal ball gown?
The style and color of the ball gown should help you decide on the jewelry to wear with it. In addition, you can use the details and embellishments on the ball gown as inspiration for your necklace and earrings.
If the ball gown is already extravagant, opt for a dainty and small necklace and earrings. But if it’s a solid-colored satin ball gown, you can have a statement necklace or earrings that complement your hairstyle and dress neckline.
And if you want more details to enhance your look for the party, here’s how to accessorize a wedding dress.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We hope you find the most flattering ball gown wedding dress from the six styles discussed.
The ball gown silhouette is perfect for you if you have a pear-shaped or rectangular body type because it’s slimming and creates curves. But for petite brides, those with hourglass body shapes, or larger upper bodies, you can consider the less exaggerated A-line wedding dress to flatter your bodies best.
You should also check the details of the dress to know what neckline or sleeves will showcase your beauty perfectly.