Are you considering wearing an off the shoulder wedding dress? Choose from these seven flattering styles for every kind of bride.
We’ll also discuss how to pick the best off the shoulder wedding gown based on your body type so you can accentuate your best features. And, of course, you’ll know tips on picking the ideal undergarment and jewelry for this type of wedding dress.
Furthermore, we recommend reading what style wedding dress for my body type, so you’ll know what silhouette to pick with an off the shoulder style.
7 Flattering Off The Shoulder Wedding Dress Styles For Every Bride
Convertible straps off the shoulder wedding dress
You can pick dresses with convertible straps if you can’t decide on your off-the-shoulder wedding dress style. These styles can be worn off-shoulder, slightly higher on the arms, or even as straps over the shoulders.
Depending on the design, the straps can be manipulated to create a halter neckline. This would make a fantastic option for brides who want different looks from the wedding ceremony to the party reception.
Off the shoulder sweetheart neckline wedding gown
The sweetheart neckline is universally flattering on most brides and would create a romantic and elegant appeal for the off-shoulder style. This also makes a princess look if you pick a ball gown silhouette.
If you have a small bust, the sweetheart neckline should create curves and elongate your neck. You can even combine it with illusion off-the-shoulder sleeves for sparkle.
Off the shoulder plunging neckline wedding dress
For the bride who wants to feel and look sexy on her wedding day, you can pick an off the shoulder wedding gown with a plunging neckline. It can also have a lace insert for coverage and protection, especially when dancing at the reception party.
The plunging neckline combined with the off-the-shoulder style on a wedding dress will look great on dramatic silhouettes like ball gowns or mermaid dresses. You can also use detachable sleeves to elevate the sultry look.
Off the shoulder long sleeves wedding dress
An elegant long sleeve wedding dress that would look stunning for the modern and contemporary bride is with long sleeves. You can pick a satin gown in ivory for a simple but classy look.
Some brides also prefer sheer fabrics for their long sleeves. You can use tulle, crepe, or chiffon, which are comfortable for sleeves even at a hot wedding.
Off the shoulder princess wedding ball gown
Do you want to feel and look like a princess on your wedding day? Browse the boutique’s off-shoulder ball gown collection to find your dream style.
An off-the-shoulder detail will create a sweet look that highlights your neck and collarbones. It also balances the full skirt of the ball gown, so your silhouette looks more proportioned and slim.
Off the shoulder mermaid wedding dress
The mermaid wedding gown is the perfect silhouette for brides with curves or an hourglass body. The fit and flare shape will showcase the small waist and curves on the bust and hips, so why not take the style to the next level and pick a dress with an off-the-shoulder style?
You can use small off-the-shoulder straps made from the same material as the one on the wedding dress. Off-shoulder cowl sleeves also look more romantic and flattering than your usual ones in off-the-shoulder wedding dresses.
Off the shoulder short sheath wedding dress
Some brides prefer a simple short wedding dress like a short sheath one. But to make it look more special and bridal for the event, you can choose an off the shoulder sheath wedding dress.
The more stylish upper portion will balance the short length of the dress, and the fitted silhouette will also highlight your curves. Older brides can also be flattered by sheath dresses with ¾ sleeves and off-shoulder necklines because they look sophisticated and chic for mature women.
What Is The Difference Between An Off The Shoulder Wedding Dress And A Strapless Wedding Dress?
The main difference between an off-the-shoulder and a strapless wedding dress is the former can be considered strapless but with sleeves. On the other hand, a strapless wedding dress is always a style without sleeves.
The off the shoulder wedding dress still provide arm coverage
So if the bride wants to showcase her neck, chest, and collar bones without losing material on the arms, she can pick an off the shoulder wedding dress. Depending on the style of the off-shoulder gown, it can still feature long sleeves or have the straps slightly higher and just under the top of the shoulders.
She’ll still have some coverage on the arms, so the off the shoulder wedding gown can help slim down the arms or provide warmth for a cold wedding while highlighting the decolletage of the bride. And because there is still material on the arms, off-shoulder wedding dresses are easier to keep up with and do not put the bride at risk of accidentally showing her cleavage.
But when picking an off-shoulder wedding dress, it should fit like you’d want a dress without straps lying on the body. You can also read how to keep a strapless wedding dress up to avoid accidentally flashing guests.
What Is The Most Popular Style Of Off The Shoulder Wedding Dress?
The most popular off the shoulder wedding dresses are often seen in dramatic wedding gown styles like the ball gown and mermaid silhouette. The off-shoulder detail complements this silhouette because the designer can use long or short sleeves, so the overall style is balanced compared to removing the straps or sleeves that can make the upper body look flat in contrast to the flaring skirt.
Brides also love the off-shoulder detail with deep necklines like the V-neck and sweetheart neckline to showcase their bust or even add curves if they don’t have much volume in this region. And when it comes to the sleeves, off-the-shoulder wedding gowns usually feature a band with tulle across the chest, have the short sleeves styled into a cowl, use embellishments and details on the straps, or have ruffle straps.
You can also check boho and vintage wedding dresses, as these styles complement the off-shoulder detail.
What Style Of Off The Shoulder Wedding Dress Is Best For My Body Type?
Brides should consider the off-the-shoulder wedding dress’ neckline, sleeve, and silhouette to know which style will flatter them best. Familiarize yourself with your body shape as well to understand the points below:
Off The Shoulder Wedding Dress Neckline
Off the shoulder wedding dresses vary in neckline styles which flatter different kinds of brides. For example, a bride with an hourglass body shape typically has a full bust and can pick an off-shoulder wedding gown with a sweetheart or V-neckline, which are also flattering for brides with an inverted triangle body shape.
But for brides with apple shapes like round shoulders and full bust, a flattering neckline to find on an off-shoulder wedding dress would have a plunging or square neckline to balance the proportions. What about brides with rectangular body shapes?
Brides with rectangular body shapes should pick a neckline that will accentuate their curves, like an off-shoulder dress with a sweetheart or scoop neckline. And if you want to widen your shoulders with your pear shape, a boat neckline should be flattering.
Off The Shoulder Wedding Dress Sleeve
It’s pretty straightforward when picking a sleeve type for your off the shoulder wedding. Three-fourth sleeves are universally-flattering because they showcase the smallest portion of the arms.
Brides who want to slim down their arms can opt for illusion lace sleeves with their off-shoulder wedding dresses. On the other hand, short sleeves come in different styles and fit.
Some drape on the arms like the cowl-style, and others fit around the arms like a band. They can also be embellished or use the same details seen on the wedding dress.
Off The Shoulder Wedding Dress Silhouette
If you have the curvy hourglass silhouette, the best off-shoulder wedding dress style for you is the mermaid wedding gown. Its fitted bodice showcases the small waist, big bust, and wide hips, and you’ll create a sexy and sophisticated look with the off-shoulder style.
But if your hips are wider than the bust, you want an off the shoulder wedding dress with a fitted silhouette like the sheath. Then, brides with an apple shape or large busts and full torsos will look best in an off-shoulder A-line dress to create curves.
And finally, if your body is straight or the shoulders, waist, and hips are equally wide, you want flaring wedding dresses. You can combine different off-shoulder necklines in ball gowns or A-line wedding dresses.
Are Off The Shoulder Wedding Dresses Flattering?
Off the shoulder wedding dress: Who is it for?
Off the shoulder wedding dresses are flattering on most brides because the gowns can come in different necklines, sleeves, or length styles. But because the off-shoulder wedding dress shows the shoulders and collarbone of the bride, it’s especially flattering on full-chested to medium-sized busts.
Brides can also pick how much of the upper arm is covered to create a slimmer or longer illusion on their arms. But if you have full arms or broad shoulders, they’re likely to get very emphasized with the off the shoulder wedding dresses.
Off the shoulder wedding dress: Who is it not for?
Brides whose upper bodies are bigger than their lower bodies have a triangular shape. Therefore, you must avoid off-shoulder wedding gowns as they highlight the shoulders.
Instead, pick a wedding dress with a V-neckline or full straps to look more proportional. You can also balance out the lower body with a flaring wedding dress skirt.
What Do You Wear Under An Off-The-Shoulder Dress?
Strapless bra
Because the off-shoulder wedding gown shows the collarbone and shoulders, your bridal undergarment should also not show on these areas of the body. Therefore, you’ll need a strapless bra to support the bust without any strap showing over the shoulders.
Strapless bodysuit
But if you’re wearing an off-the-shoulder fitted silhouette like the mermaid wedding dress, you can smoothen the rolls and lumps on the bodice with a strapless bodysuit. There are styles with cups if you need support for your chest, especially in sweetheart neckline off the shoulder wedding dresses.
Adhesive bra or nipple pasties
But if the off-shoulder wedding gown has a see-through or low back, you can wear an adhesive bra to lift the chest or nipple pasties because they don’t have a band that will show at the back. They are also perfect if there are many illusion panels on the dress bodice.
Bandeau bra
And finally, if you don’t need an underwire or your wedding dress style is covered at the back, a comfortable undergarment is the seamless and padded bandeau bra. This is also useful, especially if the wedding is hot and adhesive silicone can feel awkward with sweat.
Ultimately, pick a seamless undergarment so lines won’t show, especially in thin wedding dress fabrics. You also want the right color of underwear, like nude or beige, for white wedding dresses to keep them from peeking through.
For other tips about these styles of dresses, read what to wear under a strapless wedding dress.
How Do You Style An Off-The-Shoulder Wedding Dress?
What are the best earrings for off the shoulder wedding dresses?
Stud earrings can be an option for brides wearing off-shoulder wedding dresses, as they likely will wear statement necklaces or have their hair down and voluminous to complement the bare neck. However, drop earrings will look stunning, especially with bare shoulders and the bride’s hair in an updo.
The edgy bride can also have her hair on the side and wear an ear climber that matches the embellishments on her wedding dress. Some climbers also have a dangling piece that would look fantastic with the off the shoulder wedding dress.
What are the best necklaces for off the shoulder wedding dresses?
Chokers are among the top jewelry recommended for the off-shoulder wedding dress. Depending on how grand or simple the gown looks, you can choose a gemstone statement choker or a simple bridal choker with lace.
But if you’re wearing a plunging or sweetheart neckline off-shoulder wedding gown, you should accessorize with a drop pendant or layered necklace to balance the space. Remember to use the other colors in your bridal look, so the jewelry is cohesive.
What are the best bracelets for off the shoulder wedding dresses?
The sleeve type of your off the shoulder wedding dress should help you choose the flattering bracelet. For example, short or three-fourth sleeves can be paired with statement bracelets to take up space.
On the other hand, a dainty bracelet or even not wearing one should be okay with long sleeves as the entire arm is covered. You don’t need to complete a jewelry set with your bridal look, especially if the dress has many lace details and embellishments.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We hope you find the most flattering off the shoulder wedding dress from these seven styles.
But the three main factors to consider are the dress neckline, sleeves, and silhouette, as they flatter different body types. And for brides with broad shoulders, you might want another wedding dress style, as the off shoulder dress can highlight the upper body.