Here are some tips for finding the gown styles that will flatter your best features.

Necklines

The neckline on your gown is extremely important because a great deal of attention will be focused on your face throughout the day. The style of the neckline should draw attention to your face without being too distracting. Detail at the neckline will draw attention away from a thick waist for a more balanced appearance. If you have a long, lovely neck and well-defined clavicles and shoulders, look for an off-the-shoulder gown to highlight them.

Be very sure that the neckline fits well, resting comfortably on your skin without gaping. Test the fit by facing a mirror, then leaning forward. In general, more skin is revealed at evening affairs than at daytime ones. A deeply plunging neckline, for example, is appropriate for a dinner reception, while a jewel neckline makes more sense for a daytime wedding.

Sleeves

Wedding gowns are not subject to the rule "short sleeves in summer, long sleeves in winter." If you have toned, graceful arms, select a sleeveless or cap-sleeve style. If you have heavy arms, it's best to avoid tight-fitting lace sleeves; opt for a natural fit in a non-clingy fabric instead. Likewise, if you have wide shoulders, avoid sleeves with volume at the top.

When you try on a gown with sleeves, raise your arms above your head to check for tightness around the armholes. Small tears along the seams around your arms will grow throughout a day or evening of dancing and socializing. If you select a style that bares your elbows, be sure to exfoliate and moisturize regularly with a heavy-duty lotion and before the wedding.

Waistlines

With so much emphasis on physical fitness these days, it's no wonder the waistline has become a very important part of the wedding gown silhouette. In general, brides who would like to appear slimmer should look for gowns with a vertical slant at the waistline.

Silhouettes

The silhouette is the general shape of the gown. To determine which silhouettes flatter you and which ones don't, it's best to head for the fitting room. Certain silhouettes are difficult for many women to wear. The mermaid style, for example, looks best on someone who is tall and curvy, but because of its clingy style it doesn't really flatter any figure that is less than perfect. The sheath, which is usually less snug than the mermaid, is kinder to imperfect figures and flatters most body types. It's also a good choice for the short bride who wants to appear taller, because it creates a clean, horizontal line.

Dress lengths

The length of your wedding gown depends on the formality of your wedding. A floor-length gown is the most formal. Ballet and tea lengths are less formal, and especially appropriate for garden weddings. A street-length gown is also less formal than a floor- length gown, but stylish, and even short wedding gowns have been worn successfully at many elegant evening weddings.

Trains

The length of your train is directly proportional to the degree of formality of your wedding. But while a long train is not appropriate for an informal wedding, a short train can actually be worn at a formal affair.

If you select a dress with a train, be sure the gown has some type of bustle, or you will find your movement at the wedding reception rather restricted. A bustle secures the train in the back at your waistline with a drawstring, hooks and eyes, buttons or snaps for a gathered effect.

Bustle the gown at the shop, and move about the dressing room to be sure that the gown doesn't fall when you're moving - an unfortunate, but common, problem with bustles. If your gown has a built-in bustle, make sure you love the way it looks when it's up as much as you do when the train is down. If you don't like the appearance of a bustle but still want a train for your wedding ceremony, look for a gown with a detachable train.

Finally, keep in mind that it can take a good 20 minutes for someone to bustle your wedding gown (you won't be able to do this yourself.) It's best to have your mother or a bridesmaid practice the procedure before the wedding day.

Headpieces

How you look with your headpiece on is very important, considering your face will be photographed hundreds of times on your wedding day. Most importantly, the headpiece needs to fit firmly so it will stay in place all day long. Choose a style that works with your hair as well as with the shape of your face and the style of your gown.

It is often best to choose the headpiece at the same time as the gown so you can match shades of white exactly. Many gown manufacturers will design headpieces specifically to complement the gown.

Fabrics

The fabric of your wedding gown will dramatically affect its character. For example, a simple, off-the-shoulder gown made from organza has a summery, informal feeling, while the same gown in a heavy brocade is more formal. The choice of fabric will also greatly affect the price of the gown.

Wedding dress articles: