Wedding dress shopping can be overwhelming especially when you don’t know what you’re looking for.
To help you or someone you know narrow down the options, we tapped Israeli fashion designer Pnina Tornai.
Since 2005, Tornai has worked with Kleinfeld Bridal to help brides find their dream dress.
She also recently partnered with bridal retailer Azazie to curate her first-ever bridesmaid collection.
With over 20 years of experience, Tornai knows a thing or two about finding the perfect dress.
Below, Tornai shares her top tips for finding the best wedding dress for your body type.
What style is best for your body type?
I am a big believer that everyone should wear the style that makes them feel most beautiful! The only rule I believe in is to wear what you love. In terms of my personal taste, I love a fit-and-flare or mermaid silhouette on a curvy girl– I always put more fitted dresses on the curviest models in my runway shows. Show off those curves! If you have a more straight silhouette and you’re looking to emphasize your waistline, a ballgown or A-line cut would be perfect for that. For a slimmer bride, I love to show off a pair of long legs with a short dress or a slit.
What fabric is best for your body type?
Again, the best fabric is the one you love! It’s hard for me to choose, which is why I always include a wide variety of fabrics in all my collections. In my couture collections I use the most beautiful satins, mikado, tulle and organza as well as all different kinds of lace– Chantilly, Alençon, beaded and embroidered lace, sequin lace, and more.
Should you avoid any specific textures?
I don’t think anything should be avoided, whatever your body type. I always tell my brides that they should try on several different fabrics and silhouettes when shopping for their gowns, because I often meet brides who discover that the dress that makes them feel most beautiful is actually a totally different fabric or style from what they imagined for themselves before they started trying on dresses.
Do veils matter when styling a dress for your body type?
Not at all! There are so many different styles of veils and you can pair an over-the-top lace or crystal veil with a clean, minimalist satin or mikado gown, or you can go all out and match the lace and beading on your veil to the embellishment on your dress.
What are some tips and tricks for picking out the right dress for your body type?
Think about what you love about your body, and try dresses that will show that off. If you’re petite like me, a huge ball gown might overwhelm you, and a soft A-line will be more flattering. If you love your legs, don’t be afraid to wear a dress with a high slit! And if you like to feel a little sexy and show off your décolletage, a plunging V-neckline might be for you.
