In the latest issue of Modern Wedding Magazine, we step beyond the traditional approach to wedding dress silhouettes. As part of the bridal fashion editorial (starting page 166), we share tips on how brides can personalise the ballgown, trumpet, empire line, A-line, fishtail and bridal separate silhouettes. The shape of your bridal gown is one of the most important things to consider, so to help brides understand and get inspired for their own gown, we share some of our favourite dresses in each silhouette!

B A L L G O W N

The ballgown silhouette has come to epitomise timeless bridal style. It was popularised by Queen Victoria and features a fitted bodice that is cinched through the bust, ribs and waist, before billowing into a full ballgown skirt over tulle petticoats. This elegant silhouette enhances most figures and often features a lace or embellished bodice.

Gowns: 1-4. Essense of Australia / 2. Pronovias Dreams Collection / 3. Kenneth Winston 2016 / 5. Sareh Nouri Fall 2016 / ps. See more gowns from each collection at the links!

T R U M P E T

A romantic, form-fitting style, the trumpet silhouette takes shape with a close-fitting bodice that skims the body, is fitted through the hips and then flares gracefully into a soft, oh-so-elegant trumpet shaped skirt, which is much more gradual than that of the dramatic fishtail style.

Gowns: 1. Julie Vino available at Peter Trends / 2. Pronovias Collection / 3-4. Essense of Australia /5. Sareh Nouri Fall 2016

E M P I R E

The slender line of this silhouette is characterised by a high waist and short bodice, with the skirt beginning directly under the bust line. Sometimes commonly referred to as a 'baby doll' silhouette or dress, this style focuses on a light, flowing skirt.

Gowns: 1-3. Grace Loves Lace / 2-5. Love Marie x Truvelle / 4. Emanuella by Peter Trends

A - L I N E

Also known as a 'fit and flare' style, this silhouette is extremely figure-flattering, especially for brides wishing to minimise their hips and thighs. As the name suggests, the A-line gown forms a triangular shape featuring a fitted bodice flowing into a widening skirt, which sweeps out gradually from the natural waist.

Gowns: 1. Love Marley / 2-5. Enzoani / 3. Watters / 4. Kenneth Winston 2016

F I S H T A I L

The fishtail or mermaid, silhouette boasts a tight fitting, sculpted bodice that traces the contours of the body and then flares dramatically into a widening skirt. This style often features a heavily embellished bodice with a voluminous skirt created through the layering of petticoats and fabric.

Gowns: 1-5. Essense of Australia / 2. Martina Liana / 3. Julie Vino available at Peter Trends / 4. Brides of Beecroft

S E P A R A T E S

Bridal separates have only recently come into their own as a bona fide gown style, and tend to consist of either a top and skirt combination or an underlay and overlay mix. Each piece is sold separately, giving the bride a multitude of extra options. With so many different pieces available, you'll see a wide variety of fabrics, embellishments and finishes.

Gowns: 1. Love Marie x Truvelle / 2. Grace Loves Lace / 3-4. Karen Willis Holmes / 5. Watters

Find more gowns collection by browsing all the new wedding dress collections here. Don't forget to get in touch with the designers and retailers if you find something you like and grab a copy of Modern Wedding Magazine - The Engagement Issue - for more essential wedding style tips!

MW x

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Illustrations Alexandra Nea