A perfect wedding gown is one that brings out your unique personality, a silhouette that highlights all your best assets, your face, d'collet' and waist.

Be stylish on your wedding day by showing off what you love, hiding what you don?t. You do this by drawing attention away from areas you feel less comfortable with, by creating other focal points.

Stylist Shereen Khan looks at which gowns flatter and enhance your figure with some simple guidelines to follow when shopping for your gown.

If you have:

• Hips wider than bust and shoulder (pear shape) 

Best silhouettes: empire cut A-line, ballerina dresses,  wrap, or anything nipped in at the waist. The trick is to draw attention to the upper torso with a cleavage, flowers or beading and ruching on the bodice.
Avoid: bias cut, straight cut and slinky dresses.

• Shoulders and bust wider than hips (inverted triangle)

Best silhouettes: strapless, shift, coat dresses, A-line with a lot of volume at the hem to balance your top half.  Keep it simple on the top and draw all the attention to your waist and hemline.
Avoid: halter necklines or straight cuts as they only  emphasise your wide torso.

• No waist (straight up and down)

Best silhouettes: wrap, strapless, round necks, halter, and heart shape necklines. Accentuate the waist with a belt, or accessory pinned off centre. Opt for curvy hem details on your dress and veil.
Avoid: straight skimming or bias cut dresses and too many straight lines.

• Hour glass

Best silhouette: bias cut, wrap, strapless or halter neck will flatter your curves and accentuate your waist.
Avoid: shapeless dresses.
Large bust
Best top: low V-neckline, wrap top as this cuts the area in half and draws the eye to your waist.
Avoid: high necklines, halter necks or sleeveless dresses. Too much detailing around the bust area like lace, beading, and ruching will add extra bulk.

• Small bust

Best tops: halter, deep plunging v-neck, boat, or high necklines and sleeveless.
Tip: add volume to your bodice by ruching, tucks, pleats or gathering. Another trick is to insert gel cushions inside your bra to lift and create a cleavage.
Avoid: empire lines, corseted tops, low round or scoop necklines.

• Big stomach

Best cut: empire line, fitted and tailored, ruched top or low waistline over the widest part of your belly. A great choice is to have a two-piece dress with a corset-like bodice or a small fitted jacket.
Tip: try a body slimming one-piece underwear to create a smooth line under your dress.
Avoid: bias and straight slinky dresses.
 

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