How to Choose Sheath vs. A-Line Wedding Dresses

Sheath wedding dresses and a-line wedding dresses are both gorgeous silhouettes, but they are also vastly different! When it comes to sheath vs. a-line wedding dresses, how do you know which style is right for you? Sure, you could try on a bunch and see how you feel about them…or you can read on to learn more about each style, then decide before you ever plan your first dress fitting (saving lots of time to focus on the styles that will flatter you best)! Ready to read on? We agree, that’s a wise, time-saving decision! Let’s start by learning more about sheath wedding dressess.

What is a Sheath Wedding Dress?

Sheath wedding dresses flow straight down from bustline to hem without any kind of flare or cinching in of the fabric. The way the fabric just falls straight down can sometimes cause brides to mistake a sheath dress for a fitted style, but the curve-hugging effect changes depending on the wearer’s body type. Sheath wedding dresses show off your natural figure.

• Go for sheath wedding dresses if…you love your natural figure and perhaps wish to look a little taller. Sheath wedding dresses are favorites of brides with rectangular or hourglass body types or petite brides who want a style that can visually make them seem just a little bit taller. (For tips on identifying and shopping by your body type, be sure to check out the Avery Austin blog about choosing wedding dresses by body type!)
• Avoid sheath wedding dresses if…you prefer to camouflage or emphasize certain features. Sheath wedding dresses are most likely to show off your figure exactly as is, so you’ll want to check out other styles that highlight or draw attention away from parts of your figure. Also, if you’re craving a super curve-hugging style, a sheath wedding dress most likely won’t be the dramatic look you’re hoping for (not like a mermaid style, for example).

What is an A-Line Wedding Dress?

A-line wedding dresses feature fitted bodices and loose, flowing skirts. Sometimes only the bust is fitted above an empire waistline, but more commonly an a-line wedding dress is fitted down to the natural waistline. A ball gown wedding dress is a type of a-line gown with a very full skirt, instead of the loosely flowing style. A-line wedding dresses are incredibly popular because the design is universally flattering for every body type.

• Go for a-line wedding dresses if…you’re hoping for a flattering, well-balanced style that provides graceful movement and a comfortable fit. While they look great on anyone, no matter how curvy, petite, or tall, a-line wedding dresses are especially beneficial if you’re a busty bride hoping for a balanced silhouette or a bride looking to highlight (or create the look of) a small waist.
• Avoid a-line wedding dresses if…you’re craving a more fitted style through the hips to emphasize your curves. Depending on your body type, you should also be careful about the ball gown style of a-line wedding dresses. The ultra-voluminous skirts can overwhelm a petite bride’s figure but provide the perfect camouflage for a curvy pear-shaped figure. (For tips on figuring out and shopping by your body shape, take a look at the Avery Austin blog about choosing wedding dresses by body type!)

How to Choose a Wedding Dress Style

Now that you have a grasp for the style differences when it comes to sheath vs. a-line wedding dresses, how do you choose the best wedding dress style for you? First things first, if you immediately took a liking to the sheath or a-line wedding dress styles as you read about them above, then you know it’s worth trying on your favorite type when you go shopping!

Don’t fret if you still feel unsure about how sheath or a-line wedding dresses might fit you. If you don’t yet know your body type, then that’s a great place to start! Take a look at Avery Austin’s blog about body types to learn more about the most common ones and see which ones are most like your figure. There are even some great suggestions of wedding dress styles that suit each body type! Of course, there are many more to consider besides sheath and a-line wedding dresses, so if you come across some wedding dress styles that you’re less familiar with, we’ve got a blog for that too! Check out Avery Austin’s guide to the different wedding dress styles to learn more about the types of styles that you learned best suit your body type.

Once you have a few wedding dress styles that you’d like to try, then it’s time to shop! Schedule an appointment at your local bridal shop or skip the commute entirely and try on wedding dresses from the comfort of your own home with Avery Austin’s Try at Home Program. Chances are you’ll find “the one” among the wedding dress styles that are most flattering for your body type, but remember that you, the bride, know best! Trust your gut and go with what you love above all else; after all, it’s your big day!