Clinton News-Record, 1987-02-18, Page 32Page 8 Showcase '87
Choose a gown that complements your body type
You don't have to be clothes conscious
to recognize that yourwedding day is the
one time in your life when fashion
blunders are to be avoided at all cost. No
bride relishes the thought of poring over
her wedding album 10 years down the
road and realizing that her bridal gown
just "wasn't her."
Your dream wedding dress should be
one that flatters your figure. Many
brides take a body "inventory" during
engagement months. Set realistic goals;
if you want to lose weight, strive for an
attainable reduction with a healthy diet
and exercise plan. Don't order a size
smaller gown; schedule your last fitting
closer to the wedding.
Remember, overall body shape is ntt
likely to change that quickly. Work
around areas you're less than thrilled
with. Don't hide your body in a shapeless
style. Choose a gown with fashion points
that highlight your best features.
Worry about the frills later. The most
important consideration in choosing your
dress is that it complement your body
type. Much can be done through careful
selection of style and fabrics to cover up
what you yourself may perceive to be
physical imperfection, say experts.
The first rule, advises Franelda Gavas,'
a bridal buyer and consultant, is shop
alone. There is nothing worse that mak-
ing the rounds with a mother or friend
who may halt a passion for crinoline
skirts when sTcretly you yearn for a
slinky sheath dress.
Take alone light-colored hose and a
pair of shoes with heels of similiar height
to those to be worn on the wedding day.
Running shoes and black pantyhose just
don't cut it when going after a certain ef-
fect, Gavas says, but it's surprising just
how many brides-to-be try on gowns with
precisely that type of apparel.
Tall women
Tall women who want to minimize their
height should consider dresses featuring
the layered look, soft fullness in the skirt,
wide belts or slightly puffed sleeves.
Dresses that skim the ankle also cut
down on an overly long look.
Low necklines can also minimize
height, but should be avoided if the bride
has a very long neck or bony shoulders —
a sheer yoke is a better choice.
Short women
Shorter women should stay away from
huge trains, rows of ruffles around
hemlines and large-scale encrustations
across the bodice.
Instead, they should consider long rows
of covered buttons, long' slim sleeves,
perhaps coming to a lily -point on the
back of the hand, and vertical seaming or
decoration.
Heavier brides
Heavier brides should rule out clingy
fabrics, choosing instead a non -shiny
fabric with body. Soft satins and velvet
are not for them.
An A-line gown with matching coat
gives a flowing, elongated appearance to
a heavy figure by not focusing on one
area.
Bottom heavy women
A fuller "ballgown" skirt takes focus
off heavy legs, buttocks. Pair it with a
basque waist and pouf sleeves to balance
skirt, give a leaner look.
Hips can be played down with a gown
with a hemline slightly wi r than the
hips — a small frill aroundThe e hem can
work wonders. Try also to balance heavy
hips with shoulder detail and slightly
wider sleeves.
Top heavy women
Top-heavy women should draw atten-
tion away from the bust. Heavy en-
crustation of diamante on the bodice
should be avoided; vertical seaming, v -
necklines and sheer yokes that do not
plunge too low are better choices. And
skip a cinched waistline — choose one
that falls to a slight V -line.
A loose top woth Dolman sleeves, illu-
sion lace, conceals a large bosom. A nar-
row skirt has a slenderizing effect and
gives your gown shape.
Slender women
A billowing full skirt with a cinched
basque waist creates curves. A
sweetheart neck shapes bodice. Illusion
Turn to page 9
Whin the Occasion is
FORMA
r
You want to look your best
Mins
ME WEDDING PEOPLE
1 RENT 4 TUXEDOS
AND GET THE GROOM'S
TUXEDO AT
'/a Price J
The
Area's
Best
Prices
r RENT 6 TUXEDOS
AND GET THE GROOM'S
TUXEDO
Offer Good Only If Booke
Free
By March 31/87
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