Introduction

Choosing the perfect long sleeve white wedding dress can be an overwhelming task, considering the plethora of styles, fabrics, and fits available. Using the body shape as a guiding factor, one can explore various dress silhouettes that can accentuate their beauty. This article provides a detailed guide on how to choose the perfect long sleeve white wedding dress for your special day, beginning with understanding your body shape, exploring different styles and fabrics, and finally fitting and adjusting the chosen dress.

Understanding Your Body Shape

The first step to shopping for wedding dresses is figuring out which of the five basic body types resembles your own. Body shape is determined by the proportions of your shoulders/bust, waist, and hips — not by your height, weight, or age. Here is a brief breakdown: If your bust and hips are roughly the same width, and your waist is smaller, you are an hourglass. If your bust and hips are roughly the same width, and your waist is larger, you are an apple. If your bust, waist, and hips are all roughly equal in width, you are a rectangle. If your bust is wider than both your waist and hips, you’re an inverted triangle. If your hip are wider than both your waist and bust, you’re a pear. Different wedding dress silhouettes accentuate different parts of the body, and shopping with your body type in mind can help ensure that the dress you choose will help you look your best.

Considering Different Styles of Long Sleeve White Wedding Dresses

Long sleeves are newly fashionable. These divine styles cover your arms and back on floral lace and embroidery, creating a feminine ‘illusion effect’. Choose from full-skirted princess style wedding dresses to slender mermaid silhouettes that make the most of your precious curves. Some dresses include iconic A-line, mermaid crepe, and tulle designs, all with elegant long sleeves. Different necklines offer additional style variations, including V-neck, square, and bateau options.

Fit and Flare

Fit and flare wedding dresses accentuate your curves, while allowing room for dancing the night away. From this extensive selection you will find sweetheart necklines, high neck, off shoulder, strapless, and other necklines that are uniquely you. Whether you are looking for perfectly cut satin, flowing chiffon or elegantly draped tulle, your silhouette will look amazing in one of these fit and flare wedding dresses. A fit and flare styles wedding dress is form fitting around your bodice and flares out below your hips.

Ball Gown

It's no coincidence every princess you've ever read about got married in a beautiful ball gown wedding dress. This elegant bridal design instantly makes you feel gorgeous and flatters your unique shape in all the right places. Slip into a pretty ballroom dress and marvel at the stunning hourglass shape you'll get with one simple tug of a zipper. Fitted throughout the bodice, these ball gowns flourish into a princess-worthy skirt of sumptuous fabric. Choose from materials like tulle and satin that lend a fancy touch to any wedding dress. For an even greater fairy tale ending, indulge in cute embellishments, like crystals and rhinestones, and elevate your elegant bridal ball gown to the next level.

Empire Waist

Empire silhouette or Empire waist is a style in clothing where the dress has a fitted bodice ending just below the bust, creating a high-waisted appearance, and a gathered skirt which is long and loosely fitting but skims the body rather than being supported by voluminous petticoats. This outline is flattering to pear shapes wanting to disguise the stomach area or emphasize the bust. The style originated in the late 18th century, the term Empire silhouette arose in the early 20th-century Britain to refer to the period of the First French Empire. The style was influential in popularizing the overall style around Europe.

Sheath

Browse a beautiful selection of white sheath dresses. There's so much to love about a simple sheath wedding dress from our inexpensive collection. This elegant bridal gown style loosely skims over your body without losing the defining curves of your shape. The result is a full-on sexy wedding outfit. Aside from its ability to highlight all your unique features, a sheath style dress is a stellar bridal choice for its always-on-trend tailoring. This column gown design feels ultra-chic in nearly any fabric, from chiffon to satin, and looks fresh with edgy accents, like cut-outs and illusion paneling. Put your unique twist on a simple sheath with elegant embellishments. Play around with romantic embroidery, high-shine rhinestones and luxe beading to build your dream column bridal dress. We carry a range of sheath wedding gowns with design details to suit any bride's style.

The Choice of Fabric

Your gown decision may be easier to make once you have a basic understanding of wedding dress fabrics and when they should be worn. Not all wedding dress fabrics are created equally, especially when it comes to seasonality. For instance, a heavy satin dress remains an uncomfortable summertime choice, just as a cotton sundress may seem out of place at an autumnal ballroom reception. It's the style and silhouette of the gown that will ultimately dictate the fabric direction. Some materials are better suited for structured designs, others are great for flowing, light looks, and others for larger-than-life ball gowns.

Lace

Lace is an openwork fabric whose very fine stitches form decorative patterns and is renowned the world over for being a couture, luxury fabric choice which is why it appears so much in bridal collections. It is believed that lace would have seen the light of day in the region of Venice, almost five hundred years ago. It is still widely used in women's fashion in addition to bridal today. Intended for a multitude of uses both in haute couture and mainstream fashion and accessories, lace is timeless, refined and elegant. At Bridal Fabrics, we have made bridal lace our specialty.

Chiffon

Chiffon - This fabric can be made from silk, polyester, nylon, or rayon threads. Chiffon is sheer, matte and lightweight, which makes it great for weddings in warmer months and when travel is necessary. It is most often seen in sheath style gowns because it is great for draping but not for structure. The feel of this fabric is very soft and flowy. Chiffon is often used for summer and outdoor weddings due to the fact that the material will help keep you cool and because it’s flowy nature feels appropriate for an outdoor setting.

Satin

Create an elegant bridal ensemble with a satin wedding gown from David's. Explore fitted mermaid styles for a modern figure, or play with full-bodied skirt drama for a touch of classic romance. Simple and timeless, satin wedding dresses create a graceful fit that flatters every figure. Play with a classic ball gown for traditional romance, or go for an updated modern look with a sleek mermaid silhouette. These stunning satin wedding dresses help you effortlessly float down the aisle in style. Light up the venue in a silky satin wedding dress designed with classic white or ivory hues. The versatile fabric is perfect for both traditional and modern styles, with structure and drama that fits any dreamy bridal look.

Tulle

Tulles are a lightweight and extremely fine net, often starched to produce different degrees of stiffness or drape, and can be made from nylon, rayon or silk. Originating from Tulle city in Southern France, tulles accentuate a fuller skirt providing a floaty look for it's lightweight compared to layers of fabric. Used for wedding veils, gowns, under or over layers for skirts. Embellishments such as glitter and diamantes add charm to it. It can offer a variety of look depending on its weight and stiffness.

Trying and Fitting the Chosen Dress

You made it through the hours of scrolling through Instagram in search of the perfect wedding dress, countless fittings, and dress alterations. Now the day is finally here. After hours of making sure your hair and makeup are just right, it’s now time to grab your girls and put the dress on. Like most brides-to-be, you’ve most likely rehearsed this moment. You’ve seen the dress on, your bridesmaids helping you zip it, and pulling your train out from underneath of your dress. And then it doesn’t fit. The experts are here to help! Whether your dress isn’t fitting, because of some unexpected weight loss, or bloat, see what bridal experts recommend if you find your dress not fitting on your wedding day. They advise not to panic and to try it on for a while so your body gets used to the garment, then it may zip up easier.

Final Checks and Adjustments

When the day of your final fitting arrives, ask your maid of honor to come along so they can learn about your gown. Does it need bustling? Ask the salesperson to teach them how to do it. Does it have complicated straps or buttons? Make sure they learn how to work them before the wedding day. Also, now's the time to find out how to get rid of last-minute wrinkles. Should you use an iron? On what setting? Is steaming a better option? And what if you spill something on the gown? Are there certain products you should and shouldn't use?

Conclusion

Choosing a wedding dress is a delightful journey that can also be stressful. One must consider their body shape, fabric preferences, and desired dress silhouette to find the perfect gown. This article offers thorough guidance on selecting the ideal long sleeve white wedding dress and carrying out the final checks and adjustments. Remember the dress should not only make you look stunning but also feel fabulous, ensuring you relish every bit of your special day.