Bridal Gowns basics, silhouettes and necklines, which ones is good for CD/TG?

Hi all!

If there is any piece of clothing that screams femininity it is the bridal gown, and I admittedly have more than once dreamed of getting married while wearing one.  However shopping for them is time consuming, they are expensive, and there are many styles, so finding the right one can be overwhelming and very confusing.  I am here today to give a brief guide on the different styles of bridal gowns and which are best for crossdressers and transgenders.

Bridal gowns are classed on how they fit to the body and how the skirt is made, this is called the silhouette.  Understanding the different silhouettes is the first and most important step to understanding the different types of bridal gowns.

The first type of silhouette we will look at is the A-Line.  This type, as the name suggests, roughly looks like a capital A.  There isn't much fabric, so it flatters almost everyone.  This style is practically ideal if your hips are wider than your chest, but you don't want to call attention to them.  It also hides a belly well.  The empire style is very similar, but is fitted under the bust instead of lower down like the A-Line.

The next style I will cover is the ball gown, or princess style.  This is one of the most famous styles; if you have seen a Disney Princess or one of the older Barbie movies (yes there is such a thing), then you have seen this style.  Ball gowns hug the chest and waist, but not as close as other styles, before flaring outwards dramatically.  There is a lot of fabric, so be careful you don't tear the gown or catch your heels in the skirt!  This style flatters almost everyone, making it ideal for crossdressers and transgenders.  If you want to hide your bottom half this style is perfect.  Petite women should be wary however, as a ball gown can overwhelm their figure.  The major downside is that ball gowns are the most expensive bridal gowns silhouettes, as it requires the most time, as well as fabric to make.

Next is the Mermaid silhouette, this style hugs the body all the way to the knees and flares from there, giving the illusion of a tail.  This style is an attention grabber, you WILL be the center of attention, there are pretty big drawbacks however, this style is hard to walk in, if you have a little weight it will show so they look best on a woman who is very thin, and mermaid styles only look good on someone who is curvy, for those reasons I highly recommend crossdressers and transgenders avoid this style.

Trumpet styles are very similar to mermaids in that they are very form fitting, the key difference is that trumpets flare mid thigh, this makes trumpets easier to walk in.  However like their mermaid cousins, trumpet styles fit very close to the body, so they look best on women who are thin and curvy,  they also show any extra weight, so like mermaid styles, I highly recommend Crossdresser and Transgender women avoid this style.

Last but not lest is the sheath, which is a slim style that follows the body's natural shape.  This style is best for shorter women as it gives the illusion of height, it isn't as form fitting as a mermaid or trumpet style, but it does show extra weight, so heavier crossdressers and transgenders should avoid this style.

Another thing to consider is necklines, it is best to try one dresses/gowns with different types to see which one fits best, but in general the more fabric the neckline has, or the wider the straps, the better it will most likely be for those who use breast forms, as the extra fabric will help hold them in place.  Styles like the sweetheart necklines, which as the name suggests, the neckline of the dress looks like the top of a heart, usually comes without straps, if you use breast forms, be careful that they don't fall out if you choose a neckline like this.  Sweetheart necklines also draw attention to the bust and shoulders, so if you have broad shoulders, you might want to wear a shawl or scarf to downplay them.

Here are some general tips to follow when shopping for a ball gown.  First don't be afraid to call the bridal store you decide to shop at, most places will need business, but if for some reason they don't want to help you, go somewhere else.  It is also important to make sure the bridal store you choose doesn't require an appointment; however I highly recommend you make one regardless, as it will guarantee that there will be a  sales person who can devote all of their attention to you, as well as take proper measurements and time to find the perfect gown.  An hour and a half is the recommended appointment time.  You should also bring the shoes and if you use them, breast forms that you will be wearing, so you can be sure the gown you want fits everything, and also to make sure you can walk in the gown.

Also look at bridal magazines, they are full of the latest fashions and are full of pictures of bridal gowns of all types.  Looking through them will give you an idea of the type of gown you want to start with, which will help narrow down your choices before you get to the store.  The more research you do beforehand the easier it will be to find the gown of your dreams.

And there you have it, bridal gowns in a nutshell, a large and full of information nutshell.  It is my hope that I have made bridal gowns a little simpler and that if you desire, you will find the bridal gown of your dreams.