Often noted as the biggest day in someone’s life, a wedding is about sharing your love for someone else and having a huge party to celebrate this union. For women, finding the right dress can take months, and choosing a silhouette that flatters your shape isn’t as easy as some may think. This goes one step further if you want to accentuate your curves as you walk down the aisle. Looking sensual on your wedding day is a fine line to follow. Showing off a little skin while still exuding elegance and sophistication may seem like a challenge, but with so many styles and silhouettes, you’re sure to find something perfect for you. You’ve got an incredible figure; you may as well show it off. Plus, imagine how good the photos will look. In this guide, we explain the different types of wedding dresses that brides will simply adore.
1. Ball Gown
While ball gown wedding dresses are often associated with princesses, it doesn’t mean you must dress conservatively. These dresses feature embellished corsetry and sweeping full skirts, cinching in the waist and showcasing your gorgeous curves. Find a bridal gown with layers of tulle or a dress to achieve a fuller bottom half, or choose a skirt with a high slit that cascades around one of your thighs. As one of the biggest days of your life, you may as well go big or go home.
2. Mermaid Dress
The mermaid wedding dress silhouette is inherently a sexy style. The way that the fabric skims across the curves of the body makes for the perfect dress option, and you don’t need to show a lot of skin for it to feel seductive. Elements such as lace and silk will elevate the look, giving it a more elegant appeal while still showcasing your hourglass shape. A Bardot sleeve that accentuates your collarbones is an added touch that elongates your neck and creates a sexy feel and will look effortlessly gorgeous in photos for years to come.
3. Sheath Dress
Unlike the traditional mermaid silhouette, a sheath dress has a little less flare towards the bottom. While it still showcases your silhouette, it isn’t as provocative as its mermaid counterpart, meaning you have room to jazz it up a little if you wish. A plunging neckline, backless style, or touches of lace are excellent ways of adding some oomph to this style, and it’s often the most subtle features that have the biggest impact. Wear your hair up to show off your beautiful shoulders, or add spaghetti straps to show a bit of extra skin.
4. Empire Dress
Made popular during the Regency period of the 19th century, the Empire neckline remains a popular choice for brides today. Accentuating your curves and highlighting the bottom half of your bust line, it’s a great choice for those with a traditionally pear-shaped body type. This style has a fitted bodice ending just below the bust, creating a soft hourglass shape, which is a great option if you want to remain elegant on your wedding day while adding a touch of spice at the same time.
5. A-Line Dress
The A-line is a similar choice to the ballgown but without the over-the-top volume in the skirt. This choice is universally flattering and is a fantastic option if you plan to spend a lot of time on the dance floor. Thanks to their effortless beauty, you can choose various styles that suit your preferences, such as a sweetheart neckline, off-the-shoulder, or deep plunging front. Fabrics such as tulle are great if you want to emulate a princess feel or swap it out for silk for a more modern approach to the big day. For a sexier twist, find something that features a corset or lace-up back – it’s the small elements that can make a really big difference.
6. Short Dress
From the reception to the final look of the evening, a short wedding dress is becoming an increasingly popular option for brides on their big day. This leggy dress shows off your pins, but the classic elements of lace, white, or sparkles will still evoke bridal feelings. A popular option for the modern newlywed is a dress that is initially short but can feature a skirt overlay for the ceremony and first dance. Then, once you’re done, take it off and boogie up a storm. Alternatively, you can choose a tea-length dress, which hits just above the ankle, and opt for a sexy plunging neckline, delicate lace, or sheer chiffon.
7. High Low Dress
The high-low dress style has come in and out of fashion for many years, but if it’s done correctly, it can look timeless. The beauty behind this style is that you can show off a little skin, move around, and still have the princess-style gown flowing behind you. With dresses such as these, it’s important that you know where to draw the line – with your legs already on display, there’s no need to source an overly plunging neckline and feature cut-outs. But if there are, you’ll often find these combined with lace, mesh paneling, or crystal embellishments. Trust us when we say you’ll be dancing up a storm in these gorgeous dresses all night long.
8. Lace Dress
Lace is a very popular choice for your wedding day, and it’s easy to see why. This ultra-feminine lace wedding dress has been used for centuries but has truly become synonymous with someone’s walk down the aisle. While it has often been associated with more conservative styles, you can certainly make the delicate materials accentuate your curves for your big day. Opt for a sheer style on the bodice or down one leg to show some skin, or choose a body-skimming silhouette that hugs the body and let the fabric do the talking.
9. Bohemian Dress
The boho style has become one of the most popular choices for brides in recent years, and with the right styling, they can also be truly sexy. Not only is it elegant, but it also works well if you’re planning a wedding on the beach, in a garden, or even in a rustic setting. Find a bohemian wedding dress that features a nude underlay with soft, sheer lace on top – this gives the appearance of a nude illusion while keeping you covered up. Add some billowing sleeves or a plunging neckline for a dramatic feel. You could even try an off-the-shoulder element or sweetheart neckline for a more traditional feel. With a dress this stunning, you’re sure to be the most beautiful bride.
10. Casual Dress
It’s a common misconception that brides have to go all out to look and feel sexy on their wedding day, but this isn’t the case. Casual wedding dresses can offer just as much appeal as overly-embellished ones, and they’re easy to style. Opt for a sheath or A-line dress in soft chiffon or satin without any extra embellishments. For a sexy twist, find something that hugs your figure or features a low back. Soft elements such as jewelry are subtle ways to dress it up and enhance the bridal feel.
11. Long Sleeve Dress
Sexiness isn’t just about showing a lot of skin – some of the most appealing looks feature a dress that completely covers the body. These long sleeve wedding dresses cover the arms from top to bottom but feature a hint of sexiness with a low back or a high slit. If you want to take things one step further, add a plunging neckline. The sleeves you choose are a huge element to this gown – billowing sleeves with lots of volume are perfect if you want a princess feel. Popular choices include a sheer panel with lace applique, soft satin, or even feathers. If you want the sleeves to be the hero of this gown, keep the rest of the dress relatively simple.
12. Short Sleeve Dress
From the beach to a simple reception in a garden, short sleeve weddings dresses are the way to go. Covering only a small amount of your shoulders and showcasing your beautiful arms exudes sexiness, yet remains subtle and timeless. In recent years, the most popular choice for this style has been a lace underlay with soft chiffon or tulle skirt over the top, giving extra movement and volume for the moments when you want to have a boogie on the dancefloor. This is the perfect idea for a spring or summer wedding – you won’t overheat but you can still show off the stunning lace fabric in its glory.
13. Backless Dress
If you want to go sexy for your wedding, a backless dress is the best way to go. This ultra-sexy and feminine touch to the traditional wedding dress is a great way to show some skin and it is a timeless silhouette that is sure to turn heads. The beauty of this trend is that you’re in control of how low you want to go – you can dip to the middle of your back or have the fabric drop all the way down to the lower half, exposing the skin in a subtle and seductive way. Of course, you don’t have to showcase your skin entirely – a lace insert will make sure you feel secure and can add another complex element of sensuality.
14. Vintage Dress
Vintage wedding dresses last the test of time and will always be a beautiful choice for a bride. If you want to add a modern twist to this timeless style, add a hint of sexiness to bring it forward to the current day. These dresses exude elegance and sophistication, thanks to delicate lace, high necklines, and cinched-in waists, but it’s the subtle elements that transform it into a current classic. Something with a high slit on a single side of the skirt shows off a bit of leg and is great for dancing later in the evening. Alternatively, you can try a modest silhouette that covers your bust and arms but features a nude illusion underneath or a backless design to showcase your gorgeous figure.
15. Fitted Dress
A fitted wedding dress is instantly going to enhance your sex appeal. This body-skimming dress hugs the figure and accentuates your curves. Similar to mermaid and sheath styles, these dresses cling to the curves and flow outwards at the bottom, enhancing an hourglass shape and making for the perfect bridal gown. While this dress makes it a little harder to dance, it’s a wonderful option for photos or the reception, where you can run around effortlessly without tripping over a lot of tulle or lifting the skirt to move around. When choosing fabric, if you want a more streamlined effect, we recommend satin or silk that stays close to the skin. Lace is a great option, too, but be sure to get it properly fitted to avoid any ill-fitting folds or gaps in the fabric.
16. Elegant Dress
Just because you want to go sexy for your wedding day, doesn’t mean you can’t also exude elegance. These bridal gowns hug the figure and show off your curves but remain classy and sophisticated at the same time. If you want to show off your hourglass silhouette but want to avoid revealing too much skin, opt for a lace fit and flare dress with long sleeves – it will amplify your assets without drawing attention away from you. Alternatively, you can try a Bardot sleeve gown in satin or silk, with draped fabric around the midsection for a subtle nod to the ’50 and ’60s bombshell era. Of course, if you find something that blows you away but you want to keep it a bit more covered, make sure you tell the boutique or bridal salon what changes you want to make so it fits your dream goals.
17. White Dress
White wedding dresses are considered the standard for brides in Western countries. Still, they have only been this way since Queen Victoria’s big day in 1839, when she famously swayed from traditional purple gowns and opted for white instead. Today, this is one of the most commonly worn shades, meaning you can find myriad gowns in a wide range of styles that suit you best. These sexy gowns are great if you want to stick to the newly formed tradition or if you want to accentuate your glowing skin. Moreover, there isn’t a single shade of white to choose from. From bone to off-white, frost, porcelain, and pearl, there are so many tones that will compliment your skin tone perfectly.
18. Red Dress
In many traditions across Asia and India, red wedding dresses are the color to choose when getting married. While it’s not as popular in Western countries, many brides choose to wear this bold and beautiful color as they walk down the aisle. Associated with good luck, prosperity, and fertility, this shade offers a lifetime of happiness. It’s also a color most associated with seduction and romance, making it a great option if you want to exude sexiness on your big day. Find a silhouette that accentuates your curves, such as a mermaid or fit and flare, and let layers of tulle, satin, or lace cascade from the thighs or knees to create a stunning hourglass shape.
19. Black Dress
For a truly unique and extraordinary effect, a black wedding dress is a perfect option. Definitely not for the faint of heart, this shade is bold and sophisticated and looks incredibly sexy when done correctly. Unlike traditional dresses, it can be hard to find a black bridal gown that fits your requirements, so sometimes it’s best to look for a formal dress that offers the same elements you’re looking for and work from that. A mermaid silhouette or a fit and-flare style works best for a sexy feel, but you can also opt for an A-line or ball gown with a plunging neckline or slit on one side to show a little bit of skin. To remain in line with the bridal feel, keep the jewelry minimal but add some embellishments, such as sparkles or lace, to elevate the overall feel.
20. Silver Dress
Unlike a traditional white gown, a silver wedding dress is a great option if you want to stand out from everyone else on your big day. This shade is subtle and understated but looks incredibly elegant on the dancefloor and walking down the aisle. You can choose a gown that features other shades it, such as blush or a nude illusion underneath, for a more sexy feel. Alternatively, you can opt for a mermaid, trumpet, or fit-and-flare silhouette if you want to accentuate your curves and showcase a stunning figure. If you’re planning a low-key wedding, you can’t go wrong with a wrap dress that shows a hint of skin – it’s casual enough to dress up or down but still radiates feminine energy for a day you won’t forget.
Types of Wedding Dresses FAQs
What is the sexiest wedding dress?
There are many wedding dresses that accentuate your sensual side, and they don't have to always curve every curve of your body. Sexiness is subjective, but the most flattering styles for women on their wedding day are mermaid and fitted silhouettes. These hug each curve on the body, creating an hourglass shape effortlessly. Alternatively, you can try a sheath dress, which showcases your decolletage and shoulders - an equally sexy part of the body. At the end of the day, you feel sexiest when you're confident, so no matter what you wear, if you feel good, you'll look great!
How to choose a wedding dress for my body type?
It's important to know what body type you have before deciding on a wedding dress. If you have an hourglass shape, you can wear an A-line, ball gown, empire, sheath, and mermaid. Athletic body types look best in long-line dresses, such as A-line and sheath, but also look fantastic in a dramatic ballgown. For an inverted triangle - where your shoulders are wider than your hips - accentuate your hips in an A-line or ballgown. the same could be said for a pear shape, but you can also opt for an empire wast. Try the different silhouettes that you prefer - there's something there for everyone!
Alexandra Feiam is an experienced fashion writer who holds a degree in journalism. She has an impressive portfolio and expertise working as the Editor at Power Retail and Commercial Content Editor at Newscorp. Ally has been writing for The TrendSpotter since 2018, and her work has been featured in notable publications such as The Herald Sun, Arirang TV South Korea, Kidspot, The House of Wellness, and The Daily Telegraph.
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