FAQ: What’s the Difference Between a Fit and Flare, Trumpet and Mermaid Wedding Dress?

We get this question a lot from brides who wonder which wedding dress style will look best on them. Recently Brides magazine answered this question with a great visual showing the difference between a fit and flare, trumpet, and mermaid wedding gown:

You can see that the difference between them is basically where it flares out from your body, either just past the hips, mid thigh, or around the knee. We tell our brides that mermaid wedding gowns place the most emphasis on the hips because they come back in at knee, so you’ll be showing off the full curve of your hips in this style. Brides that want to de-emphasize their hips will want to chose one of the other silhouettes.

We also often say that mermaid wedding gowns are the sexiest style because they show off your shape the most. As the article noted, they do restrict movement, making it difficult to walk or sit down. So if you’re looking for comfort over style, you might want to chose a trumpet or fit and flare.

If you love the dramatic flare at the bottom of the skirt, we recommend adding a slip or petticoat to give it more shape. The gowns on the left and right likely have them underneath as they look better on the runway and in photos with a petticoat. We carry specialized petticoats to wear under fitted gowns, so ask your stylist about this option.

Lately we’ve noticed an increase in requests for mermaid gowns, and we’re thrilled that our California and Arizona brides are exploring these options. We’ll be looking for more mermaid gowns at the upcoming bridal market next month!

Strut Bridal Salon specializes in plus size weddings dresses. We have the largest selection of wedding gowns in sizes 12+ for brides in Arizona and the Los Angeles area. Please call for your appointment!