Good news: Details, details!

Trendy shapes and accessories offer something for everyone.

If there is a single theme from this year's designer shows, it's the artful detail and its placement where it best suits the bride. A number of trends from previous years have persisted-mermaid skirts, ruffles, and bows, for example-but the addition of ribbons, flowers, painted details, and retro accessories open up a world of opportunities to create a fashion look that is all your own. Here are some hints to help you choose.

Inverted Triangle | Pear | Petite | Larger Figures

The inverted triangle

If your figure features more on the top than the bottom, you can minimize above and optimize below without camouflaging who you are. As long as your gown has been selected with the right style for your shape, go ahead and flaunt your bust: you are right in line with today's style.

Even so, a bare neckline is the best approach: don't complicate or disguise your line with distracting necklaces or scarves. Seek out a natural narrowing at the waist, and avoid loose or extra fabric (flounces, ruffles). Go for a fitted look.

Good looks:

Shaped gowns with a tailored waist
One-shouldered dresses, as long as the shoulder is wide enough to support the bust
Scoop or plunging necklines. They flatter the bust
A fitted gown that tapers at the waist and slims the hips and thighs
" Wrap" or crossover looks that fasten on one side at the waist
Heavier fabrics below the waist: they balance the upper and lower halves

Bad ideas:

• Drop waisted or unstructured dresses that hang straight down, adding unwanted heft below
• Pins, flowers, ruffles or colored accessories located at the bust
• Heavy or flashy fabrics above the waist
• Strapless or bustier tops
• Cowl or draped necklines

Where to accessorize:

• Broaches, flowers, flourishes, bows or colors placed at the waist or asymmetrically above a hip.
• A flower or a backpiece with an up-do works well.

The Pear

For most of human history, the pear-shaped body has been closely associated with femininity and glamour. If your body is curvy, play down what's below by playing up above.

Dresses that are gently shaped at the waist are most flattering. Details above the waist like stand-up collars, bows, ribbons, puffed sleeves, pins and scarves draw the eye upward.

Good looks:

• Trapeze or princess-line gowns with sleeves
• Covered or lightly padded shoulders, or puffed sleeves
• Bodices with wide necklines such as a scoop- or V-neck
• Softly fitted gowns that sit wide on the shoulders with long sleeves
• Drop-waisted gowns with the waist line falling at the top of your hip (no belts)
• Styles with accentuated collar and cuffs, contrasting details, etc.
• A luxurious, sequined or velvet structured jacket that covers the hips with a slim skirt
• Fabrics that flow rather than cling, including silk, chiffon or crepe de chine

Bad ideas:

• Dresses without padding in the shoulders
• Flimsy or knit fabrics
• Frills below the waist
• Tiered, sequined, layered or ruffled skirts
• Heavy or stiff fabric below the waist (i.e. taffeta, brocade, velvet)
• Halter or strapless bodices
• Clingy or tube gowns
• Wide belts

Where to accessorize:

• Broaches and choker-length jewelery at the neck, or pins at the shoulder
• A tiara or crown to accentuate the face
• Wrist corsages

Petites

Of all body types, petites are most flattered by the widest range of gown styles. Here are some hints for sorting through your many options. Be forewarned: for petites less is more, so watch out for excessive fabric, ornamentation, or accessories.

Good looks:

• High waisted or princess-line gowns with seam just below the bust
• Narrow, straight sheaths in a solid color
• Body clinging fit
• Fitted gowns with a short, decorative bolero jacket
• Strapless, halter or one-shouldered fitted gowns
• A short, single breasted evening jacket with a narrow skirt

Bad ideas:

• Gowns with different patterned sleeves, belts or collars
• Overwhelming fullness - puffed sleeves, full skirts and petticoats, for example
• Dropped waistlines 
• Too much decoration, like ruffles or tiered skirts
• Heavy fabrics like brocade, velvet or taffeta

Where to accessorize:

• Broaches, flowers, flourishes, bows or colors placed at or just below the bust
• Simple or translucent shawls and wraps soften strapless or halter looks

Larger Figures

Even if you are not a petite, don't cover your body with mounds of fabric. The right tailoring is both slimming and plays up your advantages.

You look your best in simple pieces made with luxurious fabrics, such as a silk sheath teamed with a satin jacket. At 6' and size 16, this was my look (and I'm proud of the photos).

This year's emphasis on the interesting detail is great for you. Create a slimmer line with a simple, single tone full-length gown and jewelry or an attractive accessory near the neck or shoulder. Your size gives you the opportunity to display larger and more interesting jewelry and accessories than your smaller sisters: this is an opportunity to shine!

Also consider a tailored gown with seams, buttons, or other details in a straight line all the way down the middle or to one side.

Good looks:

• Wrap gowns
• Scoop- or v-neck bodices
• Long sleeves
• Lightly structured shoulders (not puffed!)
• Solid colors or small patterns-the darker the better (bridal whites and ivories are not really best for us: consider the growing number of designers who create bridal fashions in bolder colors).
• Gowns with a matching or somewhat darker belt at the waist
• Soft fabrics that hold their shape
• Long sleeved, softly structured bodices paired with slim-line skirts in fluid fabrics

Bad:

• Short sleeves
• Tent dresses (are they good for anyone?)
• Gowns in clingy fabrics
• Strapless or sleeveless tops or dresses
• Princess or A-line dresses
• Batwing sleeves
• Big sleeves of any kind - a narrower sleeve minimizes size above the waist

Where to accessorize:

• Pins, flowers, flourishes, bows or colors placed at the shoulder
• Traditional necklaces and scarves lengthen your line
• Tiaras, hair ornaments, and up-dos call attention to your shoulders and face.