How To Look and Feel Your Best In A Mermaid Wedding Dress

We have to admit it, we love a mermaid wedding dress! We’re smitten. We’re obsessed. We adore every curve and line and train swoosh. There’s just nothing like this form-fitting silhouette to create a romantic and perfectly feminine aesthetic. You may be wondering: Am I destined for a mermaid gown? Does it suit my body shape? Is a fit-and-flare everything I could ever dream of for a luxe and glamorous bridal vibe? The answer is yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Every bride deserves a red-carpet moment on her best day ever, and we have the star-worthy gowns to make it happen. Keep scrolling for our top picks from our latest collections! 

Why Are Mermaid Wedding Dresses So Popular?

PC: Ralph Deal Photography

Mermaid wedding dresses are popular for so many reasons. They’re ultra-flattering with a sultry silhouette that brides have loved forever. They’re also versatile for different seasons, venues, and body types — a perfect addition to pretty much any bridal aesthetic since they can be simple, feature intricate beading, covered in lace, paired with sleeves… you name it!

How do mermaid wedding dresses work for different body shapes? These feminine, form-fitting silhouettes allow a bride’s natural beauty and stunning curves to shine through! For example:

• On a more petite bride, a full skirt can be overwhelming, whereas a slimmer fit lengthens and allows them to remain the jewel of the ensemble,
• On curvier brides, a mermaid wedding dress accentuates all your best qualities, hugging your beautifully lush assets for an ultra-feminine silhouette.
• Mermaid wedding dresses are also fantastic for balancing our your proportions, adding volume to the upper body, and defining your waist. They often feature feminine romantic elements like corsets, sweetheart necklines, and delicate drapery.

Sound like something you love? If you’re a bride looking to turn heads in a timeless gown that fits you like a glove, keep reading for all the info a bride could want and some fabulous mermaid wedding dress recommendations…

What Is The Difference Between A Mermaid And Fit-and-Flare Wedding Dress?

PC: Mia Vaccaro

Mermaid and fit-and-flare wedding dresses are both form-fitting styles with unique skirt treatments. (And there are also trumpet wedding gowns to consider.) The difference between the three styles is all in the location of the skirt flare, or where the most dramatic part of the silhouette is located on your frame. 

Consider What Makes A Mermaid Style Distinctive:

• The bodice is fitted with the skirt cut seam flare starting at or below the knee.
• With the longer fitted bodice, this creates an hourglass figure. It is meant to be snug from the bust down to below the hip and booty area.
• Most brides love this shape because it plays up their natural curves.
• If your height is more petite, pay attention to the break point or cut seam of the bodice to the skirt. Do this by standing and have the length folded up to visualize the finished length and ensure you aren’t cutting off most of the skirt. If there’s an issue, consider that trumpets and fit-and-flares could be more forgiving for petite brides.
• Consider the venue; if it is hot and humid, most mermaid styles might get too hot when wearing it all day/night.

For Fit-and-Flare Wedding Dresses, Consider These Differences:

• This style, the bodice is fitted with the skirt gradually flaring out just below the hip, or a little higher up on the thigh.
• A fit-and-flaree is a great option for the bride that would rather accentuate her bodice, especially her waist, rather than her hips.
• This is an extremely comfortable silhouette to wear at any time of the year, AKA super easy to walk and dance in.

And Finally, Here’s What Makes A Trumpet Wedding Dress:

• This silhouette is not too tight and not too loose, and for the most part can be just as comfortable as a fit and flare, but it also gives the bride more of an hourglass shape. Trumpet gowns are a great fusion of both styles that will allow movement in dancing while still showing off your curves.
• This style has the flare of the skirt starting a little bit lower than the fit and flare, around mid-thigh.
• This height of the flare helps to elongate the legs
• The trumpet style still has fit around the hip and booty area, but the skirt opens up just below that for easier range of motion. 

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Fitted Gown?

PC: Blink & Company Photo

If you’ve narrowed down the major considerations of wearing a form-fitting silhouette (think venue choice, season, and how much time you have before your wedding date), you’re ready to speak with your bridal stylist about the benefits and drawbacks of a mermaid bridal gown. Based on our expertise and bride reviews, these are the pros:

• A mermaid is a super flattering silhouette
• The silhouettes feature tons of options for necklines, bodice, fabric, and embellishment
• They’re elegant and timeless
• They help create the illusion of curves or play up your natural shape
• They’re adaptable to trends
• They typically feature supportive design elements for bust, booty, and hips
• They adds an element of drama, AKA they’re a more formal gown shape that you don’t typically wear for other occasions.
• They’re lighter than other silhouettes like A-lines or ballgowns

All things considered, however, there can be some cons to mermaid wedding dresses:

• The form-fitting design can constrict your movement
• Not all brides want to show off their figure, preferring more loose and layered styles like A-lines and sheaths.
• The silhouette may not be as princess-esque as you’re looking for. Other silhouettes like ballgowns are more traditionally regal.

How Do I Accessorize A Fitted Gown?

PC: Amaire & Co Photography

If you’re looking to accessorize your mermaid wedding dress, we have plenty of options here at Maggie Sottero! Here are a few categories and styles to explore:

• If you’re looking for veils, we have an assortment of beautiful options, such as our Harlem Veil and Avalon Veil. 
• In terms of bridal jackets and sleeves, consider adding something like Leilani Detachable Sleeves for sparkle, Marguerite Detachable Cap Sleeves if you love lace, or a Drew Marie Detachable Jacket featuring pearl accents. 
• Looking to add an extra layer of drama to your bridal look? Check out our bridal trains and skirts to see our glittering Anniston Lane Detachable Train and Frederique Detachable Train Extension.

Here’s a guide to accessorizing based on your wedding dress for more details on styling your bridal look, mermaid gown or otherwise.

What Body Shape Suits A Mermaid Wedding Dress?

PC: Rebekah Bowles Photography

Mermaid wedding dresses are for everyone! We’d encourage every bride to slip into a mermaid wedding dress at their bridal appointment… even if you’ve never considered it before. We’ve seen it time and time again with our bridal stylists and real brides: if you try something new on, you might fall in love with it!

In a mermaid wedding dress, there’s a little something for everyone. Whether you’re petite and looking for something lengthening that plays up your natural beauty, a curvy bride hoping to show off your fabulous femininity, or a tall bride hoping for something to up the romance and give you a soft, sultry look, you have it in a mermaid silhouette.

Worried a mermaid wedding dress won’t flatter your body type? Don’t let that stop you from exploring all your options! You might just be surprised by how fantastic you look and feel in these form-fitting designs. We believe every girl deserves to feel beautiful on her wedding day, but thanks to the endless bombardment of filtered social media posts and pesky advertising for unattainable beauty standards, it’s not often the case they realize that for themselves. We totally get that the thought of stepping into that first dress at your wedding dress appointment and not loving what you see is anxiety-inducing, but in reality, nothing is more beautiful than a bride who’s totally in love — with her fiancé and her wedding gown!

Long story short, you never know what’s waiting for you on the other side of your comfort zone! (It might just be your dream wedding dress.) And if you’d like extra tips for keeping up your body positivity during your bridal appointment, check out our blog!

Do Fitted Gowns Look Good On Plus Size Brides?

PC: Jack Taylor

Absolutely! A mermaid wedding dress is all about accentuating the curves, so if you’re a plus-size bride who is obsessed with your sultry figure (as you should be!), these gowns are perfect for you. They define your waist and highlight your stunning hips and bust with enough support to make sure you look picture-perfect on your big day.

Looking for a little more coverage, bling, or other dress modifications? Our Personalize It! program is just what you need. There is so much you can do to make your favorite Maggie Sottero mermaid wedding dress even more you, like adding sleeves and extra paneling for a little more coverage, or a train extension if you want to turn up the drama. Make sure to ask your stylist about what changes you can make to your favorite dress at your bridal appointment!

For our plus size brides who still aren’t sure about a mermaid silhouette, let’s talk about what we call the Maggie Magic! We design our gowns to flatter all figures, and our Maggie Magic ensures our wedding dresses are ultra supportive and flattering on every body type so every bride feel like her best self on her wedding day. We achieve this by offering enhanced support and shaping in the construction of your gown itself so you can look and feel flawless when you put it on without any additional shapewear.

PC: Meghan Egnatowicz

Here’s What Goes Into Making Our Maggie Magic Happen:

• Wedding gowns available in US sizes 0-28
• Dresses designed for women by women especially for real curves, booties, and busts
• Premium corsetry and built-in shapewear
• Specialized tailoring to support and enhance your figure
• Elongating silhouettes and flattering embellishments
• Small to XL bra cups in different colors to match skin tones
• Bodysuits and jersey lining
• Options with larger boning and lined bodices
• Options for raised front and back necklines
• Multiple strap length and width options

18 Stunning Mermaid Wedding Dresses For Curvy Brides

• Missy by Rebecca Ingram for a glam fusion of minimalism and luxury.

• Hilo by Maggie Sottero for a beautiful brocade and bodice treatment.

• Anita by Rebecca Ingram, for brides who love lace.

• Marsha by Rebecca Ingram, an effortlessly cool design.

• Vonae by Maggie Sottero makes a stunning statement in ruched satin.

• Goldie by Rebecca Ingram features extra support and sensual details in the bodice. 

• Annika by Sottero and Midgley is all about the unique neckline.

• Lennon by Maggie Sottero is a true red-carpet moment.

• Frederique by Maggie Sottero is dreamy, comfortable, and ultra-feminine.

• Fiona by Maggie Sottero makes a sexy and romantic statement.

• Anniston Lane by Maggie Sottero is deceptively simple and features unique accessories and sister variations.

• Bronson by Sottero and Midgley is boho bride’s dream come true.

• Positano by Sottero and Midgley is a stunning beaded design with vintage 1920s vibes.

• Norvinia Lane by Sottero and Midgley is a boudoir-inspired silhouette with sexy corset details in the bodice.

• Franklynn by Sottero and Midgley is relaxed and romantic, featuring layers of lace and illusion.

• Irivati by Sottero and Midgley plays up your curves with unique beading and long, lush lines.

• Josie by Rebecca Ingram is a perfect Old Hollywood callback with modern flair.

• Hattie by Rebecca Ingram is another luxe lace style with plenty of romantic flourishes.

Ready to take the next step and shop mermaid wedding dresses IRL? Head to an Authorized Retailer near you to experience the magic! As always, wishing you a beautiful celebration and happily-ever-after!

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