Wedding Dress Bodice Part II

Styles of Wedding Dress Bodice

As with any item of clothing, you will have different options to choose from. Some common styles of bodices can be found below:

Boned: A great fitted design for pulling in your waist and showing off your curves, this traditional bodice is similar to wearing an underwire bra and is supported using metal or hard plastic.
Corset: This tight design will definitely show off your waist and bust and can include some beautiful detail to its fabric. The standard design laces up at the back but this is one to watch for tightness when dressing.
Crumb Catcher: This bodice gives a layered look as a separate piece of material, either matching or contrasting, is spread across the top of the bodice. Larger busted Brides should remember that this will make your chest area stand out more.
Insert: Used for a V neckline bodice an 'insert' is placed within the V and is usually of a different design or fabric to the remainder of the bodice to allow it to stand out.
Keyhole: Similar to the insert bodice but with a smaller shape cut from the front. This is an excellent choice for those smaller busted Brides.
Overlay: Good for hiding the midriff area this bodice has another piece of material over the top.
Ruching: The material of this bodice is usually gathered up at the sides and can be all over the bodice or just one section of it. This is a good shape for those Brides who are trying to balance out a small bust and wide hips but possibly not a good look for anyone who is on the larger size in the bust and midriff area.

Any dress that is made up of two separate pieces will give emphasis to either the bust or waist depending on the style and a bodice designed dress can be adapted to suit petite, tall or curvy Brides. For women with a more athletic or slim shape this design is not always suitable but still worth trying it on to see if one can be adapted further.

Make Your Own Wedding Dress Bodice

bodice 2 For those Brides who feel a bit adventurous and want to attempt to make their own bodice rather than buy one, following are some tips to get you started.

Firstly, go out and try on a few designs before deciding which pattern you want to produce, do not just pick a pattern off the shelf before finding out if it is suited to your shape.
Measure yourself accurately (this might be easier for someone else to do) as you don't want to end up with a bodice that is too small for your figure.
Make sure that the material you have picked is suited to the design you like and double check if you will need to buy any ribbon, lace or any other decorative items.
Once you have found your pattern, ensure you have a good sewing machine, enough material for your size and of course make sure you get the correct fastening feature (i.e. eyelets or laces etc) as per your pattern.
Once all your pieces have been cut and sewn together you should then add the boning if required to ensure a good fit about your body. You can purchase pre-cut binding but this will prove more expensive.
Before adding the fastening features do a few practice runs on some excess material as this can sometimes prove tricky. Ensure your stitching is stable before trying on your finished product and lacing up.

If you like the look and feel of a bodice, why not make yours double sided with a different colour fabric so you can use it again after the wedding?

You have to of course love the style you have decided on but it is most important that it suits you so try on as many designs as you like. Dig deep and you will find that perfect stunning bodice that will bring a bit of class and sophistication to your wedding dress!