Sexy Wedding Dress

• What Makes a Wedding Dress Sexy?
• A Striking Silhouette Is Key
• Define Your Figure With the Right Underwear
• Pick a Sexy Little Detail
• Accessories Can Be Sexy Too

What Makes a Wedding Dress Sexy?

Traditionally a sexy gown showed plenty of skin — plunging necklines, thigh-high slits, cut-outs and a skin-tight silhouette. A modern sexy dress might feature one or two of these bold elements, but rarely all of them.

Keeping something back — hinting at what's beneath — has always been the most powerful way to express sensuality. After a while of all-out skin, designers are crafting more demure takes on sexy that feel more wearable for many of today's brides.

Sexiness is subjective. If you dare to bare, embrace it — nobody should tell you otherwise. But if you'd rather not give that much away, here's how to do sexy and elegant.

A Striking Silhouette Is Key

A gown can read as sexy on silhouette alone, which makes it the best place to start. The ideal shape celebrates your natural curves, accentuates what you love and draws the eye away from what you don't — confidence, built in.

Sexy gowns typically hug the body. The classic example is the mermaid — sleek and tight over the body before flaring dramatically at the knee. Prefer something softer? An A-line hugs the top half then skims away for a graceful profile — a great base to add sensual details to. A sheath sits between the two, skimming the body and elongating the figure.

A curve-hugging mermaid silhouette is the timeless sexy bridal shape.

Whichever shape you choose, fit is everything — a sexy dress only works when it's tailored to you.

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Define Your Figure With the Right Underwear

Alongside silhouette, underwear plays a vital role in showcasing your curves. Well-fitting shapewear and thoughtfully chosen undergarments transform any gown and reinforce your confidence walking down the aisle. It's usually best to choose different pieces for the day and the night.

If your gown has a high slit or a plunging back, pick underwear that won't show. It can be tough to find the perfect piece — especially if you're curvy or have a larger bust — so talk to an alterations expert and an underwear specialist once you've chosen your dress. A proper fitting improves the look of your bust, eases aches and even improves your posture.

Pick a Sexy Little Detail

The trick to modern sexiness is hinting at sensuality — choose one area you love and show it off. Want to show your legs? A high skirt slit makes a statement. Love your back? Plunging V-necks and open backs are everywhere right now and add allure without revealing too much.

If showing skin isn't for you, illusion or sheer panels offer a hint of cleavage or back without flesh directly on show. For vintage styles, an embroidered neckline or artful beading keeps things tasteful. Balance is key: one detail too many and you'll leave jaws dropped for the wrong reason — highlight what you love, and leave the rest to the imagination.

Illusion panels add allure while keeping the look refined and tasteful.

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Accessories Can Be Sexy Too

Careful accessorizing is as much a part of sensual dressing as the dress itself. There are naturally sensual areas that the right piece showcases delicately — your neck, beautifully framed by a tasteful drop earring, or the inside of your wrist, highlighted with a slim bracelet or delicate chain.

A bride's décolletage is worth celebrating with a necklace that draws the eye without being overt — a long pendant or an exquisite design that coordinates with your gown. With the look decided, keep every fitting and detail organized with a free wedding checklist.

The right accessory frames a naturally sensual area — subtly and elegantly.