Q. What's the different between the princess (does this look like a wide A-line, a ball gown, or neither?), A-line, ball gown, and sheath (are these always form-fitting?) silhouettes? What other styles are there? Am I forgetting something? I'm so confused!

A. Princess and A-line are virtually the same silhouette. Both have side seams that run vertically from the shoulder to the hem. A-line and princess shapes tend to be the most figure-friendly. Ball gowns are the most traditional wedding dress silhouettes. The bodice is fitted through the waist with a full skirt — think Cinderella (before midnight!). Slim, body-hugging shapes typify sheaths. And, yes, they are always form-fitting. The mermaid silhouette is similar to the sheath in that it is form-fitting, but the skirt flares out below the knee. And the one you forgot: the empire silhouette. It has a high waistline that sits right below the bust from which a slender skirt falls.

• Ball Gown

The ball gown has a fitted bodice and very full, bell-shaped skirt.

Good for: slim girls and pear shapes 

• A-Line

This style is cut close to the rib cage, but along the body it has a slightly flared A-shape skirt. It creats a smooth, clean, elongated line. A variation is the full (more flared) A-line. 

Good for: Most body types 

• Sheath

The sheath closely follows the curves of the body. It may be crisp and structured or slinky and sexy. 

Good for: the tall and thin; the slim and petite. 

• Mermaid

In this type of sheath, the skirt flares out below the knee. A variation is the trumpet, which flares out even more.

Good for: Brides, girls, ladies with curves they want to show off