When you think about that fairytale-type wedding dress, chances are you’re thinking of a ball gown. This style nips in strongly at the waist and then spills out with lots of fabric and volume from there and continues down the to the hemline.

“This style really does flatter and accommodate a variety of body types when it’s fitted properly. It can very fun and lively because the fabric is fluid and buoyant,” says Hilary Anderson, owner of Alta Moda Bridal Boutique. “Ball gowns are brilliant at defining a waist, can work if you’re petite, and it's a positive silhouette if you have a more athletic build. It can help create an hourglass shape.”

While it might seem like a ball gown would only fit a ballroom-style venue, that’s not necessarily true any more thanks to the fact that ball gowns have become a lot less rigid. “The tulle skirt has gotten softer so it’s supple in the hands and will flow with you,” says Anderson. “Thanks to the boho trend, designers have been applying that organic feel to a ballgown.”

You'll want to remember that because of all the extra fabric and fullness, a ball gown can pretty hot. So if you’re getting married outside in July in Florida, it might not be the most comfortable. “I think the girl who loves a ball gown is one of two people: either she’s been to a lot of occasions in a lot of dresses or she’s a girl who has dreamt of her wedding and wants to make a statement,” says Rachel Apple at The Bride Room.

Meet the players in the 2019 Bridal Bracket and vote for your chance to win your dream dress.

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