Mermaid Wedding Dresses: 30 Styles + FAQs (2024)

FAQs

How many yards of fabric do I need for a mermaid dress? ›

An A-line gown typically requires 5-7 yards of fabric, but it will depend on the length of the train and your height and build. Ballroom gowns need 8-10 yards, while trumpet or mermaid gowns could use 4-6 yards.

Restrictive- The fitted silhouette of a mermaid wedding dress can be restrictive and may limit the bride's movement or ability to dance.

The mermaid dress gets its name from its characteristic flared-out bottom, which resembles a mermaid fin. This style is designed to accentuate the curves of the female body by hugging the waist and chest and flaring out at the bottom, creating an hourglass figure or a “mermaid silhouette.”

They Play up Natural Curves: Unlike ball gowns or A-lines, mermaid wedding dresses hug the chest and waist, which helps create an hourglass figure. Generally, the snug fit around the hips includes flattering tapering and ruching, and the fitted neckline complements the bust.

Mermaid Skirts

Just like its name states, it is like a mermaid's tail. In this, the waist area down to the knees is tight and fits snugly and from down there, it flares. Organza fabric and chiffon fabric are the most used fabrics for the flaring of the mermaid's tail skirts.

If you're in a fitted style wedding dress, such as a trumpet, mermaid or fit and flare, there's really no way for you to lift it up to use the restroom. Your best bet is to take off your wedding dress, use the bathroom, and put your wedding dress back on when you're done.

Trumpet and mermaid wedding dresses are often the hardest to bustle while still keeping the beautiful fitted form. For these types of gowns, we often recommend a french under-bustle, where we tuck fabric up and under.

In summary, mermaid wedding dresses may require a bit more effort to move comfortably in, but with proper preparation and practice, a bride can move around with ease and grace on her wedding day.

Since a mermaid gown is a sexier fit, wedding hair that reflects that will emphasize the overall look. A half-up, half-down 'do would pair perfectly with this silhouette.

What body type is best for mermaid dresses? ›

Hourglass-shaped bodies can usually find a flattering fit in almost any of the typical gown silhouettes, including mermaid, ballgown, A-line, sheath, and empire.

The fit of your mermaid dress is so important! The hips need to be tight enough to look good but still have enough ease to enable you to move freely and sit down. This is why during your fittings at Sass & Grace you will be asked to sit down, walk and generally move around to ensure you have the movement you need.

For those with an hourglass figure, a mermaid dress can accentuate and showcase their curves, creating a stunning, feminine silhouette. For those with a pear-shaped body, a mermaid dress can help balance out their proportions by adding volume to the upper body and creating a defined waist.

Mermaid dresses are elegant and sophisticated, and look and are made in all necklines as well. This style is especially flattering for brides with hourglass figures, as they accentuate the curves in all the right places. They can also help create the illusion of curves for brides with straighter body types.

Certain dress styles like the mermaid or trumpet shape can restrict you from getting down on the dancefloor. Fortunately, there are many other styles of wedding dresses that offer mobility and elegance, from flowy A-line dresses to breathtaking ballgowns.

Materials used: -1 1/2 yards of a basic cotton fabric (we wanted to keep the tail light weight) but if you want to go no-sew we suggest using 1 1/2 yards of felt.

Mermaid wedding dresses flare at or below the knee, making for an even more dramatic silhouette and highlighting the torso with a long bodice.

A 2-yard piece of fabric can be used to make a variety of dresses, though you may need to choose a style that's not too fabric-intensive.

If you're making a short dress with short sleeves for a child, 1 yard should be the right amount of fabric. For a longer adult-size dress with long sleeves you will need a minimum 2 to 3 yards of wide fabric.