11 Head-Turning Wedding Gowns That Show Off Your Best Feature

A quick course in asset management: When everyone’s gazing at you, accentuate the positive—that one feature you’re most proud of, whether it’s supple shoulders or legs for days. The return on investment? You’ll look great and feel amazing. All you need is a dress that will draw guests’ eyes straight to your strongest suit. That, and a little bit of swagger.

The Details: Amsale “Aida” gown, $4,950, amsale.com. Silvia Furmanovich “Shooting Star” earrings, 214-871-3600. Demner bangle, 646-226-8109.

Stars from Marilyn Monroe to Christina Hendricks have proven that a sinuous shape is worth celebrating. Follow their lead and bring some va-va-voom to your white-carpet moment. This corseted fit-and-flare goes in and out in all the right places—just like you. And its floral silk-jacquard fabric makes it as sophisticated as it is sultry.

The Details: Amsale “Aida” gown, $4,950, amsale.com.

From carrying a bouquet to hugging your nearest and dearest, your arms will get the happiest workout of your life on the big day. This sleeveless beaded sheath puts them front and center.

The Details: Lazaro ivory gown, #3514, price upon request, jlmcouture.com. Verdura “Tiara Feather” earrings, verdura.com. Sophie Bille Brahe “Deesse Blanc” arm cuff, $3,100, doverstreetmarket.com. Hemmerle bangle, fd-gallery.com. Fred Leighton ring, 212-288-1872. Melanie Georgacopoulos ring, melaniegeorgacopoulos.com.

The collared neckline of this embroidered-waist, full-skirted gown not only sweetly balances the daring open décolleté, it also draws attention up to your eyes—and highlights a radiant glow.

The Details: Angel Sanchez gown, NF1502, $5,390, Andrea’s for the Bride, 310-273-8160. Gioia earrings, 212-223-3146. Cartier diamond bracelet, cartier.us. Linhardt Design cuff, $2,100, linhardtdesign.com. Nina Runsdorf tassel ring, neimanmarcus.com. Eva Fehren “The Gatsby” ring, evafehren.com.

There’s no rule that says you have to cover up your legs for a walk down the aisle—especially if you’ve got the gams of a Rockette. Of course, this embroidered silk mini would also be a showstopping reception frock to twirl in for your first—and last—dance.

The Details: Temperley Bridal “Mulberry” dress, $3,995, temperleylondon.com. Jimmy Choo “Alana” sandals, $750, jimmychoo.com.

The chapel-length train on this strapless bustier gown starts in a strategic spot, ensuring that you’ll knock guests’ socks off coming and going.

The Details: J. Mendel “Adelaide” gown, $4,400, jmendel.com. Simon Alcantara “Vesica Pices” earrings, $4,950, simonalcantara.com. Forevermark ring, forevermark.com.

This gown’s beaded bodice and sweeping silk-organza skirt are brilliantly beautiful. Their stroke of genius: whittling a magnificent midsection even further with diagonal cutouts that point to the most petite part of your torso.

The Details: Anne Barge Black Label “Greer” gown, $6,590, Posh Bridal Couture, 952-249-8000. Silvia Furmanovich “Shooting Star” earrings, 214-871-3600.

If the word most often used to describe you is graceful, your spirit animal is the gazelle, and your fiancé says Audrey Hepburn movies remind him of you, chances are you’ve got a neck worth flaunting. We’ve found just the way to do it: a silk-brocade strapless gown and coordinating top with a high bateau collar.

The Details: Pronovias “Ceila” ball gown and topper, $3,970, 212-897-6393. James de Givenchy for Taffin “Fleur de Lis” earrings, 212-421-6222.

When you’re blessed with a long, lean shape, you can carry off a number of silhouettes. But this silk-chiffon sheath makes the most of such a figure, with ruching at the waist to create the illusion of curves, a modified V-neck to highlight a fetching collarbone, and a skirt that swishes around every last inch of leg.

The Details: Jenny Packham “Arabella” gown, $5,200, jennypackham.com. Sabine G. ear cuff set, fortyfiveten.com.

Your dad might need a place to rest his head when he gets misty during your dance. Your groom may want something to lean on if an inside joke makes him laugh during the toasts. Luckily, this crepe and lace gown leaves your shoulders open for business.

The Details: Lela Rose “The Orchard” sheath, $6,295, Ivory & White Bridal Boutique, 205-871-2888. Larkspur & Hawk earrings, $5,000, larkspurandhawk.com. Simon Alcantara necklace, $900, simonalcantara.com.

Your cleavage deserves to be immortalized by Erté in a painting that’s then hung in the Museum of Modern Art. What to wear for the portrait sitting? A beaded gown with lace sleeves and a plunging neckline.

The Details: Naeem Khan “Morocco” gown, $12,500, Bergdorf Goodman, 212-872-8957. Gioia “Wing” earrings, 212-223-3146.

It may just be the body part your guests stare at the most during your ceremony. All the more reason to give the back its moment in the spotlight (especially if yours is something to write home about). This fitted gown’s deep V-neck is replicated on the flip side, creating a fantastic frame.

The Details: Lihi Hod “Ruby Star” gown, $7,680, gabriellanewyork.com. Luis Morais hair crown, Just One Eye, 323-969-9129. Sabba ear clips, fd-gallery.com. 

Styled by Kate Berry. Market work by Colleen Banks, Talya Cousins, and Carrie Goldberg. Hair by Chichi Saito for Chanel Rouge Coco at Art Dept. Makeup by Paul Warren for Amika atArt Dept.