What to Wear Under a Wedding Dress

After all the time, money, devotion, and obsession you’ve spent on your dream dress, are you planning to pair it with your everyday bra and panties? For a dress so elegant, most brides seek undergarments to enhance the silhouette of the dress and their figure, as well as ensure ultimate comfort on their special day.

Finding the perfect undergarment to complement your wedding dress can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve listed some of the most common types of undergarments for wedding dresses, how they can provide support, and what to consider when choosing the right one for you. 

5 Common Types of Undergarments for Wedding Dresses

We all have differing body types; therefore, various styles of undergarments exist, each addressing different concerns. Below are some of the most common you’ll find if you choose to wear undergarments under your wedding dress on the big day:

1. Bodysuits

Bodysuits are one of the most common styles of wedding undergarments. They are so popular and versatile that some women wear them as part of their finished outfit. Providing full coverage from the bust down to the hips, bodysuits create a smooth silhouette that helps hide any lines or bulges. 

Since this type of undergarment is so popular, you can find bodysuits in all types of styles and designs to suit different dress silhouettes. Whether you have a strapless, backless, or plunging neckline, there’s a bodysuit out there that will compliment it seamlessly.

2. Corsets

For the brides who are longing for that perfect hourglass shape, corsets will become your best friend. Corsets are known for their ability to cinch the waist, creating an hourglass silhouette. This is to enhance your natural curves, providing a flattering shape underneath your wedding dress. 

Additionally, corsets provide ample support and lift to the chest area for those with bigger busts who might need extra support in that area. A corset can also significantly improve your posture, helping you stand straight and tall for pictures on your big day.

3. Strapless Bra Options

Strapless bras are ideal for strapless, off-the-shoulder, or thin-strapped dresses. They offer support without the need for shoulder strap eyesores. 

For deep plunging necklines, adhesive bras or “sticky bras” work well to provide shape to the breast while looking invisible everywhere else, resulting in a seamless and polished look. Adhesive bras are a popular option for brides who want to keep their undergarments to a minimum, allowing them to move and dance with ease.

4. Shapewear

Shapewear is one of the best solutions to hiding and tucking any tummy rolls, muffin tops, and love handles that appear in tighter clothing. Many shapewear garments are specifically tailored with targeted compression zones to shape and contour certain areas of the body. 

Whether you have a ballgown, mermaid, or sheath dress, there’s a shapewear option that will perfectly complement it.

5. Seamless Underwear

For wedding dresses with side cut-outs or open backs, it’s ideal to choose an undergarment that will remain hidden, being careful that it’s not too high-waisted. This can be tricky when you’re still wanting a snatched look to accentuate your figure. 

This is where seamless underwear comes in. Made from stretchy material, no-show panties or seamless underwear gently hug the body, offering slight compression and a smoothing technique. Different styles are offered, ranging from briefs to boyshorts to high-waisted, depending on which area you want to focus more on restricting.

What to Consider While Undergarment Shopping

Whether you’re shopping for undergarments to wear while dress shopping or to fit the dress you said yes to, there are some considerations to always keep in mind.

Fabric of the Dress

Certain dress fabrics are notorious for showing every line and texture of what lies beneath, whereas other fabrics can hide it better. Consider the type of fabric your dress is made of before deciding what undergarments to wear underneath it. You’ll want to enhance the features of the dress’s fabric, not take away from it.

Dress Silhouette

The silhouette of your dress is a significant factor when deciding what undergarments to wear at your wedding. You don’t want to choose an undergarment that will interfere with the silhouette.

For example, if your dress has an open back, you might not want a bodysuit or full-coverage shapewear. Instead, you might opt for a sticky bra and seamless panties to complete the look. 

Skin Tone

Undergarments for wedding dresses are typically made in nude colors so you can closely match your skin tone to the garment. Though wedding dresses typically already come with an attached lining, it’s essential to be mindful of what you’re wearing underneath the dress—especially the color. Even if you don’t notice the undergarment in certain lighting, flash photography can definitely pick up the color underneath the dress, even if it’s just a little see-through.

Personal Comfort

Your comfort is a huge consideration when choosing which undergarment to wear under your wedding dress. Weddings can be many hours long, from getting ready in the morning to dancing late into the night.

Comfortable undergarments can significantly affect how you feel throughout the day. Choose undergarments made from soft, breathable materials. 

Tips for a Flawless Look

Now that you’ve chosen your dream dress and found the perfect shapewear or undergarment to wear underneath, it’s time to pull the final look together before the big day to ensure that everything fits the way you envisioned it. If not, there’s time to make adjustments. 

Try On the Undergarment with the Dress

Since undergarments can significantly affect the way the dress fits, trying them on with the dress ahead of time allows you to ensure that everything fits properly and is complementary. This also gives you time to make any necessary alterations to the dress with the undergarments underneath. 

Accessorize Thoughtfully

Pairing hosiery and accessories with your undergarments and wedding dress involves careful consideration to ensure a cohesive and seamless look. It’s essential that you match the fabrics and textures of your hosiery and accessories with your wedding dress and undergarments to prevent giving off an overwhelming look. 

At Savvy Bridal, our experienced stylists have seen and heard it all. We know what undergarments work best with certain styles of dresses and how to make a bride feel beautiful on her big day.

We’re conveniently located in Kansas City and St. Louis. Schedule an appointment today to embark on your dress journey.