Women's Dresses

Many shopping sprees can become nightmarish when the dress you thought fits perfectly does not fit you at all, or the color that you love the most suddenly became unflattering. It will be easier if you know your body type. This will make choosing the dress that will flatter your shape a breeze. Knowing how to dress according to your figure will give you the confidence for everything you do and every occasion. Having this knowledge will save you time, keep you fashion-forward and let you get your shopping done sooner. You’ll end up with more time for friends and family.

For you to know the perfect dress, know your figure

Before you look for that perfect dress, you have to know your body type. Basically, there are eight body types: Petite, Tall, Hourglass, Athletic, Apple, Pear, Slender and Inverted Triangle. Keep in mind that you may a combination of several body types.

Petite

You are a petite if you stand five foot three and below. A petite has a small frame of body and is usually thin. This figure is also admirable for this type can almost wear anything.

Tall

Self-explanatory, but to be exact, you are tall if you stand five foot nine and above.

Hourglass

Those with an hourglass figure have a slim waist, curvy hips, and ample bust. Considered the classic feminine figure.

Athletic

Athletic typeshave curves and a strong and sporty body, usually because they engage in regular physical activity.

Apple

An Apple figure means slim hips, a round stomach, and an ample bust.

Pear

Your body type is pear if you have big thighs and hips, narrow shoulders, and a small bust.

Slender

Slender people are slim with few curves. Also an easy figure to work with, so long as the relative lack of curves are kept into consideration.

Inverted Triangle

You have an inverted triangle body shape if your hips are smaller than your shoulders. Care must be taken not emphasize the upper body too much.

Finding the perfect dress for your form

Now that you have a good idea about your body type, you are now ready to look for that perfect dress. There are five kinds of dresses and these are the Maxi Dress, Sundress, Shirt dress, Wrap dress, and Sheath dress.

Maxi dress

The Maxi dress extends below the bust line to the ground. A Maxi dress looks like a halter strap sundress, but instead of an ordinary hem, a maxi dress has ruffles. Maxi dresses are flattering for you if you have a Pear shape figure.

Sundress

The sundress is a very fashionable dress. It is either in a spaghetti or halter strap and is usually worn during the casual days at the mall and at the beach. Sundresses usually have colorful prints so you must not over accessorize this so people can see the beauty of this dress. If you have a slender or tall figure, the sundress is flattering and will soften your strong frame.

Shirt dress

A shirt dress is easy to indicate. This is a combination of a skirt and polo with sleeves and collar. The shirtdress is being usually worn for formal events like church proceedings and business meetings. The shirtdress is very easy to wear because you only need pearls or a scarf to accentuate this dress. The below-the-knee shirtdresses will be perfect for petites and hourglass figures while the full-length shirtdresses are perfect for tall and slender women.

Wrap Dress

A wrap dress is a staple in a woman’s closet since this kind of dress can fit and flatter all types of bodies. The wrap dress exudes elegance and is even frequently worn by the famous actress Meryl Streep. A wrap dress flatters every lady’s figure and is frequently worn in the office as well.

Sheath dress

A sheath dress is usually strapless, form-fitting, and extends just above the knee. A sheath dress can be worn in the morning and in the evening with your trusted pearls. A sheath dress is worn by those women with inverted triangle and apple figures to accentuate their shoulders, and also by petites to make them look taller. But, just like the wrap dress, the sheath dress can also flatter every figure.

The Anatomy of Fashion on Prints and Pieces

Not all dresses will fit your figure, especially of you are a petite, so tending the length of a dress must be done. You must also be aware of the dresses with stripes as prints. A horizontal stripe will make you look wider, hence this is recommended for slender, tall, and petite figures. A vertical stripe will make the wearer look leaner and taller so this print is recommended for those who have petite, hourglass, apple, and pear figures.

For the inverted triangle body type, choose the dress with a v-neck and floral prints to soften your frame.

For the athletic figure, wear dresses with puffed-out skirts so that it can balance-out your strong frame. It is also recommended that you wear dresses with floral prints to also soften your figure.

When accentuating a dress, consider its print. You do not want to overkill a certain dress by too much accessorizing. You have to balance the frame of your body by wearing flattering dresses according to your figure and by checking the colors of your dresses if it fits the season, the occasion, and your accessories.
Always remember the saying “less is more” for this will save you from catching everyone’s attention - in a bad way.

To be Fashionable Means Being Yourself

For you to become fashionable you must know how to mix and match trends and blend them with your own version of style. Check out fashion magazines since they always will give you new ideas. But do not forget the clothes that fit your figure and make you comfortable. You do not have to be a model to be fashionable. At the end of the day, feeling confident and comfortable are the only two factors you should keep in mind. Don’t be afraid to be creative and to experiment!