With literally thousands of designer gowns in every size, shape, and color imaginable, how will you ever choose the perfect one? A smart way to cut to the chase, narrow your choices, and save time is to choose a gown style that’s made for your body type. Finding the right style will bring out your natural beauty, while wearing the wrong one can make you feel awkward and uncomfortable.
There are also dozens of formal dress styles these days, so it’s a good idea to begin your search with an understanding of the basic dress styles you’ll be looking at and how they affect your body type. A-frame, empire, sheath, and sweetheart are some of the common dress styles you’ll see. Other details to consider are skirt length, bustline, waistline, the straps, and the back. All of these elements look slightly different on each body type.
Jasz Couture makes a line of dresses that seamlessly blend multiple features that work well for many body types, making the designer a good place to start finding the dress that gives you that perfect hourglass figure. Sherri Hill Prom Dresses offer a wide variety of dress styles to show off whatever curves happen to be your best.
Here are some basic body types and the styles of dress recommended for each. Some styles are designed to show off your body type’s best features while others are made to hide the aspects you want to downplay.
Pear-shaped: Pear-shaped women have hips that are wider than their shoulders, often giving them some extra booty. If you want to show it off, pick a sheath or mermaid-style dress that hugs your body. To give your body more of an hourglass shape, choose an A-frame dress, which has a skirt that flairs out from your waist to the floor.
Apple-shaped: An apple-shaped body is a little wider in midsection. An empire waistline starts just below the breasts and creates extra room in the midsection. A skirt that falls just below the knees will show off your legs, while a floor-length skirt will make you appear taller and more slender.
Broad-shouldered: Broad-shouldered women look great in a strapless or backless dress. If you can find one that does both, you’ve got it made.
Busty: Busty women can draw attention to their best feature with a sweetheart bustline that offers support and containment while still showing plenty of skin. To draw attention away from the bust, choose a dress with straps and a stunning waistline.
Slender: Slender, narrow, or petite women can give their bodies the appearance of more curves by drawing attention to their waistline. This can be done with an A-line skirt or a belted dress that offsets the waist with a different color or texture. A tight dress such as a sheath or mermaid style will also accentuate your curves.
Short: An empire waist makes the entire body look longer. If you choose a style with a different waistline, try pairing it with a floor-length skirt.
Tall or Hourglass: Most dresses look great on these body types, so enjoy choosing from a variety of styles!