Dress Shopping for Your Shape
Ladies, you know how it is. Depending on your mood, a day of dress shopping can either be the best day or the worst day. But the worst days are usually a result of misguided shopping. Think about it: the best dress shopping days are often deemed as so because you ‘hit the jackpot’ with every dress you try. All it takes is the simple understanding of your body type and which designs work in your body’s favour, not against it. All bodies aren’t created equal, and thus all dresses aren’t created equal either.
For your next best dress shopping day, take a mental cheat sheet with you. There are dresses out there made for every type of woman; you just need to know what to look for. Check out the below tips and dress suggestions from Lyst that you should have in mind when shopping to fit your unique body type.
If you’re … Curvy All-Over
You should look for a … Draped Dress
Why? For the full-figured woman, it’s best to stay away from thin, cheap fabrics that do your curves no justice. Instead, look for a dress that features dramatic drapery at the bust and cinching at the waist. Draping flatters your figure by drawing the eye to your cinched waist, highlighting your shape with great lighting. Solid, bold colors are recommended for the ultimate wow-factor.
If you’re … Busty
You should look for a … Scoop or V-Neck Dress
Why? Keeping the girls prisoner in a tight crewneck is just criminal. Busty women sometimes worry about showing too much or “hanging out,” but with the right cut and right fit, scoop neck and V-neck dresses are tasteful. The key is to find a dress with the appropriate neckline. Add a cinched waistline, as suggested by InStyle, to create a stunning silhouette that pays homage to all your favorite features.
If you’re … Petite on Top
You should look for a … Printed Dress
Why? Per Glamour, a busy pattern is the perfect, fun distraction to keep people from looking at one specific part of you. In other words, no one will be focused on what you do or do not have. For the full package, find a printed dress that’s fitted on the top and flowy or full on the bottom. Creating a faux shape with a full skirt will give you a fabulous feminine figure.
If you’re an … Hourglass Shape
You should look for a … Wrap Dress
Why? Women with an hourglass figure have equal size bust and hips with a pinched waist, and this shape is instantly flattered with a wrap dress. Style tricks like belting and cinching are the hourglass shape’s best friend. By drawing attention to your smallest feature, wrap dresses show the beauty of your curves in classy proportions. Choose a wrap dress that’s not too loose and not too tight, but fitted just enough. Your curves will thank you.
All images via Lyst
Written by Melissa Condale. Melissa is a freelance fashion blogger based out of Florida, where she writes about the latest trends and enjoys helping others find the perfect look.