Your best physical features deserve to stand out. To emphasize your natural assets,here's how to choose the perfect dress style to flatter your figure. The reason ladies’ dresses come in so many shapes, lengths and styles is because no two women are built exactly alike. To make the most of your natural assets, it's important to match your shape with an appropriate dress style. That means first knowing your body type.
1. Body types
1. 1. Full hips and thighs: A pear-shaped build calls for a dress that directs attention to the shoulders, neck and arms and shouldn't be shorter than an inch or two above the knee.
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1.2. Heavy arms: A lightweight summer dress with airy sleeves can drape your upper arms and provide complete mobility while still keeping you cool.
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1.3. Small bust: Several dress styles can help to create definition in the upper torso. The best choices for this body type include a sheath dress, strapless cocktail dress or shift dress.
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1.4. Big bust: In dresses for work, choose a demure style that subtly follows your generous curves without making the rest of your body look bigger.
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1.5. Plus size: If you have a rectangular profile with wide shoulders, hips and thighs, then create curves with plus size dresses that define your waist. Consider a wrap dress, sheath dress or belted gown.
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1.6. Petite: Diminutive women with slim builds can pull off the little black dress better than most. Choose evening dresses that expose and accentuate your legs. Smaller proportioned women also look great in a mini dress with a V-neck or in a form-fitting sheath.
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1.7. Thin: To add contour to a slim silhouette, opt for casual dresses that add volume without bulk. Accentuate your small waist with belts to broaden your shoulders and hips.
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1.7. Thick waist: If you are apple-shaped with a thick middle, you need to elongate the appearance of your torso and draw the attention away from your waist. Select a dress with an empire or drop waist to re-define your waist line. Avoid thick belts cinched around your midsection and instead choose a chain or sash belt slung low on your hips.
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1.8. Broad Shoulders: Avoid dresses with crisp, defined shoulders, which accentuate shoulder width. A halter dress draws the eye toward the neck and face and has a narrowing effect, which is especially flattering for strong shoulders. Halter-style dresses are versatile and come in any number of styles from light, cotton sundresses to silk and brocade cocktail dresses and gowns. Raglan sleeves or other shoulder-skimming dress styles can be casual or dressed-up, and will trim the shoulders and soften angles.
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Understanding your own body type is the first step toward developing a personal style. The sheer number of different dresses for women becomes much less intimidating once you’ve narrowed the choices to those that flatter your figure—and which make you feel good in your skin.
2. The shift dress
The shift is a dress, flattering on almost everyone, that hangs straight down from the shoulder. It skims your body nicely, but doesn't cling. For summer, you can find shifts in cool cotton, linen and light knits. When fall arrives, wool and heavier knit shifts will continue to be popular.
Though the typical shift dress has a straight skirt, some fashion designers have created shifts with a slightly A-line cut this season. It's beaded jeweled neckline adds a little glitz and glamour.
Though the typical shift dress has a straight skirt, some fashion designers have created shifts with a slightly A-line cut this season. It's beaded jeweled neckline adds a little glitz and glamour.
3. Choosing the perfect dress
When shopping around, consider:
- Waist ties and belts help accentuate curves and can enhance your other features.
- Stocky builds can create stature with monochrome looks and mid-length dresses.
- Plus-size builds should showcase legs and cinch waists for more definition.
- Slim builds should avoid clingy dresses and all-black outfits.
- The little black dress (LBD) is a glamorous style that transitions easily from the office to evening wear.
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