Fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the secret to looking stylish is wearing what works for you.
If you’ve ever struggled to find the right fit, this guide will help you choose dresses that highlight your best features and make you feel fabulous.
We’ll explain how you can identify your body shape and choose the dress that enhances your natural curves.
Whether you’re looking for a dress for a formal event, a casual day out, or something in between, this guide will help you make informed decisions and embrace your natural shape.
Highlights
- The first step is understanding your body shape
- Choose a dress that emphasizes your favorite feature. If you love your legs, go for a shorter dress that showcases them
- Experiment with lengths. For taller women, or those who love a dramatic look, a flowing maxi dress can be a showstopper. Knee-length works well for most body types. If you’re shorter, try a dress with a higher waistline to elongate your legs
- Don’t be afraid to try on multiple styles until you find one that feels right for you as the best dress for your body type is the one that makes you feel comfortable and confident
- Dress for the occasion
What are the Different Body Shapes?
Before going into specific dress recommendations, it’s important to understand the different body shapes or types and how to identify yours.
Body types are generally categorized into five main shapes:
1. Hourglass:
The hourglass shape features a well-defined waist with hips and bust that are approximately the same width, creating a curvy figure with a balanced upper and lower body.
2. Pear:
The pear shape, also known as the triangle shape, has narrower shoulders and busts with wider hips and thighs, along with a defined waist and more volume in the lower half of the body.
3. Apple:
The apple shape, or an inverted triangle, features broader shoulders and busts with narrower hips and legs, and weight tends to gather around the midsection, particularly the abdomen.
4. Rectangle:
The rectangle shape, also known as the athletic or straight shape, has shoulders, waist, and hips that are roughly the same width, with little waist definition and a straighter, more athletic frame.
5. Inverted Triangle:
The inverted triangle, or top-heavy shape, features broad shoulders and busts with a narrower waist and hips.
How to Identify Your Body Shape
While no one fits perfectly into just one category, these guidelines can help you understand your proportions and choose styles that work for you.
Don’t forget, the key is understanding your body type and selecting dresses that highlight your best features.
1. How to Identify an Apple Body Type: An apple-shaped body typically has a fuller midsection with a less defined waistline. Weight is often carried around the stomach area, and your shoulders and bust are more noticeable, while your arms and legs might be leaner.
2. How to Identify a Pear-Shaped Figure: If you measure your bust, waist, and hips, you’ll discover that your hips are larger than your bust, and your waist is generally the smallest part of your body.
3. How to Identify Inverted Triangle (Top-Heavy): The inverted triangle body type is marked by a broader upper body, particularly in the shoulders and bust, while your waist and hips appear narrower.
4. How to Identify a Rectangle Body Type: In a rectangle body type, your bust, waist, and hips are fairly similar in size, and the waistline may not be very defined. This creates a straighter appearance with fewer curves.
5. Identifying the Hourglass Shape: The hourglass figure has a noticeably smaller waist. When measuring, you’ll find that your bust and hips are similar in size, and there’s a clear difference when it comes to your waist.
Once you identify your body type, you can start exploring dress styles that will flatter your figure. Let’s break down the best options for each shape.
Dresses for the Hourglass Body Type
When choosing a dress, the goal is to highlight your curves without overwhelming them. Some of the best styles for hourglasses are:
1. Bodycon Dresses: For those who want to embrace their curves fully, a form-fitting bodycon dress is a great choice. Look for dresses with fabrics that hug your body without feeling too tight.
2. Fit-and-Flare Dresses: These dresses emphasize the natural curve of your waist while allowing freedom of movement around your hips. Look for dresses that are slightly fitted at the waist and then flare out.
3. V-Necklines: A V-neck dress elongates the body and draws attention to your face and neckline, balancing out your proportions.
4. Belted Dresses: A dress with a waist-defining belt is perfect for accentuating your curves. Whether it’s a thick statement belt or a more delicate one, this will enhance your figure.
Dresses for the Apple (round) Body Type
Women with this shape often carry weight around the midsection, with narrower hips and legs.
The best dresses for this shape create a balance by drawing attention away from the torso while highlighting the legs and bust. They include:
1. Shift Dresses: Shift dresses are loose-fitting from the shoulders down, which means they don’t cling to the midsection. Opt for shift dresses that hit just above the knee to draw attention to your legs.
2. A-Line Dresses: These dresses gently flare out from the bust or waist, creating an illusion of a more defined waist while providing comfort and coverage in the tummy area.
3. V-Neck Dresses: A V-neckline will elongate your torso and draw attention to your face, helping to create a slimmer, more balanced look. Avoid high necklines, as they may make the upper body appear broader.
4. Dresses with A-Line Skirts: Dresses that are fitted at the bust and flare out from the waist will help create the illusion of a more defined waistline and balance the upper and lower parts of the body.
Dresses for the Pear (Triangle) Body Type
Some of the best dresses for this body shape are:
1. Peplum Dresses: A peplum dress features a flared ruffle at the waistline that adds volume to the hips, which can help balance out wider thighs and create more proportional curves.
2. Fit-and-Flare Dresses: This style is ideal for pear shapes as it allows you to show off your waist while balancing out your hips. It’s perfect for formal events or casual outings.
3. A-Line Dresses: A-line dresses are perfect for pear-shaped bodies because they gradually flare out from the waist, hiding wider hips and balancing proportions.
4. Off-the-Shoulder and Boat Necklines: These styles help draw attention to your shoulders and collarbones, creating a wider upper body appearance to balance out your hips.
Dresses for the Rectangle Body Type
Women with a rectangular body type have a straighter figure, with little difference between the waist, bust, and hips. Some of the best dresses for this shape include:
1. Belted Dresses: A belted dress cinches at the waist, instantly creating curves and defining your silhouette. Choose a belt that’s wide enough to make a noticeable impact but not too tight.
2. Peplum Dresses: Like pear-shaped women, rectangles can benefit from a peplum dress, which adds volume to the hips and waist. This style creates the illusion of curves and a more defined waistline.
3. Fit-and-Flare Dresses: A fit-and-flare dress works well by emphasizing the waist and adding volume to the skirt, creating the illusion of a curvier figure.
Dresses for the Inverted Triangle Body Type
Women with an inverted triangle body shape tend to have broad shoulders and a narrow waist and hips. Some of the best dresses that fit this body type are:
1. Flutter Sleeve Dresses: Dresses with flutter or cap sleeves soften the shoulder area and help to balance the upper body with the lower half.
2. Peplum Dresses: The flared ruffle at the waist of a peplum dress adds volume to the hips, helping to create a more balanced, curvier silhouette.
3. Fit-and-Flare Dresses: A fit-and-flare dress helps to create the illusion of curves by drawing attention to the waist and adding volume to the skirt. This can soften broader shoulders and create a more feminine silhouette.
4. A-Line Dresses: As with pear-shaped bodies, A-line dresses work wonders for inverted triangles by adding volume to the lower half and balancing out the upper body.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dress is not about fitting into a trend, but about finding styles that enhance your natural shape. By understanding your shape and the styles that work best for it, you’ll always feel confident in your outfit choices.
Whether you need an elegant evening dress, a casual, or an office outfit, Castle and Retail offers a wide range of styles designed to suit different body shapes.