Summer Dresses to Suit Your Body Shape

By AnnMarie Proudfoot

With summer dress mania getting into full swing, for some, the shopping experience of finding the perfect dress can be a nightmare. How many times have you traipsed through the shops searching for wedding or summer event dresses and come away thinking that nothing suits you? You are not alone dear reader.

Here are some key points about your body shape which will help and maybe even make it fun.

Pear Shape

Characteristics – Fuller on the rear and hips and smaller on top.

Goal for your shape – To balance out your proportions and draw the eye upwards.

You should go for dresses with detail on top or strapless to focus attention on your upper body. A-line and or full skirts will help skim over your hip area. Waisted dresses are a key shape for you to emphasise your smaller waist.

This magnolia print prom dress (€46, Warehouse) would look well on you. Remember to have some fun with strapless and detailing on your top half.

Apple Shape

Characteristics – Full bust, waist and upper back slimming down towards the legs.

Goal for your shape – To accentuate your best bits and create some shape to your waist while balancing the torso.

Empire line and baby doll dresses will create balance to your body shape and help disguise any lumps and bumps around the mid area. You should also invest in a well fitting bra to give a good shape to your bust. Remember to show off your great legs! This turquoise Grecian necklace babydoll dress (€150.00, Debenhams) will suit you to perfection.

The Strawberry/Triangular Shape

Characteristics- Broad shoulders, fuller bust and narrower hips.

Goal for your shape – To add balance and shape to your hips and legs and draw the eye downwards.

You should opt for dresses with flared hemlines to help add balance and proportion to your shape. Waist and hips detail draw the eye downwards. This Digital Tulip Print Maxi Dress (€83.33, ASOS) would be just lovely on you.

Remember, you are lucky to be able to be more adventurous on the bottom half, so go ahead with detailed hemlines and eye catching footwear.

Hourglass Figure

Characteristics – Curvaceous with fuller bust and hips and defined waist.

Goal for your shape – Show off your natural curves and accentuate your waist.

Ensure you have a good fitting bra to support your full bust. Wrap dresses and dresses with fitted waists will work really well for you figure. A small draped sleeve will give you good coverage if you have larger biceps. Keep prints small as larger prints will overwhelm your great shape.

Try this crepe shift dress by Oasis (€70.51) is for you.

Remember, you have great curves, so embrace your feminine form and show them off!

Slim and Straight Shape

Characteristics – Straighter figure top and bottom.

Goal for your shape -To create curves, curves, curves!

Bias cut dresses work well for you and chiffon and draping add a softness to your shape. You’re in luck as the draped dress is a big trend this season thanks to Burberry.

Fuller skirts and detailing on the hip or bust area will give you a curvier effect. Remember, because your figure is so balanced, you don’t have to focus on one area. This Wallis pleated dress with embellishment trim on the collar would suit you down to the ground.

If, after reading this, you think that you these shapes don’t really sound like you then just remember; many people are on the border between shapes, so you could have a few characteristics from several types. You are unique after all!

There’s no need for a bodysuit and multifacing mirrors a la Trinny and Suzannah – but do take a good look at yourself in a full length mirror to see what shape you are most like. No cheating, or you could end up with a dress disaster!

So get into your shape and pick up this summer’s must have dress.

Tweet

Related posts:

1. Trousers to Suit Your Body Shape
2. Shorts To Suit Your Body Shape
3. Jewellery to suit your face shape
4. Celebrity Doppelganger 3
5. How to Choose a Perfect Pair of Jeans