How to Pick Your Body Type’s Ideal Designer Dress 

Shopping for designer dresses is always an exciting experience. However, finding a dress that perfectly flatters your figure can be challenging.

Fortunately, some simple tips will help you find the perfect dress. These styling tips include knowing your body shape, choosing the suitable fabric and neckline, and playing with layers and accessories.

Know Your Body Shape

Finding the ideal designer dresses is the first step for your body shape knowing your body type. This will help you avoid dresses that are too revealing or too tight. To determine your body shape, you should take measurements of your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips. Make sure to measure with use a cotton tape measure and dress as casually as possible. For accurate findings, stand straight-backed with your arms at your sides.

Women with a rectangular figures have equal bust, waist, and hip measurements and resemble a tall block. This body type is often seen in athletes and models. Actresses have this body shape. Women with a pear shape have wider hips than their busts and can be top-heavy. They need fabrics that skim their curves.

Women with an apple shape have more enormous shoulders and a smaller hip section. They also tend to put on weight in their upper body first. They need fabrics that balance their curves, such as a-line and empire-cut dresses.

Choose the Right Fabric

Choosing the perfect fabric is essential for any dressmakers project. It impacts how the finished garment will drape, how it feels against the skin, and where it will be worn. If you are still deciding what to look for when selecting fabric, try looking at the back of the pattern packet for guidance. There are usually tables on there indicating the types of materials suitable for each garment.

The weight of a fabric can also affect how it falls and drapes and is a consideration when considering dress styles. Heavy fabrics are better suited for fitted structured dresses, while lighter materials are best for flowy summer styles. Many online fabric stores will also display the gsm or oz per square meter (or oz per yard) weight of their fabrics so you can easily find what you need.

If you have an hourglass figure, choose dress styles that accentuate this shape, such as a-line or fit-and-flare dresses that cinch at the waist and then flare out to create a slimming effect on the legs. Similarly, for apple-shaped bodies with broader shoulders and hips, dress styles accentuating the torso and lower half are ideal for drawing attention away from the wider waist area.

Choose the Right Length

A dress that fits your height can drastically change how it flatters you. For example, a short dress can lengthen your legs, while a long skirt can make them look stubby and disproportionate. The best way to find the perfect length is to measure your body from hem to hollow, which is the front lowest point of your neckline (the same place where you take your measurements for a shirt).

This will give you an accurate picture of how a dress fits your frame. You can then compare this number to the dress’s sizing chart to see what works and what doesn’t.

The most balanced body type is the hourglass figure, which has proportionally equal measurements in the shoulders and hips and a narrow waistline. This body type looks good in most dress silhouettes, but it’s particularly suited to fit-and-flare dresses that cinch and flare around the waist and create a seamless line from top to bottom. This style also looks great with ruched and layered necklines. Balancing this body type with fuller dresses on the bottom, such as A-line or sheath styles, is crucial.

Add Accessories and Layers

Choosing the right accessories and layers for your dress can make or break it. If you’re wearing a patterned dress, limit your accessories to solid-colored ones to avoid overwhelming the look. If you want to match your shoes, handbag, or belt to your clothing, remember that white, black, tan, and brown are neutral colors and can be worn with almost any color.

Try belted styles or dresses with peplums and ruching to accentuate your waist. A-line and wrap dress shapes help to cinch the waist, while off-the-shoulder or scoop-neck necklines draw attention to your shoulders. For those with a rectangle body shape, create the illusion of curves by opting for dresses with a belted waistline or empire waist. Add a jacket to your dress in a different color or material than the shirt underneath to add interest and dimension. For example, a woman wears a denim jacket over her cotton shirt and jeans. This is also a great way to hide a belly or play with proportions by layering a shorter jacket over a longer top.

Choose the Right Neckline

The neckline of a dress is another essential factor to consider when choosing the perfect designer dress. It can enhance a fuller bust, narrow shoulders or create a more fully-defined waistline. A rounded neckline, ruched or gathered fabric, and unique details like angles and swirls can accentuate your curves while adding shape. For dresses with a balanced figure, you can go for a simple and elegant sweetheart or plunging V-neckline, while gowns featuring a portrait and high neckline are also in style.

A portrait neckline is a flattering option for most body types, and it can help to elongate the torso while highlighting the collarbones and shoulders. Off-the-shoulder necklines are also famous for summer and destination weddings, and they can accentuate your shoulder line while offering extra support. A halter neckline comes up high on the neck and is particularly flattering for petite women. A mock neck, which sits higher than a crew neck but lower than a turtleneck, is also great for those with smaller chests or who want to draw attention away from broad shoulders.