Hi friends! I hope you’re all enjoying the warm summer weather, I took a week or so off from posting on the blog to focus on the end of school year activities for my two oldest children and of course my daughter’s dance recital was Father’s Day weekend. I have to admit that recital time is very special for her, she loves dressing up and her makeup would have rivaled any professional dancer 🙂 I hope when my youngest starts dance in the Fall she’ll enjoy it just as much as her sister.
I’ve had several people and friends comment on my dresses and how comfortable yet stylish they look that I decided this topic needs its own blog post. Each summer, I switch primarily to wearing dresses. By doing that I don’t have to worry about coordinating an outfit which is a big time saver for my busy schedule. Dresses are much easier to style, just add a pair of heels or flats and a cute bag, and you’re done! Some of the feedback I often hear from women is that they don’t feel comfortable wearing dresses or the old favorite “dresses don’t look good on me”. That’s simply not true ladies! You just need to find a dress that best compliments your body type, so I put together a little style guide to help.
If you’re an hourglass shape meaning your bust and hips are approximately the same size and you have a narrow waist, focus on enhancing your waist. Wrap and empire dresses will help accentuate the waistline and show off your curves. Avoid certain details like bows and anything that add’s volume, dresses with a v-neckline are perfect for drawing the eye closer to your waist.
For the pear shaped figures that have narrow shoulders, curvier hips and a small waist the A-line style dresses are one of the most flattering fits, because of the way they draw attention to the waistline while slimming wider hips. Wrap and shirt dresses create the illusion of proportion between the upper and bottom parts of your body. Look for dresses that have embellishments near the neck or shoulders as they will draw attention upwards and away from the bottom half.
The apple shape is when the shoulders are broader than the hips and a less defined waistline with thinner legs. The best dresses for this shape are the ones that highlight your best features, bust, arms, and legs. Dresses that flow from under your bust and tie-dresses with a v-neck and scoop neckline will draw more attention to your upper body and away from your mid-section. Shift dresses that are knee length look great as well.
For the athletic body shape when the shoulders and hips are the same width with no curves, the best dresses are the ones that draw attention to the arms, shoulders, and legs. Bias-cut and shift style dresses will help to create a waistline and curves while adding shape to a straight body. Click here to read more about the bias-cut. Short dresses are a great way to show of your legs, and dresses with layers or a full skirt will add dimension and break up the silhouette.
My personal favorite is a wrap dress because it’s perfect for every shape. This style of dress was made famous in the ’70s by Diane von Furstenberg, a fashion icon and designer. The wrap dress has a tie waist, v-neckline, and an A-line skirt. It accentuates the waist and bust, gives a slimming effect and creates curves where they are lacking. See what I mean! If you don’t own a wrap dress then you definitely need one.
I’ve linked below four dresses in each category in the order described above to help you shop and get a visual for what type of dress I’ve described. Finding a few staple dress pieces are a good addition to any wardrobe.
xo, Galina
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