What Kind of Dress Suits My Figure?

Any fashionista knows that you dress according to your body type. Not every silhouette may be flattering for your figure. However, going with dresses that suit your body type can make a big difference. 

You don’t have to be slim or in shape to rock a dress. Even if you’re a plus-size woman, you can wear a dress that complements your figure. But for that, you have to know what your body type is exactly, as it has more to do with body frame and proportions and not much with weight or height. 

Body Types

There are several different types of body shapes or figures. But to keep things simple, we’ll just classify the different body types into four main types:

• Hourglass
• Pear or Triangle
• Round or Apple
• Athletic 

Hourglass

The hourglass body shape gets the name from, well, the hourglass. As you can imagine, this kind of figure has curves, with the bust and hips proportionally equivalent. This kind of figure is generally balanced with the legs. 

The waist is well-defined, especially because of the fuller bust, hips, and thighs. An hourglass body shape is also called curvy, as the smaller waist in comparison with the bust and hips create smooth curves. 

What Dresses Suit Hourglass Body?

As an hourglass body is curvy with a well-defined waist, it’s important to accentuate that waist. So any dress silhouette with a cinched-in waist will work with an hourglass figure effortlessly. 

Form-fitting dresses like bodycon dresses can also suit this kind of figure and give a very flattering look. Wrap dresses also work great, especially those with a belt around the waist (not too high or too low, at the actual waist). 

Another great thing about hourglass body shape is that whether you have broad shoulders or they are roughly even with your hips; you can easily rock open necklines. Dresses with a v-neck or straps will also look great. 

But which dresses to avoid? Any silhouette that covers those curves. Avoid wearing dresses with a very high waist like baby doll dresses or dresses with an empire waist. Straight-cut tunic-style dresses can work for you but may look more flattering when cinched in with a belt or strap. 

Pear-Shaped

The pear-shaped or triangular body features fuller hips paired with a thinner or smaller upper body. That’s what creates the so-called triangle shape. The shoulders are narrower than the hips. The waist may be more than the bust. 

If you have a pear-shaped body, your hips are your asset. It’s easy to go wrong with the silhouettes for this particular body type. 

What Dresses Suit Pear-Shaped Body?

As a pear-shaped body isn’t proportional naturally, it’s best to choose dresses that balance the proportions. What that means is that you want the focus on the upper body, adding more volume to the bust area with the help of the silhouette and design. 

So choose dresses with more details on the bodice. You can also wear dresses with more flare, as the wide hips will support the flare. 

Fitted dresses can also work for a triangular body as well, especially with a cinched waist. 

Strapless dresses might not look that flattering as the shoulders are not as wide, and you may end up looking very full in the hip and rear areas. If you want to accentuate the hips, then, by all means, rock a strapless number. 

Also, avoid wearing mini dresses with very high hems. You’ll be spending the whole time pulling your dress down!

Round 

The round or apple-shaped figure generally is well-proportioned, with shoulders slightly wider than the hips. However, this shape lacks curves and a well-defined waist. In comparison with the upper body, the legs may appear slender. 

What Dresses Suit Round-Shaped Body?

Any dress that helps define the waist and gives some curves to the shape can work for a round body figure. So think about A-line dresses or flared dresses with a high waist (empire waist). The fuller skirt and flowy hemline of these dresses will add more volume to the hips, increasing it in volume from the bust. 

Short dresses are made for this body type as the slim legs will look great! 

You can even rock some relaxed silhouettes like tunic or sheath dresses, especially those with a larger hem.

Avoid dresses with a waist at your natural waist because your natural waist may not be well-defined enough to make the look flattering. 

In terms of texture, horizontal stripes are not your friend. Avoid them like the plague because such designs will make you look shorter. Even if you’re very tall, go with vertical stripe dresses instead. 

Athletic 

The athletic body is more straight in that the shape isn’t curvy or proportional either, for that matter. Hips may be narrower or equal to the shoulders. The waist may not be very well-defined or smaller than the hips. 

This body shape indicates equivalent weight distribution in different sections of the body. 

What Dresses Suit Atheltic Body?

The upper area of the body needs more balancing to make it more proportional to the hips. Also, the waist must be defined to give the body a more hourglass shape, especially with those evening dresses for formal events. 

For this figure, lower waistlines are the best. Go for dresses with a more relaxed or draped bodice that adds more volume to the upper half of the torso. You can wear dresses with a flared hem or fitted ones. 

When buying dresses with straps, go for wider straps as they create the illusion of width, making your shoulder look broader. 

Conclusion

Dressing according to your figure is key to looking great. Many women blame their bodies for not looking great when simply they are choosing the wrong silhouettes and features of the dresses and tops. First, figure out which body type from above is yours, and then pay attention to what works for you and what doesn’t. 

No matter what your body shape is, own it with pride, and wear clothes that accentuate your assets.