Dressing up is a form of art. Here’s a quick guide to finding the best women’s dresses for you.
Dressing Appropriately for Every Occasion
It’s not just about finding the right style for your particular figure. Your choice of dress reflects how respectful you are to the occasion and those around you.
Weddings.
It would be safe to avoid wearing white as it is usually reserved for the bride. Ask for the theme or motif so that you won’t look and feel out of place. If the mood is more formal and classy, a floor-length gown is the usual attire. If it’s a more informal affair such as a beach wedding, a simple knee-length dress may suffice. Ultimately, it is ideal that your color choices and style suit the time, place and season.
Dinner parties.
Ask your host if the dinner will be a more formal or a less formal one. Doing so will spare you from the embarrassment of overdressing or underdressing for the event.
Cocktail Parties.
These typically informal gatherings call for a semi-formal dress code. Your safest bet would be a black knee-length evening dress. You may also wear dark, inconspicuous colors that will blend perfectly with a cocktail party vibe.
Company Parties or Business Dinner.
In these affairs, showing too much skin is a big no-no. If you’re aiming for a job promotion or want to be taken seriously by your colleagues and superiors, a much too provocative dress won’t do. Stick to the “smart-casual” or work-appropriate dress code.
Religious Ceremonies like Baptisms or Bar Mitzvahs.
When it comes to religious ceremonies, stick to more conservative dress styles. Make sure to check if your chosen outfit is deemed appropriate for the event and does not go beyond the conventions of the religious crowd. To avoid offending anyone, stick to below-the-knee dresses and cardigans. Avoid clingy, off-shoulder, low-cut, backless and mini dresses, which show too much skin.
Dressing According to Your Body Type
A Rectangular or Athletic Shape
You aren’t that curvy, with shoulders and hips having almost the same measurement and a rather straight waist that isn’t well-defined or very small. By flaunting your best assets and concealing parts you’re not too comfortable showing, most dress styles will work for you. A smaller waistline can be achieved by accessorizing with a thin belt.
An Apple Shape
Your shoulders are broader than the hips, your waistline is not that well-defined, and you are curvier above than below. A strapless, low-neckline maxi dress will do wonderfully to play up your figure. You may also try wearing a wrap dress, an A-line dress or a mini dress if you think your legs are an asset. To achieve a slimmer effect, experiment with darker colors and diagonal stripes.
A Pear or Triangle Shape
Because you have narrow shoulders, wider hips and a fuller bottom, stick to dresses that draw attention to your neckline, back and waist. Try cowl necks, bell sleeves, scoop necks and plunging V-necks. Open backs, embellished necklines, belted styles, maxi, A-line and dramatic sleeves will create the effect of a fuller upper body.
An Hourglass Shape
With a figure like Beyonce’s, you can pull off wearing an empire silhouette, a fit & flare or a wrap dress.
Learn to embrace your unique body shape and size. Experiment and have fun in playing up your best features and downplaying your not-so-good ones. Ultimately, the best women’s dresses to hang in your closet are the ones that you feel most comfortable wearing.
