Petite or slender, no matter what your body shape, you can sizzle the prom night with a dress that is a perfect fit for your figure. Take a look at the options given here, to help you find the right dress to flatter your figure.
“The only rule is don’t be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.”
―Paris Hilton
Ever wondered why a particular dress looks good on certain people but the same just falls boringly on you? Well, the answer to this is as simple as understanding that not every one is made alike. Apart from the distinguishing features, each individual is blessed with a different body type. That said, it’s time you determined what is your body shape.
Are you a triangle or a rectangle? Do you have the coveted curves that make an hour-glass figure, or are you simply busty? Understanding your body type is one of the easiest way to find a dress that will not just flatter your figure but also make you look fabulous and attractive. Basically, understanding your body shape works to your advantage by allowing you to accentuate your coveted features, while down playing the negative aspects of your shape. So, whether you are curvy, busty, slender, petite, or blessed with a generous bottom, you are sure to find a dress that will make you look stunning for the prom.
Apple
Simply put, if you have a fuller bust, a wide waist, teamed with slender arms, legs, and hips you are an apple-shaped body. Your broad shoulders and heavier bust is what makes your upper body noticeably larger than the rest of your body.
Characteristics:
- A wide torso
- Broad shoulders
- Fuller bust
- Thinner arms and legs
- Flat bottom
- Narrow hips
Tips to flaunt your full figure:
Draw attention away from your mid-section by accentuating your dress just below the bust area. You can very well carry an empire waist dress, or an A-line dress to draw attention to your bust. Thanks to your fuller body, you can pull off square, scoop, sweetheart, plunging or V-necklines very well. Avoid clingy or stiff dresses that will draw attention to your middle. Accentuate your slender arms and broad shoulders with a strapless dress, and stay away from puffy sleeves and full-sleeved dresses. Show off your slender legs with a short A-line dress or a short empire waist dress.
Pear
Quite the opposite of an apple-shaped body, a pear-shaped body has a smaller bust with wider hips. You have a well-defined waist, while being blessed with shoulders that are narrower than your hips. Clearly a triangle, you are curvier at the bottom, with a slender neck and narrow shoulders.
Characteristics:
- Full hips and thighs
- Defined waist
- Narrow shoulders
- Smaller bust
- Slender neck
Tips to draw attention to your upper body:
De-emphasize your lower half, by drawing attention to the torso and shoulders. Wide necklines like boat and scoop will visually widen your shoulders. Your narrow shoulders should definitely be highlighted with an off-shoulder or one-shoulder dress. Your petite upper body can be accentuated with puff, cap, 3/4th, bell, and kimono sleeves, as they not only add volume to your arms, but also balance out your voluminous hips. As for the dresses, wrap- and empire-style dresses are meant for you. You can also pull off dresses that are fitted on the top with full or A-line skirts.
Inverted Triangle
Your broad shoulders, tapering waist, and narrow hips is what defines your body type. Your wider than waist shoulders teamed with flat hips and bottoms is what makes you appear bustier than others.
Characteristics:
- Smaller bottom
- Straight and squared shoulder line
- Flat hips and bottoms
- Narrow hips
- Undefined waist
- Large bust
Tips to draw attention to your waist:
Crew, scoop, narrow, or deep V necklines are sure to look good on you. Besides, you will also be able to pull off dresses with gathered and keyhole necklines. Considering the shape of your body, you would want to add volume to your hips and waist to balance your shoulders. Mermaid, A-line, peplum and bias-cut dresses are meant for your body shape. Strapless and one-shoulder dresses will help draw attention to your gorgeous shoulders. In short, remember to add detail to your lower body, and take away the fuss from your upper body. By all means, stay away from sleeves and high necks that will make you look heavier on the top.
Slender
Your body is characteristically slender with a small frame, and often than not, you are termed as athletic or slim. The waist is in line with the hips and the bust leaving little scope for curves, making your body seem more like a rectangle. As a rule, you should create curves by opting for styles that fit snugly at your middle, but flare out at the bottom.
Characteristics:
- Narrow shoulders
- Small bust or flat chest
- Undefined waist
- Narrow hips
- Flat bottom
Tips to camouflage your boyish frame:
You need to hide your boyish frame, and concentrate on creating curves by accentuating your bust line. Dresses with beaded, halter, sweetheart, or V necklines should work well to create an illusion of curves. Highlight your slender legs with dresses that stop right above the knees. Long flowing, flared, bell-shaped
Hourglass
Curvy yet proportionate, hourglass bodies have well-defined waists along with balanced shoulders and hips. Being naturally blessed with a defined bust, waist and a neat bottom, you can pull off just about any figure hugging outfit with ease.
Characteristics:
- Defined bust
- Defined waist
- Neat bottom
- Neat hips
- Curvy figure
Tips to bring out the curves:
Flaunt your figure with mermaid, straight, asymmetrical, wrap-style skirts. Two-piece or wrap-style dresses is sure to look good on you. Strapless, sweetheart, off-shoulder, v-necks, or halter, your body can pull off just about any style. The trick you should remember at all times, is to avoid clothes that will hide your curves.
Petite
Small-framed, dainty, well-trimmed, almost doll-like, is what this body type is all about. Your body is blessed with a small bust, narrow shoulders, straight bottoms, and hips. Your petite frame can be accentuated to create an illusion of a tall person.
Characteristics:
- Narrow shoulders
- Small bust
- Straight bottom
- Small waist
- Straight hips
- Short and slender legs
Tips to create an illusion of a taller you:
With a rocking body like yours, you could definitely pull of dresses with fitted bodice and ruffled skirts. Asymmetrical dresses with vertical stripes, dresses with high waists will help elongate your legs and make you appear taller and leaner than you already are. Flaunt your figure with dresses that bell out, and stay away from dresses that cut your silhouette into two. As a rule, stick to the rule of thirds when choosing your dress.
It’s time you stop fretting over the dress, and use the guidelines to find the dress that will make you looking stunning. Go ahead, dress appropriately, flaunt your figure, and do not forget to have a good time at this year’s prom.
