Not everybody has the “ideal body”—if such a thing even exists, but the ideal dress can be found for every woman, no matter what their body shape. With some smart shopping before prom night, you can pull off an eye-catching look while still feeling comfortable, whether you’re petite, curvy, or tall. Here are some tips from the fashion experts on getting the right prom dress for your size and shape.
Busty: Bustier girls don’t need to be told that a good bra is worth investing in, so make sure it’s one that goes with your dress. Sleeveless dresses that stay a little loose at the top can help achieve a great “hourglass” look with a well-defined waist. Lower necklines are your friend, and sleeveless dresses can also look great, as long as you have proper support in place. One thing you might want to avoid is going too short with your dress—you’re going to have to balance the desire to show off your legs with a wish not to have a look that’s too top-heavy.
Petite: When you’re a petite girl shopping around for prom or homecoming dresses, more than a few fashionistas say it’s time to think about showing a little leg. A shorter dress with an asymmetrical hemline can do a lot to make you look a little taller, but a long, fitted dress can also work wonders—and heels will obviously add to the effect. The dresses to steer clear of are the overly full, flowing ones that can end of overwhelming you.
Curvy and Plus-size: Stylists say the most important thing to remember is you are just as capable of anybody else of looking absolutely stunning on prom night—and the perfect dress for you is out there somewhere. Don’t be afraid of showing plenty of skin, whether it be arms, neck, or cleavage, or of picking a dress that calls attention to your bust. The empire waist can help you show off the right curves—especially with shorter dresses. But you might want to avoid dresses with features like patterns that call attention to your middle, frumpy sleeves, and overly clingy fabrics.
Pear shaped: One of the biggest questions in choosing a dress will be whether to show off your larger behind with a form-fitting dress, or whether to keep things loose. High necklines will generally suit you and help call attention to your torso, but one no-no is dresses that have too much fabric falling below the waist.
Tall and Slender: The “ruler-shaped” girl is a friend of fashion designers and the right dress—especially a fitted one—can do a lot to show off your lean physique. For extra curves and dimension, think about a dress with a belt, or a slit. Style experts suggest you pick a fabric that won’t be so stiff it fails to wrap around and leaves you looking rectangular. If your shoulders are on the broader side, strapless dresses may not be ideal but there’s a whole world of other options including long-sleeved, one-sleeved, or sleeveless.
But while there is huge variation in dresses and body types, and combinations of body types, whatever your size, shape, and style, smart shopping can help you look your best and while every dress isn’t for everybody, it’s perfectly possible to choose a dress that will put your greatest features to the front on prom night and create a beautiful, feminine look. And don’t leave comfort behind or try to squeeze into something too small, even though it’s just for one night; the very first step toward looking good is feeling good.
Photo by Viktor Hanacek
Mia Guerra
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