When it comes to styling the perfect outfit, it’s hard to beat the versatility of a dress: a color-popped sundress in summer, the infamous LBD (little black dress), a formal dress for prom, or even the mother-of-the-bride dress at a wedding—it's always the cornerstone of a memorable look.
So, what’s the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing the right dress for you? It comes down to finding the right style for your body type. This one factor will inform your choice of cut, length, and silhouette to create an impactful look.
How to identify your body shape
You may have noticed over the years that you tend to lean into certain styles or cuts of clothing, like those wide-leg jeans with the small waist or a dress that cinches right under your bust instead of mid-belly. Those styles looked best and made you feel the most confident because they were likely the most flattering for your body shape.
Generally speaking, women fall into one of four shapes: hourglass, pear, apple, or rectangle. These shapes refer to where the thinnest and broadest parts of your torso lie. Identifying your shape is as simple as looking in the mirror to determine which category best fits you. Read on to learn more about body shapes and the best dresses for each one.
Best dresses for different body types
While the fitting room is usually your best path to finding the perfect dress, knowing the general dos and don’ts for each body shape can help you quickly find figure-flattering dresses for your type. Every shape is beautiful, and it’s something you’re born with—so embrace what you’ve got and learn how to find the best type of dress for your body type! Here’s a quick dress shopping guide to help find the best dress silhouettes—and which to avoid—for your body type.
Hourglass shape
Having an hourglass shape means that your bust and hips are similarly sized and taper to a well-defined waist. When styling an hourglass shape, look for styles that accentuate the waist, which is the cornerstone of this body type.
Fit-and-flare dresses, dresses with a classic A-line silhouette, sheath dresses, and wrap dresses that cinch at the natural waist are flattering styles for this shape since they enhance curves.
While flowy dresses are beautiful, these are a style to avoid for this body type unless you can cinch them with a belt or otherwise define your waist.
Empire waist dresses can be either a do or a don’t, depending on where the waist cinches.
Pear shape
Understanding the pear-shaped figure. A pear-shaped figure, also known as a triangle shape, refers to having a smaller bust that tapers out to larger hips and thighs. Because the waist isn’t pronounced in a pear-shaped body type, the key is balancing the silhouette by accenting the narrowest part of your torso.
A-line dresses, wrap dresses that tie at your most narrow point, or dresses that flare out from that narrow point into a flowy skirt are all dos for styling a pear shape. Bring in playful touches on the upper half of your body, like a ruffled sleeve or a sweetheart neckline that draw attention upward.
Avoid boxy dresses that flow without cinching at your natural waist, as well as dresses that are overly clingy around the hips or that end mid-thigh, as they’ll create an off-balance look that doesn’t complement your natural figure.
Apple shape
If you lack a defined waist and are narrower in the bust with similarly narrow hips, finding the best type of dress for your body type is all about drawing the eye to your upper and/or lower body.
Good options include a dress with a plunging or wide neckline that brings attention up, or a miniskirt that accentuates your legs.
Some of the best dresses for apple-shaped body types are those that taper through the torso and add shape to the midline. This body type can also rock a flowy boho dress or a long maxi.
However, apple shapes should avoid dresses that have bold embellishments like cutouts or colorful accents around the midsection, as they can throw the style off balance.
Rectangle shape
This body type has little to no curves, appearing along nearly the same line from the bust, through the torso, all the way to the hips. Styling a rectangle body type is about finding dresses that slim the waist or help visually define it to create shape.
An A-line dress is one of the best silhouettes for a rectangle shape since it naturally draws in at the waist. Dresses with colorblocked definition at the sides will create visual lines that help enhance a rectangle body type as well.
Tube dresses or strapless dresses that accentuate your shoulders are also solid go-to looks for a rectangle shape.
Dress styles for specific body shapes
Sometimes, knowing how to dress for your shape comes down to more than simply knowing your body type.
For example, you may need lengthening dress styles to balance shorter legs or dresses that enhance curves to complement wider hips. These challenges can exist with any number of body types.
Here are some of the best dress silhouettes to complement particular body areas and help you achieve your signature look.
Dresses for wide hips
If you have wider hips, you have a variety of stylish dress options to choose from.
If you want to accentuate your hips, figure-hugging bodycon dresses might be the way to go since many styles in this category are designed to enhance curves.
If you’d rather minimize your hips, you can also play with flowy maxis or empire waist dresses that narrow on the top and flow over your curves.
Whether you emphasize at the bodice or hips, your dress should have shape, so avoid those that are uniform in width, such as shift dresses or halter maxis.
Dresses for petite frames
If you’re looking for guidance on styling a petite frame, we have you covered. Dressing this body type is all about leg-lengthening dress styles that help create the illusion of height.
For example, belted jumpsuits can look great on a petite frame, using the pant length to help elongate your legs while cinching at your waist. Petite dresses that hit above the knee are also particularly flattering.
Avoid dresses that lack a defining feature or that fully cover every inch from neck to ankle.
Dresses for athletic builds
If you have an athletic build, the best type of dress for your body type is one that shows off a toned element. If you have great arms, go sleeveless. Great calves? Get a dress with an above-the-knee hem length.
Athletic builds with larger chests look great in halter tops or square necklines with playful touches, like ruching or origami-like folds. For this body type, it’s usually best to avoid boxy silhouettes as they diminish in form.
Dresses for a slim silhouette
If you have a slim silhouette, your dress should either create the illusion of curves or play into your shape.
For example, a dress with a ruffle across the chest can help create curved lines along the bodice. The same goes for a dress that can be bloused on top over a cinching belt.
Alternatively, you can make a simple shift dress look amazing with either heels or strappy sandals that add interest to the lower half.
As far as dresses to avoid for your body type, you’re best to pass on bulky dresses or certain shapes, like mermaid cuts that are designed to flare out under more shapely hips.
Dress styles to elongate short legs
Lengthening short legs is all about strategically showing skin. Try a flirty miniskirt in a fun color or a tapered, figure-hugging pencil skirt.
The key for elongating short legs is to play with the length and look for pieces with vertical details like seaming or contrasting insets.
Pairing your dress with nude-colored heels is another way to add the illusion of length. Whatever you do, avoid maxi dresses or other styles that cover all the way to your ankles!
Dresses for plus size figures
Plus size figures come in all shapes—pear, apple, hourglass, and beyond. But in general, the key to finding the perfect plus size dresses lies in creating balance and definition.
A-line dresses, wrap dresses, and fit-and-flare dresses all narrow in the middle to provide balance on the top and bottom halves.
In general, it’s best to avoid overly loose, boxy, or flowy dresses, as they lack defining elements that help create shape.
Find your perfect dress
No matter your body shape, the key to styling it is knowing how to accentuate the right areas.
Every body shape has its upsides, and by knowing your body type, you can more quickly get to the fitting room with dresses that highlight your type’s assets. But body type and shape aside, remember that the most important thing is to find the dress that makes you feel beautiful and confident.
