How to select a dress for your body type

It is easy to be beautiful and attractive in your new dress, even if you are aware that your figure is not perfect. The trick is to select a dress to complement your advantages and go with your proportions, shape and weight. Larger hips, protruding belly or square masculine shoulders will no longer be a blotch on your image if you know how to hide them with the proper selection of clothes.

There are four main types of female body structure and there are gowns to complement each and every one of them.

1. The inverted trapeze type

If your waist is not clearly defined and your shoulders are broader than your hips, then you belong to this body type. Use a dress with an empire waistline or one bare shoulder. If you wear a low-waist dress the attention will be distracted from your broad shoulders and be drawn to the waist.

Not recommended: puffed sleeves, cradle neckline or V-necks

2. The trapeze type

If your hips are wider than your shoulders, then you have a typical trapezoid body structure. If you select dresses with high waistlines your imperfections will be hardly noticeable. Puffed sleeves and V-necks are your friends and allies because they optically enlarge the bust and harmonize the proportions of your upper body.

Not recommended: low-waist dresses, a tight upper and widening lower part dress.

3. Hourglass type

If you are among the lucky ladies whose hips and shoulders are equally wide, while your waist is delicate and well defined, then the best dress for you is the one that highlights your waist and consequently your curves. A free-flowing dress with a tight upper part and a belt is ideal for that purpose.

Not recommended: spacious dresses without a defined waist.

4. Rectangular type

Those ladies who have equal proportions of hips and shoulders, but their waist is not well defined represent the rectangular type of body structure. A suitable dress for them would be a strict line dress with a low waist, such as the dresses worn in the 20s or the trapezoid dresses of the 60s.

Not recommended: gowns with a tight and defined waist.