A Complete Guide To Choosing The Right Party Dress For Your Body Type

Posted by , on November 15, 2012 at 10:30 am

Approach your holiday festivities in the best shape possible—literally. Read on to get the scoop on what type of dress silhouette will flatter your figure best this season, and where to buy 'em now!  [...]

Approach your holiday festivities in the best shape possible—literally. Read on to get the scoop on what type of dress silhouette will flatter your figure best this season, and where to buy 'em now! 

PETITE PACKAGE

Your Body: Under 5'3" and small-boned

Your Dress: Opt for a body-conscious style with peplum detail. The emphasis on your hips will give the illusion of slightly more voluptuous curves, [...]

PETITE PACKAGE

Your Body: Under 5'3" and small-boned

Your Dress: Opt for a body-conscious style with peplum detail. The emphasis on your hips will give the illusion of slightly more voluptuous curves, while still highlighting your legs and arms.

Dress, $34.95; at H&M

Sequin Peplum Dress, $130; at Topshop

Peplum Dress, $69.90; at Zara

Tibi Lace-Appliquéd Twill Dress, $495; at Net-A-Porter

DKNY Metallic Floral Lace Peplum Dress, $480; at StyleBop

Make The Sky Blush Dress, $125; at Nasty Gal

CLASSIC HOURGLASS

Your Body: Your shoulders and and hips are about the same size, and your waistline is defined.

Your Dress: Fit 'n' flare dresses are your BFF. Accentuate that waistline with numbers [...]

CLASSIC HOURGLASS

Your Body: Your shoulders and and hips are about the same size, and your waistline is defined.

Your Dress: Fit 'n' flare dresses are your BFF. Accentuate that waistline with numbers that cinch in above your belly-button and have fluttery feminine skirts.

Oasis Baroque Jacquard Dress, $131.93; at Asos

T by Alexander Wang Sleeveless Neoprene Inverted Pleat Dress, $325; at Opening Ceremony

Chrysanthemum Tea Dress, $198; at Anthropologie

Sparkle & Fade Carved Shoulder Metallic Circle Dress, $39; at Urban Outfitters

Alice + Olivia Lace Dress, $495; at Shopbop

Brocade Fit 'n' Flare Dress, $295; at Erin Erin Fetherston

PERFECTLY PEAR

Your Body: Narrow on top, wider at the waist and through the legs

Your Dress: Empire-waist styles will emphasize your petite top half, while cleverly hiding anything you don't want seen [...]

PERFECTLY PEAR

Your Body: Narrow on top, wider at the waist and through the legs

Your Dress: Empire-waist styles will emphasize your petite top half, while cleverly hiding anything you don't want seen from the stomach down.

Rare Embellished Waist Dress, $61.57; at Asos

BB Dakota Olsen Sequin Pleated Dress, $88; at Revolve Clothing

BCBGMAXAZRIA Sequin Dress, $351; at Bloomingdale's

David Meister Salon Z Empire-Waist Floor-Length Gown, $383; at Saks Fifth Avenue

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Jersey Dress Empire-Gathered, $295; at Bloomingdale's

Taryn Dress in Silk Chiffon, $59.99; at J.Crew

CHIC TOMBOY

Your Body: Super-slim, straight up and down

Your Dress: Draped, gathered and ruched styles with Grecian influences give a curvier impression at the waist and the bust.

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Boudicca Metallic Stretch Jersey Dress, $340; at Net-A-Porter

Alexander Wang Draped Crepe Dress $222.75; at the Outnet

Wyatt Slate Green Jersey Asymmetrical Drape Dress, $62.99; at Bluefly

MM Couture Gold Tank Dress, $89; at Piperlime

Vera Wang Lavender Label V-Neck Chiffon Drape Dress, $230; at Zappos

Lanvin Draped Belted Crepe-Jersey Dress, $872; at the Outnet

SUPER CURVACEOUS

Your Body: Full-figured with serious curves.

Your Dress: If you're not totally into the the idea of a short dress, and feel like a maxi might be too much fabric for your frame, try [...]

SUPER CURVACEOUS

Your Body: Full-figured with serious curves.

Your Dress: If you're not totally into the the idea of a short dress, and feel like a maxi might be too much fabric for your frame, try styles that have uneven hemlines. Those that are slightly higher in the front are a great way to camouflage any trouble areas while infusing offering some style and structure.

Chiffon Dip Hem Dress, $84; at Topshop

Asos Curve Chiffon Dress With Gathered Skirt, $67.72; at Asos

Ecote Black Magic Dress, $79; at Urban Outfitters

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Python Print Cap Sleeve Dress, $398; at Barneys

Ella Moss Bella Slub High-Low Dress, $228; at Neiman Marcus

Wrapper Women's Plus Size High-Low Jersey Dress, $44; at Amazon

LEGS FOR DAYS

Your Body: Extra-tall with crazy-long legs

Your Dress: While shorter gals could look frumpy in midi-length and below-the-knee hemlines, these styles suit your leggy frame to a T. Here, we [...]

LEGS FOR DAYS

Your Body: Extra-tall with crazy-long legs

Your Dress: While shorter gals could look frumpy in midi-length and below-the-knee hemlines, these styles suit your leggy frame to a T. Here, we found some super-chic and extra-playful options.

Mara Hoffman Fitted Keyhole Dress, $275; at Nordstrom

Meadow Print Tassel Midi Dress, $130; at Topshop

Two Tone Dress, $65; at LnA Clothing

Cut-Out Collar Dress, $135; at Opening Ceremony

Marc by Marc Jacobs Zora Striped Midi Dress, $274; at Bergdorf Goodman

Accordian Midi Dress, $138; at Anthropologie

CLASSIC CONE

Your Body: Slim through the hips and legs, broader on the top. You're a dame!

Your Dress: Long-sleeves are not only elegant, they're super flattering when it comes to your shape. Classic [...]

CLASSIC CONE

Your Body: Slim through the hips and legs, broader on the top. You're a dame!

Your Dress: Long-sleeves are not only elegant, they're super flattering when it comes to your shape. Classic wrap-dresses draw the eye downward while the sleeves balance out your shoulders and chest area.

Alice + Olivia Emmie Belted Wool Wrap Dress, $484; at Saks Fifth Avenue

Fosette Dress, $262.50; at Diane von Furstenberg

Skater Dress With Ballet Wrap and 3/4 Sleeve, $43.98; at Asos

Parker Wrap Dress, $217.99; at Zappos

Maje Slow Crepe Wrap-Effect Dress, $375; at Net-A-Porter

MICHAEL Michael Kors Ruched Hardware Wrap Dress, $120; at Macy's

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From office shindigs to slightly more elegant affairs, our calendars are filling up fast with holiday (and pre-holiday!) parties. While we’re looking forward to the festive fun, we’re facing the inevitable question: What to wear?

Of course, we all want to look as chic as possible at any fete, but we also want to feel comfortable in clothes that both dazzle and flatter. When it comes to shopping for the perfect holiday look, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and grab the nearest dress that’s either the trendiest, the most affordable, or the most basic without considering how it’ll really fit your shape. And while you may be drawn to specific silhouettes, it might be worth your while to take a moment to consider if they’re truly accentuating your very best features.

For example, if you’re drawn to stylish calf-legnth dresses, but you barely clear five feet, you may want to think about hiking that hemline up a few inches to elongate your frame (and highlight those legs!). That’s just one piece of advice you’ll find here, so read on to discover the best dress silhouettes for your particular body shape — from beanpole to bodacious—to look and feel your best this holiday season.

Read on to learn which dress styles will accentuate your best features and where to buy them now!


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  1. I love these kinds of guides, but I have to admit: I used to be more of a pear shape and empire waists weren’t very flattering on me. They often drowned my bottom half and made me look wider! Perhaps just me, but maybe there would be another option?

    I’d also love to see a section for petites with curves! Not all petites can pull off peplums. :(

    Love, love the dresses you chose though, Liz!