Dear First name / friend,
It's funny, in the winter and early spring, when I announce it's dress day…I get lots of hemming, hawing and HECK NO's from the peanut gallery. And I get it…I rarely get excited about wearing a dress when it's cold and my legs are pasty.
But ladies….Listen up…Summer is DRESS SEASON!
And you'll be doing yourself an enormous favor if you have a couple dresses this season that you love.
If you work in an office…the one-and-done dress makes getting out the door in the morning easier…And if you work in the AC, you can add a blazer or light cardigan to even a very casual dress and instantly elevate it.
Here's my list of down-and-dirty dress tips for y'all:
1. Make sure you have shoes in YOUR skin-tone to wear with all your dresses. It just makes it so easy and eliminates the “what shoes to wear" dilemma.
2. I recommend we all have a dress in a neutral (i.e. black, navy), a solid color, a pattern (like a tight floral and/or stripe), and WHITE. White is optional, but oh-so-chic and summery. If you've been late to the white jeans party, a white dress may seem like a stretch, but trust me…(unless you're going to a wedding), a white dress in the summer almost always works!
Now, for some BODY-TYPE Guidelines….
Use these as a guide - and in the end, try, try and try…be open, take a pic, and get feedback from the group!
1. HOURGLASS:
Hourglass figures are curvy with proportionate hips and bust/shoulders. You also have a well-defined waist (even if it's not a slim as it once was).
Look for dresses that have:
- V-necklines
- Open necklines
- Cinched-in, belted or gathered waistlines
- Form-fitting tops
Wrap dresses and faux wrap dresses are also a great option for hourglass figures.
Avoid: baby doll dresses, shapeless styles, empire waist styles, oversized dresses with no structure.
2. PEAR SHAPES:
You typically have a smaller upper body and larger hips and thighs. To appear more balanced and proportionate, pear types should opt for dresses that add focus to your upper half and flow over your curves on the bottom.
Look for dresses that have:
- Strapless tops, off-the-shoulder tops
- Fit and flare styles
- Interesting details on the top
- Shoulder details, ruffles, especially if your shoulders are narrower than your hips.
- A fitted open neckline
- A V-neckline. If you are very small-chested, a less-deep v, or a scoop or crew neck are great.
- A-line or full skirt
Dresses with details in the bust area will help create a balancing effect. Keep in mind that if you pick a dress that’s fitted in the hips, you will probably have to go a size up and alter the waist. Fit and flare dresses are great as they are roomier from the waist down and add volume to your small upper body and waist.
What to avoid:
Oversized/shapeless styles, full, poofy skirts, super-short hemlines, curve-hugging fabrics.
3. APPLE:
Women with apple body types carry their weight in their midsection and usually have a shorter, undefined waist, and slim legs. Apple body types also tend to have flatter bottoms. Your waist measurement is often larger than your hip measurement and your belly protrudes. You often have great arms and legs.
What to Look For:
Look for dresses that draws attention to your upper body…swing dresses, dresses with an embellished top or an empire waist , A-line dresses, wrap dresses, and dresses with full, drapey skirts are also great options, as they help conceal the midsection. A major asset of apple body types is your legs (and often your arms too) so look at shorter lengths and sleeveless tops.
What to Avoid:
Dresses that draw the eye to your midsection, horizontal lines at your belly, belts and gathers that hit at the natural waistline (above is usually better), overly fitted tops (go for loose draping instead). Adding structure with a curved hem
ponte blazer is a great trick for minimizing a midsection too!
4. INVERTED TRIANGLE
This shape is characterized by a silhouette that is more narrow in the hips than in the shoulders. Athletic body types also tend to have waists that are not well-defined and broader shoulders. The key with this body type is to balance your upper body with your narrower lower body.
Best Dresses for You:
Any dress that will balance the upper body and fill your slight hips, such as dresses with:
- Ruffles (lucky you…ruffled skirts are everywhere this year!)
- Any other volume-increasing details.
- Halter necklines are a good way of showing off your great shoulders while bringing the line in visually.
A-lines and lower waistlines are usually very flattering. In general, dresses that slightly flare out are ideal for you as they help balance out broad shoulders.For athletic body types with bigger busts, consider thick straps (vs. spaghetti straps), halter tops, dresses with ruching and draping, U-necks, and V-necks (vs. boat or off-the- shoulder) will be your best bet.
5. RECTANGLE
This one is me, by the way! This straight figure is characterized by hips and shoulders that are similar in width and no clearly defined waist. The goal with this shape is to create the illusion of curves or that hourglass shape.
Here are some examples of dresses that use details to “fake a waist” and create curves on this straight figure.
