Guest Post: Summer Dress For Your Body Type

Guest Post: Summer Dress For Your Body Type

It doesn't really matter what size you are or what your body shape is; you can always find the right mini dress to suit your body type. The trick lies in picking a dress that accentuates your best assets and underplays unflattering areas - after all that is what you want the dress to do, right!

Any woman can wear a mini dress with aplomb; you only need to be sure that the dress you choose is perfect not just for the occasion, but is also the right style for you. So, how to choose the right mini dress for your body type? Here are a few tips that can be of help.

Pear Shaped Women

With heavy thighs and hips, pear shaped women need dresses that draw away attention from this region. Baby doll style mini dresses or A-line cocktail dresses are the ideal choice. To ensure the dress does you justice, pick one with a heavily embellished neckline as it will shift the focus from the bottom half of your body to the top. An off shoulder dress or a halter or spaghetti strapped dress also works well, especially if you have arms and shoulders worth showing-off.

You can experiment with colors if you wish; pick dresses in bright hues such as fuchsia or turquoise. Just ensure the mini is not more than two inches above your knees and you’ll be fine.

The Hour Glass Figure

 An hour glass figure is rare; but if you have one consider yourself fortunate. You can wear just about any design that you wish. But, if you still want some tips consider opting for a halter neck dress or one with spaghetti straps as these will emphasize your feminine form.

A column dress in soft pastel shades can be ideal for summer and spring. At other times wear dresses with flared skirts. You can carry off almost any print; so don’t hold yourself back. If you like graphic designs or huge floral prints go for them.

Apple Shaped Body Type

Apple shaped women have excess weight around their midriff; so it’s best to avoid dresses that are too clingy. You have to learn to camouflage that extra weight you carry around your waist through careful dressing. What you need are dresses with loose silhouettes that cover the flaw and trick the eyes.

Opt for dresses with a drop waist or empire silhouette as they create an illusion of a smaller midsection. Apple shaped women generally have thick upper arms, so selecting the right sleeves becomes critical. Batwing or kimono style sleeves provide excellent cover up, while still looking chic.

Avoid big prints and soft hues; instead wear shades of red, brown, grey and blue. Keep the length just above the knees, not too short. Broad belts worn tightly across the midsection are a definite no. Instead wear a sash or link-chain belt low around your hips.

Busty Women

It can be tricky for busty women to carry off mini dresses; but it’s not that it cannot be done. Big breasts can get more emphasized in mini dresses. So, you’ll need a style that underplays your biggest assets. The easiest way to do so is to keep the bodice simple – no frills, layering, trimmings, lace, beads, embroidery or sequins. Go for a plunging V neck (if you are comfortable showing a bit of cleavage) with a halter back. Steer away from dresses with spaghetti straps. Pick A line dresses in lighter fabrics that don’t cling; and wear a bra that provides ample support. Keep the length just a wee bit over the knees. Mini dresses in gold and silver are a good option for a special occasion. 

Dresses For The Plus Sized

Full-figured women shouldn’t resort to concealing their size under layers. This only makes them look bulkier. Remember, to pick the fabric with care – nothing that sticks to the figure. Wrap dresses complement women with heavier frames as they can mask the problem areas. Swirly mini dresses in sheer fabric work best, while body hugging dresses will make you look matronly.

As the dress should balance the weight it’s best to avoid cuts that show too much skin. Off-shoulder dresses can be flattering on plus-sized women provided the skirt is nice and flowy. Consider three-quarter sleeves to conceal the heavy arms. Choose prints with caution, anything too busy could work as a negative.

Women With A Boyish Frame

Skinny women or those with smaller bust lines can wear all styles with élan. Bra inserts or padded bras can enhance their figure. However, if you want to stay natural and still want to wear mini dresses you must select designs with flounce on the bodice. Cowl neck dresses look amazing as do anything with a lot of ruffles or frills down the front. The idea is to keep the bottom half of your dress clean and embellishing the top segment.

Pick mini dresses that up your confidence quotient the minute you get into them. If you are uncomfortable with the look you’ll never be able to carry off the dress. It is not so much the dress but your attitude that is predominantly the best accessory in how great you look.

Author bio:

Brenda Panin is a full time mother and a great fashion lover. She enjoys shopping for as long as she can remember and dresses were always her weak spot. She likes wearing short skirts and most of them she buys at popcherry.com.au. 

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Size, Cut, and Shape: Why You Can Have the Best Clothes and Still Look a Mess

Size, Cut, and Shape: Why You Can Have the Best Clothes and Still Look a Mess

My personal belief about off the rack clothes is, while they make clothes in many sizes, they are still cut for the size 00 woman. (I think in reality it is the size 2 frame) If you wear a size 18, obviously you have a lot of curves.  However, even plus sized clothing, while it may be bigger, still is cut for the rail thin body type.  Furthermore, if you are not in the plus size category but have large breast and an ample derriere, finding clothes to fit your body type is still as hassle.  

Since I have become a fashion/beauty blogger groupie, I have stumbled across some amazing fashionistas of all different shapes, sizes and hues.  The bloggers I closely follow have amazing style.  HOWEVER.  There are a few bloggers that are not the fashion industry 00, and while the pieces they put together are gorgeous, the clothes don't look good on them.

It has absolutely nothing to do with weight, it has more to do with body types and shapes, and understanding what looks good on you.

Now we are all familiar with the body shape charts, or at least we should be.

These body shape charts serve as a foundation for understanding our shapes, however, there are other factors that should be pondered when you are dressing yourself!  For instance, do you have a short torso/long legs and vice versa?  Do you have a large bust or a small bust?  Do you have a big butt or a flat butt?  You may be laughing, but once you inch up past a size 4, these questions are important.  Sometimes the advice that all well meaning fashion magazines and stylists give  are too generic!  Furthermore, you may be a rectangle (or banana) shape but have apple shape characteristics as well, which is referred to as your secondary shape.  All of which is important when looking for clothes that flatter.

There is one blogger I closely follow, and this young woman is beautiful!  Her skin is amazing, she has a minimalist approach to make up but it always looks nice, and the garments she picks for her daily looks are awesome.  I have not seen one outfit she has put together that I haven't liked.  The only problem is, sometimes, the outfit doesn't look good on her.

How can this be?  Well, for one, I can tell that she is following the generic body type advice, but she isn't asking herself the more detailed questions to ensure each of her outfits enhance her figure, not take away from it.  She is shaped like a rectangle, she has broad shoulders and  not a terribly defined waist.  If I had to guess, I would think she is probably a size 12-14. 

So in typical fashion she does a lot outfits to create an illusion of a waist, which is appropriate, including belting, empire waists, etc.  However, what she is not taking into consideration is she has a short torso and is fairly flat chested.  To me baby doll dresses and empire waists only look good when you have an ample chest (or at least your boobs stick out further than your gut).  If you are thin with a flat chest and no pudge, empire waists can be flattering.  However, if you are relatively flat chested, have a rectangle shape and have a gut-say no to empire waists and baby doll dresses.  In real life it makes you look pregnant and further accentuates areas you don't want to highlight. Furthermore, this particular blogger is not conscious of her short torso.  I know most advice when you have a pudge in the middle is go for high waisted pants and skirts.  Really that is brilliant advice, however, if you have a short torso, it makes you look out of proportion and further shortens your torso.  It has more of a oompa loompa effect on the body.  Also if you have too much pudge the high waisted pant will enhance it!

So what is a short waisted, longer legged, flat chested, rectangle shaped woman with belly pudge to do?  GO for a waist that hits slightly below your true waist line; shirts and blouses should hit below this line as well.  Tailored blazers with a nipped waist also can slim your waist and give you nice proportion.  Also I am crazy in love with peplum skirts right now, which is flattering because they create the illusion of hips which can make your waist look smaller.

What makes you look good in your clothes is not the hottest spring colors, the label inside of the clothes, nor the price you paid for it.  How it fits your body is the important part.  Fashion is all about balance, proportion and accentuating the positives.  I think this is important for those of us who are larger than a size 00.  So remember, the basic body shape charts are important and the advice they give are valuable, however, pay attention to proportion, your bust, the length of your legs and torso, your gut, your weight, and the size of your derriere!

If you have a particular body shape (and you have specifics about your body) and need help finding looks that flatter-feel free to email me at info@iheartretailtherapy.com with your questions!  I will not publish your questions, unless you allow me to!

As Always, Happy Shopping!

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