The Most Flattering Types of Dresses for Every Body Shape
Bonus: These styles are perfect for spring.
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Picture this: You're shopping for clothes and a dress immediately catches your eye. But when you go to try it on, something's off about it. As cute as it looked on the rack (or the model), it was probably made to flatter a different body type. We know the feeling all too well. That's why it's super helpful to know what to look for when shopping for your specific body type, from petite to apple-shaped and everything in between.
Here, you'll find out how to buy dresses for your body shape, including what to look for and specific examples. By no means are these the only types of dresses you should wear (because you should wear whatever you feel most comfortable and confident in!), they're just styles that are sure to flatter your specific body type.
If you have a curvy or hourglass figure, you'll want to look for dresses with belted waists to highlight your waistline, like The Japanese GoWeave Sleeveless Wrap Dress from Everlane. Another easy alternative? Just add a belt to your favorite dress!
When shopping, look for shirt-dresses, wrap dresses, and fit and flare silhouettes. This Everlane piece comes in four gorgeous colors and features a flattering V-neck and a belt to tie around your waist.
Sleek and streamlined is the way to go for taller women. A simple column dress works for more formal occasions, while a shift dress is your best bet as a casual style. Try this Long Tall Sally suit dress — it's a great example of a column dress for tall ladies. The seams stand out and add a bit of detail to an otherwise simple navy dress.
People with apple-shaped bodies can opt for dresses that don’t have fixed waists to balance out a thicker midsection. Look for a looser silhouette in the form of a swing or smock dress. This high-neck mini swing dress from ASOS DESIGN is perfect for spring — it has a relaxed shape and it features a high neck and trumpet sleeves.
Three words: Fit. And. Flare. Pear-shaped (also called "triangle" sometimes) ladies shine in anything that tucks in at the waist and flows over your lower half. Not only are fit and flare dresses instantly flattering, but this type of dress creates proportion between your top and bottom. This sleeveless sweater dress from Anne Klein has classic black-and-white stripes, making it a timeless wardrobe staple in the flattering fit and flare shape.
If you have more of an athletic figure, steer clear of flowing, shapeless dresses. Instead, try dress styles with strategic ruching or cinching that help create an illusion of a curvier figure. This slim-fitting, patterned ASOS WHITE dress features a modern grid print, and the ruched front is perfect for athletic shapes.
Asymmetrical hems (a.k.a where the dress is shorter in the front and longer in the back) are a great choice for small-stature shapes. This type of dress is often less overwhelming on this body type than other styles. A simple asymmetrical-hemmed dress like this twist-front dress from Chelsea28 can be dressed up and down! Another hint for petite gals: avoid maxi dresses if you're petite, unless you want to get them tailored!
Amina is a product review writer and editor who worked as an editorial assistant in the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2018 to 2020, writing original content based on GH Lab experts' product testing and analysis. Amina graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in communication studies and journalism.
