How to Choose a Proper Cocktail Dress for Your Body Type
A selection of cocktail dresses is an essential part of every woman’s wardrobe. However, finding the perfect style to suit your particular body type can be difficult. A perfect cocktail dress will create an hourglass silhouette out of your body while hiding the areas that you don’t want to highlight. It will also flatter your body by balancing your proportions just right.
It may sound almost impossible that a dress so perfect would exist, but once you gain an understanding of various body types and dress elements, you’ll be able to pair them together and find the perfect cocktail dress for you.
How to Determine your Body Type
There are five different body types that each and every woman can have. To help you determine yours, we got in touch with Jessica, a designer at JJsHouse, which is a leading online retailer that provides a wide range of cocktail dresses and dresses for special occasions. Jessica explains that, “determining your body type is essential for finding your ideal dress style. Fortunately, it’s really simple to do. Just grab a measuring tape and take your measurements at the shoulders, bust, waist and hips.” You can then use these measurements to determine which of the following body types you have:
Hourglass: Your waist is smaller than your hips, bust and shoulders.
Pear: Your waist, bust and shoulders are smaller than your hips.
Apple: Your waist is not well-defined. You have a large bust and your shoulders are wider than your hips.
Triangle: Your hips are wider than your bust and shoulders.
Inverted Triangle: Your bust and shoulders are wider than your hips.
Now that you know your body type, you can begin searching for your perfect cocktail dress.
Finding the Proper Cocktail Dress for Your Body Type
Every dress has different elements. Dresses all have unique silhouettes, necklines, sleeves and straps, and each of these elements is made to suit a different body type. Here’s a run-down of what you should look for in a dress depending on your body type:
Hourglass: Look for fitted dresses, mermaid silhouettes or pencil skirts. Strapless styles are ideal. Stay away from baggy and loose-fitting dresses.
Pear: Choose a style that will showcase your chest, shoulders and face. Try halter-style dresses and dresses with deep necklines. Make sure the skirt is loose, such as a tutu or A-line.
Apple: Flaunt your curves. Don’t cover up with a shapeless dress. Choose a style with a plunging neckline to highlight your ample chest. Play with wrap dresses and fuller skirts. Go for styles where the lower portion of the dress will balance out your top-heavy figure.
Triangle: Look for form-fitting dresses and don’t be afraid to expose your shoulders and chest. Sleeveless styles are ideal for you. Think strapless or off-the-shoulder body-con dresses and pencil skirts.
Inverted Triangle: The dress should draw the eye away from the shoulders. Try various V-necks and dresses with thin straps or cap sleeves. Stay away from strapless and off-shoulder dresses. Ideal skirts for you are slim and embellished. Make sure the dress emphasizes your waist.
To get a really good idea of what kind of dress you want, you can always visit a local dress shop and try on some different options before you start shopping. Once you’re sure of what you’re looking for, check out all the great online deals at reputable retailers like JJsHouse.
