How to Choose a Dress for Your Body Type

There is no wrong body for a dress, only cuts that work with your proportions and cuts that work against them. These are guidelines, not rules: if you love a dress and feel good in it, wear it.

First, find your proportions

Measure your shoulders, bust, waist and hips and see how they compare. You do not need exact numbers; you only need to know which part is widest and how defined your waist is.

Hourglass: bust and hips similar, defined waist

Show the waist. Fitted and corset bodices, wrap shapes and bias-cut satin follow your line without adding volume. See our corset dresses and satin dresses.

Pear: hips wider than shoulders

Draw the eye upward and let the skirt flow. Off-shoulder, square and detailed necklines balance the shoulders; A-line and full skirts skim the hips. A corset bodice with a tulle or chiffon skirt is a very good shape for you.

Apple: fuller middle, slimmer legs

Choose dresses that define the narrowest point just under the bust and fall straight from there. Structured fabrics such as crepe, ruching across the waist and V or cowl necklines lengthen the torso. A midi shows off your legs: see our midi dresses.

Rectangle: shoulders, waist and hips similar

Create curves with construction. Boned corset bodices, draping at the waist, cut-outs and fishtail skirts all add shape. One-shoulder and halter necklines work well too.

Inverted triangle: shoulders wider than hips

Balance the shoulders with volume below the waist: full skirts, pleats and A-line shapes. Halter and V necklines narrow the shoulder line; avoid heavy detail on the shoulders.

Petite

A single colour from top to hem and a high waist make you look taller. Choose a maxi with a slit or a midi that ends just below the knee, and check the dress length on the size chart.

Tall

Floor-length gowns and long bias-cut skirts are made for you. Check the length on the size chart so that a maxi really reaches the floor: see our maxi dresses.

Fuller bust

Look for support built into the dress: boning, underwired cups and wide or adjustable straps. Square and sweetheart necklines are usually more comfortable than very thin straps.

Fit matters more than shape

Whatever your figure, the right size makes the biggest difference. Compare your measurements with the size chart on each dress and read our size guide. If you are between two sizes in a structured dress, take the larger one. Not sure? Email info@luxywears.com with your measurements and the dress you like.