Dresses for occasions

How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type

Alice T Breeze
By Alice T Breeze. Updated: January 20, 2017
How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type

Prom night has to be one of the most important nights for many adolescents, this is why picking the most appropriate dress for the occasion is key to make Prom absolutely unforgettable.

As you may know, not all girls have the same body shape, and the way people look in a dress can vary highly. From the shape, length, material and pattern, there's a perfect dress waiting to suit your gorgeous figure. At OneHowTo we'd like to show you how to choose the perfect prom dress for your body type in detail, taking all of the elements you need into account.

Contents

  1. Apple shape prom dresses
  2. Pear shape prom dresses
  3. Strawberry or inverted triangle shape prom dresses
  4. Hourglass shape prom dresses
  5. Rectangle shape prom dresses
  6. Look taller in your prom dress
  7. Look slimmer in your prom dress

Apple shape prom dresses

Girls with an apple body shape have a wider bust and waist than their hips. Therefore, the best prom dress to suit your body shape will be one that enhances your waist as much as possible.

To do so, choose V-neck lines to direct the sight towards the waist and choose a draped fabric from the waist down. It's best if you keep the pattern monochrome, though you can make your dress unique with some details and embellishments around the neckline or go for an asymmetric strap. Make sure your dress is at least knee length in order to balance your figure. Ball gowns with halter necks are going to be your best bet.

How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type - Apple shape prom dresses

Pear shape prom dresses

Girls who have a pear shape body are characterized by having a wider hip and thigh area whilst the waist and bust is slimmer.

The aim for your perfect prom dress is to try to hide the wideness of the hips to balance your body. To do so, you need to focus the attention in the bust. Sweetheart and strapless dresses are a great option for your body type, adding a feature to highlight your waist and a flared bottom to balance your whole look. Search for A-shaped dresses that are just above the knee or go for a full-lengthed princess dress if you prefer. Avoid striped dresses under all circumstances.

How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type - Pear shape prom dresses

Strawberry or inverted triangle shape prom dresses

Strawberry or inverted triangle shaped girls have a larger bust area than waist and hips, therefore, you will want to avoid all the attention being put on your shoulders, which is why you should avoid single strapped dresses or straight-cut cleavages. Therefore, V-necked dresses will suit you more. Your best bet is to make sure there is plenty of volume from the waist downwards. Your prom dress will look great with peplum frills around the waist. It's also important to avoid heavy necklaces and earrings when it comes to accessorizing your prom dress.

How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type - Strawberry or inverted triangle shape prom dresses

Hourglass shape prom dresses

This kind of figure is characterized by having equally sized bust and hips but a slimmer waist. If this is your case, then a mermaid dress is perfect for you, especially if you are short, as this type of dress will also make you look taller. Tightly fitted dresses that enhance your hourglass figure will make you look stunning, so avoid dresses that are too baggy. Strapless dresses will also center the attention on your bust and waistline.

How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type - Hourglass shape prom dresses

Rectangle shape prom dresses

If you have a rectangular silhouette, it means that the width of bust waist and hips does not differ very much. In this case, we'll need to create the illusion of curves to hide your straight figure.

To find the perfect prom dress, choose printed dresses that have many layers and volume. Go for bright colors such as blues, reds and yellows. Search for dresses with wide brims and those that enhance your waist with detains such as belts or horizontal lines.

How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type - Rectangle shape prom dresses

Look taller in your prom dress

To find the perfect prom dress if you are short is also possible and has absolutely nothing to do with your body shape, there are just a few more things you should take into account when choosing the right dress for you.

Though wearing short skirts and dresses is a useful trick, it doesn't seem that suitable for prom, so as well as wearing a comfortable pair of high heels, look for dresses or skirts with high waists. Avoid prints and go for monochrome dresses and choose nice headdresses as an accessory to elongate your figure. You should also avoid dresses that cut your leg below the knee, these will make your legs look shorter so go for above the knee or full length dresses.

How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type - Look taller in your prom dress

Look slimmer in your prom dress

If you feel that you need to look slimmer in your prom dress, one of the most useful tips is to go for darker prom dresses such as black, navy blue or emerald green. Do not think that you need to have a baggy dress just because you think you are chubby, enhance your best features according to your body shape, but avoid horizontal lines and big prints.

Curvy girls should play with draped fabric dresses that will hide the right parts of your body while you enhance your bust with a beautiful single-strapped dress. Wear your dress with confidence, you'll look twice as amazing!

How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type - Look slimmer in your prom dress

If you want to read similar articles to How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type, we recommend you visit our Fashion & Style category.

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How to Choose the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type