FIND THE PERFECT PROM DRESS: 03/14/08

The first step in finding the perfect prom dress, and the most important, is finding the prom dress that flatters your body type. You need to identify what cut will best fit your body and which silhouette will most flatter your shape and size. So, how do you do that? Easy, just read on. Find your shape and corresponding styles with our Shape Guide.

Tall & Thin Pear Shaped
Petite Apple Shaped
Hourglass Broad Shoulders
Full-Figured Big Busted
Athletic Small Busted

Description: You are 5’6” or taller. You have no visible curves. You are slender throughout. Your shoulders and hips are approximately the same width. You have an average sized bust.

Ideal Choices: Sheath; Empire; A-line; Ball Gown

Suggestions: Want the appearance of a fuller chest, try an empire style dress. Transform your body into a feminine hourglass by adding detail at the waistline (a belt, ribbons, shirring, or darts). Want to add fullness to your slender shape, try a ball skirt or an A-line dress. A dress with details or patterns can help break your long line and add more definition to your shape. A sheath dress would look great and flow gracefully on your long slim silhouette. Try a body skimming dress that emphasizes your subtle curves. Opt for one with a slit to reveal your long legs. An open neckline, a cutout back or a plunging V-neck, work well for you.

Description:You are 5’3”or shorter. You have a small frame. You are trim with subtle curves. You have an average sized bust.

Ideal Choices: Sheath; Empire; A-line

Suggestions: Elongate your tiny frame by showing some leg. Wear a dress with a short hemline and instantly look taller. Explore different types of hemlines for one that suits you the best (handkerchief, asymmetrical, ruffled, hi/low). Create a longer silhouette with a simple column-style sheath dress. If you are short-waisted, choose an empire style or an A-line style that will take the emphasis of the waistline and create an elongated line. Play around with necklines -V-shape, halter or sweetheart are great for you.

Description: You are short or tall. You have a curvy frame. You have a medium to large bust. You have a small waist (smaller than your shoulders and hips). You have naturally curvy hips. You have a rounded bottom.

Ideal Choices: Sheath; A-line; Ball gown

Suggestions: Show off your curvy figure with a form-fitting sheath dress. Be it plain or embellished, this type of dress will accentuate your body in all the right places. A little hipper than desired? Choose an A-line or ball gown, to cover your wider parts and draw attention upward. To achieve this try a strapless bodice ball gown with a full skirt and a cinched waist. Keep eyes above the waist with an embellished neckline.

Description: You are short or tall. You are heavy throughout. You have a large frame. You have very noticeable curves. You have a large bust.

Ideal Choices: Empire; A-line; Ball gown

Suggestions: Look for slimming styles that won’t cling to every curve. Try an A-line dress that slims throughout the waist and gently flows around your lower body. Want the same effect but more bottom coverage? Try a ball gown with a corseted waist or a tight-fitting two-piece that will highlight your torso and hide a fuller bottom. Another good option is the empire gown, which will draw more attention to your bust line and flow over everything else below. V, round or sweetheart necklines look best as does thick straps or a halter top.

Description:You are short or tall. You are bottom heavy. Your hips, bottom, thighs are larger than your upper body.

Ideal Choices: Empire; A-line; Ball gown

Suggestions: Flatter your best assets (your top half) with dresses that accentuate the bodice and loosely flow over the body. Strapless bodices are the best choice for your body type. Choose either an A-line, empire or ball gown and favor a strapless bustier or a halter with a circular neckline.

Description: You are short or tall. You have a heavier mid-section than the rest of your body. You are thick-waisted or you have an undesired tummy.

Ideal Choices: Empire; A-line

Suggestions: Empire gowns look best on this type of figure. The high waist de-emphasizes your mid-section and lengthens your overall silhouette. If you choose to go with an A-line gown, it is ideal that you choose a bodice with boning for a slimming effect.

Description: You are short or tall. You have a large frame. You are straight throughout with no visible curves. You have wide shoulders and toned legs.

Ideal Choices: Empire; Ball gown

Suggestions:Try an empire gown that will add definition and shape to your silhouette. For full definition opt for a ball gown, the full skirt and form-fitting bodice will instantly highlight your waistline and give you a natural feminine shape.

Description: You are short or tall. You have wide shoulders.

Ideal Choices: Sheath; Empire; A-line, Ball Gown

Suggestions: Dresses that reveal your shoulders are best. Covering your shoulders may make them look bigger. A halter or strapless style with a narrow bodice looks best. It pleasantly exposes your shoulders (you shouldn’t hide them) and slims the midsection, whilst producing an hourglass silhouette.

Description: You are short or tall. You have a C cup or larger.

Ideal Choices: A-Line; Ball gown

Suggestions: If you opt for an A-line or ball gown it is ideal that you choose a corset bodice for added support. A bodice with straps helps keep it in place and gives you extra support. Full coverage V-necks flatter your neckline without showing too much cleavage. Halter gowns are a good option as the halter can be adjusted according to the support you need. A good way to deflect attention from your chest is to wear a dress with details at the hemline.

Description: You are short or tall. You have an A cup or smaller.

Ideal Choices: Empire; A-Line; Ball gown

Suggestions: A ball gown or A-line looks nice on your figure but if the bodice is strapless it must be tightly fitted for minimal mishaps. A detailed bodice is an ideal way to add shape and definition to your bustline. Details such as ruching, ornate beadwork, ruffles or embroidery will give the appearance of a fuller chest. Empire works well, as it accentuates the chest but works best when the bodice is embellished.