Women Styling Tips

Best Dresses For Your Body Shape & Tummy

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Last Updated on January 24, 2023 by Morah Rose

If you want to know the right dress for your body shape, you will find the information in this article very helpful.

I’m not going to show you how to change your body. Instead, I’ll show you how to choose the best dress for your body shape.

Importance of knowing the right dresses for your body shape

  • You will have no trouble finding clothes that fit you well.
  • You will know the right type of dress for you.
  • You will have more confidence when wearing dresses.
  • You will look more stylish and chic.

See also:

How To Hide Belly Fat In A Tight Dress (With Pictures).

How To Dress To Minimize A Large Bust (13 Styling Tips).

How To Look Expensive On A Budget (For Ladies).

Best dress for your body shape

1. Inverted triangle body type

Ladies with inverted triangle body types have narrow hips and broader shoulders and also tend to carry more weight on the upper body than on the lower body. 

Therefore, the most flattering dresses for an inverted triangle body type are those with volume and ruffles at the bottom or details at the lower end. This is because they balance out the upper and lower body.

The details at the lower end of the dress also help to draw more attention to the lower part of the body.

Additionally, inverted triangle ladies need to go for dresses with necklines that flatter their broader shoulders, as seen in the images below.

This makes them look more gorgeous in a dress. 

The best dresses for an inverted triangle body type

  • One-shoulder asymmetrical neckline dresses

They look so gorgeous on an inverted triangle body shape because they flatter your shoulders without making them look broader.

They also ‘cut your shoulders in half’ and make you look even more stylish without trying so hard.

  • Sleeveless dresses

Sleeveless dresses do not broaden your shoulders thus they are also a nice choice for women with inverted triangle body types. 

  • Fit and flare dresses

This compliments your body shape because it does a good job of creating an illusion of a waistline while at the same time creating volume under your waist and around your hips area.

It also gives an illusion of broader hips because it tends to exaggerate the curve of your waist.

  • Lower neckline dresses

A good example of a lower neckline dress is a deep v-neckline dress. It draws attention away from your broad shoulders if you are more conscious of them.

best dresses for an inverted triangle body type
Avoid off-the-shoulder neckline dresses because they expose your shoulders. They also tend to draw all attention to the shoulder which makes them look even broader i.e if that’s not the look you want to achieve.

Other neckline dresses to avoid include;
– Boat neckline dresses
– Spaghetti strap dresses (especially those that are not close to your skin tone),

See also:

11 Things To Consider When Buying Clothes.

How To Dress Like An Italian Woman In Summer (Italian Style Clothing).

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2. Rectangle body shape

Ladies with rectangle shape typically don’t have a defined waistline and their upper (shoulders) and lower body (hips) is usually almost the same size.

Therefore, the best dresses that will complement a rectangle body shape are those that give an illusion of a defined waistline.

The best dresses for rectangle body shape

  • Wrap dresses

They give an illusion of a waistline and added curves. That’s because the wrap details make the waist look slimmer and the layers at the bottom that are flowy create a curvy silhouette.

  • Fit and flare dresses

It gives an illusion of a defined waistline.

  • Mermaid silhouette and flanged hem dresses

These dresses complement your body shape and balance it out.

3. Pear body shape

Pear body shape has narrow shoulders, a smaller waist, and wider hips. Pear shape ladies tend to carry more weight in their hips and thighs.

The most flattering dresses for a pear-shaped lady are those that balance out their wider hips and narrow shoulders.

The best dresses for a pear shape body type

  • Off-the-shoulder dresses

The off-the-shoulder dresses look flattering on a pear shape body type because they tend to create an illusion of a broader shoulder thus balancing out your body.

These types of dresses will look gorgeous on a pear shape because they complement their upper body as well.

  • A-line dresses

A-line dresses, especially the longer ones like maxi dresses will also look great on a pear shape, especially if you have wider hips and thick thighs.

4. Apple body shape

  • Empire dresses with a broad waistband

In order to look really good in an empire dress, make sure that the waistband is sitting higher than your stomach.

This is important because the dress will flare out above your stomach thus giving an illusion of a defined waistline and camouflaging your tummy. Empire dresses are very flattering on an apple body shape.

  • V-shape neckline dresses

V-shape neckline dresses look great on ladies with apple shape body types that have fuller busts because they tend to flatter their chest thus drawing more attention to their chest and not the stomach /tummy area.

  • Short shift dress

Short-shift dresses are great for the apple shape bodies who would like to hide their tummy or love handles while showing off their slim legs.

  • Peplum dresses

Peplum dresses look very flattering to an apple body shape because they not only create an illusion of a waistline but also give an illusion of a fuller and bigger bum.

  • Wrap dresses

 I’d recommend wearing a wrap dress that does not tie or add extra fabric around your waist area.

That’s because it tends to draw more attention around the stomach area.

Wrap dresses are very flattering on an apple body shape, especially if you find the right size.

best dresses for Apple body shape

5. Hourglass shape

Hourglass ladies usually have a defined waistline and their upper body (shoulders) balance out with their hips, giving them an hourglass shape.

The best dresses for these types of ladies are those that clearly define their waistline.

This means that a loosely fitted dress will definitely not compliment their overall look.

The best dresses for the hourglass body type

  • Body-hugging dresses
  • Slim wrap dress
  • Sheath dresses
  • A-line dresses
  • Fit and flare dresses
best dresses for the hourglass body type

How To Make Your Belly Look Flat In A Crop Top (With Pictures).

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Flattering dresses for thick waist, big belly, belly bulge, and love handles

The following dresses will look good with a big belly, belly budge, and love handle.

  • Body skimming dress with a tie at the front, split at the front, and with side pockets. 

It covers the tummy area and any extra mid-bulk. The side pockets give you a more relaxed look.

The front split draws attention to the legs, which is great if you love and consider your legs as one of your best assets.

  • Wear a dress with an elasticated waistline

To hide your tummy, you will need to pull the dress up so that some material fall over the elasticated waistline.

This will make the top look a bit baggy as it hangs over the stomach thus creating an illusion of a smaller waist.

best types of dresses for ladies who are conscious about their tummy
Stay away from very baggy dresses, even if you want to hide your tummy. 

That’s because they make you look like you are trying to hide something, you are pregnant, carry more weight, and so on.

They definitely don’t look stylish!