How to Choose the Perfect Dress for Your Body Type
- Isabella Boston
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Find Your Perfect Fit: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Dress for Your Body Type
Identifying your body type is the first step to finding the perfect dress. Style is not about wearing the trendiest outfits; it’s about enhancing the best features on your body. Making your body seem slimmer or streamlined (flattening) can elevate the look of any wardrobe.
To aid you in your fashion journey, I have put together this guide that will take you by the hand and help you shop for that perfect dress!
The five body types we will be addressing are:
Inverted Triangle (athletic)
Hourglass
Triangle (or Pear)
Rectangle (also athletic)
Round or Apple
Follow the below charts to determine your body type and what style dresses are best for you.
Inverted triangle body types are characterised by broad shoulders, and/or bust that narrow down to the hips. They usually have a flat bottom with little to no waist definition.
People with this body type also project a sporty and athletic physique with great-looking arms and legs! (Which is a huge plus for you!)
The goal for dressing your body type is to balance the broader shoulders, chest and back with the narrower lower body to create a balanced silhouette. You should put your focus on the lower body.
This can be accomplished by selecting clothes that add curves to the hips and bottom while creating a more defined waist and de-emphasising the upper body.
The right neckline for the inverted triangle body type should play down the wide shoulders and/ or bust. You want to keep your upper body clean and uncluttered; However, you can soften the broad shoulder line with soft, draping, and weighty fabrics.
Best Dresses for Inverted Triangle Body Type:
A-line, ballerina, and tulip dresses
Wrap dresses
Sheath dresses
Asymmetric styles - They help to break up the chest vertically
Necklines should be slim and long: U- neck and V- Neck are great
Halter necks - If you have a small bust, halter necks can help elongate your silhouette.
Dropped waistlines also work well with this body type
What you should avoid:
Avoid wide necklines that broaden the shoulders
Avoid dresses with shoulder pads or puffed sleeves
Avoid patterns on your tops and scarves around your neck and shoulders
Other than Mermaid styles, avoid dresses with tight-fitting skirts/ bottoms
The hourglass body type is curvy with proportionate hips and bust. Women with this figure have an upper body that is considered "balanced" with their leg length. Hourglass body types also have well-defined waists. This is an asset that you should accentuate!
Because hourglass body types usually have full and very well-shaped breasts, they look fabulous in sweetheart neck dresses.
Best Dresses for the Hourglass Body Type
V-necklines
Open necklines
Cinched-in waistlines
Form-fitting tops
Sweetheart necklines
Wrap dresses with belted waists are also a great option for the hourglass figure.
What NOT to Wear:
Baby doll dresses
Shapeless Styles
Empire waist styles
Oversized dresses
Women with a pear or triangle body type usually have a thinner upper body and larger hips and thighs. The goal here is to appear more balanced and proportionate, so you should select dresses that add more volume to your upper half.
Best Dresses for the Pear/Triangle Body Type
Strapless top
A fitted open neck
A V-neckline
A-line or full skirt (these will help hide a wider hip)
Flowy tiered dresses
Dresses with details in the bust area can create a balancing effect. If you select a dress that is fitted on the hips, you should probably go up a size and take the garment to a seamstress to alter the waist.
But without a doubt, flare dresses look fabulous on you! They are roomier from the waist down and add volume to your small upper body and thin waist.
What NOT to Wear:
Oversized & shapeless dresses
Full poofy skirts
Super-short hemlines
Curve-hugging fabrics
The rectangle body type, also known as the banana body type, is similar to the inverted triangle body type. The key difference is that the inverted triangle body types have wider shoulders and busts compared to their hips, while the rectangle body types have relatively similar shoulder and hip widths, resulting in a straight, linear silhouette. Think about how a ruler looks, very straight up and down.
One of the good things about this body type, is that you gain, and lose, your weight evenly all over your body. In addition, your arms and legs are naturally toned and slender!
The goal here is to create the illusion of a waist with curves.
Best Dresses for the Rectangle/Banana Body Type
You want to select any dress that will balance the upper body and fill your slight hips:
Dresses with embellishment (beads, sequins, lace, etc.)
Flowy A-line dresses
Puffy sleeves add volume to the shoulders
Bell sleeves can bring more depth to your slender figure
Color-blocking dresses
Tailored peplum dresses
A-lines and lower waistlines are extremely flattering on this body type. Generally speaking, dresses that slightly flare out are ideal for you as they help balance out broad shoulders.
If you have bigger busts, a dress with thick straps, halter tops, dresses with ruching and draping, U-necklines, and V-necklines can all add "curves" to your body and make your bust look its best.
To soften your figure with a touch of femininity, select a dress with a cinched midsection.
What NOT to Wear:
Shapeless/boxy dresses
Bodycon dresses & Curve-hugging fabrics
Square necklines (these can create a more angular and structured look at the top half of your body and this may not enhance or add cuves to your figure.
Super-short hemlines
The apple or round body types carry their weight mainly in their midsections. They also tend to have a shorter, undefined waist, and slim legs with flatter bottoms.
Your shapely and large bust size is one of your most noticeable features, so keep this area enhanced without overwhelming it. Your shoulder line is broad and prominent; it's also relatively wider compared to your hips, which also make the definition of your upper body way more dominant.
Since you barely gain weight in your legs, they tend to be slender and well-toned, so flaunt them in shorter dresses!
The goal here is to give your beautiful, rounded shaped bust the recognition it deserves by selecting a sweetheart neckline or any dress that draws attention to your upper body.
Best Dresses for the Round/Oval Body Type
V-necklines
Square or scoop necklines
A-line dresses
Wrap dresses
Off-the-shoulder dresses
Fit and flare dresses
Tummy control (built in panels or strategic seaming details)
What NOT to Wear:
Anything that draws attention to your midsection.
Bodycon dresses
Tiered dresses
Horizontal lines
High necklines
Natural waistlines
Use this guide to help you select the perfect dress for your next special occasion.
Bella’s Attic Studio is supported by its audience. When you purchase through the links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Zapaka Vintage Fashion offers a wide range of dresses for every body type and budget. For luxury matching thigh-high stockings & hosiery, please visit Vienne Milano, Made in Italy!
Sources and references:
Inverted Triangle Body Shape: A Comprehensive Guide. the concept wardrobe. (n.d.). https://theconceptwardrobe.com/build-a-wardrobe/inverted-triangle-body-shape#:~:text=Tops-,Necklines,break%20up%20the%20chest%20vertically.
How to choose prom dresses for the hourglass body type. Fashion for Your Body Type. (2024, March 21). https://bodytypefashion.com/prom-hourglass/
Drazen. (2024, August 6). The five most flattering dresses for your body shapes. Love Your Dress. https://www.loveyourdress.ca/dress-blog/the-most-flattering-dresses-for-your-body-shape/
