Find the Dress for Your Body Shape
Revolutionise the way you dress. Discover the perfect fit for your body shape with our easy-to-follow guide, designed to help you celebrate your individual features and feel confident at every occasion. With the right dress, your silhouette shines.
Your body shape is influenced by factors like your bust, waist, hips, and overall proportions—and understanding it can make shopping much simpler. If you're unsure of your shape, don’t worry—it’s more common than you think. Below, we’ve outlined four widely recognised body types to help you identify yours and find flattering styles that work with your natural lines.
The Main Body Shapes Are:
Hourglass – Balanced bust and hips with a defined waist.
Pear – Hips are wider than the bust, often with a narrower upper body.
Apple – Broader upper body, especially around the waist and bust, with slimmer legs.
Rectangle – Bust, waist, and hips are fairly aligned with a straight silhouette.
Body Confidence
Navigating changing beauty standards and body expectations can be overwhelming. From puberty to pregnancy to fitness journeys, your body evolves—and so should your wardrobe. This guide is designed with real women in mind, embracing every stage of life. By recognising your shape and learning how to enhance it through styling, you’ll be better equipped to dress with confidence.
What Affects Body Shape?
Several elements play into your body shape—your bone structure, genetics, weight distribution, and lifestyle. Life events like pregnancy, exercise routines, and natural aging can all change how your body looks and feels. Embracing these changes is key to feeling great in your skin. And remember: you can always revisit this guide when your body shifts again.
What’s the Best Dress for My Body Shape?
Dress buying can be difficult at the best of times whether for an occasion or general day-to-day wear. The key is to flaunt and flatter and not to hide your shape, remember this is only a guide so your style should be unapologetically you!
Once you have identified your shape, find your figure-hugging fit with a variety of suggestions to elevate your confidence. Draw attention to your features and flaunt your body with a range of women’s dresses. Much like the many body shapes, there are many dress silhouettes to showcase your individual style.
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Dresses for Hourglass Body Types
Characteristics: A well-defined waist with a full bust and hips. Your curves are balanced, and your waist is your standout feature.
Fit and Flare Dresses
Accentuate your natural curves with fit and flare styles. The fitted bodice highlights your waist, while the flared skirt flows gracefully, offering balance and ease. Style Tip: Choose midi or mini silhouettes for event dressing—perfect for weddings, race days, or brunch with friends.
Wrap Dresses
The timeless wrap dress flatters your waist and bust, enhancing your hourglass shape with ease. With no zips and a fluid tie waist, it’s feminine and functional. Style Tip: Add a statement necklace for a touch of personality and a focal point around the neckline.
Bodycon Dresses
Make the most of your curves with figure-hugging bodycon dresses. Designed to cling in all the right places, this style is a go-to for evening looks. Style Tip: Opt for modern fabrics and pair with heels and a clutch for an elevated night-out look.
Dresses for Apple Body Types
Characteristics: Broad shoulders, fuller bust, and weight often carried around the midsection. Legs tend to be slim and shapely—your secret weapon.
Mini Dresses
Show off your pins! Shorter hemlines help elongate your body and draw attention downward. Style Tip: Look for embellishments or lace detailing around the hem to shift the focus to your legs.
A-Line Dresses
With their gentle flare and structured fit, A-line dresses balance your upper body while subtly cinching the waist. Style Tip: Tailored midi or mini A-lines in neutral tones like black and grey are great for work or dressier occasions.
Tunic Dresses
Tunic dresses offer a looser fit that skims over the midsection. Often crafted in lightweight fabrics, they’re ideal for warm weather. Style Tip: Choose bold prints to add personality and keep the look fresh and modern.
Dresses for Pear Body Types
Characteristics: Narrower shoulders and a smaller bust with fuller hips, thighs, and bottom. The goal here is to balance the top half with the bottom.
Midi Dresses
These help elongate your figure while showcasing your lower legs. Look for styles that skim the hips and flare at the hem. Style Tip: A defined waist and full skirt will give the illusion of an hourglass shape.
Off-Shoulder Dresses
Highlight your collarbone and shoulders to draw the eye upward and balance your silhouette. Style Tip: For added romance, choose styles with ruffled necklines or flouncy details—ideal for weddings or summer soirees.
Shirt Dresses
The versatility of a shirt dress can’t be overstated. Go for cinched waist styles or belted pieces to draw attention to your upper half. Style Tip: For autumn or spring, wear with over-the-knee boots and tights for a sleek, flattering finish.
Dresses for Straight Body Types
Characteristics: Shoulders, waist, and hips are roughly the same width, giving a lean and often athletic look. The aim here is to create curves and add softness.
Puff Sleeve Dresses
Add dimension to your frame with dramatic puff sleeves. These balance your silhouette and introduce shape at the shoulders. Style Tip: Choose form-fitting designs so the sleeve volume feels purposeful and bold.
One Shoulder Dresses
These asymmetrical styles add a modern edge while flattering your upper body. Style Tip: Look for designs with leg slits to show off your toned limbs and elevate your look.
Milkmaid Dresses
With smocked waists and full skirts, milkmaid dresses add definition to a straight frame. Delicate and romantic, they’re perfect for spring and summer. Style Tip: Sweeten the look with floral prints or broderie anglaise for feminine flair.
Embrace Your Shape
The power of dressing lies in understanding and embracing your shape—not in trying to change it. Just as Marilyn Monroe's curves made her iconic and Audrey Hepburn’s slender elegance defined timeless style, both were style icons in their own right. The same goes for you.
Finding the right dress is about enhancing what you already have and feeling great doing it. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Use this guide as a starting point, and let your personal style shine.
How to Determine Your Body Shape
For the best fit, grab a soft measuring tape and a mirror—or a helping hand if you can.
Shoulders: Measure the widest part, tape flat and level.
Bust: Wrap around the fullest part of your chest, snug but not tight.
Waist: Find your natural waist (just above the belly button) and measure comfortably.
Hips: Feet together, measure the fullest part of your hips and bum.
With these four key numbers, you’re ready to pinpoint your body shape and find silhouettes that flatter.
Your perfect dress starts here—fit made simple.
Body Shape FAQs
Can I Be More Than One Body Type?
Absolutely. Most women don’t fall neatly into one category. That just means more styles will suit you!
Can My Body Type Change?
Yes. Age, lifestyle, fitness, and life events like pregnancy can all change your shape. Reassess your fit regularly to feel your best.
What Dresses Are the Most Slimming?
Look for high-waisted styles and flowing skirts. Fit and flare, empire line, and shift dresses are great choices if you want to skim over certain areas.
How Do I Dress for Both My Shape and Age?
Style is ageless. Once you know what flatters your shape, you can explore versions that feel age-appropriate—whether that’s a sultry slip dress or an elegant A-line number.
