When it comes to finding the perfect dress, there’s so much information out there on the different styles available that it can sometimes feel slightly overwhelming.
From people who say you can’t wear a maxi dress if you’re petite to the fashionistas safeguarding peplum with their life, there seems to be a whole rulebook of dos and don’ts when it comes to styling your favourite dress.
Here, we’ve created a quick guide to four different dress styles so you can find the perfect one for your next occasion!
A maxi dress
There’s a widespread belief that maxi dresses should be reserved for tall, boyish figures and many women tend to shy away from this style of clothing. However, a maxi dress is actually one of the most versatile style of dresses for all shapes and sizes.
For shorter women, opt for a small print to avoid the dress from overshadowing your figure and pair with some bold high heels to add some height and some interest to the outfit.
For taller women, a casual look can be achieved by adding a leather jacket and some ankle boots or, for a summer boho look, pair with gladiator sandals.
For more tips on how to wear a maxi dress, check out this post by In Style.
A sheath dress
This is the classic formal workwear look and is perfect for those big business meetings. It’s also a great option for a day to night outfit and can be easily jazzed up for those nights on the town.
Sheath dresses work best with a cinched in waist to accentuate your curves, so add in a belt or opt for a dress with a nipped-in waist.
For the office, pair with a chic blazer and classic brogues and add strappy sandals and statement jewellery for the evenings.
Monroe and Main’s great guide has some more tips for choosing your sheath dress style, from finding the right fabric to adding layers.
A peplum dress
This classic style appears to be sticking around for good and is perfect for those with a broad-shouldered frame.
The wider flared hip can balance out naturally broad shoulders and create a more proportional figure, whilst the ruffle can also hide any wobbly bits around your midsection!
Because peplum is already a bold detail, opt for a simple print and colour in order to prevent the look from becoming too loud. It’s also a good idea to opt for high heels, as the peplum style tends to make the figure appear shorter and curvier.
This post by the Guardian offers some great tips on wearing the peplum trend.
A wrap dress
Wrap dresses were all the rage on the Autumn/Winter catwalks this year and are perfect for those women with a pear-shaped figure, or those looking to accentuate certain parts of their body.
Originally created by Diane Von Furstenberg back in 1977, this iconic wrap dress draws attention to the waist and accentuates the bust, creating a perfect hourglass figure, whilst the loose fitting material can hide any lumps and bumps you might be worried about!
If you’re petite, opt for a v-neck cut to elongate your frame and give the illusion of a longer neck, and aim for the dress to end just above the knee. If you’re taller or big busted, a higher cut puts your frame into proportion and a hemline falling to your mid-knee is the most flattering for long legs.
You can find a great range of wrap dresses on the high street, such as Missy Empire’s range, to suit all shapes and sizes.
Whichever dress you choose for your next occasion, the most important thing to remember is being comfortable and opting for whichever style you like the most!
