It’s party season and there are gorgeous dresses everywhere, so I thought it was high time that we talked about prom dresses, just in case you spy something in the sales that takes your fancy.
Prom dresses and endless choices
The wonderful thing about school prom dresses is that you have so much choice; you aren’t restricted to only wearing full length gowns, or only cocktail dresses. When it comes to prom gowns, as long as it’s glamorous, anything goes. I’ll be writing all kinds of posts about prom dresses over the next few months, so I want to start at the absolute beginning of your selection process: knowing what style of prom dress suits your shape.
No matter what shape you are, you can find a prom dress that looks fabulous.
If there is anything the wonderful Gok Wan has taught us, it’s that you don’t have to be an underweight supermodel to look fantastic in a frock. Whatever shape you are, there is an ideal style to suit you, you just need to identify three things about your figure:
1. Your overall body shape
2. One feature you like to show off
3. The feature you most want to hide
I’ll take you through each one step-by-step, the rest is up to you and your shopping stamina!
The Prom Organiser’s guide to prom dresses for every body shape
Curvy hourglass
Lucky you! With your bust and hips perfectly balanced and a slim waist to boot, you can carry off most styles of dress. Some A-line styles won’t make the best of your figure, though most formal gowns will suit your shape, especially those that have a defined waist.
Boyish figure
If you’re slender but there isn’t much definition between your waist and hips, an Empire line gown is a good choice. The style is designed to take attention from the waist and skim down over the hips. Decoration at the bust can also keep the eye away from the waist too.
Pear shaped
Wide necklines that balance out your top with your lower half helps, along with dresses that are fitted at the waist and then flare out into a full lower half. This style shows off a slim waist, leaving anything below to the imagination.
Apple shaped
If you are fairly tall, an Empire-line gown can detract from the stomach and waist areas and lengthen your body too. Some carefully designed A-line dresses that have a bit of boning under the bust can also be very flattering. A lower neckline with really striking, eye-catching jewellery is also a good idea.
Tall and thin
Softer lines, rather than tight bodices are more flattering for your shape, and wide and scooped necklines help to widen you out at the top. Sleeves that are cropped and sit wide on the shoulder can also do the same.
Petite
A dress with Princess seams or an A-line shape is the best bet – never wear a dress that has a waist feature, as that will make you look shorter.
Prom dress details to emphasise your best feature
Most of us have one feature that we are proud of, perhaps it’s shapely legs, a trim waist or smooth skin across the back. Decide which one is your best feature, and then choose a design that draws attention to it.
Long legs
For example, a long sheath dress with a slit cut at the side can tastefully reveal wonderful legs, or if you want to be less subtle, you could go for an asymmetrical hemline.
Shapely back
A backless dress can show off that skin, but be sure to find a cleverly designed bra to keep everything in place around the front.
A bust to die for?If you have a good bust, you can have a bit of cleavage, but go for gowns with wider shoulder straps – thin straps don’t work for those with a larger bust, and you’re likely to need a good bra with thicker straps to hide anyway.
Tiny waist?
Get a big belt or dress with a spectacular sash waist to show it off!
Distracting away from a feature with a savvy prom dress choice
Even the most beautiful women in the world have something they don’t like about their figure, and for you to feel fabulous on prom night, you need to be confident that attention will be where you want it. Here are a few common worries, and what prom dress designs can do to help.
Chunky upper arms
You could wear a bolero style jacket, or add a spectacular wrap to the outfit which will also frame your bust and neck, drawing attention away from your arms.
Chunky legs
Avoid styles that are long and straight that have a slit cut into them for walking. Depending on your overall shape, consider a full gown that will emphasis and sweep out from the waist, disguising your leg shape.
Large bust
Not everyone wants to show them off! Choose a princess line gown with a fuller skirt to make the lines flow over and balance the bust, and choose a dress that has beading or other decoration around the hem to distract the eye from the top. Avoid thin straps and halter necks.
Small bust
If your bust is too small for you to carry off some designs, consider an Empire style gown with pleated or ruched fabric across the bust to make it look like there is more there.
Figure it out, then the choice of prom dress style is easy
Once you have identified these three characteristics of your figure, start with the base shape that suits, then choose style details that maximise what your proud of, and hide what zaps your confidence. It may take time, but it will be worth it!
Do you have any questions or worries about your prom dress? Drop us a line or ask in the comments below, we’re here to help!
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Oh, thankyou so much for writing this! Everyone, no matter their shape, should feel like they really belong at the prom.
About your advice on hourglass figures. I have terrible trouble finding dresses that fit right. Maybe it's just high street stores (I'm usually on a budget), but anything that fits me round the hips and the bust is always saggy at the waist. And then anything that fits at the waist is never, ever getting over my bum!
It's not just prom dresses, actually. Why don't shops understand that people are different shapes as well as sizes?
Wow you definitely covered all the bases here, excellent. If everyone read this they'd know what style to go for according to their shape.
When I'm attending a special occasion such as a prom/wedding etc I usually get a custom made dress or I get a bought dress altered – it's the only way it will fit properly and flatter my shape.
coast dresses online´s last blog ..Coast Celia Maxi Dress
Hi Kay, oh boy, I sympathise! And I do think it really is the fault of many high street shops not adapting to modern body shapes.
There are a variety of options. Stretchy can work to a certain extent, but that can sometimes be too harsh on the stomach area. Instead, dresses that have darts at the waist that can be tightened in even more with a belt or sash (very popular at the moment) can work, as you can get a size that fits over the hips, even if it's slightly too big at the waist.
Another option is to go for two piece outfits, and this has worked wonders for me in the past as I am curvy and have the same problem you describe. Sometimes you can find a bodice (ones that lace at the back are good for waist adjustment to your shape) that may be a size smaller than the matching skirt. Depending on the cut of the skirt, you can nip it in at the waistband with a pin or couple of stiches, then hide that with the bottom of the bodice.
Thirdly, you could buy a high street dress and then take it to a dry cleaners for adjustment at the waist. Many high street dry cleaners offer alteration services at reasonable prices. Good luck!
Hi Coast Dresses! Thanks for the comment, and I have to agree, if the budget allows, custom made is fabulous, especially if you have a designer dressmaker who understands how to make the best of your figure. I'm going to look at your dresses now!
Or you could have the best of both worlds – try an ex-sample of once worn dress, usually much cheaper than brand new (and only worn for a few hours) and then you can afford to get it fitted to you by a dressmaker – your dream dress at a down to earth price.