« Back to article

Print this article

Dress to impress like these celebs!

Take your cue from these famous ladies and wear it right -- with summer upon us and dresses making the hottest statement, here are cuts that flatter your body type!

For the petite ladies

So you're a little on the vertically challenged side, but that's nothing that a killer pair of heels can't fix, right?

If you're not in the mood to balance yourself in vertigo-inducing stilettos all night, however, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a dress:

• Choose solid colours over busy prints -- they create the illusion of being taller.
• Avoid too many ruffles or frills or you'll end up looking like you're headed for high-school prom night.
• Opt for numbers that end at or above the knees -- mid-lengths and maxis will only make you appear shorter.

For a thick waistline

Do you have a naturally thicker waist like Katrina Kaif? Your ideal summer dress could be:

• Empire-waisted, thereby drawing attention away from your mid-section.
• Drop-waisted, ie with the seam at your hips instead of the waist -- it creates the illusion of having a slimmer tummy.
• Shifts, entirely without a defined waist. Basically, anything that draws attention from your stomach will work.
• Not too figure-hugging -- opt for a slightly streamlined silhouette.

For bigger-busted women

If you're as heavily endowed as Pamela Anderson, chances are you've got to put a little more thought into coming across as sexy and not attention-seeking (which also means not dressing in anything remotely like the Baywatch babe):

• You need to avoid looking too top-heavy. That means no overstated bodices with empire-waists, heavy embroidery or necklines that plunge too low.
• Your dress should preferably have a 'V'-neck or a slouching/scooped neckline -- these will minimise the focus on your assets and have them looking smaller.
• Don't go for the one-shouldered look, it draws attention to being top-heavy.
• Any dress that enhances your lower body, ie hips and legs, will balance out the overall effect.

For bootylicious babes

The reverse of everything on the previous page will work for you! The ideal dress for a pear-shaped lady with large hips and bottom will be:

• A-lined -- the slightly flaired silhouette will camouflage your hips.
• Balloon-hemmed: This is great, because they're still very much in style and will serve to play up your curves the right way.
• Heavier on the neckline detailing -- you should opt for anything that brings the focus to your upper torso.
• Avoid very fitted tube dresses, as they will draw attention to your lower body and may not be able to conceal flab thereabouts.

For broad shoulders

If you've got broad shoulders like Sushmita Sen, you need to pick up a dress that has the following characteristics:

• Its sleeves are not exaggerated: No puffed, ruffled or sequinned sleeves, as they will only make the 'V' shape of your body stand out even more. And that is flattering only for men, not ladies!
• The hemline is mid-length. This will bring the focus to your hips and legs, instead of your shoulders.
• Going strapless? Opt for a cut that spreads away from the upper body, creating the illusion of fuller hips underneath.

For the tall and lithe lady

You may think that with a bod like this, where you're thin all the way through you can get away with wearing pretty much anything. Since similar measurements all the way through tend to leave your feminine curves undefined, however, you should choose:

• Dresses with ruffled or textured bodices that are cinched at the waist. This will create a fuller bust and accentuate a narrower waist.
• A full-skirted number that will have you looking a little more curvy and more bottom-heavy.
• Maxis -- they are ideal for this body-type. They'll bring out your height and you'll appear like a glam model-type.
• Avoid ultra-minis, especially if your legs are thin too -- they'll box in your torso and have your gams look all spindly, which overall is a rather unflattering look.

For hourglass hotties

Considered the ideal body shape, you have a bustline and hips of roughly the same measurement with a defined waistline. But to bring out the best in you, your dress should be:

• Fitted at the waist, to show off its narrow proportions in contrast to the rest of your torso.
• Close-fitting, but not overly tight.
• Full-length -- that will bring out your perfect figure perfectly and look effortless in the bargain.