Different Basic Dresses, Styles for Your Body Type

There's nothing better than a successful shopping trip. However, these expeditions can turn in to a nightmare when everything fits wrong, or just looks wrong. Looking for a dress can be especially confusing. It's helpful to know a few basic dress styles and which style looks best on your figure. When you have this info, your trip to the mall, department store, or even online will go a lot smoother.

The first thing you need to figure out is your body type. This article is a great way to get a good idea. http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Perfect-Black-Dress After you know your body type, knowing the basic dress styles can help you identify which style will be the best look for you and how to wear that particular style. No matter what body type you have, you can find the perfect dress for you and look gorgeous! Now who doesn't want that y'all?

Column/Sheath - Form fitting dresses that are generally solid colors or one pattern with little or no embellishments. They can be any length, but typically hit at the thigh or knee.

Body Types - These dresses are great for hour glass figures. They highlight all the best features of the hour glass perfectly. They can also be great for pear shaped figures. The trick for this figure would be to balance the top with the bottom. You can do this by adding a wrap, or short cardigan to the top. Also look for two toned column and sheath dresses with a lighter color on the top. The ruler figure could get away with the same rules as the pear shaped figure, but would look even better with a different dress style.

Wrap Dress- The Wrap dress is a dress that wraps around the body and ties at the side. The neckline is universally flattering as it is always a V.

Body Types - This dress is great on ALL body types if you know what to look for. Hour glass figures need to find wrap dresses with a natural waist line. This accents the small waist and curves of this figure type. Pear and Apple Shaped women should look for wrap dresses with more of an empire waist line (right under the bust) with a skirt that flows out from the waist to minimize the hips and rear. Ruler figures look great when the dress has emphasizing details at the top (like flutter or slightly puffed sleeves) and also a flowing skirt.

Maxi Dress- A long flowing dress with an empire waistline. These dresses have become extremely popular lately. They are comfortable and very feminine.

Body Types - This dress can look fairly good on all body types, but was made for the ruler figure. This accentuates the long willowy figure of the ruler type. Apple and pear figures should find a dress that hits at they're smallest point and flow generously outward. Hour glass figures can wear this dress well, but it does little to highlight their shape and can add a few pounds if the fabric is too flowy. Hour glasses should look for dresses in this style that have skirts fitting closer to their silhouette. 

Baby Doll Dress - This is a very trendy style at the moment. Baby doll dresses are cute, and generally less formal. Most of these dresses have short or cap sleeves. They can be paired with a cute short 3/4 sleeve sweater if you are self conscious of your arms. This style is definitely younger though. Those that are 40+ should proceed with caution!

Body Type - Another dress that can be worn by all body types, with the right waist and hem line. Apple figures should look for an empire waistline with a flowing skirt. The hem should fall right below the knee. Pear figures need to look for baby doll dresses with embellishment at the top. Ruching across the bust would be perfect. The hem line should also fall right at or below the knee. Hour glass figures should find waistlines that hit at the natural waist. They can get away with a shorter hemline. Ruler figures would also look fab in this dress. Look for detail at top. The waist and hemline aren't as strict for this figure. Going too short however will make you seem younger in this style for any of the body types.

Suit Dress - A suit dress is a dress with matching jacket. They are great for the work place, but can also be beautiful at a wedding, graduation, or luncheon.

Body Type - Any body type can look great in suit dress. The best body for this style is the Apple figure. Look for suit dresses that have a jacket with at least three buttons. The jacket should be very structured and come in at the waist. Stay away for anything too boxy. Pear figures would look awesome when the jacket is short and fitted. This can also be great for rulers that want to add a little bulk. Look for jackets that come in at the natural waist line and fit close to the body. Hour glass figuresshould avoid suits with long or boxy jackets. They can totally over whelm this figure. Close fitting suits with shorter jackets are also a good choice for you.

Empire Dress - An Empire dress has an empire waist line and then flows close to the body and generally down to the ankles or floor. However, there are many variations of this style with shorter hemlines.

Body Types - This is a good style for ruler and pear shaped figures. Both should look for dresses with embellishment on the top. Pear shapes need to make sure the fabric isn't too tight across the hips. Apple and hour glass figures might look for a different style.  Hour glass figures could get away with this style if the dress stays close down the waistline. 

Shift Dress - A shift dress can also be called a Trapeze dress. These dresses fit tight across the shoulder and the top of the bust and then fall shapeless to the hem. They can also be called tent dresses. It was made popular in the 60s and again has recently become a hot trend.

Body Types - This dress is another great option for the apple figure. The flowing fabric is wonderfully forgiving. Pear shapes can also wear this shape well. Both of these figures should try to find hems at the knee. This could possibly be a good choice for the ruler figure if the fabric isn't too flowy and fits right next to the body. If hour glass figures decides to give this fad a try, they will need to find a thick belt for right at the waist. This style would be extremely overwhelming for any figure that is petite however.