Picking the Perfect Maxi Dress for Your Body Shape

Finding the perfect maxi dress for a big evening event can be a challenge, especially when there are so many options to choose from. You might find yourself asking, do I go for a long, dramatic mermaid trail, or a comfy, short dress? The key to looking just right is as simple as knowing your body type. We all, at some point, make the mistake of trying to fit into trends we see on the red carpet instead of choosing the look that best suits our bodies.

As disappointing as this may sound, not all styles are suitable for all body types. It's safe to say that you're not really doing yourself any favors by trying to wear an item of clothing that wasn't designed for your unique body shape. Now, that's not to say that a particular skirt silhouette is off-limits to girls with a certain body type. Don't get us wrong, we're not here to enforce rules about what you can and can't wear. We just want to help you choose the right dress so you can easily achieve a Grade A style and enjoy the selection process. By providing you with the right tools, we are confident that you will be able to perfectly and efficiently pick the right outfit for your formal event every time.

So let's start with the basics and decipher your actual body shape!

Are your shoulders narrow compared to your hips? Maybe you have fuller hips and a wider waist than the bust. Well, structured tops are a better choice for you as they will draw all the attention to your narrow shoulders/waist. A bold neckline can help you accentuate your best assets, namely your waist and back. Some styles that go well with this shape include draped necklines, deep V necklines, or exaggerated bell sleeves.

Typically, this body type has a well-defined waist and a well-proportioned bust to hips. Full bust, hips, and thighs are also known as the main features describing this body type. The key to dressing this body type is defining your waistline. Show off your sexy curves in a fitted silhouette, try a wrap dress or a dazzling fitted and flared style. Keep your neckline simple by opting for a crew neck or opting to show off your arms in a cap sleeve style.

When it comes to apple shapes, the most common difference is wider shoulders! While generally well-proportioned, you don't necessarily have a defined waistline, nor is the hip area particularly curvy. As a general rule, it's best to steer clear of any structured waistline silhouettes, as they tend to focus more on accentuating the hips. On the other hand, the lightweight A-line silhouette is your best friend! Plus, the extra-long silhouette with a cropped hem is perfect for your shape!

Are your shoulders and hips the same size? Not particularly curvy? Maybe you have a small and defined waist? If your weight is evenly distributed, usually straight up and down, then your body type is more athletic in character. Generally, an athletic figure looks great when it draws attention to its arms or defined shoulders. So, wearing a halter/racerback or anything strapless will help flatter this figure.

Mismatched? That's okay, everyone is different in shape and size. This is what makes us so wonderfully unique as human beings, we don't insist on "one size fits all". Maybe you're a combination of different body types. For example, you may have a slightly defined waistline and wider shoulders. The trick here is to choose a style that accentuates your best assets and remember when in doubt, keep it simple.

It’s great to see designer brands embracing this shift in body perception and adapting accordingly. With a slightly more realistic approach, designers are now able to deftly choose fabrics that are easy to wear, better understand the environmental impact of fashion production, and use fail-proof classic tailoring techniques. It's important to understand that overall fabric choice plays as important a role in successful body sitting as the silhouette form itself.

Ball gowns are a great choice for most body types, but are especially flattering on pear-shaped figures. Ball gowns hide the lower body and accentuate narrow shoulders, thus making them appear wider.

Mermaid gowns are a great choice for an hourglass figure. Its glamorous fitted silhouette is perfectly paired with a slightly curvaceous physique. The balancing nature of a fitted flare skirt helps flatter and define a smaller waist.

A high-waist gown is a great choice for an apple shape, as it accentuates the neckline and creates the illusion of hourglass symmetry. The perfect style to show off your beautiful broad shoulders while perfectly framing your collarbone.

A flared gown is a great choice for a rectangular or hourglass figure. Its stunning fitted silhouette features a defined flare at the thigh, perfectly accentuating your smaller waist while complementing your wide shoulder collar.

A-line dresses are a great option for all body types. Traditionally, its bodice extends to the waist and flows gorgeously to the floor, creating an A-line effect. This makes it perfect for all shapes and sizes! Try the classic A-line look today and be sure to get a winning look!

Body-hugging gowns are a great choice for apple-shaped or oblong figures. Its straight, statuesque silhouette is perfect for elongating the figure and also helps accentuate and show off wider necklines. The strapless style helps focus on toned arms or chiseled shoulders.

The above introduces some tips for choosing the right dress, if you want to know more or want to buy a dress, please contact us.

Metro is a professional custom woman's dress manufacturer. Our main products cover all kinds of dresses and so on. We have more than 120 workers, 3500 square meters of dust-free workshop, 18 years of experience, and one hour's drive from Shenzhen Port, that's why we keep providing high quality and competitive prices to our valued customers worldwide.