How to Select an Evening Gown for a Pear Shaped Figure

For a pear shaped woman, the thought of spandex and sparkles plastered to every curve isn't exactly a comfort. Because evening wear is generally designed to accentuate the female body in a way that makes it appear as sexy and curvaceous as possible, pear shapes often find it difficult to select a dress that can strike the appropriate balance. Have no worries. Check out the following tips on how to select an evening gown for a pear shaped figure before your next big night, and you'll be comfortable and confident at any black tie affair hereafter.

Evening Gown Rule for Pear Shapes #1: The dress must accentuate those curves. That's right, hiding under sleeves and a long droopy silhouette won't create that "appropriately sexy" look you were going for. Yes, your curves will stand out a bit more than any other woman's in the room, but you can't help that you just happen to attract a little attention. Rather than playing the shy shrinking violet out of sheer modesty, find an evening gown with a thicker fabric that will adhere to curves without getting lost in the crevices.

Evening Gown Rule for Pear Shapes #2: Plunging necklines and micro-mini hemlines draw the eye to your heaviest features. Ok, so you can show off those curves, but that doesn't mean you want the only stitch of fabric you're wearing to just barely cover them. Women sometimes forget that clothing not only covers the body, but it draws the attention to certain segments of it. So if you were thinking that all eyes would be on that bust line or those legs, you can think again. Pear shapes who only cover the essentials inevitably draw all of the attention toward the hips and thighs.

Evening Gown Rule for Pear Shapes #3: Avoid spaghetti straps. The straps of an evening gown worn by a pear shaped woman can only do two things. They can even out the body and add proportion, or they can form an oddly disproportionate image that makes hips appear even larger. To add proportion, evening wear straps should be a bit more substantial and help the upper body mesh more fluidly with the lower body. If the idea of a thicker strap doesn't appeal to you, go strapless. The point is, a thin line on top makes the upper body seem even more delicate when compared to the lower body, which is an effect you certainly do not want to achieve.

Evening Gown Rule for Pear Shapes #4: Don't forget the side view. Just in case you've never noticed, a dress that hits all the right places in the front can still have that dreaded "pouch" in the lower back when viewed from the side. Don't forget to turn to the side in the dressing room to check things out. Also, practice sitting and standing in front of the mirror before making your purchase. The above-the-bottom pouch has a horrid way of making its appearance only after one stands up again, and straightening things out in public can be more than a bit awkward. Go up just a size if the pouch is apparent. If it still doesn't go away, the dress is simply cut for a different body type.

Evening Gown Rule for Pear Shapes #5: Avoid too-high necklines. Ok, so in Rule #2 we preached against plunging necklines with short hemlines. Wearing a turtleneck with a short hemline can have the same effect. You're still forcing others to view your heaviest feature. If you wear a higher neckline, pair it with a long hem length. We're not talking about a dress that grazes the floor, but something that reaches just the top of the knee should do the trick.

Evening Gown Rule for Pear Shapes #6: Halter tops with a bit of padding do wonders. Looking for instant proportion? A halter top on an evening gown, with a touch of padding in the cups, evens out the figure without sacrificing elegance. No one will even know you were trying to improve balance.

Evening Gown Rule for Pear Shapes #7: Adding a belt to the slimmest part of the wait is a chic way to draw attention upward. A sleep evening belt clasped just beneath the bust, at the slimmest part of the waistline, is an excellent trick pear shapes often use for the sake of drawing the eye up without adding too much fabric or substance. Do be sure that the belt can stand up to the formal occasion, however. A bit of glamorous sparkle or even a silky texture is all it takes to step your secret weapon accessory up a notch.

Remember, selecting an evening gown for a pear shaped figure doesn't have to mean pulling your hair out in the dressing room. Focus on balancing the upper body with the lower body, accentuating curves without baring it all, and avoiding the temptation to slip on the generic evening dress made for the stick figure. When you pull it off just right, you may find that you prefer that Marilyn Monroe look after all.