Prom or Wedding Dress to Fit Your Shape

If you have a 'pear shaped body,' here are some tips to keep in mind to keep your overall look balanced. Aim for softer fabrics that will hang off your frame in flattering falls, something stiff may cling where you don't want it to, and make you feel uncomfortable. Dark and electric colors work well for this body shape, as well as some sort of decoration at the throat or shoulders of the dress. This draws your attention up.

Avoid anything with really big sleeves (as in puffy sleeves), this adds width at the top, and broadens your shoulders.

If you are a little 'top heavy,' you may feel as though you have to hide your assets, but this isn't true, go for tasteful neck lines that other girls may avoid, but you can skillfully pull off, but to downplay, look for slightly darker shades. Necklaces are something to consider too, necklaces draw the attention up, so you want something simple. Tube tops may call your attention, but consider a scoop neck instead, this is a much softer look, and it avoid the pinched look.

For larger figures, don't be afraid to dress shop, and take your time, and don't feel limited to black, or darker colors. What is your favorite feature? Your hair, bust, legs? Find a style of dress that plays up your favorite features, and loves your body for it's own unique shape. You will be able to get away with dresses that others can't, for example, a very tailored look, or a sort of free flowing goddess effect. Opt for soft instead of stiff fabrics, which hang off the body better, and skim instead of suffocate. Tea length dresses look great.

Are you more petite? You generally will be able to choose any sort of fabric to wear, you can also wear some very dramatic cut lines. Avoid showing off to much skin though, pick on area in which you would like to play it up a little, bust line, back, legs etc. To much skin will leave people will the opposite impression of what you want to leave. You have a broad range of color that works well for you, so be sure to experiment.

Some general tips, no matter what your body style is to focus on what you love about yourself. When you play up what you love best, you will feel more confident, and will be able to relax and have more fun. Don't be afraid to experiment with dresses you wouldn't normally go near (especially some of those wild prom styles), you never know what would look surprisingly good! Are you short? Aim for a halter style neck, it elongates the body, where as strapless is an abrupt stop.

Have fun with your dress, no matter what the occasion, prom, wedding - you will only have that moment once!