How to Find the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type

How to Find the Perfect Prom Dress for Your Body Type

Are you wondering about how to find the perfect prom dresses 2021 for your body type? Finding the best prom dresses that suit your body type is all about identifying your unique body shape, understanding the aim to be achieved, knowing flattering styles and avoiding the styles that are inappropriate. Read over this guide, and you will find it easier to pick a prom dress for your body type that will highlight your features. The most common body types including petite, apple, pear, hourglass, slender and busty are discussed here.

1. PETITE BODY TYPE

Characteristics of petite figure:

  • Petite is measured by stature instead of weight, so petite is not equal to skinny.
  • The height of a petite girl is 5'3 (162cm) or under.

Aim to achieve:

  • Elongate your body
  • Elongate your legs
  • Add height

Best style prom dress for petites should elongate your body to make you look taller.

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Best types of prom gowns for petites:

  • Short prom gowns
  • Asymmetrical hemline
  • V-neckline
  • Monochromatic
  • Pleating

Prom dress to avoid for petite ladies:

  • Shapeless dresses
  • Boxy cuts
  • Shift dresses
  • Bateau / Boat-neck
  • Scoop neck

These types of prom dresses above should be avoided as they tend to create a shorter and wider appearance.

 

 

2.APPLE BODY TYPE

Characteristics of apple shaped body type:

  • A wide torso
  • Shoulders are broader than hips
  • The waistline is undefined

Aim to achieve:

  • Draw attention away from the waistline
  • Have the elongating effect
  • Draw attention to shoulders and legs
  • Create a more defined waistline

Prom dress styles for apple shape should draw attention away from the waistline and accentuate your shoulders, bust and legs.

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Best types of prom dress for apple shape:

  • Darker colors such as navy blue, black, grey and red
  • Floor-length
  • A-line
  • Low neckline
  • Styles that create a more defined waistline

Prom dresses to avoid for apple shaped body:

  • Avoid styles that make your torso look wider (e.g. too many details on the midsection)
  • Avoid off-the-shoulder and halter prom dresses that make your shoulders look broader

These styles of prom dresses will lead to either wider torso or broader shoulders.

 

3. PEAR BODY TYPE

Characteristics of pear body type:

  • Hips are broader than shoulders and bust
  • Your waist is well-defined- this is your strength
  • Your weight is gained in the lower parts (mainly thighs)
  • Your arms are slim and well-proportioned

Aim to achieve:

  • Attract people’s attention to the upper part
  • Accentuate your beautiful shoulders
  • Accentuate your well-defined waist
  • Elongate your legs

The best prom dress styles for pear shapes should be able to highlight your upper body.

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Best types of prom dress for pear shaped body:

  • Off-the-shoulder
  • One shoulder
  • Ball gown
  • Empire waist
  • V-neck

Prom dresses to avoid for pear shaped body types:

  • Sheath dress
  • Mermaid dress

Sheath dresses or mermaid gowns would reveal the weaknesses of your wider lower half.

4. HOURGLASS BODY TYPE

Characteristics of hourglass body type:

  • Shoulders and hip are roughly equally sized
  • Your waistline is well-defined

Aim to achieve:

  • Accentuate your waistline
  • Elongate your legs

Girls with hourglass figure should aim to highlight your waistline strength. Also, styles that elongate your legs will make you look more charming.

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Best types of prom dress for hourglass figure:

  • Fitted dresses
  • Wrap dresses
  • Belted waist dresses
  • V-neck
  • Open necklines
  • Sweetheart neckline

Prom gowns to avoid for hourglass figure:

  • Gowns with wide necklines that would cause the upper parts to look wider
  • High-waist gowns
  • Dresses with embellishments leading to added volume near the bust area

Styles that prevent your beautiful waistline from showing or widening your upper half should be avoided.

 

5. SLENDER BODY TYPE

Characteristics of slender figures:

  • Be lean and thin
  • Arms and legs are longer

Aim to achieve:

  • Accentuate your thin figure
  • Add curves
  • Add volume to some parts

Girls with slender body types should be aware that your thin figure is the greatest strength. Apart from showing off your thin figure, it is better to select a prom dress for slender shape which will add curves or add volume to some parts to make you look more gorgeous. A long mermaid sheath is considered as an appropriate option for highlighting thin frame. Necklines such as scoop neck and sweetheart neck can add curves to your figure, and dresses with ruffles can add volume.

 

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Best types of prom dress for slender body:

  • Mermaid sheath
  • Belted dresses
  • Scoop neck
  • Sweetheart neck
  • Ruffles

Prom dresses to avoid for slender figure:

  • Avoid loose-fitting styles that cover up your thin figure


6. BUSTY BODY TYPE

Characteristics of busty body type:

  • Have larger than average bust- a very full bust

Aim to achieve:

  • Show off your beautiful bustline
  • Keep a balance between the upper and lower parts
  • Transfer attention from the upper part

Girls with a full bust should know that your beautiful bustline is the strength which should be showed off. To choose flattering prom dresses for busty body types, keeping a balance between the upper and lower parts is the key. Dresses added with some details that can transfer a little bit attention from the upper part can also be selected.

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Best types of prom dresses for busty figures:

  • Open neckline
  • Shift dresses
  • Mermaid dresses


Prom gowns to avoid for busty figure:

  • Avoid highlighting the upper part
  • Avoid details that make you look top heavy
  • Avoid styles of dresses with the risk of wardrobe malfunction


Avoiding dresses that would make you look top heavy is the key. Girls with busty figures should also consider the risk of wardrobe malfunction while choosing best style prom dresses.

Conclusion
Hope this guide on six common body types- petite, apple, pear, hourglass, slender and busty can help girls find the perfect prom dress for your body type! Do not panic if your body type does not fit into any of these categories. Just remember, choose a long prom dress or short which would highlight your features and hide flaws.

 

 

 

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