How to Dress for My Body Type

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Dress for Your Body Type... No One Else's

Different dress types on the runway — Find your body type, then pick a dress that flatters your figure!. Getty Images

Whether you’re petite, curvy, short or tall, there’s a dress to flatter your figure. It's all about knowing how to dress for your body.

Check out these celebs of all shapes and sizes to see which dress styles they're wearing, then use them as style inspiration to find a dress that's best for your gorgeous self!

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Dresses for Busty Girls

A one-shoulder gown — A higher neckline can hide cleavage. Getty Images

To hide a big bust, pick a dress with a high neckline
One shoulder Grecian dresses are great for busty girls

The bodice isn't too tight and form-fitting, so you won't be squeezing your breasts and creating a massive amount of cleavage. The fabric is long and flowy, and there's a naturally defined but loose waist.

Go for a one-shoulder dress with a neckline that's not too low and reaches over the top of your breasts. Kelly Osbourne has a bigger bust and wore a Grecian-style floor-length dress at the Grammy's, and looked amazing.

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Dresses for Curvy Bodies

Demi Lovato on the runway — Demi Lovato shows off her bust and hips with a defined waist embellished with sequins. Getty Images

Look for a dress with a natural or drop waist
Avoid empire waist dresses
Traditional princess ball gowns look great on curves
Find a dress that accentuates your curves and has a defined waist

Demi Lovato has an amazing curvy figure, and she manages to show it off flawlessly by wearing a drapey sweetheart neck gown with a natural waist. It's embellished with gorgeous beads and jewels, which make the gown totally glam.

The traditional princess ball gown silhouette looks great on curvy girls with generous busts and hips, too. Form-fitting sweetheart necklines or strapless necklines will show off your bust, a cinched empire waist defines your midsection, and a gorgeous full-length skirt flares out over your hips and butt.

Update this traditional gown silhouette by finding one in trendy fabrics and details for this year. Think skirts with sheer glitter overlay, an ombre print that fades from dark to light, and lots of detailing like beads, sequins, and embroidery.

Also, if you don't want the full tulle ball gown, consider a ball gown with a pick-up hem.

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Dresses for Pear-Shaped Bodies

Ariel Winter shows off her tiny waist and shoulders in this dress that flares out over her hips. Getty Images

Accentuate your waist
Show off your shoulders
Choose a gown that flows over your hips and thighs.

Pear-shaped girls are lucky to have a naturally defined waist and tiny shoulders. Try a strapless dress that cinches at the middle and flares out over your hips and thighs.

Look for styles that nip at your belly button and then flow out over your hips and thighs. Just be careful that you don’t go for the extreme empire waists, where the skirt starts right below your bust. Those will hide your little middle and can make you look like you have a bigger tummy than you actually do.

If you want to draw attention up and away from your middle, chose a dress with an interesting neckline. Keep the focus up top with ruffles, rosettes, and sparkle. Halter and one-shoulder necklines work exceptionally well for pear-shaped girls.

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Dresses for Heavy and Apple-Shape Girls

A lovely flowing gown on the runway — Delicate sleeves, a loose skirt and forgiving fabric are great for heavier gals. Getty Images

Try empire waists that define your bust and flow over the rest of your body
Try form-fitting drop waists with flowy skirts
Look for forgiving fabrics like mesh, chiffon, and loose satin
Delicate sleeves create balance

If you’re a heavyset gal, look for a dress that hugs your top and flows out over your butt and hips. How much of a form-fitting bodice you want is up to you. Empire waists hug only your chest, while drop waists will cinch all the way to your belly button before flaring out. If your midsection needs a little slimming, throw on a body-shaper (these are the best-kept secret on the red carpet).

A dress with delicate sleeves or shoulder detailing will balance out your flowy skirt and draw attention to your face by choosing.

If you want a shorter skirt but need to hide your thighs, go for knee-length or tea-length hems.

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Dresses for Short Girls

Sarah Hyland's petite figure looks good in mini dresses or long sleek gowns. Getty Images

Pair mini dresses with high heels
Long sleek gowns won’t overwhelm your frame
Stay away from long tulle skirts

Short girls are lucky because they can wear mini dresses with sky-high heels. Any skirt will do- pick-up, bubble hem, tulle or a sleek mini works when you’ve got shorter legs.

If you want to go for a floor-length gown, go for a sleek body-hugging dress and stay away from large ball gowns with lots of fabric- you don’t want to overwhelm your figure. Short girls also look great in evening separates.

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Dresses for Tall Girls

Shailene Woodley — Tall girls have a long torso that looks great with sleeveless and one-shoulder dresses. Getty Images

Emphasize your long silhouette with a dress that accentuates each curve
Dark one-shoulder dresses can cut away at wide shoulders
Sleeveless dresses look great on long torsos

Tall girls are also lucky to have a long silhouette. They can wear floor-length fitted dresses and Mermaid gowns that are designed to show off each curve, from their shoulders to their waists.

Draw less attention to your broad shoulders by wearing a jewel-toned or darker one-shoulder dress. The dark color will draw attention to the shoulder with the strap, and the angled top will “cut away” width.