I’m so excited for Spring, because you know what that means - more dresses (and without those pesky tights.) Maxi, wrap, shift - if you’re unfamiliar with the terminology when it comes to the different basic dress shapes then it can all be a bit overwhelming, and hard to dress according to your body shape. Knowing about fabric shops like myfabrics can really help in the dress-creation process, if you’re so inclined to play seamstress, but knowing dress shapes is good for both the dressmaker and fashionista.
5 Basic Dress Shapes To Know:
1. Wrap dress: As the name suggests, this dress wraps around the body, and tie at the waist. This accentuates a small waist, flatters curves and creates a V shaped neckline that can then be decorated with a statement necklace. It can also add the illusion of curves, to those with straighter figures. A faux wrap dress, on the other hand, is a dress that looks like a wrap dress but doesn’t have to be tied - it will be stitched shut.
2. Shift dress: This style of dress goes straight up and down and usually has no clearly defined waist. Shift dresses are often without sleeves and can be worn with or without a belt depending on what look the wearer wants to go for. Bonus, they can also be worn as a top or bottom layer, depending on your preference and the time of the year.
3. A-line dress: Also available as a skirt, the a-line dress is fitted at the waist and then flares out as it goes towards the bottom - the shape thus resembles the letter ‘A’. It’s a flattering shape and popular with many.
4. Peplum: This look has become really popular in the past few years, the peplum style consists of a short, gathered piece of fabric that’s attached on top of a dress. You’ll also see them on blouses and skirts.
5. Maxi: Ah, the maxi dress, my personal favorite and ideal for those long hot summer days on holiday, or for that August wedding. The maxi dress is the ultimate in boho chic, consisting of fabric that is loose, flowing and to the floor. Ideal for when you want to look effortlessly stylish.
Of these 5 basic dress shapes what’s your favorite?
I prefer shifts and wraps. A-lines look funny on me (be it skirts or dresses) because I am long-waisted and short-legged. Maxis are painful, because I am short, and often the fabric is not appropriate for taking up (or the pattern will be ruined). I also tend to tie sarongs into halter-neck wrap dresses, belted over to stop ‘flashing’ in a breeze.
Peplums I just cannot get into - I love them on other people, but I can’t come at them myself.
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