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A dress is the only type of clothing that creates an entire outfit. Once you have a dress on, all you need are your shoes, a few accessories, and you’re out the door!
Summer dress trends include the return of the shirtdress and wrap styles, while the midi-length is here to stay! When the weather gets warm, tropical and floral prints can be found on almost everything, but this year fashion designers mined previous decades and brought back and refined tie dye, paisley prints, denim, border print and lace!
Despite what you may think, it’s easy to find a dress for every body type and every occasion from lazy weekends to summer weddings. While each body type has certain needs, there are some universal fashion truths that work for everyone. Before we get shopping, here are a 10 styling notes for all body types.
V-necklines elongate the neck and create the perfect frame for your face. It’s flattering for all body types.
Empire waists and border prints trick the eye and make you appear taller. If you’re a standard, petite or curvy body type, look for that style to visually gain inches.
Switching accessories — bag, shoes, jewelry, a scarf — can turn a casual style into a dressier one in a flash.
Nude heels make everyone’s legs seem longer.
If you’re short-waisted, try wearing petite size dresses. The hems are two inches shorter than regular dresses, and the waist is placed higher, so they’ll work perfectly with a short-waisted frame.
Shop for the body you have now, don’t buy things that will fit if you’re 10 pounds lighter or heavier. You should relish the moment when you open the closet door and pick out something to wear. You don’t want to stare at something thinking that some day you’ll wear it — your some day is now!
Check the rear view! Do a 360 in front of a mirror. Whatever you’re wearing should look great from the front, side, and back.
When trying on anything, sit down, bend from the waist, raise your arms and walk around. You want to make sure that what you’re wearing moves with you, not constricts you.
If you’re not in love with it, if it doesn’t make you feel incredible, don’t buy it. Even if it’s on sale, if you don’t love it, walk away.
Love your body, it’s the only one you have. When you love yourself, everything fits better!
Best Summer Dresses for Your Body Type
If you’re petite, curvy, tall or a standard body type, you’ll find career, weekend, and formal dresses in this guide. Each section gives style tips and how to shop for your body type in addition to some terrific selections.
Keep scrolling to shop Woman’s World’spicks for the best summer dresses for your body type.
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You’re in the petite size range if you’re shorter than 5’4”. When shopping for petite dresses, the two most important thing to keep in mind is proportion. If you’re eyeing a full-skirt dress, you’ll look amazing if the top is fitted. Same goes for a dress that has a pencil skirt and fuller bodice. And yes, petites can wear midi and maxi-length dresses. Just follow the proportion rule. Belted dresses and dresses with princess seams are your friend. They show off your figure without overwhelming your body. Try to look for dresses in the girl’s department. If you’re 125 pounds or less, you’ll fit into a girl’s size 14/16. And yes, there are lots of sophisticated styles there. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a famous petite person, shops in the kid’s department!
This retro-inspired border print dress can be worn all the way until it gets chilly. Wear it now with a taupe sling back and in the fall, pair it with black tights and ankle boots.
Instead of a tee and jeans to run errands, why not up your fashion game in an updated tee shirt dress. Made of the same material as a tee, this dress has a scoop neck, and short sleeves and the full skirt is flattering for petite frames.
You can live in this comfy dress during the warmer months. It has a flattering v-neckline, knotted empire waist — both details work beautifully on petites. Shoe-wise, you could wear anything from sneakers to something dressier and the dress (and you) will look amazing.
Summer is packed with weddings, graduations, family reunions and more. These dresses can not only work for those events, but they’re so pretty, you’ll reach for them all summer long.
Don’t be afraid to wear stripes, especially vertical stripes — they trick the eye and make you appear taller! Add visual interest by using a belt in one of the stripe’s colors.
Pastel flowers bloom all over this dress. Toss a pastel colored cardigan over your shoulders for an added splash of color, and protection against overactive air conditioners.
Need a dress for a rustic, semiformal or casual wedding? Whatever special event you’ve got coming up, this maxi dress can get you there in style. The medallion print is broken up by a striped waistband, while the set-in waistband separates the bodice from the skirt.
When you must pull out all the stops, look for a dress like this one. All the detailing and workmanship is on the bodice of the dress, and tight top and full skirt the proportion is perfect for petites.
The first rule of dressing for a curvy body type is to throw out all the old rules. Embrace your body. Curvy models like Iskra Lawrence, Ashley Graham and Philomena Kwao have shown the world that curvy women can rock a bikini and anything else they want to wear. Don’t shy away from belted, sleeveless or short dresses. Remember that proportion is key: If a top is loose, the skirt should be tight and vice versa. Look for wrap style dresses, as they create the classic hourglass shape. Don’t shy away from tailored or body skimming styles. They are complementary and will show off your figure.
A classic sheath dress can go from a courtroom to a boardroom. When trying on sheath dresses, make sure they fit everywhere. If the shoulder straps are too tight, try a different size. If the straps or waist are too loose, invest in a little tailoring and the dress will look custom-made.
Dresses like this one have princess seams which skim over your silhouette and highlight your waist. Try it with patent sling backs and a structured bag.
Traditionally, curvy body types were told to stay away from anything knitted. Ignore that rule. This dress has princess seams in the back, so it will show off your curves.
Yes, curvy gals can wear white. This dress is tailored, has a universally flattering v-neckline and can be worn without the belt. Pair it with pastel or bright accessories.
If you work in a relaxed workplace, or in the creative field, you can wear retro prints, almost any skirt length (no one looks good in a micro mini, no one), and bold bright colors.
This maxi dress is tailored, belted, and can go from work to happy hour in a flash. You can quickly change its vibe by switching to a higher heel and using a small bag for nighttime fun.
This dress has a v-neckline and empire waist that force the eye upwards, so you appear taller. The full skirt is pleated, so it swishes and flows as you walk.
Up your weekend style game with any of these cute dresses that’ll take you from a lumbar yard to your child’s dance practice, to lunch, or anything else on your agenda.
This dress has pockets (yay!), wide tank-styled straps to hide bra straps, an A-line silhouette, and a seamed waist. If you have issues with waist definition, this type of dress has your back.
Surplice necklines give the appearance of a wrap dress, but its v-neck is sewn down, and the fabric is gathered at the waist, and then flows into the hips. It’s flattering for curvy body types as it defines the waist, and subtly showcases the bust.
Family reunions, weddings, graduations and all sorts of special events can appear on your calendar. Here are curvy dresses that can go from a baby shower to a rustic wedding. When looking for this type of dress, make sure the dress is comfortable as well as figure flattering.
Everyone needs an LBD in their dress portfolio. This dress has a surplice v-neckline and a-line silhouette, two features that are flattering for curvy body types.
This is a classically styled long dress — you could wear it this summer or two summers from now, and it would still look chic. Dresses in pink and peach hues like this blush pink dress are flattering for every skin tone.
This faux wrap dress has short flutter sleeves and a covered elastic waist. It’s styled so that it could be worn to a rustic or casual wedding, or any semi-formal event. Dress it up with either a pearl or gold necklace. Try it with a brightly colored bag and neutral shoes.
The standard body type has shoulder that are the same width as the hips, is between 5’4” and 5’7” tall. They have a defined waist, and weight ranges from 110 to 154 pounds. When it comes to styling a standard body type, they can wear any trend with ease.
Dressing for work in a corporate environment — insurance, banking, law and the like requires sleekly tailored clothing. It’s as if your position and your duties say more about you than what you wear.
This fitted sheath dress, made in New York City, has side seam pockets. Wear it with a blazer for the day, and long gold chains for later. Try it with nude or printed shoes.
This midi-length shirtdress is hand-made by artisans using eco-friendly dyes. It’s great for running to the farmer’s market, lunch with friend, and everything on your weekend to-do list.
For the past nine years Vineyard Vines has been the official style of the Kentucky Derby. This limited edition dress was this year’s style, and it’s perfect for summer weddings.
If you’re 5’8” and taller, embrace your height — it’s part of what makes you wonderfully you. When shopping for dresses, do check the hem length — no one looks good in a micro mini. Tall body types, like the standard body type can wear any style, any trend out there.
Working in commercial real estate, a law firm, or strong corporate environment, err on the conservative side of dressing. These dresses will take you from the office to dinner or a piano recital.
This is the type of dress you can wear all year long. When the weather gets cooler, pair it with a cardigan or a blazer. During the winter months, wear it over a blouse.
This dress reverses into a different shade, so it’s like buying two dresses for the price of one. Dress combinations include white/grey heather, lilac stone/osprey grey, laurel olive/arbor olive.
This UK brand has been creating clothing for tall women since 1976. This pleated navy party dress is perfect to wear this summer, and next summer, and even the summer after that.
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