How to Dress for Your Body Type

First and foremost – this blog post has everything to do with the PROPORTION of one body measurement to the other, and how to best balance what you have to get the look you want. SIZE is a number, and the dress you choose doesn’t relate much to it. Wearing the right dress can create illusions to fix any body issue, real or perceived. Mestads sells dresses in size 0-30, and believes that EVERYONE should look beautiful on their special night! Consultants at Mestads can assist you in choosing something that will work to your best advantage – please let us know how we can help you!

Triangle: People who have this shape have a larger hip measurement than their bust measurement. To create balance, you should emphasize the top half of your body. Wearing something that’s fitted in the top and flowy in the skirt will minimize the hip area. A sweetheart neckline can really flatter a small bust line.

Triangle

Heart Shape: People who are heart shaped have larger bust measurements than their hips. You should ensure that the dress you purchase supports you in the top in a way that you feel comfortable. You might like that a more full skirt will balance your top and bottom, and create the illusion of an hourglass. A halter top can help give you comfortable support and coverage, while still being stylish.

Heart

Square: This person has measurements that are fairly similar in the bust, waist and hips. You may find that ruching or details at the waist or slightly higher will create the look of an hourglass shape. A full skirt can also create an hourglass illusion.

Square

Hourglass: People with this shape have similar measurements in the bust and hips, and a smaller waist. You can choose to emphasize what you have, or choose one area to focus on.

Hourglass

Tall: Tall girls who want to flaunt their height can choose a bold print, a curvy mermaid style, or any exaggerated details. At Mestads, you’ll find that the gowns will be long enough, and if you shop early, some may be orderable in extra length for girls over 6’ tall (subject to availability).

Tall

Petite: Petite girls can create the illusion of height by choosing vertical details such as a leg slit, halter neckline, a train, or beading in an up and down pattern. An empire waist, which is tightest right under the bust, can create the illusion of long legs. Petite girls can wear ball gowns, mermaid styles, and dropped waistlines, but should keep proportion in mind. Alterations can almost always shorten the length, or change the dress proportions to suit your body. My general rule of thumb is that you can take fabric away from a dress, but you can’t ever add it.

Petite