Best Dresses for Each Body Type at a Glance
| Body shape | How to recognize it | Silhouettes to try | Necklines to try | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourglass | Shoulders and hips about the same width, clearly defined waist | Mermaid, fitted, wrap, belted A-line | Sweetheart, V-neck, strapless | Mermaid |
| Pear (triangle) | Hips wider than shoulders, defined waist | A-line, ball gown, fit-and-flare | Off-the-shoulder, portrait, sweetheart, embellished bodice | A-Line |
| Apple (round) | Fuller through the middle, slimmer legs and hips | Empire waist, A-line, short and cocktail lengths | V-neck, scoop, one-shoulder | Empire Waist |
| Rectangle (straight) | Shoulders, waist and hips similar in width | Ball gown, fit-and-flare, two-piece, belted styles | Sweetheart, halter, embellished or cut-out details | Ball Gown |
| Inverted triangle | Shoulders wider than hips | Ball gown, A-line, high-slit skirts | V-neck, halter, one-shoulder | One Shoulder |
| Petite | About 5'4" or shorter | Column, sheath, short and cocktail lengths, high slits | V-neck, sweetheart | High Slit |
| Tall | About 5'8" or taller | Ball gown, mermaid, two-piece, bold full skirts | Almost any; high necks and long sleeves look striking | Long Sleeves |
| Plus size and curvy | Fuller bust, hips or both | A-line, empire waist, mermaid with structure | V-neck, sweetheart, off-the-shoulder | Sweetheart |
How Do I Know My Body Type?
With a soft tape measure, measure around the fullest part of your bust, the narrowest part of your waist, the fullest part of your hips and across your shoulders. Then compare them:
- Hourglass: bust and hips within an inch or two of each other, and a waist noticeably smaller than both.
- Pear: hips noticeably wider than bust and shoulders.
- Apple: waist close to, or wider than, bust and hips.
- Rectangle: bust, waist and hips all fairly close.
- Inverted triangle: shoulders or bust noticeably wider than hips.
Most people are a mix of two shapes, and that is completely normal. Pick the one that is closest and borrow ideas from the next nearest. Height (petite or tall) and size (plus or curvy) sit on top of shape, so read those sections too.
What Dress Suits an Hourglass Body Type?
An hourglass figure has shoulders and hips of similar width and a defined waist. The goal is simply to follow that shape. Fitted silhouettes such as mermaid gowns, sheath dresses and wrap styles trace the curve from bust to hip, and a belt or seam at the natural waist marks the narrowest point.
Sweetheart, V-neck and strapless necklines all work well because they keep the top half as balanced as the bottom. Very loose, boxy shapes can feel like they hide the waist, so if you love a fuller skirt, look for one with a fitted bodice and a defined waistline.
What Dress Suits a Pear (Triangle) Body Type?
A pear or triangle shape has hips that are wider than the shoulders, often with a well-defined waist. Dresses that bring attention up to the shoulders and neckline, then flow out over the hips, create a lovely balance.
A-line and ball gown skirts skim the hips and show off the waist. A basque (V-shaped) waist lengthens the torso. Up top, choose off-the-shoulder, portrait or sweetheart necklines, or a bodice with beading, color or texture, to draw the eye to your collarbones and shoulders.
What Dress Suits an Apple (Round) Body Type?
An apple or round shape carries more fullness through the middle, often with slimmer legs and hips and a fuller bust. The most flattering dresses create a waistline just under the bust and let the fabric fall freely from there.
Empire waist and A-line dresses do exactly that. V-necks and scoop necks open up the chest and lengthen the neck, and shorter cocktail lengths put your legs in the spotlight. Embellishment at the neckline or sleeves keeps the focus high. The same advice works well for a diamond shape, where the waist is the widest point.
What Dress Suits a Rectangle (Straight) Body Type?
A rectangle, straight or athletic figure has shoulders, waist and hips of similar width. Many rectangles have toned, sporty builds and can carry almost any silhouette. To add curves, choose dresses that create a waist and add volume at the bust or hips.
Ball gowns, fit-and-flare styles and belted dresses all build shape. Two-piece sets show a sliver of midriff and naturally define the waist. Sweetheart and halter necklines, ruffles, cut-outs and soft prints like watercolor or floral add movement and dimension. A rectangle shape also looks sleek and modern in a straight column dress if you prefer a minimal line.
What Dress Suits an Inverted Triangle Body Type?
An inverted triangle has shoulders or a bust that are wider than the hips, often with strong, defined shoulders and slim legs. The aim is to balance the top with volume or interest below the waist.
Full ball gown and A-line skirts add width at the hips, and a high slit draws the eye down to the legs. Necklines that break up the shoulder line work beautifully: V-necks, halters like style 58905, and one-shoulder styles, which create a strong diagonal line. Keep the bodice simple and save the drama, such as color, texture or embellishment, for the skirt.
What Dress Suits a Petite Body Type?
Petite usually means about 5'4" or shorter, at any body shape. The most flattering petite dresses create one long, unbroken line from top to hem.
Fitted column and sheath gowns, one-color looks and V-necks all lengthen the frame. A high slit shows more leg, and short or cocktail lengths that end above the knee make legs look longer. If you love a ball gown, choose one with a fitted bodice, a defined waist and a skirt that is full but not overly layered, and have it hemmed so it just skims the floor in your shoes.
What Dress Suits a Tall Body Type?
Tall figures, around 5'8" and up, can carry volume and drama that would overwhelm a smaller frame. Full ball gowns, sweeping mermaid skirts, capes, trains and bold prints all look striking.
Two-piece sets and color-blocked or belted styles break up a long torso if you want to. High necklines and long sleeves look elegant on a long neck and arms. The main practical point is length: check that floor-length gowns reach the floor with your heels on.
What Dress Suits a Plus Size or Curvy Body Type?
Plus size and curvy figures come in every shape above, so start with your shape and then think about structure and support. Dresses with built-in boning, corset bodices or structured fabrics shape and support the figure, while soft fabrics drape over curves.
A-line and empire waist gowns are comfortable and flattering on most curvy figures. Mermaid and fit-and-flare styles in structured fabric celebrate an hourglass shape. Sweetheart, V-neck and off-the-shoulder necklines frame the face and décolletage. Sherri Hill dresses come in sizes 000 to 26, although not every style is made in every size. An authorized retailer can check which styles are available to order in your size; find one near you with Find A Store, and see the size guide before you shop.
What Dress Makes You Look Slimmer?
No dress changes your size, but some choices create a longer, leaner line:
- A defined waist. A seam, belt or corset bodice at your narrowest point adds shape.
- A V-neckline. It draws the eye up and down, lengthening the neck and torso.
- One color from top to hem. An unbroken color, especially a deeper shade like black, navy or wine, reads longer than busy color-blocking.
- Structure. Corset boning and structured fabrics such as satin and mikado hold their shape and smooth the line. Very thin, clingy fabrics show everything underneath.
- Floor length or a high slit. Both lengthen the leg line.
- The right fit. A dress that fits well always looks better than one that's too tight or too loose. Choose your size by your measurements with the size guide, then have it altered.
What Dresses Hide a Tummy?
Look for dresses that create a waist above the tummy or skim over it instead of clinging. Empire waist dresses start the skirt just under the bust and fall freely over the midsection. A-line and ball gown skirts flare from the waist. Corset bodices with boning smooth and support the midsection, and ruching or draping breaks up the area. If you'd rather downplay your stomach, skip thin, clingy fabric there.
What Dress Suits a Large Bust?
Support comes first. Look for a structured bodice with boning, or a halter or wider straps, and have the bodice fitted so it sits smoothly. V-necks and sweetheart necklines suit a fuller bust. Choose your size by your bust measurement and have the waist taken in if needed, because taking a dress in is much easier than letting it out.
Which Necklines and Silhouettes Flatter Most Body Types?
If you are between shapes, a few choices work for almost everyone. The V-neck lengthens the neck and torso. The A-line skirt skims the hips and defines the waist. A defined waistline, through a seam, belt or basque waist, adds shape to any figure. Our guide to neckline types explains every neckline and who it suits, and our guide to prom dress types walks through each silhouette. You can also browse every shape in our silhouettes collection.
Wear What Makes You Feel Confident
These guidelines are a starting point, not a set of rules. Every body is a good body for a beautiful dress, and the style you feel most confident in is the one you will look best in, whether or not it is "meant" for your shape. The best way to know is to try on a few silhouettes. Take this guide with you to an authorized Sherri Hill retailer and try on one style from your shape's list and one wild card.
Enter your measurements in the Sherri Hill Fit Finder to see your shape, your size and the silhouettes to try. Then find the dress colors that suit your skin tone.
