A dress on the rack may look cute, but sometimes when you try it on, it may not look as you thought. That dress was probably made to flatter a different body type. So, it is very important to know your body type before you go shopping for a dress. Let’s take a glance at some of the dress styles that flatter every body type.

Belted Dresses
It doesn’t matter if you have a curvy or hourglass figure, dresses with belted waits help to enhance and highlight your waistline. You can actually make any dress a belted dress by just adding a belt to your favorite dress. Shirt dresses, wrap dresses, and fit and flare silhouettes are great as they suit all body types and they also come in various colors featuring flattering necklines. The belt that comes along with these dresses does wonders to enhance your figure and boost you up with the confidence that you need.

Simple Column Dresses
A column dress works well for all body types, and works even better if you are tall. For a formal occasion, you need to go with a simple column dress, whereas a shift dress is your best bet when it comes to throwing on something for a casual setting.

Swingy Smock Dresses
A smock dress has a relaxed shape and features a high neck and trumpet sleeves. It is a dress that people with apple shaped bodies can pull of as these dresses don’t have fixed waists to balance out a thicker midsection.

Fit and Flare Dresses
Fit and flare dresses just about shine with a pear shaped body type as it is tucked in at the waist and then flows over in the lower half. They also help to create a proportion between the top and bottom half of your body. These dresses are extremely flattering making them timeless wardrobe staples.

Ruched Cinched Dresses
These dresses are quite modern and come with a ruched front that suits body types that lean toward the athletic build. If you are one with an athletic figure, then you need to stay clear of flowing, shapeless dresses. These ruched cinched dresses help create an illusion of a curvier figure.

Asymmetrical Dresses
Asymmetrical dresses come with a hem that is longer at the back and shorter in front. These are great choices if you are more on the petite side as they can help you get dressed up in no time at all.

Strapless Dresses
These dresses are ideal for those who have a rectanglular body type. As your arms and legs are your assets, the strapless dress will add definition to your body shape and make you look gorgeous.

As each and every woman is shaped differently, you need to find what dresses would suit your body shape before you decide to splurge on a dress. Use any dressing guideline as a starting point in order to help you understand the basics. It then comes down to mixing and matching different styles until you find what is best for you.