How To Pick The Right Dress For You

There's the midi and the maxi, the shift dress and the shirt dress. 

With so many dress styles out there, it can be confusing to find the right one, so I have decoded the most common of them for you.

My usual disclaimer is that there are style guides and suggestions but it all means very little because if you love it and feel good wearing it, then buy it regardless of what the rule book says. I do.

Mini dress

It finishes above the knee and can be worn with sneakers, flats, heels or boots. They are great for Summer. Add a jacket, blazer or cardigan and stockings and it becomes a trans seasonal or Winter dress too. This length of dress suits most people but if you don't like showing your legs, read on. 

Midi dress

This one finishes below the knee, usually mid calf. It is a bit of an awkward length because it cuts your leg off making you look shorter and is not necessarily the most flattering style (unless you have legs for days). I find this style is best with heels or flats and sneakers.

Maxi dress

I am loving the maxi right now. What I love is the long flowing material that is just so comfy. There can be maxi dresses with too much material that swallow you up though, which is not ideal. The best maxi dress falls nicely to the floor. If you have a bigger bust, the best one for you would be more fitted up top that then falls over the hips.

Having said that, there are more fitted maxis in ribbed material that would be just as comfy or even linen that is a good in between option to the flowing styles and fitted. Wear this dress with heels or flats.

Halter dress

This one ties up around the neck and is definitely a throwback to the 90s. It gives a feminine look around the shoulders and decolletage. Depending on the length of the dress would depend on what shoe you wear. 

A-line dress

It is very similar to the fit and flare. This is a universally flattering style. It is more fitted around the chest and then falls over the hips. Think about an A. Smaller at the top and then gradually less fitted the closer you get to the ground. This is a style that never goes out of fashion.

Wrap dress

The waist tie can add shape while also falling nicely across the hips - flattering without being too clingy because it can be adjusted. They are most commonly a V neck which is great for all bust sizes.

Shift dress

This one is very straight up and down, more fitted across the shoulders and then just hangs down, not giving a whole lot of shape but can still be flattering, depending how it falls across the hips.

Shirt or t-shirt dress

This one has no shape. It's loose and baggy and is designed to be especially comfortable. It's perfect for lounging around.

I hope you found that helpful. If there are any other dress styles you'd like more detail about, please get in touch here.

If you like the sound of some of these styles, want to go shopping for them or are after a style upgrade, contact me to book in a personal shopping session.

Or if your wardrobe is overflowing with clothes you don't wear, let me at it. I'll help you clear it out so you can find what you want to wear easily. Get in touch here for a wardrobe makeover.