Stuck Looking for the Perfect Black Dress? How to Find the Right One for Your Body
Everyone needs a little black dress in their closet. Or maybe more like ten or twenty. We won’t judge. Why? They are the perfect versatile staple you can dress up or down or throw on minutes before an event and look like you planned way in advance (in a good way). They’re effortless. They’re cool. They’re slimming.
Perhaps the best thing about black dresses? They look good on everyone. Seriously. Black is lengthening, subtle, bold, and versatile so every size, shape, and height can wear the dress and look good.
How Do You Know Which Cut to Wear?
Yes, women have long been told to view their body types as fruits or shapes but honestly, drawing vague comparisons between yourself and food or, say, a triangle, never helped anybody that much. So instead, let’s talk about the little black dress styles that flatter the different parts of your body you may want to highlight.
Because LBDs come in every style imaginable, just like bodies.
For Baring Your Shoulders
Remember when you’d risk getting sent home for showing your shoulders in school? It’s time to reclaim power over your shoulders, because baring this body part can be super sexy. We love a bold dress that accentuates the upper body with its simple lines like this Fettucini Linen dress does. The curving neckline pulls attention upwards. Liberate those shoulders!
What We Love: The fitted strapless top that’s sturdy enough to stay up.
You might think a deep U-shaped neckline only brings attention to the chest but the way the Khari Dress’s straps draw up to the neck also emphasize the shoulders. Plus, the halter top’s open back provides a little extra romance.
What We Love: The oh-so-comfortable halter neck in a stretchy material that won’t cut into the collarbone or neck.
For Elongating Your Neck
Necks can be a powerful body part. They’re graceful when lengthened and help you to exude an air of superiority when properly played up. Turtlenecks like the one on the Mill Dress are a great way to elongate this feature and draw attention to your lovely face.
What We Love: The overall slim shape draws attention upwards.
Another trick is the way a square neck creates a strong line for the neck to rise above, lifting attention to its length. The addition of the puffed sleeves coming to a point at the shoulders of the Petites Juno Dress heightens the drama of the look.
What We Love: The femininity of the polka dots to soften the bold cut.
For Showing a Little Leg
It’s time to highlight all those leg days. The Dunne Two Piece is actually a two part ensemble with a thigh high slit that shows little sneak peaks of your legs every time you take a step. How tantalizing! And talk about a throw-on-able dress; this one you can rewear on the daily.
What We Love: Some days you wear it as a dress, other days as a two part set: like magic.
For Highlighting Your Back
You probably don’t see your back very often but don’t worry: it looks great. You can bare this very sexy part of your body by wearing dresses with simple tie details to create lines framing the bones and muscles in your back. The Nili Dress features a twisted strip across the canvas of the back to do just this.
What We Love: Talk about glamor! It creates lines that are sleek and simple.
The slimmer the straps, the more attention drawn to your back. The Canton Dress grabs notice with teensy tieable straps wrapping around the upper body. It’s a party in the back kinda dress but the front is darn cute too. Plus, it’s a silky, comfortable piece you can slip into quickly, always important when wearing a LBD (ever notice how heroines in movies always wear black? Yeah, us too. Enough said).
What We Love: The adjustable straps.
For Concealing Your Stomach
We’re all for baring your body and approaching each day with confidence, but sometimes there are multiple reasons why you feel like covering up. From eating a big meal and wanting to let your body breathe in something flowy to feeling in the mood for some thoughtful draping, this Raphael Linen Dress is ultra comfort coupled with style. If you want a more vintage look, this black linen dress can be flattering.
What We Love: The V detail over the chest heightens the dress’s shape.
For Baring a Little Cleavage
We love a deep V cut because it looks good on everyone, no matter the size or shape of your chest. Whether you have cleavage or not, with the Laurelei Dress’s tie straps, you have full control over just how much you want to show.
What We Love: Those adjustable tie straps are a game changer!
Takeaway
Are you convinced yet about the versatility of the LBD? Then it’s time to determine which cuts you like and do a little (online) shopping.
