We get it—between doing a 9-5 and keeping up with household chores, you don’t have the time to read the latest edition of Vanity Fair to see what’s trending. Now you need an evening dress, and everything seems too overwhelming. We’ve got you covered.
The good news? You don’t need a personal stylist to find a show-stopper dress. It’s all about understanding your body, knowing the vibe of the event, and sticking to your personal style. Remember that a well-chosen evening dress will make you feel confident.
Follow these five steps to find the perfect evening dress:
- Consider the Occasion
This is pretty obvious. The occasion sets the foundation for everything, from fabric to length. Yes, your navy satin evening dress is stunning, but it might not be suitable for a casual office party.
Here’s a brief breakdown of common occasions and types of dresses that go well:
Formal Events – Think of black-tie weddings, charity balls, and galas. Gowns and cocktail dresses are good to go on formal events.
Semi-formal Events – This includes birthday parties or company dinners. Shorter cocktail dresses or knee-length dresses are appropriate.
Always ask if the event has a dress code. This will narrow down your search and save you time and energy. Remember, it’s not just about looking good, but also about seamlessly blending into the aesthetic of the event.
- Know Your Body Type
The next step is understanding your body type. You need to find something that flatters your natural body shape, boosting your confidence. Here’s a brief breakdown of different body types and what types of evening dresses traditionally go well with them:
Hourglass shape – wrap styles, mermaid gowns, fitted silhouettes
Pear shape – A-line dresses or off-the-shoulder neckline dresses
Apple shape – empire waistlines and flowy fabrics to draw the eye upward
Petite – sleek, simple designs that won’t overwhelm your natural body type
- Choose Fabric
This is where most people go wrong. Wearing a cotton evening dress is not the right choice in the middle of winter. Therefore, always consider the season and weather.
Choosing the right fabric also ensures comfort. No matter the occasion, make sure the fabric feels good against the skin and flows with you.
- Consider the Colour
Then, consider the colour of your evening dress. Remember that the right shade can brighten your complexion and highlight your features.
First off, consider your skin tone and undertone. If you have warm undertones, colours like gold, coral, olive green, or warm reds can be incredibly flattering. If you have cool undertones, consider jewel tones like sapphire, emerald, or icy blues.
Don’t forget to consider the tone of the event. Darker hues are better for night-time and formal events. Whereas, lighter shades look good when you’re off to a daytime event.
- Pay Attention to Fit
As hinted earlier, an evening dress should complement your body type. And that is hardly possible without proper tailoring and alteration. Don’t settle for a “close enough” fit.
https://phrasefocus.com/Many reputable boutiques provide alteration services. This is pretty convenient and can make the entire dress buying process super worth it!
