Every woman dreams of catching admiring glances. A stylish and elegant outfit is one of the ways to achieve the desired. Today, designers offer a wide variety of dress styles for every taste and age. You need to choose your ideal option taking into account the features of your appearance.
Basic styles
Modern trends allow you to have fashionable dresses of different styles in your wardrobe. Designers release collections of various styles so that a woman can choose outfits for leisure, work, romantic dates or festive events.
Classics are relevant at all times, so regardless of fashion, such clothes are popular. Dresses are distinguished by strict lines, the absence of bright trim and decorative ornaments. The fabric is selected high-quality, mostly plain, neutral colors. Classic outfits are suitable for business meetings, social evenings, holidays.
Everyday dresses are simple in cut and comfortable. Unlike evening dresses, they are not too open, shiny and flashy. Today, casual and sport-chic styles are chosen for everyday clothes. Models are varied, as are fabrics for sewing. Natural or synthetic materials are used. In summer, it is better to choose dresses made of cotton, linen, thin knitwear, chiffon. Thick knitwear, wool, velor, fleece are suitable for winter.
Sports dresses appeared not so long ago, but have already managed to conquer many girls with their convenience. Clothes of this trend are characterized by mini or midi length, clear geometry of lines, cotton execution. In sports models you can go to a friendly party, a walk.
Evening dresses are appropriate for special occasions. As a rule, these are beautiful floor-length models, fitted, made of noble fabrics and richly decorated. Empire style dresses are loved by women - with a high waist and a flowing skirt of a free cut. This style is often chosen for a wedding for bridesmaids.
Cocktail dresses are considered a type of evening dresses, which are relatively new. They are short, have no sleeves or collar. Such elegant models are made of chiffon, satin, and silk. They are perfect for a corporate event, a dinner party, a party, or as wedding dresses for the newlyweds' guests. However, for social receptions or special events, it is worth choosing the maxi length.
Variety of styles
Dress styles are presented in a wide variety. They can be classified according to several parameters: type of cut, length, style, purpose.
By silhouette
According to the type of silhouette, dresses can be straight (the shape is similar to a rectangle, the neckline is usually square or round), fitted (they fit the figure, have a narrowing at the waist) or loose. A-silhouette is a general name for dresses that resemble the letter A in appearance. These are flared items, and the flare can start from the waist, chest or even shoulders.
Among the free-cut models, there are tunic dresses, sarafans, shift dresses, or sack dresses. The shift dress has even lines, simple trim, is short, and often has no sleeves. Such outfits are preferably made of knitwear or wool. The sack dress is a knee-length model, with or without sleeves. Despite its volume, it is light and highlights the curves of the figure.
A-line dress is a loose-fitting outfit, the name of which speaks for itself. It is made in the shape of the figure of the same name, the narrow part of which is the bodice and sleeves. Linen, cotton, and thick knitwear are used for sewing. This model is in great demand among pregnant women. A dress with a yoke looks especially impressive in this style.
When talking about ball gowns, a picture of a social ball, prom or wedding comes to mind. In such clothes, any woman will feel like a princess. These elegant dresses are characterized by a richly decorated, tight-fitting bodice and a full skirt that can turn into a train.
A godet dress fits tightly around the body from the shoulders to the knees. Below, it can have a full-length flare and end with a train. This style (also called a "mermaid") will accentuate a slender waist and rounded hips. Such models are made from festive fabrics: silk, satin, chiffon, guipure, organza. Fashionable wedding dresses are often made in this style.
A sheath dress is a striking example of a fitted type of women's clothing. It sits tightly on the figure and has a tapered bottom. Distinctive features of such an outfit are the absence of a seam on the waistline, a rounded neckline without a collar, and a midi length.
Dresses of ethnic styles, which are popular among many women, deserve special attention. Sarong is a national dress of Asian women and the peoples of Oceania. It looks like a skirt tied under the chest, ankle length. Sari is women's clothing in India, which is a large piece of fabric that is wrapped around oneself over an underskirt and blouse. The fabric is usually bright and beautifully decorated. A kimono dress is a robe-type outfit, wrapped on the right side. The sleeves are of a one-piece cut, there is no collar or buttons.
By the cut of the top
Depending on the cut of the top, the following types of dresses are distinguished:
- The wrap dress appeared in wardrobes half a century ago. This outfit with a deep V-neck and a pleated skirt emphasizes all the advantages of the figure. It is used for holidays or every day.
- A dress with an American armhole has cutouts from the armpits to the neck. It can be complemented with a V-neck. This type looks feminine, but bares the shoulders, so it is suitable only for girls of a small build.
- The shirt dress has a loose top with a characteristic men's collar and sleeves, can have a belt, and fit tightly at the hips. This outfit is practical, comfortable, and resembles the style of house dresses. The length can vary from short to medium.
- The polo dress resembles a men's shirt of the same name. This shape can be seen on tennis players - with short sleeves, a turn-down collar, with buttons or a zipper, fitted, with a mini-length skirt. This is a summer outfit, so it is made of light, breathable fabrics. The classic colors for such a dress are white or gray, but modern fashion allows you to use a wide variety of colors.
- Cheongsam or qipao is a type of Chinese dress that resembles a shirt. It is fitted, has a stand-up collar and a diagonal fastening. It is usually decorated with floral patterns or images of dragons.
- Asymmetrical dresses are characterized by an unusual shape of the neck, sleeves, pockets, and other decorative elements. In addition, the bottom of the product can also be asymmetrical. A striking example is the one-shoulder style.
Older women should be more careful when choosing a dress with an American armhole, as it increases attention to the shoulder and armpit area, where the skin may no longer have the necessary elasticity. However, this style can advantageously hide wrinkles in the décolleté and neck area.
By the cut of the skirt
The lower part of the dress also has a wide variety of designs. The following varieties are distinguished:
- Baby doll is a dress that was originally made from a regular peignoir. The skirt is loose and mini-length. The waist is usually high, the sleeves are short or absent. The fabric is brightly colored and lightly textured. Such clothing features lace trim, frills, and ruffles that resemble doll dresses.
- Culottes resemble overalls, since instead of a skirt there are loose shorts or wide trousers. They are most often made of knitwear, chiffon or denim. This option is convenient for summer walks, and with a certain design, it is also suitable for a work environment.
- A balloon dress is usually fitted and has a voluminous gathered bottom. Bright representatives of such an outfit are tulip or bell styles. An item with such a skirt can be used both daily (in a knitted design) and for an evening out (chiffon, brocade or taffeta).
- A tutu dress is associated with the image of a ballerina. The bottom of such an outfit is sewn from several layers of tulle to achieve the fullness of the skirt. The top slims the figure, outlines the waist. This type of outfit creates a romantic image, suitable for dates and festive parties. This style can be found in the sewing of wedding dresses.
- Flared dresses have a skirt that flares out toward the bottom and comes in a variety of lengths. This option is suitable for women with wide hips, as it will hide extra volume. The top of the dress is usually tight-fitting, and the waistline can be high, which is popular among pregnant women.
- With a high waist (empire, Greek, smock). Such outfits help to hide flaws in the waist area or below, emphasize the chest. For example, a smock is a dress with frills under the chest and a loose cut skirt maximum knee length. Such clothes are perfect for pregnant women, will look good on tall women. The Greek dress and the empire style model have a waistline that runs under the chest.
Women over 50 should avoid baby-doll or tutu-style outfits. These options are suitable for a younger generation. Culottes will look great on tall women. Short girls should only wear flared skirts with heels, as this type of clothing can visually shorten the legs.
By the shape of the sleeve
Dresses differ not only in the cut of the top and skirt, but also in the shape of the sleeve. The following types are distinguished:
- Sleeveless. Such outfits have neither straps nor sleeves, but are held in place by a rigid corset or a bodice set on a tight elastic band. Due to the bare shoulders, it is worth remembering that women with a large top should be more careful when choosing such a model.
- The sarafan is held up by straps and is considered a traditional summer casual outfit. The model is sewn with a free cut, the length can be any. The straps of the sarafan can be both thin and wide, have ties or decorative elements.
- With a sewn-in sleeve. The elements here are sewn to the main part of the dress. The sleeve shape can be straight or flared, have different lengths, everything is determined by the style of the dress.
- With one-piece sleeves - these are outfits whose sleeves are cut out together with the top part of the dress.
One-piece sleeve is used in the following models:
- Tunic. It is characterized by a loose cut and is suitable for any type of female figure. This outfit has two side cutouts for the arms, is collarless and looks like a shirt that is put on over the head. It can be of different lengths.
- Batwing - an outfit with wide long or medium-length sleeves, suitable for both evening wear and everyday wear. The neckline is V-shaped or round, the neckline can be quite deep.
- The raglan sleeve shape is often used for a sporty style dress. This sleeve is cut together with the shoulder part of the back and the front, and has no shoulder seam. The outfit looks elegant and very feminine.
A sarafan is the most versatile outfit, which, due to the variety of designs, can be chosen for any type of figure. Now there are also winter versions of sarafans, so this type of dress can be worn all year round. However, you need to be careful when choosing straps so that the shoulder area does not look too rough.
Features of selection
Knowing all the characteristic features of a particular dress style, it is easy to choose an interesting option for yourself. However, you need to pay attention to some nuances. It is necessary to take into account two important parameters: your own figure type and age.
Taking into account the body type
There are many styles of dresses, but you need to approach the choice of an outfit responsibly - you should not put on clothes without taking into account the features of your figure. With the help of one or another option, you can not only emphasize the advantages, but also focus unwanted attention on the disadvantages that, perhaps, every woman has.
The table shows how to choose the right style for your body type.
| Body type | Suitable styles | Inappropriate styles |
| Pear (triangle) – shoulders are narrower than hips, chest is small, waist is well defined, bottom is larger than top. | Dresses with a loose cut, fitted, but with a flared skirt (A-line, trapeze, shift, sundress, babydoll, shirt) or with a high waist (empire, Greek, smock). | Models that hug the bottom or make it massive (sheath, balloon). |
| Apple - the top is larger than the bottom, the belly is clearly defined, the hips are narrow. | Straight cut, balloon, shift, trapeze, with a flared skirt, with a high waist. | Tight-fitting styles that draw attention to the waist and stomach area |
| Hourglass - the top and bottom are approximately equal, the waist is clearly defined. | Almost any style, models with an emphasis on the waist will look advantageous. | You shouldn't hide your figure with overly voluminous outfits like sacks. |
| Rectangle - shoulders and hips are proportional, the waistline is not clearly defined. | Balloon, case, with scent, pipe. | Overly tight or baggy, models with raglan sleeves. |
| Inverted triangle – shoulders are more massive and wider than hips, large chest, thin waist. | Straight cut (shift), flared, asymmetrical, shirt dress, wrap dress, balloon dress. | You need to be careful with models that expose the shoulders (with American armholes, bustiers), and those that hug the hips (sheath, tube). |
It is worth noting that pure types are not always found. A woman with wide hips may not have such a pronounced waist or rough shoulders. When choosing an outfit for your build, you need to take these details into account.
Taking into account age
What looks good and flirty on young girls may look funny on mature women. Therefore, when choosing an outfit, you should also take age into account.
The following styles are suitable for young girls:
- baby doll;
- shirt;
- polo;
- pack.
Young women can wear most fashionable dress styles, but they should not add age to themselves with overly strict and businesslike models, while older women can afford such options.
For women over 50, the following are good choices:
- sheath (not too tight);
- shirt;
- with smell;
- trapezoid;
- tunic (for summer dresses, a length just above the knee is acceptable);
- with an American armhole.
In general, choosing dress styles for women over 50 is not difficult, you just need to avoid overly youthful models and mini lengths.
Finding a dress style that fits perfectly and flatters your figure is not an easy task, but it is a pleasant one. And no matter what they say about the right or wrong styles of women's dresses, the main thing is that the owner is comfortable in her outfit. However, it is still worth listening to the recommendations of experts.
Video
Photo
