White House Black Market (WHBM) is known for its stylish, sophisticated, and high-quality dresses that flatter various body types. Whether you’re attending a formal event or looking for a stylish outfit for everyday wear, choosing the right dress that enhances your body shape is key to looking and feeling your best. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to pick the perfect WHBM dress for your unique body shape.

1. Understanding Your Body Shape
Before diving into specific dress styles, it’s important to understand your body shape. Common body shapes include:
- Hourglass: Balanced proportions with a defined waist.
- Pear: Narrow shoulders with wider hips.
- Apple: Full bust with narrow hips and a less defined waist.
- Rectangle: Straight silhouette with little definition at the waist.
- Inverted Triangle: Broader shoulders and narrower hips.
Knowing your body shape will help you choose a dress that enhances your best features while providing a flattering and comfortable fit.
2. Best Dresses for Hourglass Figures
If you have an hourglass figure, you want to emphasize your balanced proportions and highlight your curves. White House Black Market offers several styles that cater to hourglass shapes.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- Fit-and-Flare Dresses: These dresses cinch at the waist and flare out over the hips, highlighting your curves while offering a feminine silhouette.
- Sheath Dresses: A sleek, body-hugging dress that follows the natural curves of your body, perfect for showing off your waistline and creating a smooth, balanced look.
- Belted Dresses: Dresses with a belt or waistline detail enhance your shape and accentuate your defined waist.
Styling Tip:
Pair with structured heels and delicate accessories to keep the focus on your beautiful curves. A simple clutch will complete the look without overwhelming your outfit.
3. Best Dresses for Pear-Shaped Figures
For pear-shaped figures, the goal is to balance out your proportions by drawing attention to the upper body while minimizing the hips. White House Black Market offers many styles that can help achieve this look.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- A-Line Dresses: These dresses gently flare from the waist, providing a flattering silhouette that skims over the hips. They create a balanced, feminine shape while drawing attention to your upper body.
- Empire Waist Dresses: With a high waistline just under the bust, empire waist dresses elongate the torso and draw attention to the bust and neckline, helping balance your hips.
- V-Neck Dresses: A V-neckline creates a longer, leaner look and draws attention upward to your face and shoulders.
Styling Tip:
Look for dresses with bold patterns, intricate necklines, or embellishments on the upper half to create a focal point and distract from the hips.
4. Best Dresses for Apple-Shaped Figures
Apple-shaped figures typically have a fuller bust and midsection with narrow hips and legs. The key is to create a more defined waistline and highlight your legs while balancing your proportions.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- A-Line Dresses: A-line dresses are universally flattering and help skim over the midsection while balancing the upper and lower body.
- Empire Waist Dresses: Like pear shapes, empire waist dresses work well for apple figures by elongating the torso and creating a smooth flow.
- Fit-and-Flare Dresses: These dresses help define the waist while offering a flattering shape. Opt for dresses with a structured bodice to support your bust while emphasizing your curves.
Styling Tip:
Pair your dress with a statement necklace or earrings to draw attention upward and away from the waistline. Choose dresses with structured fabrics that offer support and shape.
5. Best Dresses for Rectangular Figures
Rectangular figures often have a straight, athletic build with little waist definition. The goal is to create the illusion of curves and add more shape to the body.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- Peplum Dresses: The peplum detail at the waist adds volume and curves to the lower half, creating the appearance of a more defined waist and fuller hips.
- Belted Dresses: Adding a belt to your dress helps create a waistline and adds shape to the dress. Opt for dresses with an A-line or fit-and-flare style for additional volume at the hips.
- Shift Dresses: A shift dress with a slightly loose fit can add volume to the hips and create a soft silhouette, helping to define the body shape.
Styling Tip:
Look for dresses with waist-defining details like belts, ruffles, or peplums to create the illusion of curves. A fitted dress with draping can also add shape and enhance your natural body.
6. Best Dresses for Inverted Triangle Figures
Inverted triangle shapes often have broader shoulders and a narrower waist and hips. The key is to balance the upper body and create a more proportional silhouette.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- A-Line Dresses: A-line dresses with a flowing skirt balance out broad shoulders by drawing attention to the hips and legs.
- V-Neck Dresses: A V-neckline helps elongate the upper body, softening the shoulders and drawing the eye downward.
- Empire Waist Dresses: An empire waist dress with a flowing skirt can create a more balanced look by emphasizing the waist and allowing the fabric to flow over the lower body.
Styling Tip:
Opt for dresses with minimal detailing on the shoulders or neckline to avoid drawing too much attention to the upper body. Instead, choose dresses that add volume or interest to the lower half, like a pleated or ruffled skirt.
7. Choosing the Right Color and Fabric
In addition to choosing the right silhouette, the fabric and color of your White House Black Market dress can also play a big role in how flattering it is for your body shape.
- Dark Colors: Dark shades such as black, navy, and deep green are slimming and can create a streamlined look.
- Bright Colors and Patterns: Bright colors or bold prints are perfect for areas you want to highlight, such as your upper body or legs.
- Structured Fabrics: Fabrics like cotton blends, wool, or structured polyester can help create shape, while flowy fabrics like chiffon or silk work well for creating a softer silhouette.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Shape with the Perfect Dress
White House Black Market offers a wide variety of dresses that cater to different body shapes, ensuring that everyone can find something that flatters their figure. By understanding your body shape and choosing the right dress style, you can create a balanced, flattering look that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Whether you’re dressing for a special occasion or a casual day out, there’s a WHBM dress out there that’s perfect for you.