Finding the perfect dress that flatters your body type is essential for feeling confident and stylish. Lord & Taylor, known for its extensive selection of high-quality, timeless dresses, offers something for every shape and size. Whether you’re looking for a dress for a special occasion, a work event, or a casual outing, Lord & Taylor has dresses designed to enhance your unique figure. In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose the perfect Lord & Taylor dress for your body type, helping you feel your best every time you step out the door.
Understanding Your Body Shape
Before diving into specific dress recommendations, it’s important to understand your body type. Common body shapes include:
- Hourglass: A balanced silhouette with defined waist and curvy hips and bust.
- Pear: A narrower upper body with wider hips and thighs.
- Apple: A fuller upper body with a rounder midsection and slim legs.
- Rectangle: A straight, athletic frame with little definition between the bust, waist, and hips.
- Inverted Triangle: Broader shoulders with narrower hips and legs.
Knowing your body shape will help you select dresses that highlight your best features while providing the right balance and comfort.
1. Hourglass Shape: Dresses That Highlight Your Curves
For those with an hourglass figure, the goal is to enhance your natural curves while emphasizing your waist. Lord & Taylor offers dresses that fit perfectly at the waist and flow out to complement your hips and bust.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- Fit-and-Flare Dresses: These dresses accentuate the waist while providing enough volume around the hips, creating a balanced silhouette.
- Tailored Sheath Dresses: A sheath dress that hugs your curves and highlights your waistline is a great option to show off your figure.
- Belted Dresses: Dresses with a belt or cinched waist emphasize the natural curve of the waist, enhancing the hourglass shape.
Key Fabrics:
- Stretch fabrics like cotton-spandex blends that mold to your figure while allowing movement.
- Structured fabrics such as crepe and wool blends that provide structure and a flattering fit.
2. Pear Shape: Dresses That Balance Your Proportions
If you have a pear-shaped body, with a narrower upper body and wider hips, the key is to draw attention upward while creating balance. Lord & Taylor’s dress selection includes styles that widen the upper body or add volume to balance out the proportions.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- A-Line Dresses: A-line dresses gently flare out from the waist, balancing out wider hips while offering a sleek upper silhouette.
- Empire Waist Dresses: Dresses that sit just below the bust can highlight your smaller waist and create an elongated look.
- Off-the-Shoulder and Boat Neck Dresses: These styles draw attention to your shoulders and neckline, creating a broader upper body and balancing out your hips.
Key Fabrics:
- Soft, flowing fabrics like chiffon or jersey are perfect for creating movement without adding bulk around the hips.
- Structured fabrics like linen or cotton that help create shape while not clinging to the hips.
3. Apple Shape: Dresses That Create a Defined Waist
For an apple-shaped body, where the upper body is fuller with a rounder midsection, the key is to create the illusion of a smaller waist and focus on elongating the body. Lord & Taylor’s dresses with waist-defining features are perfect for this shape.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- Empire Waist Dresses: These dresses provide a high waistline that sits just under the bust, allowing the fabric to drape loosely and flatter the midsection.
- Shift Dresses: A looser, straight silhouette with minimal emphasis on the waist can balance the proportions and create a sleek look.
- Peplum Dresses: Peplum dresses are perfect for adding structure and definition to the waist, giving the illusion of curves while slimming the midsection.
Key Fabrics:
- Soft, drapey fabrics like silk or jersey that flow away from the body without clinging to the midsection.
- Cotton blends that provide structure and create a smooth silhouette without adding bulk.
4. Rectangle Shape: Dresses That Add Curves
If you have a rectangular body shape, where the bust, waist, and hips are fairly equal in width, the goal is to create curves and add definition to the waist. Lord & Taylor offers dresses that enhance the shape and add dimension.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- Fit-and-Flare Dresses: These dresses add volume at the hips, creating the illusion of curves while highlighting the waist.
- Bodycon Dresses: A bodycon dress that fits snugly around the bust and waist will highlight your frame and create a more defined shape.
- Peplum Dresses: Peplum dresses add extra volume at the hips, creating curves and enhancing your natural shape.
Key Fabrics:
- Textured fabrics like jacquard or brocade, which add depth and dimension to the dress without being overly bulky.
- Stretch fabrics that cling in a flattering way and accentuate curves.
5. Inverted Triangle: Dresses That Create Balance
For those with an inverted triangle shape—broad shoulders and a narrower lower body—the key is to create balance by emphasizing your lower body while softening the shoulders. Lord & Taylor offers dresses with designs that help you achieve this balanced look.
Recommended Dress Styles:
- A-Line Dresses: A-line dresses are perfect for creating volume and balance at the hips, while the slight flare can help soften the upper body.
- V-Neck Dresses: A V-neckline elongates the neck and creates a slimming effect on the upper body, reducing the focus on the shoulders.
- Belted Dresses: Dresses that are belted at the waist will add definition and create the illusion of a curvier lower half.
Key Fabrics:
- Soft, flowing fabrics like chiffon or georgette to avoid adding bulk to the upper body while creating movement in the skirt area.
- Structured fabrics that help create shape around the hips, such as cotton-blends or wool.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect dress for your body type is all about understanding your shape and selecting styles that highlight your best features. Lord & Taylor offers a variety of flattering dress options for every body type, from fit-and-flare dresses to tailored sheaths and A-line styles. By considering your body shape and choosing dresses that create balance, define your waist, and add volume where needed, you can confidently wear Lord & Taylor dresses that make you feel stylish and beautiful.
