Cindy’s World of Fashion

Posted on: 23 December 2015

If you typically avoid wearing summer sundresses because you have trouble finding ones that flatter your body, then you will be pleased to hear that the sundress style forecast for 2016 includes dresses that work well for every body shape.The key to finding the right dress for you is first determining what your body shape is called, and then just choosing a dress based on the following guidelines for that shape. Read on to find out if your past struggles in finding the right sundress is due to having a pear or apple-shaped body and what dresses are perfect for your body.  

Determining Your Body Shape

Every body is different, and determining your body type is as easy as looking in a full-length mirror wearing just your undergarments, or taking a few measurements with a measuring tape. The three main areas of your body to assess or measure are your bust-line, your waist, and your hips. Are all measurements fairly similar (give or take a few inches)? You have a straight body type. Is your waist tiny compared to your hips and bust? You are an hourglass. Bust and waist larger than your hips? You are an apple. Hips larger than your bust and waist? You are a pear. 

If you have a fairly straight body or an hourglass shape, you can wear virtually any sundress and look great. However, if you have an apple or pear-shaped body, you may have a difficult time finding a dress that fits well, so read on to learn what styles to choose this season that will flatter those beautiful curves so much that you won't want to spend a single day this summer wearing shorts or capri pants. 

Best Stylish Sundresses for Pear Shapes 

While straighter and A-line shaped dresses were in trend many past seasons, you would almost think that this year's styles were made with your body shape in mind. Why? The look of the season is a fitted bodice with a flared or full skirt, and that is the most flattering dress style for your body shape. The more fitted bodices show off your smaller upper-half while the full skirts camouflage larger hips. This style is available in both short and long sundresses, and both casual and dressy styles that you can wear on special occasions. So have fun shopping this season, because you are sure to find an amazing array of dresses perfect for you. 

This Year's Best Styles for Apple Shapes

As an apple, your body shape is virtually the exact opposite of a pear. Therefore, you want to stay away from the season's styles that have fitted bodices and full skirts; these dresses either simply won't fit or will not flatter your shape. However, there are other shapes in style this season that are perfect for your body. You want to wear this season's dresses that have empire waists (empire waistlines are actually fitted just under your bust instead of at your true waistline). Short dresses are also very flattering for your body, because they show off those great legs. 

However, if you opt for a full-length maxi dress, you can go for either an empire waist or a banded waist. Banded waistlines are very flattering to apple body types, because instead of being fitted they have some stretch, which allows you to play with them and move them to a place on your body that looks most flattering. 

If you don't think that sundresses can flatter your body, realize that the right styles will, and many of the most flattering sundress styles for apple- and pear-shaped bodies are predicted to be the biggest trends in 2016.