Thanks to shows like the fabulous Mad Men, and movies like Tom
Ford’s latest, the cocktail dress is back, and it’s
perfect wedding attire too. Designer stores, boutiques and the
high street are now awash with an incredible array of cocktail
dress styles and shapes and here we take a look at how you can
choose the perfect shape for you.
If you’re a curvy woman, then cocktail dresses are your
new best friend. They’re not only eye-catching and incredibly
glamorous, but if you choose wisely, they can flatter your shape
no end. The key for curvy ladies is to accentuate those curves,
so opt for a cocktail dress with a structured top half. Not only
will this give you support, but it will create a more feminine
shape too.
Most women are pear shaped, and this means that your shape is
slimmer up top and larger at the bottom. Luckily for pear shaped
ladies, almost every cocktail dress style will flatter. Just make
sure that you choose a style with a cinched-in waist to create
feminine curves, and avoid A-line dresses that can make you appear
larger than you really are.
For petite women, the wrong cocktail dress can make you appear
swamped by your outfit. Floor-length cocktail dresses can, if
you’re not careful, make you appear shorter, and larger
too. Shorter hemlines – anywhere from above the knee to
mid-calf length – are perfect. However you don’t have
to give up on floor-length glamour altogether, just make sure
you opt for a figure-hugging cut that accentuates the waist.
If you have broad shoulders, then you can use specific cocktail
dress shapes to your advantage. Even out your proportions by opting
for a cocktail dress with a glamorous full flair skirt. Unusual
hemlines can help draw attention away from the shoulders too,
and one-shoulder cocktails dresses, as well as being eye-catching,
can work wonders for broad shoulders too.
When it comes to shopping for the perfect cocktail dress for
your upcoming wedding celebration, now is a great time to buy.
If you want some authentic vintage cocktail glamour, then try
vintage boutiques and markets. Those with money to spend can look
to designer boutiques – all of which have their own take
on the Mad Men-style cocktail look. And those on a budget can
head to high street stores like New Look, where the latest evening
dresses for the autumn and winter season are hitting the racks
now.
