QB Style Guide: How to Find the Perfect Little Black Dress for Your Body
“One is never over or under dressed with little black dress” ~Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel artistic director
It’s pretty much a requirement for every woman–fashionista or otherwise–to own at least one perfect “LBD” or little black dress, regardless of age, income, weight and personal beliefs.
Whether you’re going out for a much-needed date night, a dinner party, a night out with the girls or even for a formal or semi-formal occasion, that black dress can be exactly what you need to get styled to perfection for the occasion–and depending on the fashion accessories you choose, you can dress that look up or down.
Though you can find the right dress for your body and your budget on your own, it might take time and could cost you more than you’d like. That’s why we’ve put together this blissful style guide to finding the perfect little black dress.
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Blissful Style Guide: How to Find the Perfect Little Black Dress for Your Body
Here are some time-tested fashion and style tips on how to select a perfect black dress based on your body’s problem areas.
- Problem Area–Flabby Arms: Select outfits with half or three quarter sleeve or wear a shrug or shawl, so that your “bat wings” remain unnoticed. To camouflage the problem part of the upper arm, look for a shoulder with some ruffly or layered fabric, avoid big poofy sleeves.
- Problem Area–Thick Neck: Choose a V-neck LBD to help divert attention away from the neck and elongate your neckline.
- Problem Area–Broad Shoulders: Go with a V-neck or scoop-neck, which draws attention more toward the middle and away from width. Avoid strapless styles and spagetti straps.
- Problem Area–Narrow or Sloped Shoulders: A boatneck or straight-across bateau will give you a wider look.
- Problem Area–Big Boobs: A boatneck or bateau will work to draw eyes up away from your cleavage. V-necks will also by reducing the ‘bulky’ appearance , but note that you may show more cleavage this way. Choose thinner fabric, as you can’t afford to add more bulk.
- Problem Area–Small Boobs: A simple padded bra can help. Choose round necklines, and feel free to rock the sleeveless ones too. To draw attention towards shoulders, try a cropped jacket. You can wear nearly any neckline with the right bra.
- Problem Area–Flabby Belly: Ruched fabrics will help hide rolls. Consider avoiding clingy ones–they’ll show more than you’d prefer. The empire waist is sometimes safe, as it flares from high on waist and hides what lies beneath. Using a body-shaper will also help, and will also help you look little less flabby. If you are short waisted with fuller hips, skip the empire waist, it’ll make you look pregnant.
- Problem Area–Long waist: Use a wide belt to break up that torso.
- Problem Area–Short Waist: Try aribbon or narrow belt, will help with that distance. Or, you can eliminate belts completely.
- Problem Area–Extra Pounds: Make sure sleeves don’t fall below the wrist, and can also use a colorful and lightweight shawl or tunic-type top.
What other tips do you have for finding the perfect little black dress for your body? Share your thoughts, experiences and relevant links in the comments section, below.
