8 Great Prom Dresses that Flatter Your Body

Mar 17, 2014 on Fashion and Beauty

Prom is one of the most unforgettable nights of a teenage girl’s young life. It marks the transition into adulthood and the start of fabulous new beginnings and experiences. Such a momentous occasion deserves an outfit to match. Whether you’re lean and athletic, petite or full figured, you deserve to look and feel like a princess on your big day. There’s a gorgeous prom dress out there for you and we’re going to help you find it!

The first part of finding that perfect prom dress is determining your body type. So, let’s get started.

 

1. Pretty & Petite Prom Dresses

 

According to the fashion industry, petite girls are girls under 5’4” (150cm) in height. Generally speaking, if you’ve got a petite body type, the rest of your body will be proportionately slender. So, when looking for prom dresses, it’s best to steer clear of long, flowy numbers, as they will only emphasise your short stature. Remember, you want to highlight your body, not overwhelm it in fabric!

Worried that a short hemline is going to look more like a cocktail dress than a prom dress? Opt for a dress that cuts off just past the knee - this will still show off your gorgeous legs without compromising style.

 

 

Check out this beautiful AMBAR Woman’s Strapless Dress in Rose Mint (Target - $34.99). This stylish white-mint, floral prom dress is adorned with a romantic orange and purple rose print for a feminine, almost retro look. The flirty, strapless front and keyhole cut out in the back gives an illusion of height. Just pair it with demure, nude heels and a splash of silver jewellery to dress it up for prom night.

Use Target Promo Codes to get this dress for less!

 

2. Regal Rectangular Prom Dresses

If you’ve got a small bust, limited waist definition and a flat bottom, you probably fall into the rectangular body shape category. Unlike petite ladies, girls with a rectangular body shape tend to be quite leggy, so don’t be afraid to opt for long dresses. Another important consideration when selecting a prom dress is the way it will hang from your bod: your goal is to accentuate your undefined waist and bust to create a more feminine silhouette. Steer clear from flowing styles as they will only draw attention to your straight up and down shape.

 

 The JS Collections Strapless Belted Mermaid Gown (Macy’s - $397) is a breath-takingly beautiful example of a prom dress that was positively made for tall and rectangular shaped girls. This intensely dramatic number comes in dark blue and black colours and boasts a strapless style, ruching and a raw-edged floral motif on the mermaid tail.

 

Why is this prom dress so perfect for your shape? The sweetheart neckline is ideal for drawing attention to your décolletage and enhancing your small bust. You can enhance this effect further by adding a low-hanging statement necklace to the ensemble. Additionally, the delicate ribbon-tie belt does a mesmerising job of cinching in the waist to add feminine definition to your silhouette.

 

From the same line, the JS Collection Strapless Bandage Illusion Gown (Macy’s - $425) is equally stunning. It sports a similar mermaid silhouette, but offers a straight neckline for girls with a slightly fuller bust. Best of all, the bandage accents ensure that this elegant prom dress hugs and accentuates your natural curves to give an illusion of a more desirable hourglass-esque shape. Love to show off your long legs? The semi-transparent chiffon skirt lets you do just that, giving a tantalising glimpse of flesh without sacrificing the classiness of the ensemble.

 

Savvy shoppers can get their new prom dresses for less by using Macys Coupons.

 

3. Perfect for Pear Shapes Prom Dresses

Are your shoulders narrower than your hips? Do you have a clearly defined waist but full thighs? You might be a pear shape. Girls with pear shaped figures should strive to create a balance between their smaller top half and larger bottom half to create a more streamlined figure. You’ve often got a small waist, so it’s important to show off this enviable asset while playing down fuller hips.

 

One of the easiest ways to draw attention to a slim waist is to select prom dresses with empire waistlines. Empire waistlines generally consist of fitted bodices that end just beneath the bust and then flow outwards.

 

Take a look at the vibrant Blondie Nites Juniors’ Strapless Sequin Ombre-Print Gown (Macy’s - $311). This striking prom dress combines a flattering sweetheart neckline with an empire waistline to highlight all the best attributes of a pear shaped figure while skimming gently over the hips.  With sequin detailing and a wide ruffle hem, this floor-length dress is definitely fit for a princess. It comes in several bold, ombre colours, including blue and purple.

 

Looking for something a little more elegant? How about one of these Ever Pretty prom dresses (Amazon - $46)? These sultry, strapless evening dresses come in a number of shades and styles to suit all tastes. Like the Blondie Nites’ prom dresses, this style does an amazing job of lifting and emphasising the bust with a subtle sweetheart neckline. The beautiful satin sash under the bust is also perfect for cinching in and highlighting your waist as the flowing skirt disguises your fuller hips and thighs.

 

Don’t forget to use Amazon coupons and Macy’s coupons to get the best deal on your new dress!

 

4. Amazing Apple Shape Prom Dresses

Apple shaped figures are usually defined by rounded shoulders, fuller stomachs and average to full busts. Generally, girls who fit into this category have relatively slender legs. So, the key to finding the perfect prom dress for an apple figure is draw attention to the bust and your perfect pins while minimising the stomach region.

 

This sophisticated Swing Dress (Torrid - $68.50) is a good example of a dress that caters to your figure type. We all know that black’s the most flattering colour and this gorgeous prom dress is no exception. The sharp sweetheart neckline will draw the eyes up and away from your tummy and towards your alluring décolletage, while the hem cuts off just above the knees to give your slim legs maximum attention. The triangular cut out in the back helps to set this piece apart from your standard Little Black Dress, adding interest and edge to the design.

 

If you’ve got full arms you’d like to disguise, just pair this dress with a matching jacket, blazer or bolero.

 

Want to save money on this gorgeous prom dress? Just use one of these cool Torrid coupons!

 

5. Awesome Prom Dresses for Athletic Babes

If you’ve got broad shoulders and narrow hips, you may have an athletic build. An athletic build is very similar to a rectangular body shape, with one exception: athletic bodied girls generally have muscular legs and smaller busts. The best prom dresses for this body type will emphasize your femininity by cinching in at the waist.

 

Why not try on an Xscape One-Shoulder Embellished Cutout Gown (Macy’s - $325) for size? This sensational single-strap prom dress comes in four inviting colours, including coral, iris, grape and aqua. The traditional sweetheart neckline and rhinestone embellishments will add femininity and elegance to your sculpted figure while enhancing your bust. We’re not trying to hide your athletic build, though – au contraire; the off-the-shoulder style will actually draw attention to your well-defined collarbones, neck and arms while the empire waistline helps to create an hourglass figure by giving the illusion of curves. Finally, the long, sweeping skirt will disguise muscular legs to give you a softer silhouette.

 

If you’d like to show off your legs, you can always opt for the JS Collection Strapless Bandage Illusion Gown mentioned in our prom dresses for rectangular body shapes section.

 

Get your dress for less with Macys coupons.

 

6.Heavenly Prom Dresses for Hourglass Hotties

The hourglass figure is considered one of the most desirable body shapes by society. However, it’s not without its challenges. As most girls with this body shape will know, there are several different types of hourglass figures. The traditional shape and the full hourglass are most common. While the traditional hourglass is exceptionally easy to flatter (you lucky thing!), the full hourglass sometimes leans towards pear or apple in build and needs additional consideration.

 

Whether you’re a traditional hourglass or an hourglass leaning towards a pear or an apple, it’s almost impossible to go wrong with a classic pin up dress. This sassy burgundy, Hell Bunny Ashley Polkadot swing dress (Amazon - $55) is as sophisticated as it is sexy. It sports the oh-so flattering combination of a sweetheart neckline and empire waistline that most of our fave prom dresses do, while throwing in a playful full-circle skirt courtesy of its inbuilt petticoat.

 

If you’re a fuller figured hourglass, you can jazz up this dress and disguise thick arms with an elegant lace bolero (Amazon - $19.99). Want slimmer looking legs? Just add a pair of opaque black tights and some killer black or read heels to finish.

 

Use an Amazon discount code at the check-out for awesome savings on this dress!

 

With our tips for choosing amazing prom dresses and these 8 gorgeous outfits as inspiration, you’re ready to hit the shops and find that perfect dress. Good luck and enjoy your big night!