Little Black Dresses for Every Body Type
 |
| Bottom-Heavy Figure |
The easiest way to balance a bottom-heavy figure is to choose a little black dress that skims over the lower half of the body. Fuller skirts, like this Eliza J dress, disguise heavy hips, while showing off the waist. A fitted halter or strapless silhouette -- which accents a trim upper body -- is very flattering for bottom-heavy figures.
 |
| Flabby Arms |
Don't worry: you don't have to look matronly to cover up flabby arms. The trick is to keep the sexy element with embellishment or peekaboo cutouts on the little black dress. This long-sleeve dress covers up, but has plenty of sex appeal thanks to a square neckline and shoulder chain detail.
 |
| Petite |
The perfect little black dress for a smaller frame elongates and flatters like this clean-lined sheath dress More flattery: look for a dress with a lot of shape -- here it has horizontal seaming -- and is scaled just right for your figure. Avoid too-cutesy looks (like puffed sleeves) so you won't look little girlish.
 |
| Plus Size |
Just because your figure has curves doesn't mean you can't enjoy a pretty little black dress. Show some skin and enjoy the flattering capabilities of a ruffle knit dress.
 |
Unattractive Legs
|
Don't want to show off your legs? You can still look gorgeous in a little black dress, instead of hiding your legs in pants. Try wearing a longer skirt (midcalf or longer) like this Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique dress
 |
Wide Shoulders
|
You don't need to hide your upper body in a little black dress if you have wide shoulders. Instead, look for body-balancing details like the trendy asymmetrical neckline, like this one-shoulder style. Avoid puffy sleeves or voluminous tops paired with slim bottoms that will exaggerate your shoulder width.
 |
Thick Waist
|
Disguise a thick waist in a little black dress by either raising, lowering or eliminating the waistline. This dress works by skimming the body without defining the waist. A drop-waist dress, which hits somewhere around the hipbones, or empire waist dresses which have a raised waist are other good choices.
 |
Full Bust
|
Balance a top-heavy figure in a little black dress by opting for the most flattering necklines for the full bust: the V-neck, square neck, wrap or portrait style like this Maggy London dress.Look for fabrics that skim (jersey is good), but aren't clingy or too stiff. Also, avoid ornate necklines, embellished bodices and blouson styles.
 |
Small Bust
|
Most clothing actually hangs better on women with smaller busts, but if you want to add more volume up top look for embellishment or fullness on the bust. This dress has ruffles on the bust that give it volume, plus a defined waist which flatters the upper body.
 |
| Too Thin |
If your body lacks natural curves, add feminine presence with fullness like with this A.B.S dress You can also pump up the volume with extra details like full sleeves, ruched waist, layers and ruffles.
