style guide

How Not To Look Fat in a Dress

When it's hot out, there's no better way to stay cool and simplify your wardrobe than by stocking your closet with a collection of cute lightweight dresses. But when it comes to flattering your shape, there are good and bad choices. Check out our guide to this summer staple, and the best and worst looks for every body type. -- Emily Neill

Liz Linder

Dorothy Before
Dorothy is shapely, but she tries to hide her thick middle and full bust with swingy dresses. Here, the trapeze style she hoped would mask her middle ends up making her look larger than she really is.

Liz Linder

Dorothy After: Look #1
This dress has a solid color bra-top that flatters Dorothy's shape by minimizing her bust, while the printed jersey falls away from her lower body to better highlight her hourglass shape. We see Dorothy's best features, and she no longer looks like she's hiding anything.

Liz Linder

Dorothy After: Look #2
Dorothy looks great in a fitted dress with the help of well-directed stripes. The diagonal pattern emphasizes her overall shapeliness and the bold print distracts from unsightly lumps. The eye is drawn to the narrowest part of Dorothy's shape, just below her bust.

Liz Linder

Becca Before
Becca is petite with very narrow hips. Here, she models a babydoll dress that is too roomy for her body type, even with a cinched belt. The belt and diaphanous fabric together add girth, but don't flatter her slim frame.

Liz Linder

Becca After: Look #1
When we swap her flowy dress for a more structured style, Becca's fashion factor goes way up. She gains width through the hips, and still gets to show off her shapely legs.

Liz Linder

Becca After: Look #2
This well-shaped mini-dress works great on Becca. Side details draw the eye to the empire waist to nicely accentuate her bust, while the slight bubble skirt gives her instant curves. The shorter length also makes Becca's legs look a mile long (boosted by an open-front wedge shoe).

Liz Linder

Lisa Before
Lisa loves her curves and likes to show them off. But this form-fitting spaghetti strap dress is a tad too close for comfort. With her fuller bust, Lisa needs thicker straps and a style that masks her waist.

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Lisa After: Look #1
A great print does the trick to disguise a wide middle. Here, the V-neck draws our eye to Lisa's face and well-defined bust, and the flowing, A-line bottom covers larger hips by incorporating them into a more sophisticated silhouette.

Liz Linder

Lisa After: Look #2
This tasteful A-line sundress is ideal for Lisa: the thicker straps and higher sides of the bodice contain and flatten her bust. The high waist and eye-catching sash show off the narrowest part of her shape, while the skirt and dark shade minimize hips and thighs.

Liz Linder