style guide

Dress for Your Shape: Cocktail Dresses

A good cocktail dress is like a great party date: flattering, fun and an easy exit from dull "So what do you do?" type chatter. (OK, no dress does that, but if one did, we'd buy 10.) While we can't help out on the plus-one arena, we've got six style shortcuts to finding the best party dress for your bod. Check out the celebrity inspirations, then click Shop the Look to find similar styles that won't break the bank.

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Plus-size: Center yourself

If you're tired of searching out vertical stripes and dark hues to help streamline your silhouette, why not try a V-neck, center-seam dress on for size? (Hint: It does the same thing but is so much more fun!) Mad Men's gorgeous Christina Hendricks ranked on the top of everyone's best-dressed list when she turned up at the Emmys in an emerald gown whose center seam emphasized her voluptuous figure in all the right ways.

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Tall: Go for the two-toned look

If your going-out goal is to play down your towering stature while showcasing your best assets, try Gwyneth Paltrow's cool combo of a short, high-collar dress with dark tights. The dress's neckline will draw attention to your gorgeous face, while the dark tights will make long gams seem lean and toned.


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Petite: Try a '50s silhouette

Beat this, David Blaine: When cut with a knee-skimming hemline, a cinched-waist dress seems to magically elongate legs. Still worried that your girlish figure might get you carded at the bar? Take cues from Jada Pinkett Smith and choose a dress in a sophisticated color-teenagers almost never go for matte metallics, jewel tones and other grown-up materials.

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Busty: Show your support

While the Keira Knightleys of the world can enjoy their carefree bra-less days and nights, some of us need a little more support. To look and feel good on the dance floor, find a scoop or V-neck dress that has wide straps (to hide bra lines) and a close-fitting waistline, which gives a bit of added support. As Jessica Simpson would surely agree, every little bit counts when busting a move on the dance floor.

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Pear-shaped: Try a dramatic neckline

If your party paranoia involves thinking that everyone, including the bartender and busboys, is staring at your hips, start looking for a dress that directs all attention upward. One-shoulder and dramatic halter dresses with high waistlines-like the one Rachel Weisz is wearing-will keep gazes above the belt.

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Boyish: Slip into something ruffled

Don't have voluptuous curves? Fake 'em! Add some va-va-voom to athletic bods by sporting a ruffled dress. With voluminous ruffles at the neckline and hip, the flirty style-especially a belted version like Rihanna's-creates an hourglass shape in mere seconds.

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