The key to finding your dream prom dress is making sure you feel stunning and secure in your gown. Knowing your body type and what shapes compliment you most is a great way to explore your prom dress options, but not always necessary.
Ball gowns are a magical and mystical thing. As with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, ball gowns provide a universal fit, flattering and forming to every body type. The ball gown comes in many varieties but always features a fitted bodice and a voluminous skirt. The ball gown shape smoothly camouflages the hips, waist, and midsection while drawing attention to the beauty of a full, floaty skirt and decorative neck or shoulder.
This shape in a dress is flattering on every figure, working in favor of every body type even when you do not fit into a neat category like pear, apple, slender, hourglass, petite, etc. At Z Couture, we have a variety of ball gown shapes in your favorite color, your ideal fabric, and the most flattering fit for you.
When shopping for a prom dress, most shoppers have a list in their mind of what their perfect dress must be. There are certain elements to seek when looking for a dress that flatters you. Whether you ultimately decide on a ball gown or not, the main features to look for in a universally flattering gown are:
A Defined Waistline
Defining the waist is complementary to the body and elongates the frame regardless of body type. Searching for a style that will create a more defined waistline is one way to ensure your dress flatters you. Waist-types to look for are the empire waist, a belted waist, or a gown with a fitted bodice and full skirt, like a ball gown. Other long prom dress styles that define the waistline are two-piece or a-line gowns. You can't go wrong with a defined middle if you aim to enhance your natural, beautiful shape.
Stunning Shoulders or Straps
Off-the-shoulder, one shoulder, halter straps, strapless; the choice is yours. One thing is for sure when opting for a showy shoulder or strap in your prom dress: drawing attention and adding dimension to the upper body is an easy way to achieve a balanced, flattering silhouette. If you favor your shoulders and décolletage, this is an easy way to highlight what makes you feel gorgeous. Dresses featuring one-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, or cap-sleeves draw attention upward. In doing so, a beautiful symmetry between the top, waist, and skirt of your prom dress is created.
An Elaborate Neckline
Further flatter your body type with another balancing act. By choosing a prom dress that adds volume or draws focus to your upper body, you can create added emphasis on your waistline and create a beautiful silhouette. There are many different necklines to choose from, making it easy to find one that flatters you. Look for necklines like the v-neck, sweetheart, illusion, halter, or high-neck to create an evenly proportioned and, in some cases, elongated torso.
A Silhouette-Enhancing Skirt
If you are hunting for a long prom dress style that draws attention away from aspects of the mid or lower body you are uncomfortable with, choose an a-line prom dress or a gown with a full skirt made of tulle or chiffon to draw attention to the features you want to show off. Full and flowing skirts can aid in reshaping your figure. A fuller, loose-fitting, or flowy skirt helps create an hourglass effect by cinching the waist and billowing out at the hips. Also, a full skirt shape gives your legs the freedom to move around and dance, often made difficult by fitted cuts like the mermaid skirt.