Here's a way to tell: Your body is straight and

Prom Dresses Guide Find The Prom Dress That Flatters Your Silhouette

Prom time is almost here and choosing from so many styles and shapes of prom dresses isn't easy. It takes time and patience to try on all those prom dresses, hoping to find just the right dress for your special evening. You should first find a prom dress that flatters your body type, or silhouette. Use the guide below to find out what type of body shape you have and which prom dress will best complement lace formal dresses your shape.

Determining Your Body Shape

It's important to determine your body shape before you start shopping for prom gowns. Once you know which types of prom dresses will best suit you, you won't waist time trying on those that won't.

Are you Thin and Tall?

Here's a way to tell: Your body is straight and slender, has few or no curves, and your bust is average in size. Your height is 5' 6" or taller. If you meet these criteria, you'll want to buy a prom dress style that adds curves, shows off your long legs, flows gracefully to reveal your slim silhouette, and adds fullness to your chest.

Try on dresses with several different neckline styles including v-neck or an open neckline to see which looks best. Also, dare to try a dress with a cutout back. Some prom dress styles to consider are empire, sheath, ball gown, and a-line.

Are you Petite?

If you are 5' 3" or shorter with a small build and an average sized bust, you'll want a dress to complement the petite such as an empire, sheath or a-line prom gown. With a slit, you can make your legs appear longer. Or, you can look much taller by wearing a dress with a short hemline. The hemline might be ruffled, handkerchief, hi/low, or asymmetrical - whichever best suits you. There are also a-line and empire styles to take emphasis off your waistline if you are short-waisted. Your neckline could be sweetheart, halter, or v-shape.

Do you have an Hourglass, Pear, or Apple Shape?

With an hourglass shape, you are curvy with a medium-to-large sized bust. Your bottom is rounded and you have curvy hips. You can show off the curves with a sheath dress or de-emphasize them somewhat with a ball gown or a-line dress. To place more emphasis on the upper portion of your body, choose a dress with an embellished neckline.

With a pear shape, you are probably bottom-heavy, meaning your hips, thighs, and bottom are larger than the upper portion of your body. Choose prom dresses that flatter the upper half of your body such as a-line, empire, or ball gown dresses with a circular halter neckline. Or, a strapless dress might do the trick.

If your body is apple-shaped, your mid-section is probably heavier or thicker than other parts of your body. Maybe your tummy is larger than you would like. Choose dresses that take the emphasis away from your mid-section. An empire gown might work best with this type of figure. An a-line dress can work well too if you have a bodice with boning to give it a slimming effect.

Are you Athletic? Do you have a Large Build?

If you are muscular, have broad shoulders, or a large bust, choose a prom dress that will give you a feminine shape such as a ball gown or empire style dress. The full skirt will immediately add shape at your waistline. With broad shoulders, you might find that trying to cover them with wide straps or sleeves will make them look even wider. Try on a few strapless prom gowns first. You might be pleasantly surprised!

If you have a large bust, be sure your prom dress offers proper support. Choose v-necks or halters and either an a-line or ball gown. To draw attention away from your chest, wear a prom dress that has eye-catching details at its hemline.

With a full figure, there are more styles today than ever in plus size prom dresses. Don't feel uncomfortable on your prom night by trying to squeeze into a smaller gown. Find a dress that fits your body size and flatters your figure.

More "Accentuating" Prom Dress Ideas

There are even more ways you can accentuate certain areas of your body. Prom dresses can also come with stylish features such as beaded panels, a fully beaded bodice, accordion pleating, a jeweled beltline, embroidery designs, sheer overlays, trains, and removable skirts.

Use these tips to get an idea of what style will work best for your body type before you start shopping. Check online to look at various styles and colors. Most online stores carry a variety of dresses including prom dresses, evening dresses, and bridesmaid dresses, so you'll have no problem finding just the right dress.

Choosing the Right Wedding Dress

When I was shopping for wedding dresses there we definitely things I wish I would have know! So here is a short article on finding the perfect wedding dress and type of wedding dress cuts work best for your body type.

Most brides are so busy with which wedding invitations they should use, what their wedding vows should be and or taste testing wedding cakes that they never take time to read up on what kind of dress mon cheri capri would work best for them. This actually really helps the dress shopping along.

If you know what designs look best on you this will avoid picking out wedding dresses that will accent that 10 extra pounds you just couldn't lose. I do not recommend buying a dress a size or two too small. It is much easier to take a gown in than it is to let it out and since most bridal gowns can not be returned you don't want to end up having to buy a wedding gown in hurry! Having to drop a bunch of weight before your wedding does nothing but put more stress on you. Planning your wedding is by far one of the most stressful times in you life! If you do chose to lose weight before your wedding in hopes to look extra fantastic in your wedding dress I recommend some sort of program to help you stay on task. Here are some of the most common styles for wedding gowns.

If you are looking for a basic gown that will go well on any bride I recommend the A-line: This slightly flared gown offers a slim shape with a gradually widened hem. This silhouette is considered flattering on all body types.

If you are trying to hide hips, buttocks, or legs and to highlight your upper body I would recommend a ball gown. These wedding dresses have a fitted, corset-type tea length cocktail dresses bodice and a dramatically full skirt, this gown might feature a natural waistline, Basque, or dropped.

If you have medium to large busts and a less than perfect waistline I recommend The Empire. The upper body is the focal point with this high-waisted silhouette, which offers a snug fit around your bosom and a skirt that cascades into a gentle column. This is usually a long, slim wedding dress with a variety of necklines. It can be sleeveless, or with capped, or short sleeves. If you are just all over curvy I would recommend the Mermaid or Trumpet. Its A body-hugging sheath that flares at or below the knee to create a fluttering hemline. The hemline ranges anywhere from a gentle flare to one that is dramatic.

Well toned Bride? How about a Sheath? Simple and sophisticated, follows the body's curves from top to bottom. Some sheaths are bias-cut which causes them to clings but with a tone body this is just this bride-to-be may be looking for!

Happy wedding dress shopping!