Races: How to find the perfect dress for your shape and style!
Melbourne is alive with races fever and the question I hear on everyone's lips is "What am I going to wear?". It can be tricky finding the right cut dress for your body shape and sense of style BUT it is possible and I'm going to share with you what shapes and styles to look out for using pieces.....
You are: An hourglass that likes classic, feminine pieces
You need: A beautifully cut wrap dress (pictured below is the Cherry R wrap dress in blue rose)
The wrap dress is perfect for an hourglass figure as it accentuates the waist being the hourglass woman's strength. Thanks to it's V neck, it's perfect for bustier women as it lengthens a top heavy torso. With it's stunning rose print, it's perfect for spring racing, simply add a nude pump to elongate the legs and a headpiece that ties into the blue print. With makeup, opt for a classic look, taking inspiration from 50's colour palettes.
You are: an hourglass that likes contemporary pieces
You need: a simple cut dress that allows for hips and a bust (pictured below is the Los Angeles Dress)
For this woman, she needs a very simple dress with a twist, for example this dress has a beautifully open cut sleeve detail that can be turned out to show the fabulous lining. This can be a little tricky and often involves trying the dress on as you need a tailored cut that fits beautifully to accentuate your hourglass shape (which the Los Angeles dress does very nicely!). Simply match your shoes and headpiece to tie into the lining of the sleeve.
You are: a column that wants to create more shape with a feminine piece
You need: a dress that has creates a "hip" (pictured below is the Paris dress)
For column shaped women that are more up and down in body shape, a dress that has lines that emphasizes or structurally enhances the hips (as we can see the Paris dress ticks both of those boxes) is great for creating a more feminine silhouette. You can also belt a piece, such as this dress, which will further create an hourglass shape. To accessorize, either colour block your headpiece and clutch to contrast your dress and pair with a nude pump.
You are: a column that likes contemporary pieces
You need: a structured asymmetrical dress that has feminine corset-like lines (pictured below is the New York dress)
Column women wear asymmetrical pieces very well as they generally have leaner torso's, however it can make them look more androgynous, so adding a piece that has structured corset like lines with how it's tailored works best for these women. With styling this dress to make it races ready, colour block or colour match in similar shades with your clutch/bag, shoes and fascinator.
You are: a pear shape that wants to wear a feminine piece that doesn't enphasize your bottom half
You need: a dress that flows from under the bust, adding length to your body (pictured below is the Berlin dress)
Pear women can generally have bigger legs and hips and often want to downplay this area of their bodies. With a babydoll cut, this shows the smallest part of a pear shaped body and with the heavy drape of the skirt, lengthens the lower body and flowing over the legs. I love how this dress has a 20's nod to it so you can definitely take style notes from that era with layering strings of beads and going for a smaller 20's inspired headpiece.
You are: a pear that likes contemporary pieces that are not fitted
You need: a dress that adds shape through it's smart draped cut (pictured below is the Tokyo dress)
For pear shape women that prefer pieces that are not fitted, a style such as the Tokyo dress will still give them shape whilst downplaying the hips and thighs through the cut and also through the patterned fabric. With these pieces, go for a style that has asymmetry as it lengthens the body. With so much colour going on in this piece, opt for a nude pump which also makes the legs look longer and then go for a clutch/bag and headpiece that tie in with the amazing array of colours in this dress.
You are: a triangle (wider shoulders than hips) that wants to wear a feminine piece that creates an hourglass shape
You need: a structured dress that nips in at the waist and has a full skirt (pictured below is the capetown dress)
Triangular women often want pieces that downplay their broader shoulders BUT what is often an overlooked tactic with styling these women is to instead create a false hip that adds proportion to the upper body and choosing a dress that nips in at the waist to create that feminine hourglass figure. Skater shape dresses are perfect, just make sure you opt for a fabric that is not too casual (we love this monet print!). Make this race worthy by adding a bright clutch (choose any colour in that print such as link or yellow) and go for either a contrasting headpiece or choose a beret that comes in the same fabric (yes, we do have these) and opt for a nude pump or a bright pump that ties into the print colours.
You are: a triangle that wants a contemporary cut dress
You need: a dress with smart paneling that doesn't make your top half look bigger (pictured below is the Johannesburg dress)
If triangular women want a more contemporary styled piece that still adds a more feminine line, a dress that has different coloured panels that downplays their shoulders (as this dress does so nicely) is the triangle woman's best friend! Good tailoring that also shows off the waist is a must as it highlights her smallest point. To make this piece races worthy, simply add a nude pump as not to take away from the amazing colour and tie in your clutch and headpiece into any of these colours that feature in the print of this dress.
