Styles of Dresses & What Flatters Different Body Shapes

1. A‑Line Dresses

What it is: Cinched in at the waist, flaring gently to the hem.

Body shapes it flatters:

Pear shapes (wider hips): hides fullness below the waist.
Apple shapes (larger midsection): creates a defined waist.
Hourglass shapes: shows off proportions.
Key tip: Pick structured fabrics that don’t cling to curves.

2. Wrap Dresses

What it is: Wrap‑over front secured with ties.

Body shapes it flatters:

Hourglass: emphasises waist and balances bust/hips.
Apple: creates waist definition.
Pear: accentuates upper body, camouflages wider hips.
Highlight: The Brooklyn midi wrap (Rewritten) is perfect for fuller chests—runs large across the bust, so size guidance is helpful kiwisizing.com
+11
tellar.co.uk
+11
tellar.co.uk
+11
tellar.co.uk
.

3. Shift Dresses

What it is: Straight silhouette, hangs from shoulders without cinched waist.

Body shapes it flatters:

Rectangle: adds structure without emphasising waist.
Apple: skims over midriff.
Best bets: Mid‑length styles in crisp fabrics.

4. Fit & Flare Dresses

What it is: Fitted bodice with a fuller, flared skirt.

Body shapes it flatters:

Hourglass: highlights small waist.
Pear: balances hips with equal volume on top.
Rectangle: creates the illusion of curves.
Fabric tip: Stiffer fabrics hold the flared shape.

5. Bodycon Dresses

What it is: Body‑hugging stretch fabrics.

Body shapes it flatters:

Hourglass: enhances natural curves.
Rectangle: adds curve definition.
But: Avoid clingy fabrics if midriff is a concern—go for ruching or thicker stretch.

6. Empire Waist Dresses

What it is: Waist seam sits right below the bust, flowy beneath.

Body shapes it flatters:

Apple: ignores tummy area.
Pear: draws attention upward.
Petite: elongates legs visually.

7. Shirt Dresses

What it is: Shirt‑style bodice with button‑down front and belt.

Body shapes it flatters:

Rectangle: belt defines waist.
Apple: roomy midsection with belt for shape.
Versatility: Perfect for casual to work looks.

📏 Why Body Shape & Fit Matter More Than Size Labels

Each body is unique in bust, waist, hip distribution, torso length, and proportions. Two people in the same UK size may fit radically differently in the same dress based on cut and materials.

High‑street brands like Principles, Oasis, and Rewritten each cut differently. For example:

Oasis dresses often run small in fitted styles—bodycon and satin especially
tellar.co.uk
tellar.co.uk
.
Rewritten wrap designs like the Brooklyn midi wrap run generous across the bust, so a precise match helps
tellar.co.uk
+7
tellar.co.uk
+7
tellar.co.uk
+7
.

✅ Enter Tellar.co.uk: Eliminate the Guesswork with Free, Real-Time Sizing

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free sizing tool, letting you match your actual measurements to 1,500+ brands in real-time—no guesswork, no generic charts, no affiliate bias

🛠️ How It Works

Create your free profile with your bust, waist, hip measurements (cm or inches).
Prefer using a favourite brand? Enter a known brand & size and Tellar translates this to your actual shape
teranicouture.com
+15
tellar.co.uk
+15
tellar.co.uk
+15
.
Get instantly recommended sizes in any brand—whether Rewritten, Oasis, Principles, Runway1.8, Great Plains, and more
tellar.co.uk
+3
tellar.co.uk
+3
tellar.co.uk
+3
.

No need to interpret inconsistent size labels or download apps—Tellar is fully web-based

tellar.co.uk

Extra Perks

Free measuring tape: Request one directly to ensure accuracy
tellar.co.uk
+2
tellar.co.uk
+2
tellar.co.uk
+2
.
Body-shape insights: Understand how each silhouette (apple, pear, hourglass, etc.) works with different dress types.
Styling advice: Articles like "Ultimate Body Shape Style Guide" support learning your shape and finding flattering styles.

💡 Live Sizing & Fit Guides from Tellar: Real Help for Dress Shoppers

These links take you straight to real-time, brand-specific guidance with sizing matched to your profile:

Rewritten Sizing Guide (wrap dresses, Brooklyn midi wrap):
https://tellar.co.uk/runway1-8-sizing-guide-how-to-find-your-perfect-fit-and-whats-worth-buying/
kiwisizing.com
+10
tellar.co.uk
+10
tellar.co.uk
+10
tellar.co.uk
+1
tellar.co.uk
+1
tellar.co.uk
Oasis Sizing Guide (bodycon, blazers, wrap dresses):
https://tellar.co.uk/oasis-sizing-guide-how-to-find-your-perfect-fit-and-what-to-buy/
tellar.co.uk
Principles Sizing Guide (day dresses, tailoring pieces):
https://tellar.co.uk/principles-how-to-find-your-perfect-size-and-whats-worth-buying/
tellar.co.uk
+1
tellar.co.uk
+1
Great Plains Sizing Guide (work dresses, structured cuts):
https://tellar.co.uk/great-plains-size-guide-how-to-find-your-perfect-size-and-whats-worth-buying/
tellar.co.uk
Runway1.8 Guide (boutique wrap dresses):
https://tellar.co.uk/runway1-8-sizing-guide-how-to-find-your-perfect-fit-and-whats-worth-buying/
tellar.co.uk

Each guide includes real fit assessments for flattering dress styles.

Matching Dress Styles to Body Shapes

Here’s a quick breakdown with style recommendations:

Body Shape	Best Dress Styles	Tellar Tools & Brand Insights
Hourglass	Wrap dresses, fit & flare, bodycon	Rewritten wrap guide tellar.co.uk
Pear	A‑line, fit & flare, empire waist	Oasis midi & wrap guide
Apple	Empire waist, shift, shirt dresses	Principles wrap/shift guide
Rectangle	Bodycon, fit & flare, shirt dresses	Great Plains structured cuts
Petite	Empire waist, wrap dresses with vertical lines	See size conversions in guides above

🔗 Get Started with Tellar.co.uk

Create your free profile → https://www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/
Log in anytime → https://www.tellar.co.uk/log-in-page/
Order your free tape → https://www.tellar.co.uk/free-measuring-tape/
No affiliate bias: independent & honest

📲 Stay Connected with Tellar

Follow for ongoing tips, style guides, and launch updates:

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

Why Tellar Is a Game‑Changer

Accuracy: Matches your real measurements to brand data—no one-size-fits-all charts.
Coverage: Over 1,500 UK and international brands.
Convenience: Instant results, browser-based, no apps needed.
Free: No hidden fees, shipping costs for tape included.
Unbiased: Independent, community-driven advice—no sales commissions.

Final Thoughts

Choosing “your size” isn’t just about label tags—it’s about body shape, fabric, cut, and brand quirks. A-line dresses for pears, wrap styles for hourglass figures, empire waists for apples—all shine when the fit is precise.

With Tellar.co.uk, you make sizing decisions based on your body—not theoretical charts. Whether you're eyeing a wrap dress from Rewritten, a structured piece from Great Plains, or a romantic midi from Oasis, Tellar gives you real-time fit confidence. No more returns, no more guesswork—just perfectly fitting dresses.

Ready to dress smarter?

👉 Start with Tellar: https://www.tellar.co.uk/create-profile/

Get your free measuring tape: https://www.tellar.co.uk/free-measuring-tape/

Explore brand guides and body shape tips via the links above!

And don’t forget:

Follow Tellar on IG, X, Facebook, and Pinterest for ongoing fit tips and fashion insights.

Happy, confident shopping!