The Ultimate Guide to Dresses: How to Shop for Your Body Shape (UK & USA)

Whether you're building a capsule wardrobe or refreshing your eventwear, dresses are one of the most versatile and flattering staples in fashion. But not every dress suits every body the same way—and with inconsistent sizing across UK and US brands, shopping can feel overwhelming.

This guide explores how to choose the right dress for your body shape, the best UK and USA brands (high street to designer), and styling advice to help you shop smarter. Plus, we’ll show you how Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool, makes it easy to find your perfect size across 1,500+ brands.

👗 Dress Styles by Body Shape

Knowing your body proportions helps you identify which dress silhouettes highlight your best features. Here's a breakdown based on common body shapes:

1. Hourglass

Features: Balanced bust and hips with a defined waist.Best dresses:

Wrap dresses
Fit-and-flare styles
Belted shirt dressesStyling tip: Use tailoring to emphasise your waist.

2. Pear Shape

Features: Hips wider than bust; often with defined waist.Best dresses:

A-line dresses
Structured shoulders (puffed sleeves or shoulder detail)
Empire waistlinesStyling tip: Draw the eye upward with embellishment or colour-blocking.

3. Apple Shape

Features: Full midsection with slimmer legs.Best dresses:

Shift dresses
Empire line or trapeze silhouettes
Wrap dressesStyling tip: Focus on elongating the torso with V-necks and vertical lines.

4. Rectangle (Athletic)

Features: Straight up-and-down proportions with minimal waist definition.Best dresses:

Peplum styles
Ruched or belted dresses
Ruffle or tiered skirtsStyling tip: Add shape with texture, volume, and cinched waists.

5. Inverted Triangle

Features: Broad shoulders, narrower hips.Best dresses:

Skater or A-line dresses
Dresses with flared skirts or tiered hemlines
Sweetheart or scoop necksStyling tip: Balance your frame by adding volume below the waist.

🌍 UK vs USA Dress Sizing: Know the Difference

Dress sizes aren’t standardised across the UK and USA. A UK 10 often equates to a US 6, but even this varies by brand.

Explore this essential guide:🔗 tellar.co.uk

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