What Dress Flatters Your Body Type?

Jennifer Post

5 Min Quiz

Image: Fred Froese/DigitalVision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Hearing that something is flattering on you is one of the best compliments, but there are so many fashion rules, too many to be honest. You'll hear them everywhere, too, from family parties and social media to friends, coworkers and complete strangers to boot. You shouldn't wear horizontal stripes if you have a wider frame, leggings aren't pants unless you're skinny, black and navy shouldn't be worn together, etc. But you do you, boo! If you like something and you like the way it looks on you, don't let anyone kill your vibe and make you feel like you can't wear something because of some ancient rule created to make people feel bad and to sell more clothes.

Dresses are a beast all on their own. Short dresses fit every single person differently, as do maxi dresses and jumpsuits. The lengths will hit different places on different body types, the size of the chest area may not fit a person with a bigger bust but smaller waist. One size does not fit all, and that means one body size does not fit all number sizes. A lot of women are one size on the bottom and a completely different size on the top, making dresses one of the hardest clothing items from which to get a good fit. Want to know what dress flatters your body type? Take this quiz and find out!

What type of dress do you immediately head towards when you go shopping?

Summer dresses

Something I can wear to work but also in an everyday situation
A fun and flirty one

One that shows off my figure

In your opinion, does the color of a dress impact how flattering it is for your body?

Not really, no

If the cut works, the color won't matter.
Color can make or break a dress.

Black should just be the go-to color.

How hard is it for you to find dresses that fit your entire body well?

I have a pretty easy time with that.

I basically have to resort to potato sacks.
It's hard, I have to dig really deep into the racks to find stuff.

Just look for the stretchy material and it's fine.

If you loved a dress, but your friend that you're shopping with didn't, what would you do?

I'd go back and forth as to whether I should buy it.

I'd get it, my friend isn't the one wearing it.
I definitely wouldn't get it.

I'd get it and just not wear it around that friend.

Do you enjoy shopping for dresses, whether it's for a special occasion or just casual?

Special occasion shopping is on a whole different level.

I love it, it can be really fun.
I love going to stores and trying on prom dresses for fun.

It's kind of a chore, to be honest.

On a regular day, what kind of outfit makes you feel the best?

Jeans and a sweater

Sweatpants
Leggings and a baggy sweatshirt

Skinny jeans and a bodysuit

How would you describe your body type?

Kind of boyish, not a lot of curves

Wider hips, smaller everything else
I have broad shoulders and a thicker build.

I've got curves in all the right places.

If you could pull it off, what style of dress would you want to wear the most?

The cute overall type

I'd like to be able to wear shift dresses without looking pregnant.
I'm way too tall for maxi dresses, but I love them so much.

Sleeveless dresses

You've gotten an invitation for a fancy party, what are you wearing?

A long black dress

A cute cocktail dress
A more casual dress that I'll dress up with jewelry

A form-fitting party dress

Is a wedding dress the most important dress you'll ever wear in your life?

It'll definitely be the most expensive.

A thousand percent
I think that's an old school way of thinking.

It should be the most special, yes.

Do you like your clothes to fit looser or hug your body a bit more?

Looser for sure, I like to be comfortable.

Looser, but not baggy or frumpy
I like either, depending on the specific dress.

Tighter is more my style.

How much do you subscribe to all of the fashion rules regarding what certain body types should and shouldn't wear?

I do pay attention to that stuff.

I look at it, but it doesn't really change anything for me.
If they all say the same thing, they must be on to something.

I pretty much ignore all of that stuff.

What word would you use to best describe your style?

Casual

Upbeat
Cute

Eye-catching

Is a variety of colors present in your wardrobe?

Oh yeah, I love colors.

I have a lot of white and lighter colors.
I'll wear pinks and reds, but that's about it.

I try to keep it to the blacks and dark blues.

Are you comfortable in your own skin?

It truly depends on the day.

I'm getting there.
It takes a few pep talks in the morning.

I finally am, for real.

What type of shoe makes you love the way your legs look?

Cute sandals

Ankle boots
High heels

Either casual sneakers or riding boots

How do you want people to describe your style?

Cute and casual

Smart and sophisticated
Edgy and daring

I'd rather people not comment on it at all.

Can embellishments on dresses make them less flattering for certain body types?

Oh yeah, a lot of beading can make people look thicker than they are.

Ruffles at the top can accentuate a big chest and make it look bigger.
You just have to know what works for you and what doesn't.

Cinching is usually always flattering.

What is one part of your body that you like to show off in dresses?

My shoulders and arms

My legs for sure
I like backless dresses.

My décolletage

Which season has the best type of dresses?

Summer

I like to get multiple seasons out of one dress.
The colors of fall dresses are the best.

I don't dress for different seasons.

Do you buy dresses based on how you think they'll look in pictures?

I usually don't think about that until I see pictures of myself in the dress.

Oh, totally.
I know which type of dress photographs on me well.

It's all about positioning, not the dress.

Are there other body types that you wish you had?

I'd like a little more curves.

Nope, I'm very happy with my body type.
Sometimes I wish my hips were narrower, but then other times I don't.

Having a bit more of a rear end would be nice.

Are there patterns that are "off-limits" for your body type?

Not that I've seen.

Apparently, I shouldn't wear horizontal stripes.
Houndstooth for some reason

I hear polka dots, but I can't figure out why.

If you found a dress that required a special type of bra, would that make you not want to get it?

I don't necessarily need to wear a bra.

Yeah, that's too complicated.
Nah, I could make it work.

That's definitely a deal breaker.

Do you need to try on every dress before purchasing?

Nope, I do most of my shopping online and have pretty good luck.

Every dress is cut differently, so yes.
Only if I'm buying from somewhere I've never shopped before.

I probably should, but don't always feel like it.

Where do you get your dresses from most often?

Amazon

Old Navy
Target

Forever 21

Are you considered a tall person?

I'm average.

I'm pretty short.
I am on the taller side.

I'm taller than most people I meet.

Do you have to get any of your clothes tailored or altered in order to fit you correctly?

I can buy off the rack.

Even if I did have to I probably wouldn't.
I have before, but I don't do it regularly.

Only if it's for a super special occasion

Which accessories do you like to pair with dresses that you wear?

Bracelets and earrings

A blazer or jacket
Long necklaces

Some type of hair accessory like a decorative clip

Which of these celebrities has a similar body type to yours?

Alexis Bledel

Melissa McCarthy
Jennifer Lawrence

Kim Kardashian

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