Easy Summer Dresses for Every Body Type

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Today’s article comes to us from Megan LaRussa Chenoweth, founder of Style Yourself Chic. Megan helps women simplify their style, build confidence, and create a wardrobe they truly love.

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Looking for the perfect summer dresses for your silhouette can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack in today’s shopping climate. There are endless options online, limited options in stores, and overwhelming inspiration on social media. But as the weather gets hotter, there is nothing better than a breezy dress. The search is well worth it! For a successful search, it’s best to understand your unique body type. Here’s how to find dresses that flatter, are functional, and make you feel great!

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How to Identify Your Body Type

An important component of knowing your body type is understanding that not every dress is perfect for every body, and that’s okay! As women, it can often feel like we need to change our bodies to fit into current styles or what others are wearing. The reality is that clothes should fit our bodies, not vice versa.

The goal of understanding your body type is to empower you to shop and dress with ease and confidence, learning the right silhouettes and the ones to avoid, too. Here’s how to identify yours:

Have a friend measure around the widest point of your shoulders, bust, natural waist, and hips. The measuring tape should fully go around your body. (Side note: It’s easier for a friend to take measurements accurately.)
Compare these measurements to see your natural balance and proportions. Refer to the four body types below to learn your lovely silhouette.
From there, shop the dress options below or use them as a template to successfully shop.

4 Main Body Types + How to Find the Perfect Dress

#1: Hourglass

The Hourglass woman has a naturally balanced silhouette. This means her shoulders and hips are roughly the same measurement, and her waist is around 10 inches smaller than her shoulders and hips. The goal is to maintain the balance and avoid boxy or shapeless dresses. This means avoiding dresses with too much volume in the shoulder or hip area. That can quickly throw off her balance and hide her beautiful silhouette.

Dresses with a defined waist are always best on this frame to accentuate where it’s smallest. A belt can be a great addition to a dress to give it more shape.

An hourglass can do A-line dresses, as well as sheath-style dresses. It allows for options!

A woman wearing a short-sleeved blue and white striped dress with a knot detail at the waist stands against a plain white background, showcasing one of this season’s easy dresses. — Tanya Taylor dress, $325, at Shopbop | Image: Shopbop

A woman stands wearing a white, knee-length, short-sleeve dress with a pink floral pattern and front buttons—one of those easy summer dresses perfect for pairing with sandals. — Hyacinth House dress, $198, at Tuckernuck | Image: Tuckernuck

Woman wearing a sleeveless, collared maxi dress with a geometric green, yellow, white, and blue pattern and a matching belt. — Donna Karan dress, $169, at Dillard’s | Image: Dillard’s

A woman stands against a white background wearing a short-sleeved, knee-length pink dress with a belt and decorative stitching near the neckline. — Nina smocked T-shirt dress, on sale for $68.60 (reg. $98), at Boden | Image: Boden

A woman stands against a plain background wearing an easy summer dress—a sleeveless blue wrap with a white floral pattern—paired with pointed white flats. — Wrap dress, on sale for $119 (reg. $169), at Ann Taylor | Image: Ann Taylor

A woman wearing a sleeveless coral and white floral maxi dress—one of those easy summer dresses—holds a straw handbag and stands in platform sandals against a plain background. — Misa dress, $495, at St. Bernard | Image: St. Bernard

#2: Rectangle

The “rectangle” shape’s four main measurements are all roughly within 10 inches of one another, with shoulders and hips that are about the same measurement. This creates a straighter effect with her silhouette. In the wrong dresses, it can often lend itself to a boxier feel.

The goal for a rectangular body type is to create the illusion of a waist. This can be achieved by adding interest to her shoulder and hip area to make the waist appear more defined. Interest simply means a puffed sleeve detail complemented by an A-line skirt or an empire waist with an A-line flare.

Belts or sashes on dresses typically aren’t a rectangle’s friend. But princess-seamed bodices and wider smocked waistbands featuring an A-line skirt can be fabulous.

A woman wears an easy summer dress—a short-sleeve, button-down, beige and white striped midi—with a white sweater over her shoulders, black sandals, and a large black tote bag. — Roberta button-down dress, $188, at Shopbop | Image: Shopbop

A woman stands wearing a sleeveless, ankle-length dress with a bold abstract print in red, blue, black, and teal against a plain background. — Scarlett dress, $595, at Ann Mashburn | Image: Ann Mashburn

A person wearing a bright red, short-sleeve, v-neck, ankle-length dress pairs it with black sunglasses and sandals, standing against a plain light-colored background. — Double layer maxi dress, $245, at ME+EM | Image: ME+EM

A woman wearing a knee-length, bright blue dress with short puff sleeves and a V-neckline—one of those easy summer dresses that flatters every body type—paired with beige ankle-tie wedge sandals. — Henley split dress, $128, at Dillard’s | Image: Dillard’s

A woman stands outdoors in a blue, collared, short-sleeve, belted midi dress with vertical wavy stripes. She pairs it with brown sandals against pale peach and beige walls. — Belted shirt dress, $398, at Oliphant | Image: Oliphant

Woman wearing a sleeveless white midi dress with a colorful floral print and a belted waist, paired with strappy beige heels—one of our easy summer dresses designed for every body type. — Karl Lagerfeld dress, $168, at Dillard’s | Image: Dillard’s

#3: Inverted Triangle

The “inverted triangle” shape has lovely broad shoulders and slimmer hips. In the wrong dress, a woman with this shape can feel “top-heavy” or too broad. For her inverted triangle body type, she does best in dresses with a defined shoulder seam and no shoulder interest. Basically, she wants to prevent any added bulk to her top half.

She looks fabulous in a dress with an A-line skirt that makes her top and bottom half look balanced. She can have fun with different length dresses, depending on her height and what she feels most comfortable in.

A woman stands against a plain background wearing an easy summer dress—a sleeveless, collared, button-front style with a blue and white patterned design and matching belt. She has braided hair and is wearing slide sandals. — Saloni dress, $695, at Shopbop | Image: Shopbop

A woman wearing a sleeveless, black and beige patterned maxi dress with a square neckline and wide belt, standing with hands in pockets. — Donna Karan belted dress, $179, at Dillard’s | Image: Dillard’s

A woman stands against a plain white background wearing an easy summer dress with blue vertical lines and piping, paired with brown slip-on shoes. — Textured stripe dress, $275, at ME+EM | Image: ME+EM

A woman in a short-sleeved, light purple summer dress stands outdoors near a white wicker chair with a table holding a vase of yellow flowers. — Polo dress, $178, at Frank & Eileen | Image: Frank & Eileen

A woman wearing a knee-length, pink patterned shirt dress with three-quarter sleeves and sandals, stands against a white background. — J.McLaughlin dress, $238, at Dillard’s | Image: Dillard’s

Woman wearing a sleeveless, pink, button-down midi dress with a gathered waist—one of our easy summer dresses—standing with hands behind her back and flat sandals against a plain background. — Strawberry Fenix dress, $265, at Xírena | Image: Xírena

#4: Triangle

The “triangle”-shaped woman has a slimmer shoulder and bust line with curvier hips. In the wrong dress, she may feel “bottom-heavy.” The goal is to add interest up top to balance her beautiful curves on the bottom. She can achieve this balance by selecting dresses with collars, puffed or interesting sleeves, or a fun color or print.

She would want to avoid any dresses that are too fitted on the bottom, so A-line is her friend. An always chic shirt dress is an excellent option for a triangle!

Woman standing and smiling, wearing a blue and white patterned midi dress with short sleeves and brown open-toe heels. — Marina dress, $258, at Jude Connally | Image: Jude Connally

A woman stands against a plain background wearing a sleeveless white top and a high-waisted, ankle-length black skirt with black sandals—an effortlessly chic look. — Mixed media flare dress, on sale for $109 (reg. $159), at Ann Taylor | Image: Ann Taylor

A woman stands against a white background wearing an easy summer dress—a short pink and white striped style with a collar and short sleeves paired with black sandals. — o.p.t Rowe dress, $168, at Shopbop | Image: Shopbop

A woman stands against a plain background wearing a navy blue midi dress with ruffled sleeves, a tied waist belt, and brown sandals. — Navy April dress, $285, at Xírena | Image: Xírena

Woman wearing a short, bright blue dress with bold multicolored patterns and puffed half sleeves stands against a plain white background. — Clara dress, $358, at Marie Oliver | Image: Marie Oliver

A person wearing a white, floral-print midi dress with short puff sleeves, a V-neck, a waist tie—one of those easy summer dresses—paired with brown wedge sandals and a brown shoulder bag. — Hobbs London Elina dress, $355, at Bloomingdale’s | Image: Bloomingdale’s

Dresses are a “one and done” staple in a woman’s wardrobe that allows for ease in dressing and instant polish! They can be worn for the ball park, running errands, lunch with friends, work, special events, and more … the options are endless. And bonus points for dresses that can be dressed up or down to take you through your day with ease!

I encourage you to shop the options above or look for similar options that suit your style, body type, and budget to round out your dress wardrobe. And don’t forget to use your body type knowledge for future shopping endeavors!

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About the Author
Megan LaRussa Chenoweth

Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Style Yourself Chic is a Style Coach that loves nothing more than guiding her clients & community to look and feel their best everyday.