A evening dress silhouette is the overall shape of the dress or the outline when it hangs on your body. Women are encouraged to wear what makes them feel beautiful and comfortable, there are different parts of the body that certain dress silhouettes emphasize.  As everyone has a unique body type, they may need certain evening dress shapes to flatter their figure.

If you have been to a formal event, you may already know that dresses come in many styles, colors, shapes and sizes. Want to know what is the best silhouette that will flatter your gorgeous curves? No matter what type of events you are going to attend, whether it is a black-tie or evening occasion, you would need the perfect gown that gives a flattering fit for your body type and shows off your figure in the best way. Finding an evening dress that balances your body’s natural shape is the key to finding the perfect dress. Do scroll ahead for the different dress styles available and how they emphasize the features.

Empire Waist Dresses

The empire waistline is perfect for those who want to take the attention away from their natural waistline. Empire waist dresses are usually form-fitting at the bust area but flares out right after the bust line. This shape cinches the higher waist line and will elongate the figure, creating a natural slimming effect.

Image - Simple Green Satin Evening Dress

Mermaid Dresses

Mermaid dresses are popular choices for evening gowns because they accentuate the figure. This style is figure hugging with a small flare out at or below the knee. The dress shape creates a mermaid-like appearance and the  flare at the bottom help to balance out those with broad shoulders.

 Image - Red Lace Mermaid Evening Dress

Ball Gowns

Ball gowns are similar to A-line dresses but they are usually more dramatic.  This dress silhouette is form-fitting on the upper body and it has extra fabric on the skirt to create the appearance of a flared skirt. The skirt usually features layers of tulle or ruffles for the dramatic flair.  Ball gowns are great for those who want to create a drastic difference between their waist and the width of the dress.

Image - Green Satin Ball Gown Prom Dresses Long

A-Line Dresses

An A-line dress is similar to a ball gown, but it does not have the extra material underneath the skirt. Instead, an A-line dress forms a triangle or capital A-shape by showcasing a fitted top half with a small flare at the bottom. This dress silhouette is ideal for those who want to emphasize their smaller waist and camouflage broader hips.

Image - Satin Pink Wedding Guest Dresses 

Sheath Dresses

Sheath dresses are form-fitting from the neckline down to the hem. The sheath silhouette will emphasize the curves and will usually feature slits for ease of movement. This dress style is great for curvy or hourglass figures. 

Image - Simple Long sheath Evening Dress

Wrap Dresses

Wrap dresses were popularized in the 70s by Diane von Furstenberg and since then, it has become a staple in a woman's wardrobe. The wrap dress style features a waist that ties at one side to create a V-neckline. This creates a slimming effect on the body. What’s not to love about wrap dresses?

Image - One Shoulder Sage Green Evening Dress