The key to finding your dream prom dress is making sure you feel stunning and secure in your gown. Knowing your body type and what shapes compliment you most is a great way to explore your prom dress options, but not always necessary.
Ball gowns are a magical and mystical thing. As with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, ball gowns provide a universal fit, flattering and forming to every body type. The ball gown comes in many varieties but always features a fitted bodice and a voluminous skirt. The ball gown shape smoothly camouflages the hips, waist, and midsection while drawing attention to the beauty of a full, floaty skirt and decorative neck or shoulder.
This shape in a dress is flattering on every figure, working in favor of every body type even when you do not fit into a neat category like pear, apple, slender, hourglass, petite, etc. At Z Couture, we have a variety of ball gown shapes in your favorite color, your ideal fabric, and the most flattering fit for you.
When shopping for a prom dress, most shoppers have a list in their mind of what their perfect dress must be. There are certain elements to seek when looking for a dress that flatters you. Whether you ultimately decide on a ball gown or not, the main features to look for in a universally flattering gown are:
A Defined Waistline
Defining the waist is complementary to the body and elongates the frame regardless of body type. Searching for a style that will create a more defined waistline is one way to ensure your dress flatters you. Waist-types to look for are the empire waist, a belted waist, or a gown with a fitted bodice and full skirt, like a ball gown. Other long prom dress styles that define the waistline are two-piece or a-line gowns. You can't go wrong with a defined middle if you aim to enhance your natural, beautiful shape.
Stunning Shoulders or Straps
Off-the-shoulder, one shoulder, halter straps, strapless; the choice is yours. One thing is for sure when opting for a showy shoulder or strap in your prom dress: drawing attention and adding dimension to the upper body is an easy way to achieve a balanced, flattering silhouette. If you favor your shoulders and décolletage, this is an easy way to highlight what makes you feel gorgeous. Dresses featuring one-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, or cap-sleeves draw attention upward. In doing so, a beautiful symmetry between the top, waist, and skirt of your prom dress is created.
An Elaborate Neckline
Further flatter your body type with another balancing act. By choosing a prom dress that adds volume or draws focus to your upper body, you can create added emphasis on your waistline and create a beautiful silhouette. There are many different necklines to choose from, making it easy to find one that flatters you. Look for necklines like the v-neck, sweetheart, illusion, halter, or high-neck to create an evenly proportioned and, in some cases, elongated torso.
A Silhouette-Enhancing Skirt
If you are hunting for a long prom dress style that draws attention away from aspects of the mid or lower body you are uncomfortable with, choose an a-line prom dress or a gown with a full skirt made of tulle or chiffon to draw attention to the features you want to show off. Full and flowing skirts can aid in reshaping your figure. A fuller, loose-fitting, or flowy skirt helps create an hourglass effect by cinching the waist and billowing out at the hips. Also, a full skirt shape gives your legs the freedom to move around and dance, often made difficult by fitted cuts like the mermaid skirt.
The search for your perfect prom dress is an exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking experience. Take the worry out of your prom dress shopping by knowing that the ball gown prom trend is timeless, versatile, and beautiful on all body types. Z Couture carries the hottest designs in ball gowns and many other designer prom styles, featuring designers like Rachel Allen, Jovani, Sherri Hill, and more.
