The Best Party Dress

Buying Guide

Heading to a friend’s birthday out on the town or a fancy gala for work? Regardless of what the event is, having the right party dress is key. However, with so many options available, it’s hard to know where to begin.

When it comes to selecting a party dress, first consider what styles you like best. When shopping online, it can be hard to see whether a dress will work with your style or flatter your body type. While any body type can wear any style of dress, there are a few guidelines that may help you decide what to look for.

For example, if you have an hourglass shape, consider fitted dresses or those that wrap around the body. High-waisted styles also look great on an hourglass figure. If you have an apple shape, you will rock empire waist styles or short skirts. If you have a rectangular shape, consider wearing a party dress that has ruffles around the chest or dresses with ruching. For those with a pear shape, try scoop necklines or a-line skirts.

In addition to the style of the dress, it’s vital to get the size right. A beautiful dress will lose its appeal quickly if it’s too big for you or fits too snugly. That’s why, before you begin shopping, it’s best to grab a friend and a tape measure and write down your measurements for your bust, waist and hips. This way, you can compare size charts and get the fit that is best for you. Keep in mind that brands measure differently, so if you’re always a medium in one brand you may be a small or large in another.

• Before you shop for a new party dress, be sure to shop your closet. This simply means taking a look at what you already have. Think about which dresses you love wearing and why that is. Perhaps there are certain characteristics of those dresses that you should look for in your new party dress. For example, if you are considering buying a high-wasted dress, and you have several other high-waisted dresses you wear often, this means you are likely to wear this one as well. However, if you have lots of other high-waisted dresses already collecting dust, consider whether this one will be any different.
• A party dress looks great on its own, but it is really taken to the next level by adding the right accessories. Your shoes, purse and jewelry are also important parts of the outfit, so consider whether you already have those in your closet or if you’ll need to add those to your cart as well. Check the reviews to see if any recommendations are listed by other buyers.
• For many people, versatility is key. If you’re buying a party dress for a specific occasion, think about whether you can wear it for other events as well. Is the outfit easy to dress up and dress down with the right accessories? Can it work just as well for a night at the club as it can for a family reunion?
• Many party dresses are dry-clean only. Be sure to check the care instructions before you buy so you can determine if they’ll work for your routine. Washing-machine and tumble-dryer friendly dresses are low maintenance, while dry-clean only dresses require extra effort but are often made with premium fabrics.