Look Hot in Your New Summer Dress!

Having the perfect summer dress is similar to having the perfect little black dress. Both can be worn to multiple places, and be dressed up or down to fit the occasion. When shopping for the perfect summer dress, consider the following:

Price: There are tons of summer dresses out there, so narrow down your choices right away by only looking at dresses that fit your price range. If it is outside of your budget, it won’t matter how well it flatters your body, or how cute it is.

Length: One of the key things about a summer dress is the length. There are tank dresses that hit mid thigh, frocks that hit to the knee, and gypsie dresses that hit the ankle, as well as everything in between. When you are choosing a summer dress, one of the first things you want to consider is where on your body it is going to hit. If you have wider legs, or are short, skirts should not go below the knee, as this will make you look very stocky, and even shorter than you are. If you have long, slender legs, a longer skirt can be very flattering. If you are not sure what dress lengths look best on your body type, try on all the different lengths, look at nothing other than length (it does not matter how well it fits), and decide which one flatters your body most, then only look at dresses that fit that category.

Choose fabric suitable for summer.

Straps: The next key component about a summer dress is the straps. Will you be wearing a bra? Do you want sleeves? What kind of tan lines will you have from your bathing suit? These are all things to consider when selecting the neckline and strap width. Thinner straps might necessitate a strapless bra, or going without. Thicker straps can help make you look less broad, and can hide bras easily. Sleeves are great, and hide funny tans, but come in a variety of lengths, from cap to ¾, so determine which works best for you. Halter is great, and matches many swim tan lines, but can be uncomfortable, and requires special bras. So, think about all of this BEFORE you buy. Choose what works best for your body, and your convenience.

Color: Choose a fun summer color, but one that flatters your skin tone. If you look bad in yellow, it won’t matter how cute the yellow summer dress is, it won’t look good on you. Choose a few basic colors to look at, and avoid anything that does not suit you.

Fabric type: The best fabric for a summer dress is cotton, it is washable, breathable, and can hold form, or be stretchy. It is soft and comfortable, so you won’t be left feeling itchy, or irritated because of your summer dress. If cotton doesn’t work for you, at least get something that will let your sweat evaporate.

Pattern: Last, but not least, look at the pattern on the dress if it is not a solid color. The bigger you are, the bigger the print should be. Also, check for placement of pattern on your body. A floral print can be lovely on the hanger, but when you put it on, having a big rose bud on your breast, or a vine highlighting a love handle, can look really awful, so always try it on.