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Popular dress types?

April

I was wondering what are the most popular types of dresses? I know I have seen Sweater, Sheath, and Shift mentioned quite a bit. What are y'alls favorite types? I should add I'm talking about the more formal types like you would wear to weddings and funerals.

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from April

Anonymous

On my body I like sheath best. Fit and flare can be good, or a sheath top on a bottom with a bit of flare for movement. I also like EF's lantern dress shape...fitted top and waist that then flares out a bit and is reigned back in at the bottom. A shirtwaist in a lux fabric would be great. Empire and other dresses fitted under the bust don't seem to be in style right now.

Liz

Veteran

Words like sheath, shift, fit-and-flare, and shirt refer to the shape or silhouette of the dress. Some of these, such as sheath dresses, tend to be more formal, and shirt dresses tend to be more casual.

However, fabric makes a huge difference. A sheath dress in a sweater fabric might be too casual for a wedding. And a sheath dress in a brocade too dressy.

I tend to choose dresses based on what works for my body shape. Have you checked out the recommendations for your body type?

April

Thanks for the fast replies!

Liz- I didn't know that! Thanks for that explanation! I'm not sure what body type I am. There is a pic in my other thread "In need of wardrobe advice". I'm not sure if those pics will work to be able to tell though since the top is more loose.

Anonymous

On my body, I prefer wrap and sheath. I also like vintage shirtdresses like Sally @ alreadypretty.com likes to wear. I guess they'd fall in the fit and flare category. It's just that they flare a little more.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I prefer sheath dresses hands-down. Sleeves, sleeveless, it doesn't matter. Or I get the sheath shape with a two-piece dress. I do like the occasional fit-and-flare, if it isn't too frou-frou or fussy.

Nine times out of ten, though, it's a sheath for me - wedding, funeral, graduation, cocktail, holiday gathering.

MsLuna

Veteran

My favourites (on my body) are semi-structured shift mini dresses (very similar to the 1960's silhouette. I see a few of those silhouette go in fashion and that makes me happy. The shifts are fitted on the bust and slightly a-line out or are a kimono sleeve - perfect for camouflaging the belly (and providing comfort). I tend to go for mini dress variations (when appropriate) because I exclusively wear flats.

Sal

Veteran

If I think of my formal dresses these are the styles I have:

- Grecian dress - floaty and pulled in with a fabric belt
- Fitted sheath dress - x2
- two piece (fitted shell with a line shirt, silk with sequins scattered)
- 1930s tea dress style (on the bias)
- fit and flare with full circle skirt

I would add that none of these would work for a funeral. They are too pretty or too shiny or too low cut.

For funerals recently I have worn a work dress (one is charcoal grey, the other is black and white patterned), both with sleeves, or work trousers with a blazer and knit. I mostly wear smart conservative work clothes to a funeral.

If you want one dress to cover both occasions a dark shift or sheath may do, but I would try and get by with simple black trousers and a jacket for funerals and get a more special wedding/party dress. Of course I am in NZ and cultural expectations are different so I may be off the mark.

Susie

Veteran

I think preferences for dress silhouettes are based more on body shape than any other types of clothing. For me, an apple, a shift style works best. I think sheath styles tend to be more dressy, depending of course on the fabric.

For funerals, I am more likely to wear pants and a jacket rather than a dress.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Second the body shapes comment. When done right, I think a splice, fitted waist and soft flare (no poofs!) is flattering, though a sheath can also work. The fit-and-flare allows more movement for dancing, though. Dresses aren't my default, though. At the last wedding I attended, I wore a black pencil skirt and a white Victorianesque Anne Fontaine white blouse.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Susie said. The kinds of dresses that suit us have more to do with body shape than anything else. Age also plays a role. Fit and flare dresses don't look bad on me, per se, but I feel too "girlish" in them at my present age -- although I will wear a full skirt if it has stitched down pleats.

For myself (slim hourglass/ rectangle) I like sheaths, scuba dresses (body con) some structured shifts, and shirt-dresses. I also like a dress with a straight bottom and a blouson top.

I can't fill out a wrap dress, and A lines or wider skirts tend to look meh on my body.

Fabrication is everything when it comes to level of dressiness. So I have a sheath I wear to formal events that I would never wear to a funeral. Or anywhere except an evening occasion. I have another sheath that would go perfectly to a funeral or a daytime wedding or a business lunch -- but I'd never wear it for a cocktail party unless the party was work-related.

April

I agree that it would be best to match the dresses to your body's shape than trying to make them work if there just not going too. Can anyone try to determine what my shape is from this pic or do I need to have on a different top to be able to tell?

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Inge

(website)

I think a picture from a little further away with you wearing a more formfitting top might make it easier to help determine your body shape, April. From what I can see in this photo, it appears that your shoulders and hips are about the same width, is that right? If you have a defined waist on top of that, I would say hourglass, if you have a less defined waist, maybe rectangle?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am with Inge. My guess is that you are either a slim hourglass or slim rectangle.

If so, try sheath dresses first, ones with higher necklines if your bust is on the small side. Wrap dresses will be tougher to pull off.

April

Thanks Inge, yes I think my shoulders and hips are very close to the same width.

Thanks Suz, yes my bust is small.

I tried getting a couple more pics today with the leggings and a former fitting top tucked in so hopefully you could see my hips better.

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Anonymous

My advice is to try on everything. You'll never know what suits you until you do. I haven't worn wrap dresses in years, so this year I ordered one, not sure if it would work with a body that's changed after 4 children. When I tried it on, my reaction was, "Yes! This is the way I want to look every time I wear clothes." When people say, "It's not you, it's the clothes," believe them. There are dresses that will flatter and others that won't.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'd still guess slim hourglass/ rectangle and would recommend a higher necked sheath for a figure flattering look! You'll be able to wear shifts for a 60s mod appearance. Check out Angie's guidelines for Racy Rectangles.

April

bettycrocker, It's wonderful you found a wrap dress that works for you after so many years of not! I do think those types of dresses are stunning but fear I would have issues with being able to fill out the top. Never hurts to try though I could get lucky like you!

Suz, Thank you so much! I have bookmarked that page and am sure it is going to be coming in handy a lot!

I do have one other question for now, what is the general opinion on sweater dresses for a formal wedding? Would they be considered too causal?

Anonymous

April, I don't know if wrap dresses didn't work for me all those years or not. I just got away from wearing them for some reason. I do know this much. Faux wraps don't work. True wraps do. I think it has to do with more waist adjustability and with having that flap in the front that's not there on a faux wrap. Who knows?

If you don't think you can fill out a wrap dress, maybe a surplice style would work. Again, try different styles on--whatever appeals to you. You'll know it when you find the right style.

Liz

Veteran

"Sweater dress" and "formal wedding" don't go together in my mind. However, I'm sure it all depends on the actual dress and the actual wedding. How formal is formal...what will other guests be wearing? Also, time of day and venue can give clues to how formal a wedding is.
Can you post a picture of the dress?

Aziraphale

Veteran

You look like a slim rectangle, or possibly an hourglass, but it's hard to tell. What is clear is that you are very slim! I can't discern much else from that shot. Why don't you just try on a bunch of dresses? Like what others have said, fabric matters -- dressier fabrics tend to be woven (not knit -- i.e., not stretchy) and make the whole garment seem more wedding-appropriate.

It's hard to know what will work until you try. I'm a short, slim rectangle, but there's the complicating factor of a decent-sized bust, so I look better in a wrap dress than you might expect (and worse in a high-necked dress than you might expect, too!). I have three of those. I also have a halter dress -- don't think anyone's mentioned that yet -- which only works for summer, but it's dressy and I like how it shows off my arms and shoulders.

Have fun looking!

Beth Ann

Veteran

April, I'd encourage you to go to a main department store known for dresses -- Macy's and Nordies are good. Wear a good foundation garment, and some tights or hose and try on lots of dresses -- at least 10 of different colors and shapes. Try not to be distracted by sizing at first and just get an idea for the silhouettes, colors and fabrications that feel best to you. Snap simple pics in the mirror to help you remember.

Sometimes I plan a shopping trip just to try a new silhouette or type of item. Even when I decide something is not "for me," I get a better sense of what will work well.

rachylou

Veteran

The "princess" (what I call a skater with a long skirt) is probably most flatting on me. I also really have a penchant for the sack dress.

April

bettycrocker, oh ok I'm sorry for my confusion on that then. I will keep the surplice style in mind.

Liz, I haven't picked one out yet but was hoping to use a sweater dress for winter wedding occasions but they don't happen too often for me. I have only been to four weddings so far in my lifetime. The ones I have been to are always in the Spring and Summer months though but I figure it wouldn't hurt to be prepared. I was thinking a blue color but haven't been able to find that color in the length I was wanting it to be. The closest I have found in the way I would like it to look in length is this one from Target. http://www.target.com/p/mossim.....odSlot=med The navy color is pretty but I was hoping for a lighter blue.

Aziraphale, thanks for the advice and trying to help me determine my body's shape! I maybe a mix of the two, rectangle upper half and hourglass lower half.

Beth Ann, thanks for that advice! It sounds like a good plan!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

In general, I would say a sweater dress would not be formal enough for a formal wedding. Sweater dresses tend to be on the casual side. Angie has some great sleeved dresses in her Top picks so you might take a look at those if you are concerned about warmth.

For me, a sweater dress would pretty much by definition be a casual (i.e. not even work appropriate) day dress.

April

Thanks Suz, I agree with you. I think I will check into some of the other dress types that are mentioned in Angie's rectangles blog and some that were mentioned above.