Formal dresses are quite tricky to pull off; with the variety of short and long, with straps and without straps, formal dresses available in every possible shade, it becomes difficult to choose a formal dress which suits your body type perfectly, brightens up your appearance and complements your skin tone. The necklines available in short and long formal dresses don’t make the task of choosing the perfect formal dress any easier. But before you go and buy yourself a formal dress that is wrong for your petite or plus size frame, here are a few pointers for you to consider:

Long Formal Dresses

Long formal dresses suit women of all body types. Whether you live in British Columbia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, UAE or Argentina, there is no difference in the styling of long formal dresses. The key is to choose a dress style that complements your body shape and height.

• If you are short and petite, go for empire gowns with halter, V or scoop neckline. A deep V-neckline gives an illusion and adds length to your appearance. However, don’t go too deep if you have a big bust. However, if you are tall, go for tea dresses or ankle length dresses and wear short heels to not appear exceptionally tall. Floor length dresses are also a good choice for tall women.
• If you have a pear shaped body, with narrow shoulders and wide hips, you need to balance your figure. Go for long flowy dresses that gloss over your hips. Choose fabrics such as chiffon, satin or Georgette to add flow to the dress.
• If you have an apple shaped body, go for strapless necklines that come with ball gowns. The sweetheart and tube dresses will work best. You can also choose a tulle skirt for a two piece long formal dress so that it balances out your narrow hips.

Take your pick from the embellished or lace bodice or necklines to add glamour to your appearance. Buy long formal dresses in vibrant hues of red, purple, blue, black and green. Wear studs or dangling earrings according to your dress and carry a purse to complete the look. You can find such dresses easily at stores near you such as Lord & Taylor, New York Dress, David’s Bridal and Nordstorm located in Dallas, Newark, Los Angeles, Long Island and Charlotte to name a few. Their collection is available in all sizes ranging from size 0 to size 24.

If you are tall, wear short formal dresses which are knee-length or just above the knee. This will give you a chance to show off your gorgeous long legs. Petite women should opt for short formal dresses ruched at the waist to accentuate it and wear heels to add height to their appearance. Caution is however advised while choosing the length of the heels as too high stilettos can damage your look.

If you are going to a white tie event or attending a wedding in the meadows, opt for a sweetheart neckline in a chiffon short formal dress in white, pink, green or light yellow. This neckline looks equally well on all body types. Adorn your neck with a choker necklace and your wrists with delicate bracelets. Don on a pair of heels and you will surely stand out from the crowd!

Is there an evening wedding, dinner or party approaching that that requires you to wear formal short dresses? Then you should look for chiffon, satin or lace formal dresses such as this one with a lace bodice and tulle skirt. The halter neckline eliminates the need for any necklaces but you can wear diamond or pearl studs and pile your hair in a messy hair updo to draw attention to your bare shoulders.