With an hourglass shape, you are curvy with a medium-to-large

Prom Dresses Guide Find The Prom Dress That Flatters Your Silhouette

Prom time is almost here and choosing from so many styles and shapes of prom dresses isn't easy. It takes time and patience to try on all those prom dresses, hoping to find just the right dress for your special evening. You should first find a prom dress that flatters your body type, or silhouette. Use the guide below to find out what type of body shape you have and which prom dress will best complement your shape.

Determining Your Body Shape

It's important to determine your body shape before you start shopping for prom gowns. Once you know which types of prom dresses will best suit you, you won't waist time trying on those that won't.

Are you Thin and Tall?

Here's a way to tell: Your body is straight and slender, has few or no curves, and your bust is average in size. Your height is 5' 6" or taller. If you meet these criteria, you'll want to buy a prom dress style that adds curves, shows off your long legs, flows gracefully to reveal your slim silhouette, and adds fullness to your chest.

Try on dresses with several different neckline styles including v-neck or an open neckline to see which looks best. Also, dare to try a dress with a cutout back. Some prom dress styles to consider are empire, sheath, ball gown, and a-line.

Are you Petite?

If you are 5' 3" or shorter with a small build and an average sized bust, you'll want a dress to complement the petite such as an empire, sheath or a-line prom gown. With a slit, you can make your legs appear longer. Or, you can look much taller by wearing a dress with a short hemline. The hemline might be ruffled, handkerchief, hi/low, or asymmetrical - whichever best suits you. There are also a-line and empire styles to take emphasis off your waistline if you are short-waisted. Your neckline could be sweetheart, halter, or v-shape.

Do you have an Hourglass, Pear, or Apple Shape?

With an hourglass shape, you are curvy with a medium-to-large sized bust. Your bottom is rounded and you have curvy hips. You can show off the curves with a sheath dress or de-emphasize them somewhat with a ball gown or a-line dress. To place more emphasis on the upper portion of your body, choose a dress with an embellished neckline.

With a pear shape, you are probably bottom-heavy, meaning your hips, thighs, and bottom are larger than the upper portion of your body. Choose prom dresses that flatter the upper half of your body such as a-line, empire, or ball gown dresses with a circular halter neckline. Or, a strapless dress might do the trick.

If your body is apple-shaped, your mid-section is probably heavier or thicker than other parts of your body. Maybe your tummy is larger than you would like. Choose dresses that take the emphasis away from your mid-section. An empire gown might work best with this maternity wedding dresses type of figure. An a-line dress can work well too if you have a bodice with boning to give it a slimming effect.

Are you Athletic? Do you have a Large Build?

If you are muscular, have broad shoulders, or a large bust, choose a prom dress that will give you a feminine shape such as a ball gown or empire style dress. The full skirt will immediately add shape at your waistline. With broad shoulders, you might find that trying to cover them with wide straps or sleeves will make them look even wider. Try on a few strapless prom gowns first. You might be pleasantly surprised!

If you have a large bust, be sure your prom dress offers proper support. Choose v-necks or halters and either an a-line or ball gown. To draw attention away from your chest, wear a prom dress that has eye-catching details at its hemline.

With a full figure, there are more styles today than ever in plus size prom dresses. Don't feel uncomfortable on your prom night by trying to squeeze into a smaller gown. Find a dress that fits your body size and flatters your figure.

More "Accentuating" Prom Dress Ideas

There are even more ways you can accentuate certain areas of your body. Prom dresses can also come with stylish features such as beaded panels, a fully beaded bodice, accordion pleating, a jeweled beltline, embroidery designs, sheer overlays, trains, and removable skirts.

Use these tips to get an idea of what style will work best for your body type before you start shopping. Check online to look at various styles and colors. Most online stores carry a variety of dresses including prom dresses, evening dresses, and bridesmaid dresses, so you'll have no problem finding just the right dress.

Prom Dresses For Aspiring homecoming styles 2013 Fashion Plates

Every young woman wants to present a fashionable appearance when she steps into the room at the prom. Fortunately, there is a style that suits every aspiring fashion plate, so shop online and find the dress that best suits you this year.

Begin with an updated version of the princess dress. The Beaded Strapless Ball Gown with Full Tulle Skirt features a sweetheart bodice that is covered with beaded sequins. That high glamour in either the sky blue / silver version or the white version. The waist is ruched with blue satin while the full tulle skirt floats down to the floor. This lovely dress is fully lined and fully beautiful.

Another strapless confection that will reveal your fashion sense is the Beaded Ball Gown with Tulle Skirt in champagne tulle and polyester. The sweetheart bodice features a beaded neckline and a ruched waistband that flatters any figure. This skirt, too, floats down to the floor in volumes of feather-light fabric.

If youe looking for truly high glamour, take a look at the One Shoulder Jersey Dress with Sequin Detail.It comes in black, which is always sophisticated, and the style is sheer glamour. The bodice features one shoulder with sequins gathering the waistline into a slimming, ruched form. More sequins adorn the shoulder that plunges across the back in a pair of thin straps. The jersey fabric is comfortable and light weight. The skirt is full length with a side slit that rises to just above the knee. This is a dress that was made for dancing on prom night.

Look like a goddess when you wear the green Split Front Chiffon Gown with Beaded Neckline. This dress is all-woman, featuring a horseshoe neckline studded with beads and a split-front chiffon skirt that falls to the floor in a slender silhouette. The back of this dress is an open diamond-shape that is flattering and fun. Youl look sumptuously regal when you glide across the floor in this lovely prom dress.

Another ethereal gown that will make any young woman look beautiful is the Beaded One Shoulder Mesh Gown with Side Drape. This turquoise dress features a unique one-shoulder bodice with an empire waist. Silver beads sparkle across the top of the bodice and a side drape adds just a touch of drama to this elegant gown.

Reveal just a little skin when you wear the One Shoulder Jersey Dress with Side Gold Chain. This black dress is unique, with a gold chain surrounding an opening that appears just above and below the waist on one side. The bodice has one shoulder with ruching detail. This full-length prom dress is fashioned in comfortable jersey fabric for perfect fit and flow.

A pretty little black dress is the knee-length Strapless Tiered Lace Dress. Lace covers this beauty from its strapless, fitted bodice to the hem of its slightly full skirt. Ruched satin forms the waistband to provide a little contrast to the lace. It a flirty, flouncy little dress that will look beautiful on any young lady going to the prom.

The Short Charmeuse Print Dress with Pick Up Skirt is a unique little stunner that will turn heads all over the dance floor. The bodice is solid black and strapless above a fuchsia waistband. The pick-up skirt is white with black geometric lines. It a flouncy little outfit that ends high above the knee to give you that lean and long-legged look.

The Strapless Two Tone Tulle Ball Gown brings the traditional prom dress into the new century. This dress is made from chiffon, but it isn your grandmother prom dress. The strapless bodice is fashioned in a colorful print and the back features a sexy lace-up closure. A 3D tulle flower sits on the left hip, where yards and yards of yellow chiffon cascade down over a purple underskirt. It a stunning creation that will have you feeling pretty and fun.

If something a little simpler is more your style, then take a look at the One Shoulder Mesh with Silky Top. This dress is fashioned out of a rich magenta fabric that has a silky feel and a subtle shine. The bodice features one shoulder and a high waistline, then the skirt skims down the waist and the hips to mid-thigh for a youthful, yet elegantly simple look.

Youl glow when you enter the prom in the Strapless Drop Waist Iridescent Taffeta Ball Gown. This stunning sapphire gown is made of iridescent taffeta with black beading accents at the bust and the drop waist. The fabric of the skirt is gathered to give this dress the look of a true ball gown with a modern flair that will have all the other young ladies watching you with envy in their eyes.

Aspiring fashionistas will find the perfect dress bridesmaid dresses for beach wedding to showcase their sense of style this year, and you can be one of them. Have fun choosing the perfect prom dress and then have a blast at the prom.