Photo: Digital Vision/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Finding the perfect dress is a tough task. Worried about hiding your belly and wide hips next time you wear a dress? You don't have to don a basic black frock to look fabulous. Try color, try a new neckline and try details to transform your shape.
Necklines
Draw attention upward and away from your problem areas (belly and wide hips) with necklines such as scoop necks, V-necks, sweetheart cuts and off-the-shoulder styles. All of these necklines are extremely flattering and draw the eye upward toward more flattering areas of your body.
It's All in the Details
Transform your shape by finding a dress that has detailing at the waist. A dress that has a sash, a belt or ruching will help to create an hourglass shape out of an apple shape or a pear shape.
Undergarments
If you are extremely self-conscious about your belly and wide hips, borrow a little tip from the stylists who dress your favorite celebs: shaping undergarments. Specialized shaping undergarments can help to nip and tuck the areas you don't like while accentuating the areas you do. If you want to minimize your belly and hips, pick a smooth shaping undergarment that is in the style of bike shorts.
What to Avoid
Avoid drapey fabrics such as chiffon and jersey materials. Dresses that cling to the body can end up making you look lumpy instead of lovely. You will also want to avoid snug or slim-fitting dresses such as sheath dresses that won't do anything for your shape. Large prints can also be tossed to the side as they don't do anything but make your problem areas appear larger. And although it is slimming, you don't have to stick with basic black. Other dark-hued dresses such as plum, cobalt or garnet colors are equally as slimming, but offer a dash of pizzazz.
