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So much of the fashion media seems to focus on either hiding curves or creating them, so what are fashionistas with average hip sizes to do? The truth is there are many great dress styles on the market for any body type --- knowing the difference between several basic styles is the key to finding dresses that truly suit your figure.
A-line Dress
An A-line dress is one that increases from the waist to hem, creating the shape of a capital letter A. This classic and feminine style of dress is very forgiving and can look great on many different body types, as it can help mask larger hips or play up an hourglass look. Look for A-line dresses with bold patterns for a fresh look that can make you appear petite. Avoid A-line dresses with halter-tops, as that style can give you a pear-shaped look.
Wrap Dress
A wrap dress is a dress that is open in the front, wrapped around the bodice and tied together. This simple dress style is flattering for most body types, as the draping gives a slimming effect. The dress cinches in at the waist and then flows down straight, creating a sexy hip shape that is not too voluptuous. The deep V-neck that occurs in wrap dresses creates a dramatic and elegant look for the shoulders and decolletage.
Empire
The waistline of an empire dress comes right below the bust, and the skirt portion continues to the hemline in a straight line. These dresses are trendy and can be super sexy if worn right. The empire waist draws quite a bit of attention to the bust, so for a girl of average hip size, it's a good idea to pick a dress with a moderate length to balance it out. Like the A-line, this style of dress is also great for ladies of any hip size.
Sheath
A sheath dress typically hugs the bodice and is straight from the hip to hemline. While ladies with larger hips may want to be careful with this style, those with average hip size will love the effect a sheath dress can have. It hugs curves, but doesn't reveal too much and is the type of dress you could wear from office to evening. Since this style of dress is usually very simple, a sheath dress is a good style to experiment with fun patterns and colors.
