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Summer can be a painful time for curvy ladies. Glossy mags often show pages of cute dresses that would look great if you were a size 0 or boy-shaped. But having curves means you need to look for a completely different type of dress. Learn the most flattering dress styles for your curves, then hit the mall and start trying on your new favorite summer dresses.
Wrap Dress
A wrap dress hugs curves in a super flattering way. The tie waist defines your middle, and the loose, flowing skirt skims your hips, making you look like a curvy summer goddess. This style dress shows off sexy, smooth legs and an ample chest. Choose one in a block color for special events, or patterns for day time or nights out with the ladies. A black background is slimming, so whatever pattern you pick, make it mainly dark for a summery look that's as flattering as it is pretty.
Empire Waist Dress
The right empire waist dress can balance your bottom half, while emphasizing your shoulders and chest. Look for one in a bright, bold color and accessorize it with simple jewelry for a special occasion. Just stay away from babydoll styles; these can actually make your tummy look bigger, so unless you're pregnant, stay far away.
Belted Dress
Anything with a defined middle or a belt is super flattering for curvy ladies. Look for a dress with detailing around the waist, such as ruching or a sash, or accessorize your favorite dress with a waist-cinching belt. The belt helps give you an hourglass silhouette and draws attention to your small waist. If you're bigger on bottom, choose a belted dress with an A-line or flowing skirt to skim your hips without making them appear bigger than they are.
Stripy Dress
If you're curvy, you probably avoid horizontal stripes like the plague. But contrary to popular belief, not all stripes make curvy ladies look large. Pick stripes that are wide-set; narrow stripes really can make you look bigger. As far as colors go, look for stripes that are black, white and bold colors like fuchsia or red. Finish the look with a belt to give you a sexy, curvy shape.
