How to Choose a Dress for Your Body Shape: A Guide for Every Figure

The same dress can look stunning on one person and just "not quite right" on another. It's not about size, and it's not about one figure being "better" than another. It's about proportions: where a dress is cinched, where it ends and how the fabric falls. At RISK, we design in Warsaw and sew everything in Poland – and every day we see what a difference the right cut makes. Below you'll find everything you need to know about how to choose a dress for your body shape – no fuss and no list of rules.

In short: which dress for which body shape?

• Pear: flared A-line dresses with an eye-catching top: boat neckline, puff sleeves.

• Apple: wrap dresses, empire-waist and trapeze dresses.

• Hourglass: fitted, pencil and belted shirt dresses.

• Rectangle: belts, ties and flared skirts that "draw in" a waist.

• Inverted triangle: a V-neckline and volume at the bottom: pleats, ruffles, circle skirts.

Why does the cut of a dress matter?

The right cut doesn't change your body – it changes how the fabric sits on it. The neckline, the waist seam, the length and the way the skirt falls can draw the eye where you want it and balance your proportions. Above all, a well-chosen dress is simply comfortable to walk, sit and dance in – at the office, around town or at a wedding.

How to figure out your body shape?

All you need is a tape measure and three measurements – ideally taken in your underwear:

• Bust: at the fullest point, keeping the tape level.

• Waist: at the narrowest point of your torso, usually 2–3 cm (about an inch) above your belly button. Don't suck in – breathe normally.

• Hips: at the widest point of your bottom, with your feet together.

Compare the numbers and see which description fits you best.

The 5 body shapes at a glance

• Pear: hips clearly wider than shoulders, a defined waist, a small to medium bust.

• Apple: a fuller midsection, a less defined waist, often a fuller bust and slim legs.

• Hourglass: shoulders and hips of similar width, a clearly defined waist.

• Rectangle: shoulders, waist and hips of similar width, no distinct waist.

• Inverted triangle: shoulders and bust clearly wider than hips, slim legs.

Most of us are a mix of two shapes – and that's perfectly fine. Treat this as a starting point, not a box to fit into.

Table: body shapes and the dresses that suit them

Body shape	How to recognise it	What to focus on	Dress styles to try
Pear	Narrower shoulders, defined waist, wider hips	Draw the eye up, keep the skirt relaxed	A-line dress, boat neckline, puff sleeves
Apple	Less defined waist, fuller tummy, slim legs	Room around the tummy, show off neckline and legs	Wrap dress, empire waist, trapeze dress
Hourglass	Shoulders and hips of similar width, defined waist	Highlight the waist	Pencil dress, belted shirt dress, fitted styles
Rectangle	Shoulders, waist and hips in one line	"Draw in" a waist and curves	Tie waist, peplum, bubble dress
Inverted triangle	Broader shoulders, fuller bust, narrow hips	Soften the top, add volume below	V-neckline, pleats, circle skirt, ruffled hem

Dresses for a pear-shaped figure

Narrower shoulders, a defined waist and wider hips? That's a pear. The best dresses skim over the hips and draw attention upwards – think A-line plus something interesting at the neckline or shoulders.

How to recognise a pear shape?

Your hips are clearly wider than your shoulders, your waist is well defined and your bust is small to medium. Pears usually have a graceful neck and a lovely shoulder line – both worth showing off.

Which dresses suit a pear shape?

• A-line (flared) dress: falls softly over the hips without clinging to the thighs.

• Boat, Carmen or square neckline: horizontal lines visually widen the shoulders and balance proportions.

• Puff sleeves, gathers, statement sleeves: add a little volume up top.

• Dresses with a waist seam: show off the narrowest part of your figure.

What might not work for a pear shape?

Bubble dresses and styles with big pockets or embellishments at hip level add volume exactly where a pear usually doesn't need it. Very tight dresses in thin, stretchy jersey can also be tricky – they emphasise the difference between top and bottom. But if you love that style – wear it.

RISK dresses for a pear shape

Look for dresses in our collection with a flared skirt and a neckline that opens up the shoulders. A good place to start: Serenissima in night navy, the classic Charlotte in black or All Night Long in the Warsaw Birds print – for those who like a dress that tells a story.

Dresses for an apple-shaped figure

An apple shape means a fuller midsection, a less defined waist, often a lovely bust and slim legs. The dresses that work best don't cling to the tummy but show off the neckline and legs: wrap, empire-waist and trapeze styles.

How to recognise an apple shape?

Your waist measurement is close to, or larger than, your bust and hip measurements. Apples usually have shapely legs and a beautiful neckline – and that's exactly where to draw the eye.

Which dresses hide the tummy?

• Wrap dress: the diagonal V-neckline lengthens the neck, and the tie lets you arrange the fabric however feels comfortable.

• Empire-waist dress: the seam sits at the narrowest point, just under the bust, and the fabric flows freely below.

• Trapeze dress: a straight top that gently widens towards the hem. It doesn't cling to the tummy and shows off your legs.

• Diagonal draping and gathers: slanted folds at tummy level break up the line and have a slimming effect.

What might not work for an apple shape?

Wide, stiff belts at the waist, elastic bands around the tummy and tight dresses in shiny fabrics like satin. Shine and pressure draw the eye exactly where you usually don't want it.

RISK dresses for an apple shape

Check out our dresses that don't cling to the tummy and drape beautifully: Bogini above-the-knee in night navy, the long Love Your Style in milk chocolate, Dreamcatcher in black viscose or Love in the Leo Red print. They fit well, don't squeeze and don't need constant adjusting.

Dresses for an hourglass figure

An hourglass has shoulders and hips of similar width and a clearly defined waist. There's nothing to balance here – just don't hide your waist. Fitted, pencil and belted shirt dresses work beautifully.

How to recognise an hourglass shape?

Your bust and hips measure about the same, and your waist is noticeably narrower. The figure is symmetrical – top and bottom are in balance.

Which dresses suit an hourglass figure?

• Pencil dress: follows your natural lines and highlights the waist.

• Shirt dress with a belt: a classic that works at the office and around town.

• Fitted stretch-jersey dresses: show off your curves while staying comfortable.

• V or sweetheart neckline: shows off the collarbones without widening the top.

What might not work for an hourglass figure?

Very loose, shapeless dresses with no defined waist. They hide what's most distinctive about an hourglass, which can make the figure look heavier. Have a favourite oversized dress? Add a belt.

RISK dresses for an hourglass figure

Go for styles that follow your body's lines and highlight the waist. For every day: Flirtini in black, Spice in royal red or the long Boska maxi in black rib knit.

For evening: Muse in dark petrol with its gathered waist, or Unstoppable turtleneck dress in the Swanski Studio Red print, which literally sculpts the silhouette.

Dresses for a rectangle body shape

A rectangle means shoulders, waist and hips of similar width, without a distinct waist. You can "draw" one in – with a belt, a tie, a waist seam or a skirt that adds volume at the hips.

How to recognise a rectangle shape?

Your bust, waist and hip measurements are close to each other. The figure is often athletic, with long legs and arms.

How to create the look of a waist?

• Belt, tie or waist seam: divides the silhouette in two and marks the waist.

• Peplum or ruffle at the hips: adds volume lower down, so the waist looks narrower.

• Bubble dress: rounds out the hip line.

• Pleats and prints: add movement and lightness.

What might not work for a rectangle shape?

Completely straight tube dresses with no waist shaping and boxy cuts without a belt – they make the silhouette look even straighter.

RISK dresses for a rectangle shape

Look for styles with a tie or waist seam and a flared skirt – like Dreamgirl in the C'est la vie print or Tomorrow Will Be Ours in the Latona and Fawn print.

Dresses for an inverted triangle body shape

An inverted triangle means broader shoulders, often a fuller bust and narrow hips. The best choices are dresses with a V-neckline that visually narrows the top, and a skirt that adds volume to the hips: pleated, flared or ruffled.

How to recognise an inverted triangle shape?

Your shoulders or bust are clearly wider than your hips. A big plus of this figure: shapely, slim legs – worth showing off.

Which dresses balance the proportions?

• V-neckline: the vertical line visually narrows the chest.

• Flared and pleated dresses: add volume to the hips.

• Raglan or dropped-shoulder sleeves: soften the shoulder line.

• Printed or ruffled skirt: draws the eye down to your legs.

What might not work for an inverted triangle shape?

Shoulder pads, boat necklines and big puff sleeves – they widen the top even more. Be careful with very thin straps too, if you want your shoulders to look narrower.

RISK dresses for an inverted triangle shape

Look for dresses with a V-neckline, a relaxed skirt and a bold print that draws the eye down – like Tuscany in the Dreamworld Pink Mauve print, Dreamgirl with long sleeves in the Swanski Studio Red print or Liberty Dress in the Bloody Leo print.

Slimming dresses: rules that work for every body shape

A few simple tricks work regardless of body shape or size.

Colours and prints that slim

• One colour from top to bottom: creates a long, unbroken line that lengthens the silhouette.

• Dark colours: black, navy, bottle green, burgundy, graphite.

• Darker side panels: dresses with darker panels at the sides visually narrow the waist and hips.

• Small prints: a delicate floral or fine stripes slim better than large, loud flowers.

Fabric matters

• Soft, fluid fabrics (viscose, modal, Tencel): skim the body instead of clinging to it.

• Thicker jersey: holds its shape better and doesn't show everything underneath.

• Matte over shiny: matte fabrics are slimming, while shiny satin or velvet visually add volume.

The underwear nobody thinks about

Seamless underwear and high-waisted briefs help a dress sit smoothly. A well-fitted bra lifts the bust, which visually lengthens the torso and slims the whole silhouette.

How to choose a dress for your height?

Height changes proportions, so the length of a dress and where it marks the waist make a big difference.

Dresses for petite women

If you're around 160 cm (5'3") or shorter, go for styles that lengthen the legs:

• Mini or knee-length: show off your legs and "add" height.

• Maxi with a slit: the slit keeps a long dress from overwhelming you.

• High waist: makes your legs look longer.

• One colour and a V-neckline: create a long vertical line.

Dresses for tall women

At around 175 cm or taller, you can wear almost anything:

• Midi and maxi: look especially elegant on tall figures.

• Large prints and horizontal lines: wide stripes, ruffles, geometric prints.

• Oversized: won't overwhelm you, just adds a relaxed feel.

Wedding guest dresses for your body shape

At a wedding, your dress needs to look elegant and survive several hours on the dance floor. A quick cheat sheet:

• Apple: a wrap dress in a fluid fabric, e.g. in emerald, fuchsia or cornflower blue. The V-neckline shows off your bust, and the tie sits nicely over the tummy – even on the dance floor.

• Pear: a flared midi dress with an eye-catching top: a lace Carmen neckline or draped shoulders.

• Hourglass: a fitted midi dress with a leg slit.

• Rectangle: a dress with a pleated skirt and a tie waist.

• Inverted triangle: a V-neckline and a floaty, flared skirt.

Looking for something to wear to a wedding? At RISK you'll find a whole collection of party and wedding dresses.

FAQ – frequently asked questions about choosing a dress for your body shape

Which dresses hide the tummy?

Wrap dresses with an adjustable tie, empire-waist dresses and trapeze dresses work best. Diagonal gathers and draping around the waist also help.

Which dresses are slimming?

Wrap dresses with a V-neckline, single-colour dresses in thicker, matte fabrics, and styles with vertical seams or darker side panels.

How do I stop my tummy showing under a dress?

Wear seamless high-waisted underwear, choose a dress in thicker jersey that doesn't cling to the body, or go for a style with draping over the tummy.

Which dresses slim the hips and thighs?

Flared A-line dresses, circle skirts and styles in fluid fabrics that fall freely without hugging the hips.

What's the best dress for a petite woman?

A mini or knee-length dress with a V-neckline and a high waist – this cut visually lengthens the legs and gives the silhouette a lighter look.

What if I'm a mix of two body shapes?

That's very common. Combine the tips for both shapes and see in the mirror what makes you feel your best – that's a better guide than any table.

Final word: your body, your rules

Your body shape is a suggestion, not a rulebook. Pear, apple, hourglass, rectangle or inverted triangle – what matters most is that your dress is comfortable, fits well and makes you feel like yourself. If you're looking for one like that, take a look at our collection – every RISK dress is designed in Warsaw and sewn in Poland.

➡ Discover the full RISK Made in Warsaw dress collection →