Not Many Clothing Choices Match the Elegance of a Dress

When a woman wants to make an impression, a dress is one of the best possible outfit decisions she can go with, except possibly when dealing with prolonged exposure to the cold. Indeed, dresses are such a staple of a womanly wardrobe that it has become an extremely common suffix to various types of attire, such as wedding dresses, Easter dresses, funereal dresses and so on. The real problem with dresses is that there are so many styles and designs that it can be daunting to figure out the right one for a given situation. These problems only worsen when you remember that, just like any other article of women's attire, not all brands use the same metric for their sizes. For a breakdown of the various styles of dresses you can buy, as well as advice on what to bear in mind when you decide to go dress shopping, keep reading.

Dress Styles

There’s so many different styles of dresses that are popular among people. Each has their own special style that fits certain situations. Some of them include: 

• Midi - This is the middle ground between a maxi and mini, making it a bit of a Goldilocks zone when you are unsure of how formal something is. You also have plenty of options when deciding neckline and sleeve length.
• Off the Shoulder - This style showcases the shoulders while offering a sleeve or ruffle for the bicep. Go for this if you want to showcase your upper arms without going strapless.
• Shift - This simple, boxy design was peak '60s chic. Shift dresses are short, sleeveless and hang from the shoulders and perfect for anyone who wants to look good while lacking in curves.
• Bodycon - Short for "body contour," this is a tight, body-hugging piece of couture that shows off all you have. Bodycon dresses tend to be stretchy and work great as attire to wear on a sexy night out.
• A-Line - A-lines fit at the hips and flare at the hem, hence the name. While perfect for casual engagements, it does not take much to class up or down. Pear shapes are greatly complemented with A-lines.
• Mini - This dress is perfect for grabbing all eyes, especially if you happen to be gifted in the leg department.
• Maxi - While the floor/ankle-length of this dress suits casual affairs, you can class it up with some lanky jewelry and some heels.
• Halter - This style is perfect for hot summer nights, going without straps or sleeves in the upper half and only hanging by some tied fabric. Note: some halter necks use neck-secured fabrics instead of a bow.

Tips for Dress Shopping

Mood boards help with dress shopping. A mood board is a collection of clothing images you like and can help hone your personal aesthetic and inspire you when shopping. Look for any common aspects of your chosen images; maybe you favor certain colors, textures or styles. Having this photographic evidence helps discern when you know what you like and when you may want to break free from a "rut."

Jot down every dress you want or need and consult this list during every shopping trip so you can stay on task. Abiding by a list tends to yield more accurate purchases than just "winging it" off memory and vibes. When shopping online, remember to bookmark favorites and check in whenever sales happen.

Store all of your measurements in a readily available source, be it your phone or even a pocket notebook. Knowing your measurements will do a world of good when figuring out if a particular brand's size will suit you, especially online. If shopping in person, bring a measuring tape with you to verify the piece will fit without trying it on.

Shopping is more enjoyable when you have a friend with you. Having one or more friends also gives you a sounding board for whether something really suits you. Friends can also be a wonderful way of encouraging you to try on something you have doubts about. Definitely ask someone whose style you admire to come with and you are bound to earn some brownie points.