How to Choose the Perfect Evening Dress?

You've been invited to an event, a party, or a cocktail gathering, and you're wondering what evening dress to wear? Would you like to know which style will enhance your figure? What colour should you choose to highlight your best features?

I'm here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I know how important an evening dress is to your gala look. To make a lasting impression in an evening gown, it's essential to choose it wisely.

To assist you in this task, which can be quite complex, I present to you this comprehensive guide, which offers simple and detailed tips to find the dress of your dreams.

There are several factors to consider when selecting your evening dress, such as the dress style, colour, silhouette, and fabric. Take your time to choose an evening dress that highlights your best features, and if you're unsure, go for a knee-length A-line dress with a V-neck, which flatters most body shapes. To complete your look, don't forget to choose a nice pair of heels (either flats or stilettos, depending on your preference), along with a clutch that matches your dress and simple, elegant jewellery.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• What dress to wear for a very formal, semi-formal, or casual event,
• How to enhance your body shape with an evening dress,
• What colour dress to choose to complement your skin tone, eyes, and hair,
• How to accessorise and select the right shoes,
• And loads of dressing examples for all women, regardless of their body shape!

Depending on the type of event you will be attending

No matter the occasion for which you want to wear an evening dress, the first tip I can give you is to try to choose a dress that fits the event you’re attending. This way, you’ll feel completely comfortable, without the worry of being overdressed or, conversely, underdressed.

There are some nuances for specific occasions, but to keep it simple, we can differentiate between these three types of occasions:

• Very chic and dressed up: events dedicated to the fashion world, prestigious weddings, luxury-related cocktails, film events…
• Formal: classic or civil weddings, christenings, professional cocktails,
• Casual: birthday parties, gatherings with friends.

👉 Don’t forget to check if there’s a potential theme for the wedding or event, which could involve a suitable dress code. For instance, for a rustic bohemian wedding with an outdoor civil ceremony, a relaxed and light dress would fit the occasion better than a formal suit.

For a stylish and formal event

In this case, go for an outfit that’s thoughtfully selected to showcase your elegance. A solid long dress is typically the way to go, or perhaps a designer suit. Don’t forget to team your dress with stylish high heels and trendy accessories for a final look that’s just right for the occasion!

For a Formal Event

Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a women's tailored trouser suit, a long or mid-length dress, or even a flowy jumpsuit. It's best to go for simple patterns, or even something solid in pastel shades or a neutral colour, to achieve a chic and polished look.

👉 If it’s a wedding, steer clear of shades of white, cream, and ivory to avoid overshadowing the bride, as well as the colours of the bridesmaids’ dresses. However, if your outfit has a little detail in white, it’s not a big deal and should not offend anyone. 😉

For a simple and casual event

For this type of event, you are free to wear an outfit that suits you: you can opt for a lovely pattern, a short dress, or even a flowing jumpsuit. If the atmosphere is relaxed, you might want to steer clear of the long cocktail dresses mentioned in the section about very formal occasions, as they may make you look a bit too dressed up for the event.

Determining Your Body Shape to Choose a Dress That Flatters You

Some evening dresses can look stunning in a shop window, but not quite as flattering when you try them on. To avoid this kind of disappointment, it’s essential to know your body shape and use that knowledge to find a dress that truly highlights your best features.

👉 If you're unsure about your body shape, you can always opt for a simple knee-length flared dress with a V-neckline. This style is timeless and flatters most silhouettes.

For an A-shaped figure with curvy thighs, hips, and a generous backside

If the widest part of your body is towards the lower half, the best party dress for you is definitely an A-line dress, which flares out from the waist. Opt for soft, flowing fabrics to avoid a tutu effect that might highlight your curves rather than subtly enhance them.

Evening dresses that fall just above the knee will particularly flatter your figure. You can also have fun with colours by choosing a dress with a light-coloured top half and a darker bottom half, drawing attention to your décolletage.

For an O-shaped body type, with some curves around the tummy

This body type typically corresponds to a rather wide waist, so it's a good idea to opt for an evening dress that visually elongates your torso without highlighting your curves too much. To achieve this, consider choosing an empire waist dress, which is fitted just below the bust.

Highlight your strengths, specifically your shoulders and neckline: to do this, don't hesitate to choose party dresses with a stylish neckline, lace details on the shoulders, or even wear a jacket with shoulder pads over your dress.

👉 Whenever possible, steer clear of bold prints, ruffles, and form-fitting dresses, as they may not be the best choice for flattering your lovely curves.

For an 8 or hourglass figure, showcasing a very feminine silhouette

With this body shape, you can wear just about anything! Consider accentuating your slim waist with a fitted evening dress at this point: it can be either form-fitting or looser, depending on your preferences.

👉 To maintain a stylish look, you can choose to showcase either your cleavage or your legs, avoiding the combination of a plunging neckline and a short party dress. 😉

For an H-shaped figure, with a slim waist and a tall, slender silhouette

Add layers and volume (with drapes, ruffles...) is a great option for women with a slim and elongated figure. This will highlight your body's curves and give you a very feminine look. If you’re tall, your legs are a real asset: show them off with a short evening dress!

👉 Avoid straight and long dresses that cling tightly to the body, as they may not necessarily flatter your shape.

For those with a smaller bust

If you have a smaller bust, I recommend avoiding V-neck or sweetheart necklines, as well as evening gowns designed for larger busts. Instead, opt for a strapless or round neckline with short sleeves. Enhance the look with details that add volume, such as sequins or a multi-strand necklace...

👉 With a smaller bust, you can wear a evening dress with sheer details much more easily. Enjoy it!

Choosing the Colour That Will Enhance Your Eyes, Hair, and Skin Tone

Once you’ve decided on the shape and style of your evening dress, the next question is about its colour. By choosing a party dress that complements certain aspects of your physique, you can genuinely enhance your natural complexion and look radiant!

Depending on Your Skin Tone

There are two main skin undertones: cool undertones and warm undertones. If you fall into the first category, you tend to flush rather than tan, your veins appear more purple or blue, and silver jewellery suits you best. On the other hand, if your skin has a warm undertone, it takes on a lovely golden hue in the sun, your veins are more greenish, and gold jewellery enhances your look more than silver does.

Here’s how to match the colour of your evening dress to your skin undertone, to brighten your face and enhance your physique:

• Cool undertones: pastel shades that are elegant, soft, and romantic will suit you best. Opt for pale pink, pale blue, lilac, cream beige...
• Warm undertones: bright, vibrant, even pop colours are the ones to prioritise. Go for orange, bright red, petrol blue, and even yellow or apple green!

Based on the colour of your eyes

If you often receive compliments about your eyes and they have a striking colour, take advantage of it: you can choose a party dress that matches for a unique and coordinated look. In this case, be sure to select your make-up carefully to highlight your eyes, along with your hairstyle to keep them well showcased.

Based on Your Hair Colour

Just like the colour of your eyes, the colour of your hair can also help you decide on the colour of your evening gown, especially if your hair is long or medium-length. Here are some tips based on different hair shades:

• Blondes: A green, pale pink, brown, black, or sky blue evening dress will look fantastic.
• Brunettes: Coral, cobalt blue, red, or mustard dresses will really enhance their look.
• Redheads: Bright blue, navy, and black are good choices, but the ideal option is a green dress, as it is the complementary colour for red hair. Don’t be afraid to go for deep green or khaki, which will particularly enhance your features!
• Whites: For those with white or salt-and-pepper hair, opt for pale pink, black, or blue.

How to accessorise your party dress?

While your dress is the main element of your evening outfit, I recommend paying particular attention to the choice of shoes and accessories you’ll wear with it, as they will complete your look. If the overall ensemble is harmonious and tasteful, the result will be perfect!

Choose Stylish Matching Shoes

When it comes to evening dresses, chic shoes are a must: I can only recommend stiletto heels or strappy high-heeled sandals. If you're not too comfortable in stilettos, you might consider opting for some sleek, low heels, which will also suit this type of outfit.

For the colour of your shoes, I recommend choosing:

• either in a tone-on-tone style, matching the colour of your dress, to create a striking total look,
• or in a shade that complements your handbag or clutch, to contrast with the hue of your dress and balance your silhouette.

What type of bag goes with an evening gown?

To highlight your dress, I recommend a simple, discreet, and elegant clutch. If you don’t want to hold your clutch all day, there are options available with a detachable thin strap, which will be quite handy when you need to have your hands free.

👉 Does your clutch have metallic details? Wear jewellery in the same shade for a classy look!

I hope this guide has helped you in your choice of evening dress, tailored to your body shape, the type of event you're attending, and your personal preferences! Also, be sure to pay attention to your makeup and hairstyle for a flawless look! 😉

If you're still on the hunt for that perfect piece, don't hesitate to check out our online store: we carefully selectoriginal and trendy dresses for every occasion! With affordable prices and free delivery, they're bound to make you the belle of the ball!

Bohemian Long Dress