How to Choose Your Evening Dress?

Have you been invited to an event, a party, or a cocktail gathering and are 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 understand how the evening gown is the focal point of your gala look. To make a statement in an evening gown, it’s important to choose it thoughtfully.

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

There are several factors to consider when choosing your evening dress, such as the style of the dress, the colour, the silhouette, and the fabric. Take your time to select an evening dress that enhances your figure, and if you’re unsure, go for a mid-length flared dress with a V-neck, which flatters most body shapes. To complete your look, don't forget to carefully choose a nice pair of heels (flats or stilettos, depending on your preference), along with a clutch that matches your dress and simple yet elegant jewellery.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• Which 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 choose shoes to go with it,
• And a bunch of dress examples for all women, regardless of their body type!

Depending on the type of event you will attend

No matter what occasion you’re dressing for, the first piece of advice I can give you is to try to choose a dress that suits the event you’re attending. This way, you’ll feel completely comfortable there, without worrying that you’ve either overdone it or, on the other hand, not done enough.

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

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

👉 Don't forget to check if there’s a specific theme for a wedding or party that would require a suitable dress code. For instance, for a rustic bohemian wedding with an outdoor civil ceremony, a relaxed and light dress would be more in line with the vibe of the event than a formal suit.

For a Stylish and Formal Event

In this case, go for an outfit that's been carefully chosen to enhance your appearance elegantly. A long, solid-colour dress is usually the way to go, or perhaps a designer suit. Consider pairing your dress with some stylish high heels and trendy accessories for a final look that's perfectly suited to the occasion!

For a Formal Event

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

👉 If it's a wedding, steer clear of shades of white, cream, and ivory to avoid upstaging the bride, as well as the colours of the bridesmaids' dresses. However, if your outfit has a small detail in white, it’s not a big deal and shouldn’t upset anyone. 😉

For a casual and easygoing event

For this type of event, you are free to wear an outfit that suits you: you can opt for a lovely print, a short dress, or even a flowing jumpsuit. If the atmosphere is casual, it might be best to steer clear of long cocktail dresses mentioned in the section for very formal occasions, as that could make you appear a bit too dressy for the event.

Identifying Your Body Shape to Choose a Dress That Flatters You

Some evening dresses can look stunning in a shop window, but may not fit as well when you try them on. To avoid this kind of disappointment, it’s important 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 mid-length flared dress with a V-neckline. This classic style flatters most body types and never goes out of fashion.

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

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 just above the waist. Opt for soft and flowing fabrics to avoid a tutu effect that might emphasise your curves rather than suggest them.

Evening dresses that fall just above the knee will really flatter your figure. You can also experiment with colours by choosing a dress with a light-coloured top and a darker bottom, which will draw attention to your décolletage.

For an O-shaped body with a few curves around the belly

This type of silhouette typically has a fairly broad waist, so it's wise to select an evening dress that visually elongates your bust without emphasising your curves too much. To achieve this, opt for an empire waist dress, which is fitted just below the bust.

Highlight your best features, 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 pair your dress with a jacket that has shoulder pads.

👉 As much as possible, avoid wide prints, frills, and tight-fitting dresses, as they aren't ideal for showcasing your lovely curves.

For an hourglass or figure-eight shape, with a very feminine silhouette

With this body shape, you can wear just about anything! Consider highlighting your slim waist with a fitted evening dress at this part: it can be body-hugging or more relaxed, depending on your preferences.

👉 To maintain a classy look, you can choose to show off either your cleavage or your legs, but it's best to avoid pairing a plunging neckline with a short party dress. 😉

For an H-shaped body, with a slim waist and a long, lean silhouette

Add thickness and volume (with draping, frills...) is a great option for women with a slim and elongated silhouette. This will enhance the curves of your body 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 long, straight dresses that cling tightly to your body, as they may not be the most flattering choice for your shape.

For Those with a Smaller Bust

If you have a smaller bust, I recommend steering clear of V or sweetheart necklines, as well as evening dresses designed for larger chests. Instead, you can opt for a strapless or round neckline, styled with short sleeves. Dress it up with details that add volume, such as sequins or a layered necklace...

👉 If you have a smaller bust, you can wear a evening dress with sheer detailing much more easily. Make the most of it!

Choosing the colour that enhances your eyes, hair, and skin tone

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

According to Your Skin Tone

There are two main skin undertones: cool undertones and warm undertones. If you fall into the first category, you’re likely to blush rather than tan, your veins might appear more purplish or blue, and silver jewellery tends to suit you best. On the other hand, if your skin has a warm undertone, it will take on a lovely golden hue in the sun, your veins are more greenish, and gold jewellery enhances your look better than silver.

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

• Cool undertones: pastel shades that are elegant, soft, and romantic will suit you best. Opt for pale pink, light blue, lilac, cream beige…
• Warm undertones: vibrant, colourful, even bold shades are what you should prioritise. Go for orange, bright red, petrol blue, or even yellow or apple green!

According to Your Eye Colour

If you often receive compliments about your eyes and they have a striking colour, make the most of it: you can choose a party dress that matches them for a unique, coordinated look. In this case, be sure to select your makeup carefully to highlight your eyes, as well as your hairstyle to keep them prominently displayed.

According to Your Hair Colour

Just like the colour of your eyes, the colour of your hair can also help you choose the right colour for 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 really stand out.
• Brunettes: they will shine in a coral, cobalt blue, red, or mustard dress.
• Redheads: bright blue, navy blue, and black are great options, but the ideal choice is a green dress, as it is the complementary colour for red hair. Go for evergreen or khaki green, which will particularly enhance your look!
• Grey-haired: for those with grey 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 giving special attention to the choice of shoes and accessories you pair it with, as they will complete your look. If the overall ensemble is cohesive and stylish, the result will be outstanding!

Choose Stylish and Coordinated Footwear

When wearing an evening dress, chic shoes are essential: I can only recommend stilettos or strappy heeled sandals. If you're not comfortable with high heels, you might choose some flatter heels that are still quite slim, 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 for a super trendy total look,
• or in a colour that complements your handbag or clutch, to provide contrast with your dress and balance your silhouette.

What type of bag goes with an evening dress?

To showcase your dress, I recommend a simple, discreet, and elegant clutch. If you don't fancy holding your clutch in your hands all day, you'll be pleased to know there are options with a removable fine strap, which can be very handy when you need your hands free.

👉 Does your bag have metallic details? Wear jewellery in a matching tone for a stylish look!

I hope this guide has helped you with your choice of evening dress, taking into account your body shape, the type of event you're attending, and your personal preferences! Also, make sure to perfect your makeup and hairstyle for a flawless look! 😉

If you're still on the hunt for that special find, 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 sure to make you the belle of the ball!

Bohemian Long Dress