A White Dress for Everyone!

Jul 10, 2024

3 min read

While thinking about writing this blog piece, I noticed that this year is packed with dresses in diverse silhouettes, colours, patterns, textures, and fabrics. However, there was a particular type of dress, or more specifically, a particular colour, that caught my eye: the white dress. The white dress is featured in almost every runway and high-street shop during summer 2024. Although the white dress is a must in every spring/summer season, it is evident that this year there are more white dresses on the runway than last summer (14% more, according to Tagwalk).

In this post, I will discuss how you can adapt a white dress to your body shape. There are plenty of white dress shapes available at the moment to cater to everyone—from full-skirt dresses to short dresses, to poplin shirt dresses. I'm sure that no matter your body shape, you will find one that looks stunning on you and will get lots of wear!

There are different methods for body analysis and a variety of names for all body types, but I will simplify it by naming the ones I think are most relevant: apple, pear, hourglass, slim athletic, and petite.

Apple Shape

If you have an apple shape, I recommend sticking with Empire line dresses. As an apple body shape, you are naturally blessed with killer legs, so I suggest investing in an Empire line short dress. However, a midi-length dress will look beautiful on you too! The Empire style dress will create a waist, balancing your figure and disguising areas you want to hide. Generally, the rule for an apple shape is to avoid light colours as they tend to emphasise areas you want to hide, such as your mid-section. You might wonder why you should get a white dress then. Well, if you choose the right fabric (like matte or basic fabrics such as cotton or linen). the right shade of white, (depending on your skin color) and if you wear the right underwear, I'm sure you will find your perfect white dress!

Ruched Midi Waist Dress from M&S Collection, €60

Pear Shape

If you have a pear shape (slim torso, bust, and waist but large hips, thighs, and bottom), your aim is to correct balance, draw the eye up, and elongate the leg. You probably have naturally toned arms, so I suggest getting a strapless white dress to show them off! If the dress is also A-line with a defined waist, you will be ticking all the boxes for your body shape, as this style of dress will help to broaden your shoulders, and the flared skirt will skim over your saddlebags.

Topshop shirring bandeau midi dress in ivory from Asos, €53

Hourglass Shape

If you have an hourglass shape (wider bust and thighs with a thin waist), you might want to show off your best assets while creating balance. If you want to invest in a white dress that suits you beautifully, I recommend looking for wrap-around dresses with small draped sleeves. These kinds of dresses will emphasise your tiny waist while adding a bit of coverage to your slightly heavier bicep.

South Beach White Sequin Wrap Midi Dress from New Look, €57

Slim Athletic Shape

If you are lucky enough to have a slim athletic shape, you can wear almost any shape and length of white dress! Your body type is straight up and down, and usually, your shoulders are the same width as your hips, with a slight waist. For you, it might be ideal to find the perfect white dress that will create some curves. Try searching for dresses with a pleated skirt in a silk fabric, maybe with some beading or some kind of detail on the top part. All these details will naturally create curves.

Soft Tailored Crepe Tab Detail Pleated Midi Dress from Karen Millen, €238.40

Petite Shape

If you are petite, your main goal is to create length. A petite body can also have other body shape tendencies (e.g., petite with an apple shape or pear shape). If that's your case, try to apply the previous rules depending on your body shape but always with the length factor in mind. Your perfect white dress should ideally be short, but if you prefer a long dress, look for one with a dynamic front slit, as that will draw the eye up, giving your legs a little length.