The Best Party Dress for a Pear Shape

Actress Shvona Lavette rocks an A-line party dress with upper-body embellishments at a 2014 event in Pasadena.
... Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Party dress shopping is a quintessential girl activity. Dolling up in a frilly frock, killer shoes and glam hair and makeup can be tons of fun -- especially when you land on the perfect dress to flatter your pear-shaped figure. Defined by a narrow waist and shoulders with a wider lower body, pear-shaped women can use a party dress to achieve a balanced, proportional appearance.

1 Dress Cut

Style experts generally agree that an A-line dress best suits a pear shape. Look for a party dress silhouette with a fitted bodice that flares out gradually over your hips. V-neck tops are particularly flattering and elongating and show off a pear-shaped woman’s slender upper body.

2 Extra Details

Direct attention to your svelte waist and shoulders by adding neckline embellishments to draw the eye upward. Two-tone looks are also effective -- opt for a dress with a bright, shimmery or sparkly fitted top with a simple, dark bottom. Rock a frock with a sequined gold bodice and a black flared bottom in a simple silk fabric. Such combinations subtly enhance the upper body while downplaying the lower half.

Stacey Kole holds a Master's Degree in Education and has written for a variety of education publications. She also was managing editor of the International fashion and beauty publication Savvy, penning cover stories on such celebrities as Vanessa Hudgens and Julianne Hough.

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