Tips in Choosing the Right Special Occasion Dresses

Whether you’re getting ready for your best friend’s wedding, an important work function, or a lavish birthday party, it’s important to find the right dress to make you feel stunning and self-assured. Doing this is easier said than done, though, as any woman can tell you after hours of soul-crushing dress hunting. The next time you’re searching for the perfect frock, these five helpful tips will help you find what you need to rock your event and feel like a bombshell!

1. The Right Fit

A tight-fitting dress can have all eyes on you, but not in a good way if you’re continually pulling and tugging the material all night. Make sure you get a dress that fits you properly, and not in a “this would fit me if I don’t eat the day of the event” kind of way. There’s nothing sexier than a woman wearing her outfit with confidence, so eliminate the insecurity with a gown that fits like a glove. Put the bored sales associate to work and ask her to measure you to help you figure out what size you should be wearing, and don’t be afraid to try on as many dresses as you need to get the perfect fit. You won’t regret it when you’re turning heads the night of the event!

2. Dress for the Event

Picking out the right dress is all about where you’re going to wear it; a dress for a wedding is not the same dress you’d wear to a work function. For a cocktail party, you want to keep it simple but chic—a sweetheart neckline with an A-line skirt is flirty, but not over the top. For weddings, the sky is your limit! Feel free to go over the top with a full-length, shimmering gown in anything other than white—so the bride doesn’t chase you down.

3. The Right Colour

Picking a dress that compliments your skin tone can be tough, especially if you’re not sure what shade you should be wearing. You can never go wrong with black (thank the heavens for little black dresses!), but sometimes you feel like shaking things up a bit. For lighter skin tones, winter hues like navy blue, turquoise, and forest green will enhance your delicate tones without overwhelming. Colours that are too neutral, like beige or white, can often wash you out and make you look too pale. On the flip side, lighter shades look dynamite on darker skin tones—just watch out for the red wine. Eye-catching colours like red, pale blue, and coral will also look striking and help you stand out in a crowd.

4. The Right Shape

Showcase your assets by picking out a dress that’s perfectly suited to your signature curves. If you have a tall, thin body (lucky you!), then opt for a tight-fitting gown that will show off your slim hips and legs. Those with hourglass shapes will feel sexiest in a low-cut dress that nips in at the waist. Those with some junk in the trunk, or a pear shape, will appreciate a slimming black gown that draws attention upwards with a sheer, lacy top.

5. Second Opinion

We’ve all stood anxiously in front of a dressing room mirror, twisting and craning our heads behind us to get a better view and wondering if we’ll regret the purchase as soon as we get home. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion before you make such a big purchase: ask the sales associate, ask your mum (be ready for an honest answer), heck—ask the lady in the next change room! Try on a dress and take a picture of your reflection to see yourself at a different angle, or make the most of the sweet exchange policies to see what the dress looks like when you’re in the comfort of your own bedroom. Make sure you’re completely happy with your purchase so that nothing can distract you on your special occasion!