Style Guide: 7 Types of Dresses for Every Women Should Own

Fashion is the ultimate form of self-expression. It’s all about feeling and looking your best in your favourite pieces of clothing. This just adds to the pleasure of putting together an aesthetically pleasing outfit as opposed to admiring a single detail. Unfortunate or not, fashion is ever-changing and fickle which makes it somewhat more difficult to keep up with the trends. But that’s just the beauty of the fashion world we know today.

Keeping that in mind, there are a few statement pieces that have managed to stand the test of time and are just as fashionable as they were on the day they first appeared. One such classic piece is, drum roll please, a dress in all shapes and sizes. This piece is more than just one of many must-have clothing item for middle-aged women, it’s a staple for anyone who wants to wear it.

What Are the Different Types of Women’s Dress Styles?

Since fashion in general is becoming more diverse and inclusive with each passing day, it’s not surprising that there’s more than one type of dress you can choose from. In fact, there are way too many to count. Here’s a short selection of memorable Australian dresses online shopping stores have to offer.

Off the Shoulder

This particular model encourages you to take the plunge and show off some skin in a subtle way. It keeps your shoulders exposed while maintaining some sort of sleeve or ruffle from the bicep down. This is the perfect middle ground for those that want to show off some serious shoulder without committing to a completely strapless look, which can certainly be a nuisance to wear for most people.

Sheath

Highly popularised by the late Princess Diana, this stunning ensemble features a form-fitting design that can make anyone feel like royalty. The top part features a straight cut which is nipped at the waistline, with no obvious seams. It ends just above the knee which makes it the perfect dress to wear on a night out. Generally speaking, it’s quite flattering for those with an hourglass figure because it highlights all of the best features.

A-Line

This one features a fitted design around the chest and torso which gradually expands from the waist down, producing a much wider skirt, hence the name. This stylish silhouette looks stunning on all body types, regardless of your size. It’s the ideal choice to wear on everyday casual events, especially when paired with leather boots or pumps.

Corset

Corset dresses offer another form-hugging emphasis on hourglass figures, much like sheath dresses do. The only difference is that corsets normally have very thin straps at the top or no straps at all. Plus, corsets usually have adjustable straps along the waist that let you determine how tight you want your dress to be. No worries though, corsets have come a long way since their extra tight days in the 17th century to some of the most modern designs of Australian dresses today.

Empire

Having a similar design to A-line dresses, the so-called empire models tuck in just above your waistline. This specific feature makes them quite suitable for those with oval or rectangular body types since all the attention is directed towards the upper part of your body with the slim fit, all while falling loosely around your waist.

Peplum

The playful style of peplum dresses is what makes them so appealing in today’s world, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for you from the various options of Australian dresses online shopping stores have. The snug fit at the top is closely complemented by a ruffled or frilled waistline which can greatly highlight curvy figures. It can look both sexy and sophisticated at the same time, striking an admirable balance between the two which can be really hard to achieve in the fashion world.

Straight

For a more minimalistic look, you can never go wrong with a straight dress. It simply falls from your shoulders down, creating a very flowy bottom half. This means that it’s perfect for bodies of all shapes and sizes.

How Do You Choose a Suitable Dress Style?

If you’re shopping in-store, you can easily try out a few different models. But if you’re browsing through Australian dresses online, it can be difficult to tell which ones are suitable for you. Luckily, there are a few handy factors that will guide you towards the right decision.

Length

There’s no right or wrong answer here, it all depends on how much leg you want to show off. If you want your legs to be on full display, then the mini dress is the right fit for you. But if you’re not too comfortable with showing so much skin, try wearing midi or even full-length dresses and see how that goes.

Fabric

Regardless of where you intend to wear it, your dress should feel comfortable and breathable enough to get you through the day. With that said, cotton and linen are both incredibly lightweight and airy and should do just the trick. Make sure you avoid synthetic materials since they tend to trap moisture because they don’t let the air flow freely.

Dress Code

This depends entirely on the occasion. Think about it this way, if you’re going to a formal gathering, wearing a mini dress or a plunging neckline might not be the best choice. In other words, match the style of your dress according to the specified dress code so that you don’t look out of place.