It is lunch. A group of juniors sit together. One person mentions the word ‘prom’, and then they’re off, like mad dogs. Everyone talks at once, excitement in their faces. Girls whip out their phones beneath the tables, proclaiming over the various dresses they have tried one. Boys just roll their eyes.

    As the fateful day rolls near, scenes like these play out everywhere. Girls agonize over the perfect dress for them. “I can’t find any that are right for me!” they say.

    Well, it’s not as simple as trying on any glittery dress that meets your eye. Everyone has a body type and it is important to take that into consideration. If a girl does not want to spend the week before prom freaking out that they haven’t found the “one” dress, remember these general rules to dress for your body.

Really curvy girls: You’ve got a surplus of goods. You want to make them look good on this special day. Dresses can be difficult to find f, but there is no need to get intimidated. Plenty of dresses are made for your figure.

The good:

    Ribbed corsets: Long sleek dresses with ribbed corsets are the best match for this body type. A harder material for the midsection is desired. These dresses float over ones flaws and draw you in at the center. Look for strapless to accentuate your higher assets.

The bad:

     Open backed dresses, Skin tight, Baby doll: these dresses are to be avoided. Open backed dresses can be used if you have a nice back, but otherwise the fabric tends to be to soft. It falls in all the wrong places. This is the same with skin tight dresses. Baby doll dresses are sometimes the preferred type for larger woman due to their skimming qualities. However, they tend to make the body to look bigger than it is, exactly what you don’t want.

Curvy girls (hourglass): So you’ve got a figure. You want to flaunt this in a classy way. Dresses can too soon become about flaunting your cleavage. Everyone knows what you have, so avoid this. You want a dress which helps the bust and the hips.

The good:

    Mermaid Dress: This dress accents your bust respectfully, draws in your waist, and flaunts your wider hips. Tight until mid-thigh, these dresses then branch out. You get the fun of a flowy dress while retaining the elegance of a tighter fitting garment.

     Flaw: Any type of muffin top will most likely show in these dresses. If this is your problem, look for a thicker fabric, or a simpler cut dress. There may even be some ribbed or rouched fabric that will hide this issue.

    Open backed: Show off your back in this garment. Ending right above your hips accentuates the curve of your back and makes you look thinner, while adding attention to your full hips.

The bad: wide dresses, excessive ruffles, open-sided dress, short dresses

Short girls: Long dresses can accentuate your slight stature, look for medium dresses which fall before your ankles and show off your high heels.

The good:      

     High banded: Cinching in underneath the bust draws the eye upwards and makes you appear taller.

    High low dress: Short in the front long in the back, sort of like a trail. Shows off legs without making the wearer look short and stocky, which can happen when a shorter girl wears a longer dress.

The bad: Avoid dresses which will need to be tailored, if it doesn’t look right, the cut isn’t for you. Low backed dresses can appear strange on shorter torsos as well.

Tall: Dresses that show off your long legs are best. Make sure the dress keeps highlighted areas at the fortfront while keeping lines straight and angular. The straighter the lines created by the dress, the more you taller stature can be shown off.

Slit leg:Slit leg will show off your height, and mile long legs.

Backless Dress: Shows off your longer torso in a classic way.

Low banded dresses: The dress must cinch in at a lower level, dresses that cinch in under the bust will make a taller person look un-proportioned.

The bad: Avoid short dresses, and high banded waists which make you look too tall, like a tower.

Wide shouldered, thin:  You have clearly defined shoulders, and long arms. Dresses which curve around the neck look best and help draw a line between your collarbones. Tight around the bust, with long  flowing baby doll material draws the eye upward. Jewels and adornment around the neck add definition.

Small hipped, thin: Thin at top, ruffled at hips. Layered material adds depth to this otherwise unremarkable area.

Rouched dress: The gathering of fabric creates the appearance of a full form while retaining the your best asset, your thin waist.

Dresses that look good on nearly anyone:

Monroe dress: This dress speaks for itself. Avoid the color white however, if you are getting a spray tan.

Halter Dress: The angles formed by the halter are great for any body type

Strapless Evening Gowns: Heart shaped at the top, long sleek, with gathered material, these dresses are

Ball Gowns: A general term for larger more intricate dress. The use of material is liberal in these dresses, however, and one may find themself struggling just to remain standing in these dresses. Remember, You’re going to dance at your Prom. Heavy layered dresses are pretty, but often difficult to maneuver in.

Grecian Dresses: Nice and full garments that are classic. It would appear that this is a dress style very popular this year, and can be found with old and new designs in Macy’s and Lord and Taylors.