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Spring Dresses and Trends for Your Body Type

March 9, 2016 By: Nada Manley2 Comments

I am not the kind of fashion friend who will tell you exactly which spring dresses and trends to buy and how to wear them.

Ha. Who am I kidding? That’s exactly the kind of friend I am, but it’s for a good cause. I promise. If I didn’t tell you about the lovely citrus hues and lightweight denim, the stripes and the suede, the off-the-shoulder everything, then you might sleep, fashion-wise, through all of spring and never know what you were missing.

And that would be such a shame, because there is so much happy and pretty spring deliciousness out there, and let’s face it, who doesn’t need more pretty and happy in their lives? Exactly. So here are my picks for the 5 most wonderful, wearable trends of the season, including sunny, pretty yellow spring dresses, with picks for each body type.

Yellow Fever – Spring Dresses & Trends

There’s no better way to wear this season’s prettiest hue than in the perfect spring dress – the sunshiney hue is an instant mood lifter. Here, my favorites of the season.  If you haven’t gotten a free Style Dial© BodyType Analysis done yet, CLICK HERE.

Style Dial 1 and 1 (3)

Style Dial 1 is a proportional body type, with hips and shoulders that are equal and a defined waist. Style Dial 1 (3) is the same, but with a little less waist definition. Read this body type post for more details.

Calvin Klein Sideburst scuba dress, $89, Dillard's

Add a long necklace to this Calvin Klein Sideburst scuba dress, $89.99, Dillard’s, for maximum Style Dial 1 flattery.

Style Dial 2 and 2 (3)

A Style Dial 2 is a body type that carries most of the shape in the hips, bum and thighs, and generally has pretty narrow shoulders and a defined waist. A Style Dial 2 (3) is the same but with a less defined waist.

Donna Ricco lace fit and flare spring dressese, $118, Nordstrom

Donna Ricco lace fit and flare dress, $118, Nordstrom features a higher neckline and a slightly higher waist to flatter a Style Dial 2.

Style Dial 3

A Style Dial 3 is a straight body type, with hips and shoulders about the same width and a straight, undefined waist. Read this post for more details on dressing your Style Dial 3 body type.

Jessica Simpson bungee necklace spring dresses, $82.99, 6pm.com

Jessica Simpson bungee necklace dress, $82.99, 6pm.com has a gathered, drop waist to flatter a Style Dial 3.

Lightweight Denim – Spring Dresses & Trends

Our favorite fabric lightens up for spring with softer, lighter weaves and fresh shapes – making it even more essential than ever.

Style Dial 1 and 1 (3)

Denim v-neck spring dress with raw edges offers a slightly funkier look for a Style Dial 1.

Denim v-neck dress with raw edges offers a slightly funkier look for a Style Dial 1.

Style Dial 2 and 2 (3)

Mossimo denim shirtdress, $27.99, Target, has lacing details that draw the eye upwards and a flattering waistline, plus it comes in plus sizes.

Mossimo denim shirtdress, $27.99, Target, has lacing details that draw the eye upwards and a flattering waistline, plus it comes in plus sizes.

Style Dial 3

Denim trench spring dresses, $19.99, Forever21.com

Denim trench, $19.99, Forever21.com

Off the Shoulder – Spring Dresses & Trends

Romantic ruffled off-the-shoulder tops immediately spring to mind when you think of this trend, but there are other variations on it, from sleek modern styles to dramatically low sleeves that create the season’s key X silhouette. The strong horizontal line makes it ideally suited for a Style Dial 2 or a Style Dial 3 with shoulders that are narrower than her hips.

Style Dial 1

Free People Show Me Some Shoulder blouse, $78, Shopbop.com

Free People Show Me Some Shoulder blouse, $78, Shopbop.com, would work well for a Style Dial 1 when paired with a long necklace.

Style Dial 2

Wayfn off the shoulder dress, combines the pretty vintage floral trend with the off-the-shoulder trends, and it's so pretty for a Style Dial 2.

Wayfn off the shoulder dress, combines the pretty vintage floral trend with the off-the-shoulder trends, and it’s so pretty for a Style Dial 2.

Style Dial 3

Do & Be ff the shoulder dress, $39.99, Shoptiques.com

Do & Be ff the shoulder dress, $39.99, Shoptiques.com combines extra ruching and gathering, making it perfect for a Style Dial 3.

Summer Suede – Spring Dresses & Trends

Very “Love Story”, many of these pieces have a soft, bohemian, 70s vibe, and come in cuts and weights that are suitable for spring.

Style Dial 1

ASOS suede pencil skirt with OBI self belt, $4, ASOS.com

ASOS suede pencil skirt with OBI self belt, $4, ASOS.com features waist defining details and a flattering wrap front for a Style Dial 1.

Style Dial 2

Olivaceous faux suede button front skirt, $43.36, Bloomingdale's

Olivaceous faux suede button front skirt, $43.36, Bloomingdale’s is a hip-flattering A-line shape.

Eloqui Studio Faux Suede Skirt, $36.99, Eloqui.com

Eloqui Studio Faux Suede Skirt, $36.99, Eloqui.com, is a plus sized option for Style Dial 2, in a longer length.

Style Dial 3

Karen Kane faux suede fringe skirt, $59.25, Bloomingdale's

Karen Kane faux suede fringe skirt, $59.25, Bloomingdale’s is a hip flattering

Stripes – Spring Dresses & Trends

Horizontal stripes have earned an unfair reputation as being unflattering, when the truth is that many factors influence flattery, including the cut and the fit of the outfit. A striped top that is too snug over the tummy, for example, will look “wavy” and accentuate any tummy bulge, but the same stripe in a boxier cut can be gorgeous. When in doubt, pick a skinny stripe with a higher percentage of the dark color for maximum flattery.

Style Dial 1

Striped pencil midi skirt, $23, Revolve.com

Striped pencil midi skirt, $23, Revolve.com features a flattering cut and sleek skinny stripes

Style Dial 2

Sunny Stripe Tee, $39.50, Club Monaco

Sunny Stripe Tee, $39.50, Club Monaco features white at the shoulders to draw the eye up.

Style Dial 3

Striped ruched dress, $39.97, Nordstrom Rack, features figure defining ruching. This style will downplay a little tummy bulge, but can highlight bigger tummies.

Striped ruched dress, $39.97, Nordstrom Rack, features figure defining ruching. This style will downplay a little tummy bulge, but can highlight bigger tummies.

So those are my picks for the best spring dresses (in yellow, of course) and other top trends for the season, in styles that will flatter your shape. Yellow, stripes, suede, off the shoulder and lightweight denim are easy, affordable ways to update your wardrobe this season. Happy shopping!  If you haven’t gotten a free Style Dial© BodyType Analysis done yet, CLICK HERE.

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Comments

  1. Nada Manley says

    October 22, 2018 at 9:44 pm

    Sheryl, I loved your comment. Thank you! So witty and elegant. I am so glad that you picked a purple shade over black. I am sure you absolutely glowed! Please send me a pic if you have one!

  2. Sheryl England says

    July 8, 2018 at 10:30 pm

    Let me begin by stating “I AM IN THE “WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO ME” STAGE OF LIFE”.. I”M 71. An age I never gave a thought to until lately when I began looking for a dress for a wedding. I should have gotten a message of the problems I’d have when I became the brides grandmothers Plus ONE. Never having an issue with what to wear, where to wear it much less how to wear it, brought a shock to the old broad. All of a sudden I had to THINK as well as Work at looking my best. I began looking for” Something besides BLACK”. Don’t get me wrong, I Love black but this is not a black occasion. I’d rather err on the young side thank you. I decided on sapphire blue or a purple. Next was a silhouette. That’s when the “what the hell” came out. I’ve always had a fairly ok body but knew how to dress it to it’s advantage. Other than a tent complete with ropes and tie downs; nothing is going to cover this mess. Right now I have opted for a soft muted though vibrant purple. The silhouette is moderate square neckline with soft drape. Short shear sleeves, an undefined skim of the body fit and the fun sheer flip hem from just above the knee to just above mid calf hem. A pair of silver 1920’s ear rings and bracelet and I’m ready for the next dance. I THINK?????
    .

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