Nada Manley - Fun with Fashion Over 40

Ageless Style Confidence

A Dress For Every Body Type Over 40 | Under $30

By: Nada Manley2 Comments

Dresses can be hard… I can’t be alone. It’s not just the petite hourglass ladies out there (like me) that have a problem finding flattering dresses, is it? There is just so much that can go wrong. It can be too long or too short or too full or too tight or too cupcake-y. I just made that last one up, because some of the dresses I have tried lately make me feel like a cupcake. Or a mushroom.

Not my goal when dress shopping, to be honest.

That’s why I think it’s so important to understand what works for your body type. I try everything, including the cupcake dresses, so you don’t have to. However, when you know what works, on your unique and beautiful body, you can skip the crazy stuff and go straight for the flattering frocks that will become your go-to’s.

Here, a quick breakdown of body types in the system I use, The Style Dial System, and how to pick a dress accordingly. (NOTE: These body types have nothing to do with SIZE and everything to do with proportion.)

I’m excited to be partnering with Hekkamall on this video. Hekkamall has a VAST selection of dresses at affordable prices, and in my experience, the quality for the price has been amazing! (All of these dresses are under $30).

You can find all of these styles and my other favorites right here in my catalog, or shop their best sellers here.

The Hourglass AKA Style Dial Red/Style Dial Purple

The only difference between these two types is that a Red has a more defined waist. Both of these body types feature shoulders and hips that are proportional to each other and a defined waistline.

A Style Dial Red/Purple has balanced shoulders to hips and a defined waistline.
Some of these details that flatter an hourlgass body type include a vertical neckline and belting at the natural waist.
I love this pretty lace embellished dress with a v-neckline. It’s very flattering to my Style Dial Red body type. You can find this dress here.
A wrap dress is a great choice
A simple sheath is a flattering option
A fit and flare style will be very flattering for this body type
Ab A-line dress is universally flattering

The Pear/Triangle (AKA Style Dial Orange & Green)

This body type features narrow shoulders, a defined waist (slightly less defined in a Green than an Orange), and more shape in the hips, bum, or thighs.

A Style Dial Orange/Green has narrow shoulders, a defined waist, and more shape in the lower half of the body.
This body type often has a high natural waist, so an empire style can work well. Keep the pattern at the top (or all over) and the bottom simple. An interesting neckline or a horizontal neckline can balance hips.
This eyelet dress has ruffles at the shoulders to visually broaden them, balancing the hips. The ruffle at the bottom should start well below the hips for flattery, or go for a simpler style if it’s too high.
An off the shoulder style can balance the hips
A simple sheath can be flattering but may need to be taken in at the top if it fits the hip area well
An empire style highlights the natural waist
An empire style with loose tiers like this can be very flattering
A fit and flare style is universally flattering and this one also broadens the shoulders to balance hips
A simple A-line style skims over the hips and is very flattering

Rectange/Inverted Triangle/Apple (AKA Style Dial Blue)

This body type can be straight, with proportional hips to shoulders and an undefined waist, or feature broader shoulders and narrower hips. Legs are often slim or muscular, and when you gain weight, you tend to gain in the waist or the tummy.

A straighter body type, often referred to as a Rectangle, has proportional shoulders to hips and little waist definition.

A dress with ruching, wrapping, or draping can add shape and disguise the tummy area.
The ruffles on this dress create the illusion of shape.
A wrap dress is a great choice
An empire style creates a waistline.
An empire style with ruffles can create shape.
A ruched dress can add curves to your straighter body type.
An A-line dress is universally flattering

Universally Flattering Dresses

I use the term universally flattering with major reservations. NOTHING is universally flattering. However, these styles tend to flatter more than one body type, and have features that make them a little easier to wear. I have mentioned than A-line and a fit-and-flare, and with some exceptions, the wrap, can call fall into this category, but here are a couple of Hekkamall dresses that have details that will flatter many shapes. Pics below are linked for easy shopping, but you can find the black dress here and the white one here.

This stretch lace dress is so pretty, and the maxi length and sleeves flatter many women.
This knit dress is comfortable and a flattering fit and flare shape.

Don’t forget! You can shop all of these dresses right here, and none of them are over $30!

What is your biggest challenge in finding a dress? And which of these styles is your favorite?

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Comments

  2. Lisa says

    Ordered first black dress described and then was so surprised to see the 10% discount offered in the video but not mentioned in the blog. Can you mention any discounts in blog also? Thanks!

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