Dress for Your Shape

Dress your shape for a sizzling summer of pageant fun!

With the summer months fast approaching, and the pageant season in full swing, UK Beauties has compiled some top tips for you, to ensure you look and feel fabulous in the summer sunshine and look amazing on stage, whatever your body shape..

How confident a woman feels, very often relies on her own oppinion of herself. No matter how many times her friends say she looksfabulous, if she doesn't feel it inside, then the old 'Yeah thanks but i still feel fat' phrase may start slipping off the tongue without a second thought. If you are stuck in a body rut, take a moment to browse through out top tips for body confidence. If you want to lose weight but want to feel good in the meantime, then read on..UK Beautuie has put together some top tips to hide your lumps and bumps, or exaggerate your curves, until you get the shape you want.

Whether you’re just starting out on your weight loss, are half way through toning your musles at the gym, or are at goal and maintaining, we have a 'look' to suit you. These looks have been taken from a selection of high street and designer stores, to make the most of your body shape, today!

Any figure

Once again, boyfriend trends are back in fashion, and where better place to start than the shirt? Whatever your shape or style, no wardrobe is complete without a shirt, which may hang limply on the hanger, but is more versatile than you think. Shirts are a great style that suit all body shapes and have the added advantage of looking chic over leggings, casual over jeans, or cheeky with a pair of pumps. Another great thing about shirts is how versatile they are - a plain shirt is always best as it means you will be able to dress it up or down, depending on the occasion: add accessories, a chunky necklace and bangles for a festival look, or use a large belt to nip you in at the waist for a more fitted feel.

For the office: wear with heels and a cardigan.
For the beach: wear with flip-flops and a big hat.
Going out: add some jewellery, high heels and a fitted jacket.

TOP TIP: Add a wide belt to your shirt dress to create a stronger silhouette.

The Max Factor

The Maxi Dress is a great investment for the summer. It tends to be an elongated A-line dress so it suits most body shapes. If you’re comfortable showing your shoulders go for a bandeau top dress (i.e. no straps), and for a dressed-up option opt for a style with cap sleeves. Try a seventies-style print for the ultimate on-trend maxi dress.

For the office: wear with heels and a cardigan.
For the beach: wear with flip-flops and a big hat.
Going out: team up with heels or flat ballerinas, but remember to keep the accessories to a minimum when wearing a long dress – particularly if the fabric is strongly patterned.

TOP TIP: Wear it with wedges or platforms to elongate your figure and add to the seventies look.

Tea-Time Special

The tea dress is another must-have-in-your-wardrobe summer staple and we love it. It’s easy to wear and it’s very feminine. A lot of them come in a flower pattern, but you will also find some in plain shades – mostly bright this season. It’s a dress that lends itself to a forties-inspired vintage look, so team up with a cardigan and court heels, add some pearls, and wear your hair in an up-do a la Bree from Desperate Housewives.

For the office: court shoes and a cardigan.
For the beach: shades, straw basket and flip-flops.
Going out: accessorise with some jewellery and wear bold make-up.
TOP TIP: Adding some ribbon in your hair or using it as a belt can add to the vintage quality of your look.

Time Waisters

Accentuated waists are de rigueur this season, so you will find a lot of dresses with a belt feature. This is a great way to show off your figure and create a strong silhouette, ideal if you are ‘in between sizes’. You might also want to belt up dresses that are straight for that very reason – then you can team up with some heels and voila! you’ve got yourself a brand new outfit.

For the office: wear with a skinny belt and heels.
For the beach: a Pamela hat will fit the bill and/or some oversized glasses.
Going out: : this dress is screaming for sexy heels and some understated jewellery – maybe a sparkly ring or brooch.

TOP TIP: Red lips are very on trend this season and work well with this 50s look.

Colour Blocking

Colour blocking was a big trend on the SS 2011 runway, whether on a dress or created by combining separate garments. You can clash to your heart’s content and don’t forget to include your accessories and your make up in the mix! They are fun outfits to wear and experiment with, as you can’t really go wrong. Make sure that you feel good wearing an outfit with a strong colour, as there is no hiding from it. If you want to tone it down, go for more subdued shades such as beiges, greys and white.

For the office: wear it with heels and jacket.
For the beach: barefoot and with sunglasses.
Going out: : matching bag and ballerinas

TOP TIP: Match your nail varnish or your eye shadow to one of the colours in your outfit to accentuate the colour block theme.