Longer-form guides to style and fashion, one question at a time.
Not sure where to start? The Dress Finder asks seven questions and suggests dress shapes, fabrics and colors for them.
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An A-line dress is fitted through the bust and waist and then widens gradually to the hem, so the outline looks like a capital A. Because the skirt skims the hips instead of hugging them, it's one of the easiest shapes to wear for almost any body type and occasion.
Updated Nov 1, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
A drop waist dress has its waistline at the hip instead of the natural waist, so the bodice runs long and straight and the skirt, often pleated or gathered, starts low. The shape dates back to the 1920s and is back now in midi, mini and knit versions that you wear with flat shoes and minimal styling.
Updated Nov 1, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
For a garden party, wear a light daytime dress (a floral midi, a tea-length dress or a pastel satin midi) with block heels, wedges or flats that won't sink into the lawn. Add a hat or a fascinator if the invitation hints at it, and a light layer for later.
Updated Nov 1, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
Chiffon is a sheer, lightweight fabric woven from tightly twisted yarns, which gives it a soft, floaty drape and a faint texture. It started as a silk fabric, but it's now commonly made from polyester, which makes it more affordable, and silk chiffon sits at the pricier end.
Updated Nov 1, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
An inverted triangle body shape means your shoulders or bust are wider than your hips, often with a straighter waist. Dresses that keep the shoulders simple, open the neckline with a V and add volume or detail below the waist suit this shape best.
Updated Oct 31, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
You have a pear (or triangle) body shape if your hips are noticeably wider than your shoulders and bust, usually with a defined waist. The dresses that work best fit at the waist, skim over the hips and draw the eye up with a wider neckline, sleeve detail or color on top.
Updated Oct 31, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
Viscose is a fiber made by dissolving plant cellulose, usually from wood pulp, and spinning it back into threads; it's the main type of rayon, and US labels may use either name. Viscose dresses drape softly and feel cool, but the fabric can shrink and wrinkle, so wash it gently and cool.
Updated Oct 31, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
For most funerals, wear a dark, simple outfit: a black, navy or gray dress or separates, knee length or longer, with covered shoulders and low shoes. The goal is to blend in respectfully, and if the family or the faith tradition asks for something different, their request comes first.
Updated Oct 31, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
To find your dress size, measure your bust, waist and hips with a soft tape and compare them to the brand's size chart, choosing the size that fits your largest measurement for fitted dresses. As a rough guide, a US size converts to a UK size by adding 4 and to an EU size by adding 32 (US 8 is about UK 12 and EU 40), but every brand cuts differently.
Updated Oct 30, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
Not as a guest at most Western weddings: white belongs to the bride, and so do ivory, cream and anything that looks white in photos. White is fine when the couple asks for it, and in small doses like shoes, a bag or a print on a colored background.
Updated Oct 29, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
The bride usually wears white (a white mini, satin slip or matching set) and the group dresses to a shared theme, color or vibe so the photos look planned. Choose outfits by the plan: a night out wants sequins and heels you can dance in, a beach weekend wants sets and sandals.
Updated Oct 28, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
The colors that suit you depend mostly on your undertone, warm, cool or neutral, not just on how light or deep your skin is. Warm undertones tend to look best in golden, earthy shades; cool undertones in blue-based jewel tones and clear pastels; neutral undertones can wear most of both.
Updated Oct 27, 2026 · By Jenisha Jonchhe
For finding a dress by what's on your calendar: a wedding, a work event, a black-tie invitation.
A sub-hub of Occasion Dresses for what to wear to someone else's wedding.
For working out what a dress code asks you to wear, from casual to black tie.
