Fashion

Shapeless is in: The dress silhouette to flatter every form

Room to breathe

30.11.2015

By Wei Yeen Loh

Shapeless is in: The dress silhouette to flatter every form

Despite how much we love shift and apron dresses because we don’t have to worry about that extra lunch serving showing very conspicuously, sometimes we worry that we end up looking more like a potato sack than supermodel Twiggy. But don’t cross out this silhouette when you’re shopping for a new dress, as the right styling techniques can go a long way.

 

 

Instead of plain shapeless black dresses that may add an extra ten years to your look, go for a shift dress with subtle details that will flatter, such as Cassey Gan’s dresses that include pleated hemlines and paneled motifs—exuding a mod yet ultra feminine vibe.

 

The trick to pulling off calf or ankle-skimming dresses is to always wear them with heels for added height to your stature. Apart from that, a slightly flared silhouette in a softer material works wonders with flattering your form, such as Lemaire’s flared dress in stretch-wool with trompe l’oeil tonal stitching.

 

A shirtdress is easy to get away with—it is relaxed but not overly casual, and no one can accuse you of choosing functionality over fashion. Throw on a denim or leather jacket if you worry about looking boxy. You can always pair sneakers with your shirtdress during the weekend, such as Jil Sander’s leather platform sneakers with a cotton-poplin mini shirt dress from T by Alexander Wang, and a kitschy clutch like Anya Hindmarch’s ‘No Loading Georgiana’ clutch is always an awesome addition.

 

Another way you can pull off a loose silhouette is by wearing a cape dress. While cape coats are not for every season (especially not in our humid climate), a wool silk blend dress as luxe as this Valentino piece is perfect for a Christmas/NYE party. Accessorise with Fendi mini ‘Rush’ clutch and Dolce & Gabbana’s rose-brocade embellished sandals for a statement-making look.

 

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