With festive party season just around the corner, it’s time to make sure that your wardrobe is party ready. It all starts with Halloween and segues straight into fireworks, Christmas and then New Year. Whatever your favourite celebration, your party experience will be very much affected by how you feel in your outfit. So it makes sense to search out the most slimming of this season’s partywear. But what should you look for to achieve a streamlined shape that will be your party staple right into next year?
The great thing about most partywear is that it thrives on classic shapes. But we all know how different women are to each other – your shape is unique. When combined with your personal tastes, preferences and insecurities, it can feel impossible to find a solution.
But we’ll give it a go! Let’s start with the part of your body that you might be seeking to slim and go from there:
Tummy
This season, the high street is full of dresses and tops with ruched features. This is great for providing texture (or camouflage!) across your midriff. A massive plus if this is a part of your body that leaves you feeling anxious. Another approach is to accessorise with a glitzy belt to give framing to your waist. With a base of control briefs or girdle, you can really enjoy this style in confidence!
Bum
To balance your bum, go for a retro look with a fit and flare dress. This draws attention to your waist and allows the party dress to skim over your bum. Build a foundation with a good pair of high rise control briefs which support both your waist and your rear.
Bust
It’s all about framing. You may not want to flaunt your bust with an uplifting corset, however don’t make the mistake of going the other way and covering up right to your neck. Instead, try a V-neck dress to celebrate your shape. Try a tress or top with sleeves to give balance to your bust. Under it all, make sure that your bra is well fitted, secure and most importantly, not visible!
Legs
Floaty skirts or shift dresses are a great cut to look for if you want to avoid anything thigh hugging. However, we all know how important confidence and comfort are. So when teamed with a shaping skirt or shaping shorts, this cut will drift gently over your legs to allow you to feel more confident this party season. Remember that heels will increase the length of your legs, and you will have more choice of outfit than perhaps you thought.
Arms
With some truly exuberant puff sleeved designs out there this party season, it is easy to find a garment to cover your upper arms if you wish. Alternatively, look for a dress with wide straps and a V neckline to mirror the line of your arms.
What else?
Don’t feel like black is your only option for slimming partywear. Yes, it’s a great colour, but you can combine it with colour if there are parts of your shape from which you want to deflect attention. Separates can be a great way to cinch your waist, so combine black and colour to minimise your top or bottom half. Embrace the features of partywear. Choose small prints that are structured in vertical lines. Most importantly, love the party wear you choose. So if you’re crazy about sparkle or adore bows, go for it!
The best all rounder
Our favourite party outfit of them all? That’ll be the wrap dress. This is a classic design which combines a V neckline, ruched detail and floaty skirt to accentuate the shapely and hide the jiggly in all of us. What’s more, the world agrees! So on the high street you’ll find variants of this design with and without sleeves, belt detail and pattern. It appears as mini, maxi, fitted, flared, floaty and tailored. You name it, there’s a wrap dress hybrid to match. So secure your foundation with some great shapewear and go forth and enjoy party season!
Becky is an author and copywriter who has been writing about women’s issues and underwear for several years. She also writes blogs which cover a range of topics for local businesses.
Both Sides Of The Body Positivity Movement
