The Ultimate Guide to Dresses: How to Shop for Your Body Shape (UK & USA)

Whether you're building a capsule wardrobe or refreshing your eventwear, dresses are one of the most versatile and flattering staples in fashion. But not every dress suits every body the same way—and with inconsistent sizing across UK and US brands, shopping can feel overwhelming.

This guide explores how to choose the right dress for your body shape, the best UK and USA brands (high street to designer), and styling advice to help you shop smarter. Plus, we’ll show you how Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool, makes it easy to find your perfect size across 1,500+ brands.

👗 Dress Styles by Body Shape

Knowing your body proportions helps you identify which dress silhouettes highlight your best features. Here's a breakdown based on common body shapes:

1. Hourglass

Features: Balanced bust and hips with a defined waist.

Best dresses:

Wrap dresses
Fit-and-flare styles
Belted shirt dresses
Styling tip: Use tailoring to emphasise your waist.

2. Pear Shape

Features: Hips wider than bust; often with defined waist.

Best dresses:

A-line dresses
Structured shoulders (puffed sleeves or shoulder detail)
Empire waistlines
Styling tip: Draw the eye upward with embellishment or colour-blocking.

3. Apple Shape

Features: Full midsection with slimmer legs.

Best dresses:

Shift dresses
Empire line or trapeze silhouettes
Wrap dresses
Styling tip: Focus on elongating the torso with V-necks and vertical lines.

4. Rectangle (Athletic)

Features: Straight up-and-down proportions with minimal waist definition.

Best dresses:

Peplum styles
Ruched or belted dresses
Ruffle or tiered skirts
Styling tip: Add shape with texture, volume, and cinched waists.

5. Inverted Triangle

Features: Broad shoulders, narrower hips.

Best dresses:

Skater or A-line dresses
Dresses with flared skirts or tiered hemlines
Sweetheart or scoop necks
Styling tip: Balance your frame by adding volume below the waist.

🌍 UK vs USA Dress Sizing: Know the Difference

Dress sizes aren’t standardised across the UK and USA. A UK 10 often equates to a US 6, but even this varies by brand.

Explore this essential guide:

🔗 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes: The Ultimate Guide Instruction on Posts

🛍️ Best High Street & Designer Dress Brands (UK & USA)

High Street Brands (UK & US)

Whistles – Tailored day-to-evening dresses
Nobody’s Child – Feminine and eco-conscious picks
Mango – Great for minimalistic and trend-led styles
Reiss – Polished, occasion-ready dresses
ASOS & ASOS Luxe – Diverse fit ranges including petite, curve, tall
Anthropologie – Romantic, boho-chic dresses in UK and US sizing

Designer & Premium Labels

Self-Portrait – Signature lace and structure for formal events
Roksanda – Architectural, colour-blocked pieces
Victoria Beckham – Clean lines and fitted midis
Staud – Mid-range US label with standout cut-out and tiered designs
Stella McCartney – Sustainable and high-end contemporary fashion

✂️ Fabric & Fit: Technical Shopping Advice

✦ Stretch vs Structure

Choose jersey or elastane-blend dresses for flexible sizing
Choose poplin, taffeta, or crepe for structure and drama

✦ Dress Lengths & Hemlines

Petite figures: Opt for mini to knee-length
Tall figures: Midi and maxi dresses elongate well
Plus-size bodies: Midi wraps or empire cuts can flatter and define

✦ Lining & Sheerness

Designer dresses tend to offer double-lining or better finishes. On the high street, check for transparency in white or satin styles.

💡 Universal Tips for Shopping Dresses Online

Read garment measurements, not just size labels
Check fabric composition to anticipate stretch
Avoid inconsistent size charts by using real body measurements
Use Tellar.co.uk to instantly match your measurements to each brand’s dress size

🧭 Tellar.co.uk: The UK’s Leading Sizing Tool for Dresses

Frustrated with inconsistent sizing across COS, Reiss, Mango, Arket and more? Tellar.co.uk is your solution.

It’s free, unbiased, independent, and works in-browser — no app or downloads.

How Tellar.co.uk WorksInstruction on Posts

Measure once: Use your bust, waist, and hip measurements — or enter a brand you already fit well in.
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool: Get your exact size in COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket, and over 1,500 more brands.
Shop with confidence: No guesswork, fewer returns, better fitting purchases.
Always free, no downloads: The tool runs in your browser for ease.