Bubble Hem Light-hearted and lightweight, a cocktail number with a balloon-skirt is the perfect summer alternative to a little black dress. Audrey Tautou’s Chanel design shares the same pleasing shape as this embellished dress from Anna Sui.BUY ONLINE NOW Embellished bustier minidress, $445; at net-a-porter.com
Belted a sheath with a built-in cincher will not only make the most of your hourglass, it'll leave you with one less add-on to worry about. Frida Pinto chose a waist-accenting design from Dries Van Noten in high contrast red and black get a similar effect in a more relaxed silhouette with an obi dress by McQ Alexander McQueen.
Ladylike Figure-flattering, retro-inspired dresses are the surest way to put a wiggle in your walk. Beyonce was all woman in an Elie Saab dress with an all-important curve-creating waistband. Try out the Mad Men look with this formfitting Black Halo design.BUY ONLINE NOW $385; at chickdowntown.com
Maxi Length
A floor-sweeping gown is both a spotlight stealer and the ultimate in comfort (the long skirt means you can wear flats!). Joy Bryant was the picture of easy glamour in an embellished design from Missoni—get the look in this multi-color chiffon dress from Milly (far left).
BUY ONLINE NOW $475; at net-a-porter.com
Goddess there's a reason this style has been around for centuries—a single-shoulder Grecian gown is universally flattering. Rosario Dawson showed just the right amount of skin in a Monique Lhuillier dress with an asymmetrical neckline and a knee-length skirt. Get a similar effect with this T-Bags design in slinky jersey.
BUY ONLINE NOW $210; at net-a-porter.com
BUY ONLINE NOW $475; at net-a-porter.com
Goddess there's a reason this style has been around for centuries—a single-shoulder Grecian gown is universally flattering. Rosario Dawson showed just the right amount of skin in a Monique Lhuillier dress with an asymmetrical neckline and a knee-length skirt. Get a similar effect with this T-Bags design in slinky jersey.BUY ONLINE NOW $210; at net-a-porter.com
Flirty Tiers For a breezy, easy evening look, nothing beats light layers. The tiers on this American Eagle dress (left) will float over anything you'd like to hide, leaving your body a blissfully Spanx-free zone. Vanessa Hudgens (far left) got the idea in a chiffon design from Gold Hawk.
BUY ONLINE NOW $40; at ae.com
Mod Shapes have a Mary Tyler Moore moment in a structured '60s-inspired shift that's perfect for the office, like Kerry Washington's polished tweed dress (far left) from Chanel. For an after-dark take on the look, try a jacquard number in mint from Tibi.BUY ONLINE NOW $376; at chickdowntown.com
Floaty Bohemian nothing says California cool like a flyaway chiffon gown in a haute hippie print. Nicole Richie (far left) went the full Stevie Nicks route in an sheer Zandra Rhodes design with a handkerchief hem. Not such a free spirit? Look for dresses with a full lining, like this one from Jill Stuart (left), that will keep you covered where it counts.
GET THE LOOK ONLINE NOW $458; at chickdowntown.com
‘80s Pass up the dramatic Dynasty dresses for an easy-to-wear T-shirt shape with strong shoulders. Emma Roberts (far left) did the decade proud in an Myne design; a silk tunic from Diane von Furstenberg will be equally flattering.BUY ONLINE NOW Silk charmeuse tunic, $265; at net-a-porter.com
