My closet has a variety of dresses. There are conservative dresses for interviews and work, flirty and fun summer dresses and there are even a few cocktail dresses for special occasions. The one dress I don't have, though, is a formal evening dress. But that's about to change. I have been invited to a black tie gala and am on the hunt for the perfect dress.
I began my search by determining the type of dress I need. The difference between an evening dress and a regular dress is the formality of the occasion. Formal dresses are suitable for red carpet, black tie events. A normal every day dress can be worn to work, to dinner or to an informal get together.
It's good to be prepared for any occasion so I'm passing along some tips to remember while looking for your perfect evening dress. Many of these tips are good for moms-to-be, curvy girls, or the average sized woman.
For the Mommy-to-be:
Don't try to hide that tummy under an unattractive loose dress. And for goodness sakes, don't try to skip the event just because you think you look like a beached whale. Maternity designers have added many flattering evening dresses to their lines. If you're only a few weeks from delivery date or just starting to show there is a pretty evening dress that will flatter your figure. The dresses are available in a wide variety of colors and styles just right for the mother-to-be. One of the simplest choices is the little black dress. It's always in style, flatters and slims many figure types and is very versatile. An empire waist is comfortable and flatters the expectant mother.
For plus sizes:
For the curvy figure, evening dresses are widely available in many pretty styles. Of course there is always the little black dress, but why not choose another color in a flattering design. Look for a style that will draw attention to shoulders, flawless skin or your beautiful face. A halter top is a good choice.
The average size woman:
The average sized woman has the most choices in types dresses. There are a huge variety of colors, design details and lengths. The long evening dress can be flowing or clingy, heavy fabric or soft and satiny. The bodice can be strapless, off the shoulder, halter or sweetheart style. No matter your size or shape you can find a variety of evening gowns to fit your occasion.
If the designer brand is out of your price range, consider buying a gown from a lesser-known designer. So, no matter what your occasion is, the size and shape of your body or the size of your budget, every woman can find the perfect dress for her. With a little time and a lot of patience, I found my perfect evening dress to add to the collection of dresses in my closet. Tina McCarthy
