The Little Black Dress on-line boutique was borne from an idea about creating
The Perfect LBD ~ Little Black Dress
for Every Body Shape, Any Age & Every Occasion.
Because not one shape fits or flatters everyone.
We want to inspire you to bring out the inner Goddess in you – to embrace what you have & who you are – by enhancing your best assets & dressing comfortably. The key is to create an optical illusion for balance & cover or minimise less alluring areas. Our dresses are categorized by Silhouette, by Style & by Body Shape to make it easy to select from a range of Perfect LBD’s that are just right for each customer.
Here is our guide to understanding your individual body shape. Even one specific body shape will still vary depending on how slim, petite, tall or voluptuous the Goddess is, so we have expanded the better known classic shapes to show a wider range within each category. Generally the proportions are still similar just scaled to a different dress size.
Once you have ascertained your body shape then please refer to our Sizing Guide to help you select the correct dress size. We have ensured that all items consistent in sizing across out entire range so that when you fall in love with your first LBD you can confidently buy another to suit your body shape & know it will fit the same way.
Hourglass Body Shape
Hourglass & Full Hourglass Body Shape
Hips & shoulders are in proportion to each other with a smaller defined waist creating curves
Hourglass ranges from petite with a smaller yet proportional bust, hips & bottom to a full Hourglass Body Shape with larger bust, hips & bottom & possibly a more gently rounded shoulder line & shapely legs
Avoid layers & don’t hide those curves behind baggy loose fitting styles or
Accentuate the waist & curves with tie waist detail & belts
Can wear almost all dress shapes, particularly fitted styles & wrap dresses
Try Princess line dresses with waist detail &/or a pencil skirt
Try skirts that gently flare at the hips such as A-Line designs, particularly for a Full Hourglass Body Shape
Monochromatic colours such as black & longer silhouette lines elongate a petite body, but ensure the hem length is proportionate to overall height
Full Hourglass Body Shape
Hourglass Dress Recommendations
Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Inverted Triangle & Strawberry Body Shape
Broad chest & wider shoulders in proportion to a narrower, less subtle waist & hips with a tendency towards a flatter bottom.
Strawberry Body Shape usually has a fuller bust & a wider back & a
tendency to gain weight in the torso & upper body
Bring focus on to the waistline & accentuate curves on the bottom half or by adding fullness in the skirt shape to create balance.
Try Princess line dresses with waist detail &/or a pencil skirt or an A-Line that gently flares at the hips, dresses with a waist tie or add a belt
Legs are generally well sculpted so try accentuating them with a shorter hemline & a great pair of shoes to elongate the leg, but ensure the hem length is proportionate to overall height
Avoid shoulder pads, strappy tops & boat necklines
Try asymmetrical, soft cowl & deep V necklines, 3/4 & floating sleeves,
empire line & wrap dresses
Strawberry Body Shape
Inverted Triangle Dress Recommendations
Oval Body Shape
Oval & Apple Body Shape
A soft & rounded body shape where the torso is generally as wide or wider than the shoulders & hips.
Back, ribs & shoulders are broad & most weight is carried in the midsection above the hips (which can be narrow)
An Apple Body Shape which is usually more rounded on top particularly with a fuller bust
Elongate the torso by accentuating forearms & opening up the upper body with wider or deeper V necklines
Add fullness in the skirt shape to gently skim the torso but ensure the top section tapers to a defined waist or bust such as an empire line dress
Accentuate your legs with a shorter hemline & a great pair of shoes to
elongate the leg, but ensure the hem length is proportionate to overall height
De-emphasise the midsection & create the illusion of a waist by nipping in with a tie waist detail & belts
Fitted designs work best with a jacket or cardigan to create balance
Create angles & diagonal lines across the body with deep V necklines & asymmetrical hemlines
Try semi fitted, ruched or draped silhouettes, soft cowl & wider necklines, 3/4 & floating sleeves, empire line & wrap dresses
Apple Body Shape
Oval Dress Recommendations
Triangle Body Shape
Pear & Triangle Body Shape
A well-defined waist with lower torso, hips, thighs & bottom that is
proportionally wider than the shoulders & chest in the upper body
Pear Body Shape has a more defined bust & rounded bottom & may or may not have a defined waistline
Open up your upper body & décolletage wider or deeper necklines,
emphasise your waist & arms
Add layers & detail to the top half, including jewellery, jackets, cardigans & floating tops
Define the waist without adding too much fullness in the skirt shape to
create balance
Try Princess line dresses with waist detail an A-Line that gently flares at the hips, dresses with a waist tie or add a belt
Avoid high waists & pleats
Try deep V, asymmetrical, scooped, boat or ruffled necklines, 3/4 & floating sleeves, wrap dresses
Pear Body Shape
Pear Dress Recommendations
Column Body Shape
Column & Rectangle Body Shape
Column also referred to as an Athletic Body Shape
Bust waist, torso & hips are all a similar proportion
Less subtle waist with a tendency towards a flatter bottom.
Rectangular Body Shape is wider than a Column & may have a slightly fuller bust, a wider back & shoulders & a tendency to gain weight proportionally in the torso & upper body
Add the illusion of curves with draped fabric & shaped silhouettes including flowing or asymmetrical hemlines
Try Princess line dresses with waist detail &/or an A-Line that gently flares at the hips, dresses with a waist tie or add a belt
Avoid boxy shapes, straight or square lines
Try deep V, asymmetrical, halter, boat or ruffled necklines, 3/4 & floating sleeves, wrap dresses
Rectangle Body Shape
