Formal event dress codes can be tricky to navigate, especially if you’re not used to going to such affairs. Finding the right outfit becomes even more challenging if you want to dress modestly for the gathering. Luckily, there are ways to make the process simpler. This article lists five fashion tips you can learn and a few other tricks to make revealing dresses look more modest.
Choosing the Perfect Formal Dress: 5 Tips
Choosing the perfect dress isn’t just about trying on outfits at a fashion boutique. Many women forget that there are other things to consider, which often leaves them with unsatisfactory results.
To make sure you don’t make the same mistake, here are five tips that can help you pick out the perfect formal dress:
1. Consider the setting.
Before you even start looking for a dress, you must first think about the type of gathering you’ll be attending. Is it a casual event or a more formal affair? Or perhaps it’s something more glamorous, like a ball, an opera, or a gala?
The possibility of looking underdressed or out of place would become significantly lower if you know the type of affair you’ll be attending.
And while not all gowns work for all occasions, a select few can be more versatile than the rest. That means you may already have a viable piece in your closet worth trying out.
Also, don’t forget to consider if there are any changes in the setting. If you plan on dining first, choose something that won’t be inconvenient for the activity and still look glamorous enough for the affair.
2. Get familiar with your body type.
Never forget to consider your body type when choosing a formal dress – or any other outfit, for that matter.
Your figure has a considerable influence on the type of gown you should buy, especially if you want something that will accentuate your assets.
Of course, if you’re uncertain about your body shape, you can play it safe with an A-line gown with a V-shaped neckline. These features don’t ever go out of style and can complement almost any body type.
3. Pick the right color for your skin tone.
Besides the style, you also need to choose the right color for your dress. Whether you plan to wear a bespoke gown or buy one that’s ready to wear, select a hue that helps your eyes pop and skin glow.
The general rule you can follow here is to choose colors in contrast with your skin tone. That means choose a gown in cooler hues if you have a warm skin tone and vice versa.
Pro Tip: A warm skin tone often has a golden undertone, while cooler complexions exhibit more bluish hints. After you determine your skin tone, prepare a list of colors that match your complexion before you go shopping.
4. Keep it simple.
Simplicity is the best way to create an elegant look. This is true for your hair and makeup and formal dress.
Plenty of evening gowns look luxurious even without complicated designs.
More importantly, a simple dress draws attention to you, complements your shape, and emphasizes your assets rather than itself.
Of course, if you want to glam it up, you can always toss in some accessories into the mix, along with a gorgeous vintage Chanel bag to bring the whole look together.
5. Try your ensemble before the event.
Don’t wait until the big day before you decide to wear all the pieces in your ensemble together.
Instead, try them out – from top to bottom – at least a few days prior. This way, you’ll have enough time for any necessary dress adjustments or changes in shoes or accessories.
6 Things That Make Revealing Gowns Look Modest
Many formal gowns and evening dresses are designed without sleeves or straps. But if you don’t like exposing your arms, upper back, or decolletage, you can try using the following accessories to transform your gown into something more modest:
1. Shrug
Use a shrug to cover your shoulders and upper back. This garment is similar to a cardigan but shorter, ending right along the waistline.
When choosing a shrug, you can go with:
- Short or long-sleeved
- Body-hugging or regular fit
- Lace or silk
2. Shawl
Besides a shrug, you can also wrap your shoulders, back, and arms with an elegant shawl. This can be the perfect addition to your modest ensemble, offering just a bit of exposure without hurting the elegance and style of your dress.
Pro Tip: Choose a shawl with embellishments for a more formal look.
3. Bolero Jacket
A bolero jacket is a delicate formal cover-up worn over a formal gown. It adds layers to an outfit, creating a more conservative look.
Choose a style and design that compliments your dress. Depending on the extent of coverage you’re after, you can choose between three-quarter or full-length sleeves.
4. Sheer Bodysuit
A bodysuit covers the arms, back, and neckline to make a formal outfit look more modest. It is worn underneath the dress and pulled together or buttoned over the torso (from the front or back). It can also come with sleeves that look like part of the dress.
The sheer option offers that extra delicate touch to the ensemble, though you might want to pick something made of a thicker material if you want more coverage for your arms.
5. Camisole
Also worn under the dress, a camisole is a piece of clothing that can make gowns with revealing necklines look more conservative. It comes with a high neckline and is made from slightly sheer material, often similar to that of the dress.
Pro Tip: Wear a body-hugging camisole to avoid adding extra bulk to your outfit.
6. Bandeau
A bandeau is a stretchable tube-shaped garment worn over the upper body (under the gown) to hide the decolletage. It doesn’t offer much support, so you will still need to wear a bra underneath when using it as a cover-up.
You can wear a bandeau when:
- You’re dressed in a low-cut or sheer dress.
- You want fewer layers for your modest outfit during warmer days.
Dress for Comfort and Confidence
Many women choose to dress modestly to achieve two things: comfort and confidence.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice either just so you can wear something stylish and elegant for a formal affair. Use the tips presented here to choose and transform your outfits into something you can wear without any reservations.
About the author;
This article was written by guest author Marn Caldez.
