HOW TO FLATTER YOUR FIGURE
                        Finding the perfect gown style is easy when you know
                        what looks best on your body.  Whether you're
                        pear-shaped or petite, top-heavy or tall, wearing the
                        right cut for your figure can highlight your best
                        features and downplay those you're concerned about.

                        The Triangle (small on top, heavier on the bottom)  The
                        key here is to balance your proportions.  Broaden and
                        emphasize your top half with full-sleeve treatments,
                        padded shoulders or poufed sleeves that extend your
                        shoulder line, and a textured bodice accented with lace
                        overlays, appliques and beadwork.  Elongated bodices and
                        skirts with controlled fullness will emphasize your
                        waist and de-emphasize your hip area.  Avoid set-in
                        sleeves and narrow shoulders, skirts with side panels or
                        excess fullness, and body-hugging sheaths.
                        The Inverted Triangle (fuller on top, narrow hips)  In
                        order to de-emphasize your shoulder area and give more
                        width to your lower body, look for gowns with minimal
                        shoulder details, simple sleeves, moderate padding, and
                        natural shoulder lines.  Simple bodices with minimal
                        accents will draw less attention to your top.  For
                        better overall proportion, wear a full skirt or a style
                        with skirt details such as peplums, bustles, sashes and
                        bows.  Avoid gowns with full sleeves, slim, straight
                        skirts, empire waistlines and plunging necklines.
                        The Rectangle (nearly equal bust and hips, minimal waist
                        definition)  To create the illusion of curves, look for
                        full, voluminous skirts and jewel or bateau necklines or
                        wide collars.  Horizontal detailing will draw the eye
                        across the torso and combat vertical body lines, and
                        oversized shoulders and sleeves will add width to your
                        top and shape to your overall appearance.  Avoid slim
                        silhouettes or gowns in soft, clingy fabrics, which will
                        only make you appear thin and narrow.
                        The Hourglass (small waist, full hips and bust)  To
                        maximize your curves and maintain balance, look for
                        gowns with simple, classic lines like sheaths and
                        mermaid styles-too much detailing can make you look
                        heavier than you really are.  Show off your shoulders
                        with off-the-shoulder sleeves, V-necklines and strapless
                        dresses.  Avoid gowns with very full or ruffled skirts,
                        poufed sleeves, highly detailed bodices and high
                        necklines that cover the shoulder area and minimize the
                        bust.

                        CAMOUFLAGING CONCERNS

                          Petite figures are lengthened in controlled-but-full
                          skirts with minimal detail.  Basque waistlines, simple
                          sleeves, modestly detailed shoulders, vertical
                          pleating and A-line or princess silhouettes elongate
                          the torso and add height.  For slim petites, the
                          sheath or mermaid style is ideal.  Full figures look
                          best in fitted, V-neck bodices and dropped-V, or
                          basque, waistlines.  Full skirts camouflage hips and
                          thighs, while styling details around the neckline,
                          such as beading on a sheer yoke, draw the eye upward. 
                          Long or three-quarter sleeves slenderize arms; avoid
                          strapless or sleeveless gowns, which only emphasize
                          upper-arm fullness.  Opt for dresses where the fabric
                          drapes gracefully to the floor instead of ones that
                          are form-fitting.  Disguise a thick waist with an
                          empire waistline.  Princess-style dresses elongate a
                          short waist and lengthen the torso.  Long waists look
                          shorter when the waistline is cut above the torso, as
                          on a basque-waist or empire-style gown. To slim heavy
                          hips, try an A-line skirt or a full-but-controlled
                          skirt without bows, flounces or ruffles.  A full bust
                          is flattered in an off-the-shoulder, portrait, scoop
                          or V-neckline with minimal detailing.  Small busts
                          look larger when they are accentuated with intricate
                          details, such as beadwork, sequins and on-the-shoulder
                          necklines.