Photo courtesy of Heather Hazzan/TheLicensingProject.com

Dressing for Your Body Type Now That It’s Hot Out

Dressing for seventy degrees and up without key pieces that work for your body is like attempting a new recipe without the star ingredients. Simply put, you’ll be a lot happier with the end result when adequately prepared. And summer doesn’t have to be all skimpy this and short shorts that. In fact, the strategic styling maneuvers here are devised to help you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin—showing a little or a lot is entirely up to you.

IF YOU WANT TO…

COVER YOUR SHOULDERS

Puff, flutter, high volume—a statement sleeve is the right choice for obvious reasons. A nipped-in focal point magically guides the eye down toward that sexy waist.

HIGHLIGHT THE DÉCOLLETAGE

Few silhouettes steer the attention up north quite as tastefully as strapless dresses, spaghetti-strapped all-in-ones, and inverted-cut tanks. But perhaps the biggest, most underrated benefit (if you want to go for it): no bra necessary.

PLAY UP A PETITE FRAME

Waist-emphasizing belts and compact builds get on as well as Aperol spritzes and a hot day. Skip the down-to-the-ground dresses and work in a short playsuit or a scanty shirtdress that won’t overwhelm.

COVER UP THE LEGS

When you want to give jeans a breather, forgiving floaty skirts and midthigh shorts crush it in the coverage department; slender tanks and snug-fit shirts flatter above.

SPOTLIGHT THE STEMS

Stick to something oversize, like slouchy shirting or tuckable tees that won’t distract from an irresistible, show-all hemline.

EMBRACE YOUR HEIGHT

Blessed with inches? Look for long shift dresses, streamlined jumpsuits, or any below-the-knee shapes, really, that’ll stack up well with your stature.

ACCENTUATE YOUR UPPER BODY

The high neckline. The balloon sleeves. The playful zip. While pretty, those elaborate design details have a hidden talent: They cleverly create balance between your upper and lower half.

COMPLEMENT THOSE CURVES (AND CHEST)

Emphasize a voluptuous figure with something fitted through the middle, like a body-hugging Henley or an empire-waist dress that cinches underneath the bust (particularly flattering for the anatomically gifted).

FLATTER A STRAIGHT FIGURE

Curved silhouettes can hang with anything flared, and a wide-leg jumpsuit plays with proportions, while a clingy column skirt highlights from every angle.

Style