5 Ways How To Make Your Empire Dress More Flattering

If you’re looking to wear a flattering dress then why not opt for an empire dress, this elegant style if not only simple but extremely flattering. We show you our top tips to make sure you pick the perfect style for your occasion which nips in at the waist and accentuates either your chest or your legs for that incredible Hollywood Glam look.

Choose a style that highlights your waist

If you have extra weight in the centre (like I do) then pick an empire dress that has a tie or a waist that creates a shapely look, nipping in at your natural curves. If you are an apple shape, you likely have a dent just below the bust, so choose a dress that has a little extra swing around the trouble areas to create a more flattering look.

An empire waist dress can work to highlight the slimmest part of your waist, which appears to give you more curves. When you check the best prom dress websites, you will find that there are a lot of empire waistlines to choose from.

How to wear an empire dress to flatter your waist | Fashion Tips | Elle Blonde Luxury Lifestyle Destination Blog

Wear a belt or tie

Choose an empire dress that has an adjustable bow or belt just under the zipper or bust line. You can adjust the bow for the most flattering look, making your waist look even more nipped. If you have more of an athletic body, you can soften your frame with a feminine empire waist silhouette. This design does add curves, so if you do wear a belt, choose a wider or thicker style that sits high up on the waistline to slim down your bottom half and draw attention to the top.

How to wear an empire dress to flatter your waist | Fashion Tips | Elle Blonde Luxury Lifestyle Destination Blog

Go for striped patterns or colour blocks to highlight your waist

If you have large hips and a small waist, balance your frame with printed ensembles or some colour blocking to create the illusion of the empire waist style. The key here is to find something that highlights your stand out attributes and to even out your hips and bust. Look out for medium-print dresses or even go for a slightly larger print if you have a larger frame. Avoid small prints at all costs as these make you look larger than you are.

Dark colours will also help to conceal while lighter colours naturally highlight, so do be selective in terms of prints and shades.

How to wear an empire dress to flatter your waist | Fashion Tips | Elle Blonde Luxury Lifestyle Destination Blog

Show off your midriff

Look for comfortable fabrics like silk or even soft jersey materials that will skim over any flaws you want to cover up.  Empire dresses come in a range of looseness, so you can choose a dress with figure-conscious lines and a seam under the bust. Go for something that highlights your bust and shows off your midriff for a sexy prom look.

Choose high-waist bottoms and create an empire waist style

If you’re not that keen on a crop top that shows off your stomach, pick a dress style that’s not too long and has a high-waist bottom. It’s the perfect way to create the illusion of a leaner frame and longer legs. 

How to wear an empire dress to flatter your waist | Fashion Tips | Elle Blonde Luxury Lifestyle Destination Blog

An empire-style prom dress is classy, fashionable and flattering for an array of different body types. By picking the right shade, style and patterns, you can make sure you really do stand out as the belle of the ball on your special night.

Have you got a go-to empire dress that you love? Where’s it from? Why is it so good? We’d love to hear about it in the comment section below. As always, if you’ve found this article of value, we’d love you to share it across your social channels.

How to wear an empire dress to flatter your waist | Fashion Tips | Elle Blonde Luxury Lifestyle Destination Blog