Every day we get questions about body types and shapes, and we thought we would outline some general rules of thumb for you.

There is no such thing  as a standard size movie star, or woman for that matter.

Identical measurements rarely occur even in identical twins. The cloth dummies in our designers’ rooms are as varied in contour, size , dimension and silhouette as the trees in the forest. Some arae tall and wollowy, others short and petite. Some have fullness at the top, others ten to widen at the bottom.

Clothes have to be designed to camouflage their defects and exaggerate their assets.

In different cases the object of a costume is to create height, to diminish width, to lengthen the leg line, to shorten the neck, to straighten a swayback, to conceal a hint of tummy.

Designing for women of many types requires, of course, a basic knowledge of current fashion trends and influences – but it means never, ever, being a slave to them, because it is far more important to make a woman look better than to make her look up-to-the-minute.

With that in mind here are a few ideas to keep in mind.

1. Use the guidance your favourite shop (in this case Girl Meets Dress  has available: filter by body shape: Apple, Pear, Hour Glass, Rectangle, Full-bust, Petite, Tall, etc

2. If in doubt go with what you know: wearing designers or even dress types that you know have always suited you well is typically a safe way to go, even if a bit limiting at times, see our A-Z list of designers to hire from  here.

3. Compare your size and type to the size chart for your best basic silhouettes.

4. Know yourself more: this requires a bit of commitment but can be a great comfort when needing to make quick decisions. Simply write down your assets an liabilities (more on this later), and keep your measurements and analysis up to date. Before you know it you will be able to swiftly gauge a garment at a moments notice, just like the best of designers.

5. Get in touch. We know our our dresses, dress codes and styling tips like the back of our hand, if in doubt get in touch with us by email (enquiries@girlmeetsdress.com), by chat (see bottom right of every page on the website), or call us  (0208 144 3374)

Happy shopping!!

Check out latest new arrivals here >

Deciding what to wear with your designer dress is always tricky when you need a cover-up but don’t have the right coat to compliment your gown.  So why not take a look at some of our shawls as the perfect accent to your dress.  These gorgeous shawls are 100% cashmere.  Designed by Hayley Menzies, their delicate feather trim is created from recycled vintage fur which makes this a great ethical purchase.  The perfect accessory to take you from day to evening wear with ease…drape it, wrap it and cuddle up in these cosy pieces!  Choose between bright coloured feather trims, nude, cream and black.

A classic shawl that will never go out of date.  Team with a beautiful gown and sky-high heels for an ultra glamorous look. Buy from Girl Meets Dress today!

By Caroline Dawe

As we move into those cold winter days and long winter nights the pressure is on to look good without feeling miserably cold by what will inevitably be increasingly bad English weather.  Winter events can always put some stress on what to wear when you want to look good without exposing yourself to the elements.  However, long sleeved dresses are the perfect way to steal a bit of warmth while still looking glam.  Whether you choose long sleeves or three-quarter sleeves, you’re sure to be suitably stylish in some of our long-sleeved dresses.

For a glitzy occasion we love America Retro’s Luna Dress.  This silver paillette covered dress will sparkle all night long.  Its padded shoulders provide an Oscar worthy structure that will ensure your look remains glamorous from start to finish.  Perfect for the colder months, the Luna dress has long sleeves so you won’t be required to take a coat.  Team with black tights for those extra cold evenings, show-stopping platforms and a simple clutch and all your missing is the cocktail.

For an ultra glamorous frock, we love Thakoon Addiction’s Jersey Dress.  In black jersey, the ruching down the front allows this dress to cling to your body in all the right places.  Its v-neck and tulip hem gives it just the right amount of sophistication allowing you that chic and elegant look with minimal exertion.  Its long sleeves ensure this dress is perfect for the holiday season.    Team it with black platforms and a clutch with a pop of colour for a wow-effect.

Finally we have Christopher Kane’s Yellow Orchid Dress.  Treat yourself to a piece of art with this bold number.  Its long sleeves and body-con fit, makes this frock the perfect choice for any cocktail event.  Team with black tights, ankle boots and a  white clutch for a fashion forward look.

Why What to Wear to a Polo Match is More Important Than Ever

Formerly the sole preserve of royalty and the upper echelons of society, polo, is experiencing something of an identity shift.  The ancient sport, the etymology of which, derives from the Tibetan word ‘pulu’, has over the past few decades, opened its once inaccessible doors to pretty much any Tom, Dick or Harry (and we don’t mean HRH).  This is much to some of the polo establishment’s horror.  But, this is the 21st century.

So, although pioneering polo ambassador Prince Philip (it was he afterall who got Queenie to found the Windsor-situated Guards Polo Club in 1955), might not necessarily look his most natural when mingling up alongside TOWIE wannabes, if grandson no2 can be the life and soul of the now openly public ‘Public’ party, and get down and dirty with whoever takes his fancy on the dance floor at Mahiki, and both grandson no1 and his son can get away with marrying ‘commoners’, then we say it’s high time the rest of us commoners were allowed to rub shoulders with society’s entitled.  Depending on the event, certain dress is required.

Schmacher double time dress. Hire: £129. RRP: £344

What to Wear to a Polo Match: Less Flesh is Definitely More

Getting what to wear to a polo match right, isn’t that difficult.  The main thing, is gauging the

Zimmerman silk tie singlet dress. Hire: £49. RRP: £235

formality of the specific polo event.  At the royally originated Guards Polo Club for instance, the dress code is not as stuffy as you’d think.  But while jeans might nowadays be given the go-ahead, unless you have a signet ring and a titled polo-playing boyfriend/spouse to go with them (a la Kate Middleton), it might not be a bad idea to go for an outfit that’s slightly more dressy.  In the polo world, this by no means equates to flashy. Or fleshy.

Dresses for a Polo Match That Give You the ‘X’ & Not the Chav Factor

When it comes to what to wear to a polo match, the main thing you want to avoid is having too much flesh on show.  It was her high chav factor, that saw Katie Price uninvited to the VIP enclosure at the Cartier International polo tournament in 2008.  Pictured are some dresses for the polo, the wearing of which will get you noticed for all the right reasons.  Flirty, summery, not-too-fleshy dresses for the polo are precisely the order of the day.

Team with wedges, or flats (stilettos don’t and the ever-long half-time tradition of divot stomping do not go hand in hand), a neat clutch, and a smart jacket/shrug. And don’t forget your umbrella!  Clap at all the right moments, and do as the polo-regulars do.  There’s nothing that turns an eligible polo playing bachelor off more than a girl at the polo who can’t tell the fourth chukka from the 6th or the 8th.  Oh and don’t wear a hat. It might look right at the races, but at the polo it’s deemed a faux pas of the highest order.