SCChic: Holiday Party Apparel

There are many opportunities to attend holiday parties around this time, and finding the right outfit can be stressful. It's important to look your best. Knowing your body type and what types of dresses look best for your type will help reduce the anxiety.

This year purple is the "in" color. It's hard to go shopping for dresses without finding that the majority of the good picks come in purple. Fortunately, this color looks good on everybody. Finding a dress that is tailored to fit your body type, however, is not as easy.

If your body type is apple, finding a dress that has an empire waist and flows away from the body is ideal. Many of these dresses come belted or gathered at the waist. You can find this dress in halter, cap sleeve, quarter sleeve, full sleeve, with straps or strapless.

Full busted women should pick a dress a scoop neck, or v-neck and an a-line or full skirted bottom. This helps to appear more evenly proportioned. It's a great, flattering look for women with full busts, however, watch to make sure you aren't overemphasizing the bust with cuts that are low.

If the hourglass shape best describes your body type, look for wrap dresses or dresses that either are belted or have adjustable waists. Wearing dresses with such structures will help accentuate the curves, creating a feminine silhouette.

If your body type is pear then picking a dress with a fitted, full skirted bottom and either v-neck or scoop neck is the best choice. By choosing dresses with this structure, you are defining the waist and accentuating the hips.

If you have a straight body type, you can choose from the largest selection of dresses. As long as it fits well, people with a straight body type tend to look good in most dresses. Try to stay away from dresses without any structure, however.

No matter what dress you pick for the upcoming holiday festivities, feeling good and looking great is crucial. As long as the dress you pick makes you feel good about yourself, wear it like the princess you are. True beauty comes from within. The dress will only highlight what is already beautiful.