Curves Curves Curves: What is a Bodycon Dress?

The perfect staple piece doesn’t exist. Right? I mean, how can one article of clothing make you feel sexy while remaining comfortable, and all you need is a quick accessory swap to go from an eight a.m. meeting to brunch with the girlies to making your date do a double take? Surely one article of clothing can’t do all of that, can it?

Goodbye Body-Conscious, Hello Body Confidence

The name “bodycon” was coined from the term “body-conscious”, originating from the idea that you must be conscious of your body to wear this form-fitting, sleek silhouette. Introduced to the fashion world in 1989, the bodycon dress grew in widespread popularity in the 1990s with a resurgence in the early 2000s that solidified its place in the fashion world.

We have thankfully moved away from the heroin chic body type ideals of the 90s and early 2000s to an understanding that all bodies are beautiful and all fashion trends are to be worn by whoever wants to wear them. We now take a page out of Taylor Swift’s book and say the term body conscious can’t come to the phone right now because it's, well, dead. In recent years there has been a shift to the term body confidence when talking about this fashion staple.

What was once deemed a silhouette only the most perfect figures could pull off, I’m here to tell you the bodycon dress is a silhouette for everyone. While the bodycon dress is amazing at accentuating the hourglass figure, it also does an amazing job at creating the illusion of that curvaceous shape for those of us whose curves, or lack thereof, cannot create that shape on our own.

Bodycon - One Size Fits All Styling

What do you mean you have a belly pooch so you can’t wear a bodycon dress? Who told you that? Give me their name, I just want to talk to them.

While you might think you need a specific body type to rock a bodycon dress there is actually only one thing that stands in your way of utilizing this staple piece, confidence. Just like literally every other piece and style of clothing, your body shape and size should never be the reason you aren’t wearing something you’d like to be.

To Spanx or not to Spanx

So, how do you know if you should be shimmying into shapewear before you rock your bodycon dress? The answer is, it’s up to you. If wearing shapewear will make you feel more confident then absolutely, treat that beautiful perfect body of yours like a delicious sausage and slip on that casing, this style is all about feeling at your best!

If shapewear is not something you are comfortable wearing but you’re still looking for that confidence boost needed to rock a bodycon dress there are several ways you can accessorize to feel confident and still be able to breathe!

Darker colors will help minimize the areas of your body you are still working on being confident with.
Adding a heel or wedge can change your posture and in turn, your confidence.
A short jacket or long cardigan can pull the eye away from the areas you are trying to minimize.
Whether it sits at your natural waist or your hips, a belt is a creative focal point piece.
A crop top can turn your bodycon dress into the illusion of a high-waisted skirt.

Confidence, check! Next up, Accessorizing

Now that we both know just how amazing you’re going to look in that bodycon dress, it’s time to decide how you want to dress up, or down this amazing silhouette for the countless occasions you’ll be wearing this staple piece to. There are an almost infinite number of ways you can style your bodycon to match your personal comfort level and style, but there are always those tried and true options that work for everyone no matter your personal style, size, or shape.

Bodycon and the Workplace

Although the bodycon dress is described as sexy and form-fitting it is still a great piece to style for even the most professional settings.

A tailored blazer will keep you looking professional while still showcasing the beauty of your dress.
Keep it simple with a small heel or flat in more muted colors.
Add classic and sophisticated jewelry to level up your look.
Layer an elegant blouse on top to transform your dress into a high-waisted skirt.

Bodycon and Brunch

Comfy and classic, the bodycon dress can easily shift from “Have that on my desk by the end of the day.” to “We are getting more than one appetizer right?” with just a couple of quick changes.

Sub out that tailored blazer for a fun jean jacket, sweater, or crop top.
Get comfy by swapping your heels for a cute pair of sneakers or booties.
Get funky with your jewelry, opting for fun, bright, and bold accessories.
Break up your outfit with a big belt or choose to tie that jean jacket or sweater around your waist.

Bodycon to Make them Say Wow

Brunch is over and you had a blast spending the day with your friends but you check your phone and realize those bottomless mimosas also came with a side of time warp and you don’t have the time to pick out an entirely new outfit for that date you have planned tonight. Have no fear, the bodycon dress is still here!

Show some skin by leaving the layers behind, opting for something light and elegant like a shawl to give subtle flirty peeks of your shoulders and decolletage.
A stiletto heel or a sexy boot in replace of those sneakers will amplify the sex appeal of your outfit.
If stilettos and boots aren’t your vibe, utilize fishnets or black stockings to amp up the sex appeal without sacrificing comfort.
Opt for a simple clutch and minimal jewelry to keep the focus on that banging body your bodycon dress is showcasing.

Now go Rock that Bodycon Dress

Whether you are gunning for that executive position, wanting to feel great while shopping with friends, or making sure that first date becomes a second, Kate Hewko not only has the bodycon dress for you but all of the accessories and layering options you need to wear it anywhere and everywhere.

https://www.whoIarswho.com/how-to-style-a-bodycon-dress/

https://historytimelines.co/timeline/bodycon-dresses#:~:text=The%20bodycon%20dress%20gained%20widespread,a%20bold%20and%20confident%20look.