FASHION TRENDS / Aug 06, 2024
HOW TO WEAR A BODYCON DRESS: 6 OUTFIT IDEAS TO CELEBRATE YOUR CURVES
For those moments when you want to flaunt what your momma gave you, nothing fits the bill quite like a bodycon dress—curve-contouring, sexy, and designed to make your body feel like a work of art.
Discover style tips to wear this silhouette with confidence, plus explore bodycon dress outfit ideas to show off those gorgeous curves. Because remember, no matter your shape or size, your body deserves to be celebrated.
What Is a Bodycon Dress?
Short for “body-conscious,” bodycon dresses are all about flaunting your figure, making everyone pay attention to your shape. Their defining characteristic is their close-fitting style that celebrates your body the way it deserves to be celebrated. Designed to fit you like a glove, they highlight every curve—chest, waist, hips, and more—aiming to give you a sensual hourglass shape that would make Marilyn Monroe proud.
Although bodycon outfits are often associated with dresses that cling to your body from neck to hem (think bandage dresses), they also encompass fitted creations—mermaid gowns, trumpet dresses, and more. Generally, anything that tightly follows the contours of your body can be considered a bodycon dress.
6 Bodycon Dress Ideas to Flaunt Your Gorgeous Figure
Now that you know what a bodycon dress is, explore outfit ideas that’ll show everyone those hips don't lie:
1. A Solid-Tone Bodycon Dress Can Give You the Most Gorgeous Silhouette
Slay all day in a solid-tone bodycon outfit—simple, classy, and designed to keep the focus on your stunning curves. Darker bodycon outfits, in particular, exquisitely define your proportions, giving you a more streamlined frame. Plus, solid colors exude a timeless appeal, ensuring your dress remains a staple in your closet for years to come.
Get the Look: GL3035 - Beads Embellished Jersey Mermaid Dress w/ Strap Lace-up Back
Here’s a bodycon dress outfit idea for you: effortlessly steal the spotlight in this form-fitting number that embodies timeless style. In a smooth material that contours your body, this all-black stunner offers a sleek look while maintaining ease of movement. Its sweetheart neckline is complemented by delicate beadwork across the bust, adding visual interest without detracting from its classic vibe.
Perfect for various events, this sweeping gown effortlessly pairs with your favorite accessories, making it a truly versatile piece. Style this bodycon dress with minimalist jewelry for an understated black-tie look, or make it white-tie-worthy with gloves and a tiara. Either way, it’s sure to put you at the top of the best-dressed list.
2. Short Bodycon Dresses Offer an Even Flirtier Touch
By default, bodycon outfits are known for being flirty with their close-fitting style. But who says you can’t take things up a notch by slipping into something even flirtier—a mini bodycon dress?
Get the Look: GS3086 - Asymmetric Velvet Bodycon Short Dress w/ Sequin
Dressing up for a date? Here’s a bodycon dress outfit idea that’ll have your sweetie swooning all evening long. Win their heart—and everyone else’s—in this sequin-adorned dress, guaranteed to make them swipe left on anyone who’s not you.
This striking dress comes in a shade of red that’s as hot as you are. Featuring a supportive one-shoulder strap and slit for freedom of movement, it offers all-day comfort without sacrificing style. Covered in sequins that catch the light, it ensures you captivate from every angle. Meanwhile, its short hemline makes it ultra-flattering for women with petite frames.
3. Textured Fabric Can Help Conceal Your Least Favorite Body Parts
For many women, slipping into a bodycon dress can be a bit intimidating due to the fear of spotlighting “flaws.” And while we believe every woman is flawless, we also believe they should be able to decide what makes them feel their best. Bodycon might mean “body-conscious,” but they definitely shouldn’t make you self-conscious. Instead, they should make you feel confident.
Get the Look: GL3457 - Sweetheart Ruched SideRome Jersey Mermaid Long Dress
No woman deserves to feel anything less than fabulous. If you wish to camouflage any “problem areas,” opt for bodycon outfits featuring textured fabric to add dimension to your attire. For example, if you’d like to draw unwanted attention away from your midsection, consider wearing a dress with ruched detailing.
This floor-length number from GLS by Gloria features delicate folds of fabric in the front, which are designed to conceal your pooch. Meanwhile, the corseted bodice forms a flattering V shape, giving you the illusion of a narrower waist.
Get the Look: GL3081 - Ruched Bodice Velvet Bodycon Long Dress w/ Leg Slit
Covered from top to bottom in sequins, it promises to keep your least favorite—but still beautiful—body parts under wraps, allowing you to step out looking and feeling fabulous.
4. The Right Bodycon Dress Can Help Balance Your Proportions
All bodies are beautiful, but if you’re looking for bodycon dress ideas to balance your proportions, we’ve got you. The trick is to simply pay attention to your dress styles and details.
Different styles suit different body types, so it’s crucial to choose a bodycon dress that works for you. For example, off-the-shoulder dresses are a fantastic choice for women with wider hips as they draw attention upward, creating a more balanced appearance. On the other hand, those with broad shoulders would look stunning in a trumpet dress, which adds volume to the lower half of the body.
Details matter, too. When strategically placed, they have the power to pull focus toward certain parts of your bodycon outfit. Whether in the form of shoulder pads, corsets, low-cut necklines, or belts, they help redefine your silhouette, giving you a gorgeous, well-proportioned look.
Get the Look: GL2559 - Jewel Accented Waist Line V-Neck Velvet Dress w/ U-Back
Own the room in this next bodycon dress that’s bound to become your favorite. This velvet creation features a bedazzled belt to define your waist, which is especially flattering for women with straighter figures. The addition of a belt gives the illusion of a curvier figure, while the velvet fabric adds a touch of luxury and softness, draping beautifully over your curves.
5. Sleeves Can Add a Touch of Modesty to Any Bodycon Dress
While sleeveless bodycon outfits are sophisticated, they might be too daring and sexy for certain occasions. For situations where you need more coverage without sacrificing a figure-flattering silhouette, consider wearing something with sleeves. Whether short, ¾, or long, sleeves instantly add a touch of modesty without making your ensemble look overly conservative or outdated.
Get the Look: GL2284 - Sheer Long Sleeve Jersey Long Dress Accented with Beaded Details
Fall in love with the fit of this jewel-accented dress. Crafted from jersey material, it maintains its shape no matter what (yes, even if you dance all night, it’ll stay just as sleek as when you put it on!). Its hem widens ever so slightly, giving you a stunning 8 shape without crossing into flared-dress territory. With its streamlined style and long sleeves, it shows off your figure while maintaining modesty—a common requirement at white and black-tie events.
6. You Can Embrace the Bodycon Shape without Fully Committing
Want to experiment with bodycon styles but aren’t ready to fully commit? Get two looks in one with dresses boasting detachable pieces like skirts and side-waist drapes. These maintain the cinching effect of a bodycon dress while allowing you to give your dress more volume as desired.
Get the Look: GL3156 - Halter Jewel Glitter Mermaid Dress w/ Detachable Mesh Layer
Here’s a bodycon dress outfit idea for women who love infusing formalwear with a bit of drama. Its main attraction is the body-contouring mermaid dress, complemented by a detachable waist drape. This stunner features a sheer skirt that fans out for a ballgown-like effect, while its criss-cross back lends a flirty touch, guaranteeing dreamy sighs as you pass by.
Let the mermaid dress speak for itself when you arrive, and then easily attach the waist drape to give your dress a fuller shape. You gotta love a multifunctional fashion moment!
Flaunt Your Figure in a Bodycon Dress by GLS Collective
Whether you’re preparing for a date or a formal affair, find the perfect bodycon dress only at GLS Collective. Our curated collection of form-fitting dresses caters to every body type, showcasing designs that span from timeless to trendy. With dresses that rival designer creations, you can ensure you stride into any room feeling and looking fabulous.
Shop online or visit us in-store to discover the perfect fit—one that flatters you in all the right places, and makes you feel like your most confident self.
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