Style advice for the Susan Dress
Stripes and a loose, ankle-length, long sleeve shirt dress: it’s the ‘it’ outfit of the spring season. The side slits on the Susan dress make for a lovely, airy effect, and a belt accentuates the waist just that little bit extra. This floor length dress is a stylish item that can be worn in all kinds of prints to brighten up your daily outfit. We would love to share a few tips with you on how to wear this dress in a way that suits your body shape.
If you are shorter than 165 cm, the dress should stop just slightly above the knee. Find out out how to shorten the pattern pieces here. Is the long version still more your cup of tea? Naturally that option works as well; you'll just have to make sure that your ankles are still visible. Likewise, be sure there are enough details to add a nice vertical line to your silhouette. You can create this effect with a row of buttons, side slits or by using a fabric with vertical stripes, etc. This creates the optical illusion that you are a few centimetres taller than you actually are. You can accentuate your curves with a belt, which will make your waist look a little more slender. Because too many contrasts will make you look smaller, pick shoes in a colour similar to that of your dress fabric. Where accessories are concerned, a more minimalist approach is also more flattering.
A variety of different dress lengths look good on women of an average height: knee length, mid-calf, and floor length all flatter the figure.
Tall women look lovely in knee length dresses. Wearing the Susan long makes you look like a complete knockout. Prints are a nice way for tall women to draw focus away from their height. Go for a print well in proportion to your height and posture. That means avoiding prints that are too small or detailed. Bright coloured fabrics are also a great option.
Accessories with a little more flair are also recommended. They'll help your really stand out. Go for a belt in a contrasting colour, remarkably colourful shoes, or wear a large, eye-catching handbag.
For X- and 8-types
To create a flattering silhouette, accentuating your waist is essential: whatever you do, don’t cover it up! That means you should always cinch the Susan in at the waist. Creating an A-line for the skirt part of the dress is the neat hourglass's best option. In contrast, full hourglasses should avoid creating additional volume as much as possible. The skirt part should be in a straight cut. Select a fabric with a fluid drape.
For V-types
The focal point of the inverted triangle is the upper body. Centre the focus on the hips to create a sense of balance. Be sure that the dress spreads out enough at the bottom (in an A-line). You should also make sure that the sleeves are long enough. This will draw more attention to your lower body. You can wear this dress several different ways: cinched in at the waist or loose over a pair of trousers, paired with a turtle neck.
For A-types
The pear's centre of gravity is at the hips. The trick here is to get your shoulders to look wider so that they are in better proportion with your hips. Try wearing the dress with the top buttons unbuttoned. The collar tips will fall slightly open, drawing the line of focus towards the shoulders. If you cut the breast pockets at a different angle, you can increase the emphasis on your upper body. What's more, the yoke on the shoulders creates a broadening effect. Wear a belt with the dress to accentuate your waist. Don't cinch it too tightly to be sure that the transition from the upper body to the lower flows nicely. The side slits create vertical lines on the lower body, visually lengthening it and making it look less ‘heavy’. The fabric’s warp will also enhance this effect. Go for a fabric with a fluid drape that falls gently over the hips.
For H-types
Your figure is naturally well-balanced. Your shoulders and hips are more or less the same width. Your only trouble is that you seem to lack a clear waistline. You can create this waistline by cinching in the dress with a belt. However, you can also wear the dress loose and fully unbuttoned over trousers and a nice pullover. Select a stiffer fabric or fabric with a fluid drape. If you go for the latter, be sure that it’s heavy enough.
For O-types
The buttons at the front help draw a longitudinal line down the centre of your body, which vertically stretches your upper body. You can draw attention to your shoulders and face by leaving the upper buttons unbuttoned and allowing the collar to fall open. Most apple types have slender ankles, so be sure to show these off. The side slits ensure greater focus on your legs and ankles. Wear a pair of stunning earrings to lead the focus away from ‘the danger zone’, your stomach area in this case. The Susan dress looks lovely on you with or without a belt. Vertically striped fabric will also add longitudinal lines that flatter your figure.
For I-types
What's great about this dress for slim rectangles is the incredibly playful way that volume can be created: precisely what this slender figure lacks. Cut the breast pockets and the yoke at different angles if you’re using a striped fabric. Make sure the top buttons are unbuttoned and the collar is open or roll the sleeves up. Whatever you do, don’t forget to wear a belt!
