HOW TO - BE A FORMAL DRESS PRO

LOOK BOOK:
Cut out pics of your fave dresses dresses, hairstyle and make-up ideas etc, stick them all into a scrapbook - this will become your 'Look Book'.  Take it around with you to shops and it'll help keep you on track with all your styling ideas.

TRY LOTS OF DIFFERENT STYLES ON:
Just because Nat Portman looks fab in a particular frock, doesn't mean 99.5% of the population can wear it and look as good! You should try on lots of different dress styles.

COLOUR:
Use colour and design to accentuate your best features and direct the eyes away from the not-so-good bits.

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL:
You've probably noticed but one dress might be a size 12 and fit perfectly but another size 12 either swims on you or is so tight you can't breathe!! So don't look at the size of the dress, pay attention to how the dress fits.

HIP HIP HOORAY:
If you want to minimize your hips, go for dresses with an A-line, Empire line and detail at the neck or shoulders.

CREATE GREAT CURVES:
A full skirted ball gown with a boned corset and off the shoulder sleeves will disguise a small chest and narrow shoulders and create the figure you've always wanted

MAKE YOUR TUMMY LOOK YUMMY:
Empire line or a dress with fabric draped or gathered across the tummy will disguise the tum.

BOOTYLICIOUS:
Avoid clingy and stiff fabrics around the booty.  Again, go for an A-line, Empire line or full skirted ball gown.

CREATE AN ILLUSION OF HEIGHT:
Lengthen a short torso with a drop waist or an asymmetrical design (off the shoulder) and look for subtle vertical stripes.

ARM YOURSELF:
Never wear anything tight around your arms. Maybe even go for a sophisticated wrap made of organza (a luxurious looking sheer fabric).

SAVE YOURSELF HOLLYWOOD STYLE:
If you're worried about wardrobe malfunctions, there's double sided sticky tape "Hollywood Tape" that is designed to keep your bits from being exposed unintentionally.