Ball Dresses

New Zealand Ball Dresses

The Kiwi gal's guide to shopping for a ball dress. Read on for information on ball gown styles, where to shop for ball gowns, finding the perfect evening dress for your body shape and your style.

• Ball Gowns
• Wedding Dresses
• Clothing Shops

The secret to being a belle at your next ball, formal event or special occasion, is a combination of confidence, beauty and good style. Make sure you shine when you step out in a ball gown by finding a New Zealand ball dress which suits your body and your style.

Find a dress that's a perfect fit
Make sure your dress is a good fit for your body, flattering your best bits and looking good with your body's proportions:

• Pear: if you have a small to medium bust and fuller lower body, try a dress with a fitted top and A-line skirtline.
• Slim: if you're slim all over, with not many curves, try making curves appear by defining your waist with a belt or flattering your upper body with a dress which draws attention to your bust line.
• Full-busted: make the most of your figure with a neckline that flatters you while also providing good support and not exposing too much. Alternatively, try a dress with detail in the lower half of the dress to draw the eye down.
• Petite: if you're small, try a short, cocktail style dress, a longer dress with a split or a dress with an asymmetrical hemline, as a full length dress may be too much for your small frame.
• Hourglass: if you have a well-defined waist with bust and hips of about the same measurement, you will find a wide variety of styles to flatter your shape.
• Apple: if you have a medium to full bust and fuller waist, try a dress with an empire waistline, as a higher waist means a looser, more flattering fit around your middle. If you love your legs, you might want to try a short dress.

Browse a range of New Zealand ball gowns to find your match.

Get your style groove on
There are many styles of ball gown available, but what's around in fashion stores will be a reflection of current trends. Don't be scared to wear a dress that says 'you.' Your ball dress style can be:

• Glamorous: get inspiration from the Hollywood style of bygone days. This ball dress style is for you if you fall for super-svelte, cinched in waists; halter neck dresses; classic style with simple diamond or diamante accessories; and A-line dresses from the 1950's. Top off the look with some bright red lippie.
• Simple: classics are classics for a reason – tried and true for many a year, simple ball gowns can be aced with some perfect accessories. The simple style can be empire (falling from beneath the bust, with no defined waist), ball-gown (full skirt, cinched in at the waist), A-line (fitted to the body, flaring out from the hip), or sheath (fitted throughout the body).
• Vintage: find inspiration on the racks of your local opportunity shop, and buy second hand or have a dress made in a vintage design. Vintage is hip and timeless style, whether it's a dropped waistline from the 1920's, a brocade ball gown from the 1930's, a cinched waist dress from the 1940's or an A-line dress from the 1950's.
• Sexy: if you favour a bold, dramatic look, become a sexy siren for the night with a classic halter-neck dress, a dress with a plunging neckline or a copy of a redcarpet scene-stealer in bright red or bold black.

Smart ball gown shopping
Whatever your style, make sure you shop around for the best New Zealand ball dress . Instead of settling for second best, shop smart by making a list of shopping destinations, getting stores to hold potentially dynamite dresses, and taking a friend along to give you a second opinion. You might want to think about:

• Shopping online: many ball gown stores offer online shopping. While it's best to try before you buy, online stores are an easy way to get an idea of what's out there.
• Chain fashion stores: if you're a little strapped for cash, you may be pleasantly surprised by the offerings at your local Glassons, Supre, Dotti or Wild Pair store. Choose a simple dress and complement it with some dazzling jewellery and great shoes.
• Haute couture: if your budget is greater than $150, you may want to go with designer labels and high fashion ball dresses, available from boutique clothing stores and selected retailers. You'll pay for the originality and uniqueness of the design, so your dress will be sure to make a statement.
• Dressmakers: if you have a fantastic idea for a ball gown, but can't find your dress on the racks at either mainstream or high fashion stores, visit a professional dressmaker. This will be more costly, but you will get exactly what you're looking for and your dress will be a perfect fit.
• DIY dresses: if you have sewing skills, make your own! Be sure to follow a pattern (these can easily be altered) and choose fabric that will be well-suited to your design. This can be a cost effective way to get your dream ball dress.
• Vintage stores: some of the most stylish dresses can be found on the racks of boutique secondhand clothing stores. Shop for a ball gown and go classic in style (retro shoes, haircut and jewels) or add a contemporary touch with your own jewellery and accessories. Your vintage shop's owner will be able to help you out with style choices and may also be able to make alterations to the dress if needed.

On the night
When your night comes, be sure to remember...a warm coat or shawl that matches your look; pins for any wardrobe malfunctions; a small disposable camera to record your night; and a purse or small clasp bag for lippy and other essentials. Most importantly, carry a good dose of excitement, confidence and beauty for a great night!

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand ball gowns in the NZS.com directory.

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