Shop by Body Shape

The best plus-size dress for your body shape is the one that creates balance, defines your waist where you want it, and feels comfortable to wear from the moment you put it on. Our By Shape guides help you find flattering Scarlett & Jo dresses for apple, pear, hourglass and curvy petite figures, with expert advice on wrap necklines, flowing skirts, proportion-friendly silhouettes and supportive design features that help every shape feel confident and beautifully dressed.

If your main question is not the occasion but the fit, start here. Whether you want to soften the middle, balance the shoulders and hips, highlight a naturally defined waist or find a style that works better on a shorter frame, these guides make it easier to choose a dress that flatters your proportions as well as your personal style.

Why Scarlett & Jo Dresses Work by Shape

 

Scarlett & Jo dresses are designed for plus-size proportions, not simply scaled up from smaller sizes. Advanced Fit Technology® is created to improve bust, waist and hip balance for a smoother fit with less gaping, pulling or bunching. POWERFIT® combines stretch with stability, helping the fabric move with the body while keeping its shape. MagicBand® is built into the dress to gently define the waist and create a more flattering silhouette. Together, these features help Scarlett & Jo dresses feel supportive, comfortable and beautifully balanced across different body shapes.

Scarlett & Jo’s design approach is also known for creating an elegant hourglass effect through cut, fabric and proportion. That means each guide is grounded not just in general styling advice, but in the actual construction details that make a dress sit well and feel special to wear.

The fit principles behind these guides are validated by real customer data. The Scarlett & Jo Confidence Report 2026 — based on 10,081 verified reviews — found that women reference fit 70 times more often than fashion trends when describing what makes them feel confident in occasionwear.

Find the Right Guide for Your Shape

 

Apple Shape

If you carry more fullness through the middle, start with apple shape. The most flattering styles often use wrap fronts, V-necks and soft skirts to create definition and a smoother, more elongated line.

Pear Shape

If your hips are fuller than your upper body, start with pear shape. Dresses with shoulder detail, angel sleeves, wrap bodices and flowing skirts can help create a more balanced silhouette while keeping the waist beautifully defined.

Hourglass

If your bust and hips are balanced with a defined waist, start with hourglass. Wrap-front styles and shaped waists are often the most flattering because they work with your natural proportions rather than hiding them. 

Curvy Petite

If you are shorter in height and want a dress that feels more in proportion, start with curvy petite. Petite-friendly lengths, wrap necklines and waist-defining styles can help a shorter frame feel polished, balanced and never overwhelmed. 

Busty Fit

 

If your bust is fuller and standard dresses often pull across the chest, sit too high at the neckline or lose definition through the waist, start with Busty Fit. The best dresses for a busty fit usually use wrap fronts or V-necklines to open the upper body, bodices with enough give and stability to accommodate fuller bust volume or larger cup sizes, and waist definition to separate bust from torso so the silhouette stays balanced rather than top-heavy.

 

Expert Advice from Scarlett & Jo's Fit Specialists