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Fashion: How to find the perfect sparkly party dress for every body shape

There's a dazzling dress out there for every body, says Katie Wright

Roman Purple Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £75 (shoes, stylist's own), available from Roman
Roman Purple Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £75 (shoes, stylist's own), available from Roman Roman Purple Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £75 (shoes, stylist's own), available from Roman

WHEN it comes to festive fashion, don't overthink it. A sparkly dress is a party-season classic - but with an endless array of sequinned frocks in the shops, which is the one for you?

To help you narrow it down, here, we run down five of the biggest dress trends of the season, and how they can enhance your body type.

These glittery beauties will make you feel like a million dollars - even when they cost a whole lot less than that...

Fit and flare dresses

Best for: Emphasising your waist

If you want to show off your hourglass silhouette - or create the illusion of curves on a straight-up-and-down figure - a defined waist is essential.

Wrap dresses are ideal if you're larger on top, while a detachable belt means you can control how cinched in you go.

Dorothy Perkins Silver Sequin Belted Fit And Flare Dress, £48; Silver Bae Diamante Heeled Sandals, £30, available from Dorothy Perkins
Dorothy Perkins Silver Sequin Belted Fit And Flare Dress, £48; Silver Bae Diamante Heeled Sandals, £30, available from Dorothy Perkins Dorothy Perkins Silver Sequin Belted Fit And Flare Dress, £48; Silver Bae Diamante Heeled Sandals, £30, available from Dorothy Perkins
V by Very Multi Stripe Sequin Wrap Mini Dress, £50 (was £65), available from Very
V by Very Multi Stripe Sequin Wrap Mini Dress, £50 (was £65), available from Very V by Very Multi Stripe Sequin Wrap Mini Dress, £50 (was £65), available from Very

Strappy dresses

Best for: Boyish figures

While for some people, wearing a strapless bra or going braless just isn't an option, for those with slimmer frames a spaghetti strap dress is just the ticket.

Embrace the modern flapper look with a sassy sequinned mini dress, or bring the Seventies disco vibes with a metallic A-line frock and platform sandals.

Miss Selfridge Pink And Ombre Disc Slip Dress, £74.25 (was £99); Sloane Black Pointed T Sandals, £32, available from Miss Selfridge
Miss Selfridge Pink And Ombre Disc Slip Dress, £74.25 (was £99); Sloane Black Pointed T Sandals, £32, available from Miss Selfridge Miss Selfridge Pink And Ombre Disc Slip Dress, £74.25 (was £99); Sloane Black Pointed T Sandals, £32, available from Miss Selfridge
Oliver Bonas Shimmer Pleated Green Scallop Neck Midi Dress, £69.50, available from Oliver Bonas
Oliver Bonas Shimmer Pleated Green Scallop Neck Midi Dress, £69.50, available from Oliver Bonas Oliver Bonas Shimmer Pleated Green Scallop Neck Midi Dress, £69.50, available from Oliver Bonas

Midi dresses

Best for: Taller ladies

While midi lengths have a tendency to drown petite frames, if you're on the tall side, a dress that falls below your knee is flattering and elegant.

Whether shift or swing style, sequinned midi dresses offer more coverage if you don't want to reveal too much leg or if your festive 'do calls for more formal attire.

JD Williams All Over Sequin Gold Midi Swing Dress, £57 (was £95), available from JD Williams
JD Williams All Over Sequin Gold Midi Swing Dress, £57 (was £95), available from JD Williams JD Williams All Over Sequin Gold Midi Swing Dress, £57 (was £95), available from JD Williams

Ombre dresses

Best for: Focusing on your best bits

We've all got certain areas of our bodies that we're not so keen on, and an ombre dress offers a clever way to emphasise the bits we prefer.

If you'd rather skim over your hips, choose an ombre frock that's darker at the bottom. Or if you want to hide your arms, go for a dark shade on top. There are some beautiful colour combinations in the shops.

Roman Purple Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £75 (shoes, stylist's own), available from Roman
Roman Purple Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £75 (shoes, stylist's own), available from Roman Roman Purple Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £75 (shoes, stylist's own), available from Roman
V by Very Ombre Sequin Midi Dress, £105 (was £120), available from Very
V by Very Ombre Sequin Midi Dress, £105 (was £120), available from Very V by Very Ombre Sequin Midi Dress, £105 (was £120), available from Very
JD Williams Navy & Silver Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £48.50 (was £75); White Work Shirt (from a pack of two), £18 (was £30); Flexi Sole Kitten Heel Two Part Shoes, £25, available from JD Williams
JD Williams Navy & Silver Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £48.50 (was £75); White Work Shirt (from a pack of two), £18 (was £30); Flexi Sole Kitten Heel Two Part Shoes, £25, available from JD Williams JD Williams Navy & Silver Ombre Sequin Shift Dress, £48.50 (was £75); White Work Shirt (from a pack of two), £18 (was £30); Flexi Sole Kitten Heel Two Part Shoes, £25, available from JD Williams

Mini dresses

Best for: Showing off your pins

Leggy ladies, rejoice - because the festive fashion collections are full of fabulous sparkly mini dresses.

For curvy figures, try a halterneck LBD with a cinched in waist, or keep your top half under wraps with a high neck shift dress - it's all about balance.

Miss Selfridge Black Sequin Mini Dress, £110, available from Miss Selfridge
Miss Selfridge Black Sequin Mini Dress, £110, available from Miss Selfridge Miss Selfridge Black Sequin Mini Dress, £110, available from Miss Selfridge
Lipsy Sequin Halterneck Dress, £55, available from Next
Lipsy Sequin Halterneck Dress, £55, available from Next Lipsy Sequin Halterneck Dress, £55, available from Next