You'll come across the word silhouette in fashion and design and even within our blog. In its simplest terms in style, a silhouette is a garment's overall outline or shape. The silhouette is the starting point when we set out to create our beautiful gowns and clothing. We design the silhouette, and the rest of the style elements fall into place.

The Fitted Silhouette

In fashion, many trends, cuts, and styles come and go—but the fitted or semi-fitted silhouette remains, especially for dresses. When it comes to timeless fashion, the fitted shape has withstood the test of time and style changes over many years. These types of gowns are almost always universally flattering for everybody. Although dynamic in design, fitted dresses are simple elegance at their finest. Many other dress silhouettes feature a waistline that generally sits below the bustline or on the natural curves just above the hips—a fitted dress is devoid of a structured waist.

A fitted silhouette dress is defined by the figure donning it rather than a dress influencing the shape of the body wearing it.

How Timeless is the Fitted Silhouette? 

You may recognize a fitted silhouette dress by another name, the sheath dress. Sheath dresses originated in ancient times and are commonly seen in ancient Egyptian art. While no physical evidence remains of these dresses, the nobility, elite, women, and deities were shown wearing the garment in Egyptian art.

During the 19th century, the Princess Sheath dress was popular between 1878 and 1880. They were associated with the Princess of Wales, later known as Queen Alexandra. During the 1900s, Americans were still inspired by Parisian fashion trends as American socialites traveled to Europe to view the latest collections and custom-tailored outfits. Paul Poiret is credited as the first designer of the modern sheath dress and also the designer of the rubber girdle as an alternative to the boned corset.

By the 1950s, the sheath dress became the staple in every American woman's closet. Christian Dior introduced the "Vertical Line," catering to a woman's body and curves. From ancient Egypt to the black Givenchy dress of Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe's famous dress when singing Happy Birthday to President John F. Kennedy, the fitted silhouette dress still turns heads in the 21st century.

Fitted Silhouette Dress Trends We Love

This year's runway has no shortage of stunning fitted silhouette dress trends we were eager to share with our customers. From inspired cocktail dresses to gorgeous prom and pageants, let's dive into our most beautiful fitted silhouette dresses you're bound to love.

The Little Black Magical Dress

What dress gives a hint of mystique and a hand full of magic? Our V-Neck fitted mini cocktail dress, black, in style L1277. With a shimmering, soft lycra and exquisitely tailored double darts, our dress hugs your shape for a truly stunning fitted dress. A burst of lush leaves and florals with delicate scrollwork surrounds the V-neck of this dress, dotted elegantly with shimmering light-catching sequins. These lush details are mirrored within the translucent, floating hemline of the magical cloak that sits lightly along the shoulders. Along the back, a playful dipping V-shaped back is gorgeously accentuated with ribbons.

Shine Bright Like a Goddess

With hints of ancient Greecian Goddess vibes leaving the shoulder bare but with a modern silhouette, there's so much to love about this dress in style 70311. We chose tulle fabric due to its exceptional qualities to remain silky soft and lightweight, ensuring that whoever wears this dress feels like they're wrapped in a cloud. Tulle also has such a fantastic drape, and you can see it in action in this one-shoulder fitted long prom dress. Thousands of tiny, shimmering beads have been hand-sewn to create a jewel-like aura, and the back is stunning with its graceful drape of beaded fringe.

The Scoop on Ombre

Set the stage to sparkle in our scoop-neck fitted long dress in lilac ombre, style 70330. Perfectly flattering for your shape with delicate straps and scoop neck that flatters shoulders, neck, and collar bone—we're in love with the subtle ombre from lilac to gorgeous royal purple not only in the material but the hand-sewn sequins that shift hues as well. With a cheeky scooped back emphasized with a silky soft lace-up back and a side-slit to wow, this tulle fabric glitter-dream of a dress isn't just for prom—it's perfect for a pageant, a night out, or any special event.

The Red Carpet

Modern double darts with the classic fitted silhouette always meet traditional in our beaded fitted long dress in royal blue, style 70360. Lycra jersey is a buttery-soft material composed of cotton and spandex, giving this dress the softness and breathability of fine cotton and a touch of delicate silk-like shimmer. With its sumptuously beaded halter neck, there's no need to wear a necklace as it sparkles like diamonds. This dress is ideal for the woman that loves accentuating her shoulders and wants to draw all eyes upward to her glowing features.

The high slit is a perfectly flirtatious Hollywoodesque touch of glamour that ties this perfect gown together.

Just the Sweetest

With a perfect neckline and the pop of feminine power in fuchsia, our sweetheart ball gown in style 70416 will turn heads! We chose the stunning lustrous Mikado fabric to create this brilliant gown, as the beautiful drape cannot be denied. The Mikado is perfect for women looking for a structured dress that will hold its shape no matter where you wear it or how you move in it. A beautifully made Victorian-inspired over-bust corset with boning paired with delightful attached cap sleeves creates an ultra-modern look. We love that the flowing asymmetrical ruffled skirt shows a playful hint of leg while melding a decadent ball gown.

Which one of our fitted silhouettes is your favorite? We can't decide. We love them all! We hope you've enjoyed reading about this ageless fashion design that is perfect for nearly any gown you can imagine.