The prom dress classification as per the body shapes are –

• Slender
• Petite
• Hourglass
• Full Figured
• Pear Shape
• Apple Shape

5’6” or taller with s lender curve less figure means- long and lean and hard time seeing curves. Thin throughout with approximately same width of shoulders and hips.

If you have a slim figure the illusion of curves can be achieved by drawing attention to your bust line and waist.

• Try prom dresses such as a wrap dress or one with a belt, ribbons, shirring or darts for a feminine hourglass.
• Drape empire style dress, or add fullness to your slender shape with a voluminous ball skirt or an A-line dress.
• Dress with details or patterns like horizontal lines will draw the eye across the body and break vertical body lines and add more definition to your shape.
• A sheath dress would look great and flow gracefully on your tall and lean silhouette.
• Wear a body skimming dress that emphasizes your subtle curves. You can also choose a dress with a revealing slit to show off legs.
• Choose open plunging V necklines with cut out back to show off.
• Dress in big shoulders and sleeves to add width to your top, tight waist lines with a full skirt to give the illusion of a curvy shape.
  

: If you are petite show a little leg and go with an asymmetrical short hemline or a long fitted solid prom dress to appear taller. 

• Dress in different types of hemlines for one that suits you the best (handkerchief, asymmetrical, ruffled, hi/low).
• Floor length ball gowns or a simple column style sheath dress will overwhelm your frame. 
• Basque waistlines, empire style, simple sleeves, lightly detailed shoulders, vertical lines (pleating), and A-line or princess silhouettes elongate the torso or waistline and add height.
• For slim petites, the sheath or mermaid style prom dress is ideal.
• Play around with necklines- V-shape, halter or sweetheart will make you look fantastic.
• Try long ruffles as they can also add the illusion of height.

If you have an hour glass figure consider yourself lucky! You have a naturally well proportioned body with means you need not disguise any thing. You can wear any style prom dress to flatter your figure and shop for whatever your heart desires for.

• Show off your curves while maintaining balance, look for prom gowns with simple, classic and form fitting styles like long sheaths and mermaid style. Be it plain or embellished, this type of dress will accentuate your body in all the right places.
• Shy away from excessive decoration as it can make you look heavier than you really are.
• Pick an A-line or ball gown, to cover your wider parts and draw attention upward. To achieve this try a strapless bodice ball gown with a full skirt and a cinched waist.
• Show off your shoulders with off-the-shoulder sleeves, v-necklines, and strapless dresses.
• Draw back from prom gowns with very full or ruffled skirts, pouf sleeves, highly detailed bodices, and high necklines that cover the shoulder area and minimize the bust.

Short or tall, heavy all over with a large frame with very noticeable curves and a heavy bust.

Empire, A-line, Ball gown

Suggestions

• Look for A line prom dresses, where the fabric drapes gracefully to the floor instead of ones that are form-fitting or body-hugging,
• You can also try a ball gown with a corseted waist or a tight-fitting two-piece that will highlight your torso and hide a fuller bottom.
• Another good option is the empire gown, which will draw more attention to your bust line and flow over everything else below.
• V, round or sweetheart necklines look best as does thick straps or a halter top.
• Full skirts hide hips and thighs and shoulder pads make waists look smaller.
• Long sleeves tapering toward the wrist slenderize arms; avoid strapless or sleeveless prom dresses which only emphasize fullness.

For pear shapes we recommend prom dresses with fitted tops and full or a-line skirts.  Or if you are comfortable with your larger behind, go for prom dresses that are a bit more form fitting.

• Flatter your upper half with dresses that accentuate the bodice and loosely flow over the body.
• Strapless bodices are the best choice for your body type.
• Choose either an A-line, empire or ball gown and a strapless bustier or a halter with a circular neckline.

Short or tall with the same width of shoulders and hips and a wide waist or an undesired tummy, hard to see waistline

For an apple shaped body prom dresses with an empire waist will help draw attention from your middle.

• Empire gowns look best on this type of figure. The high waist de-emphasizes your mid-section and lengthens your overall silhouette.
• If you choose to go with an A-line gown, it is ideal that you choose a bodice with boning for a slimming effect.
• If you have nice athletic legs, you might try to show them off by looking at shorter prom dresses.
• The illusion you are looking for is to make your figure look longer; hence, it is advisable to choose a dress which accentuates the shoulders and is in solid color.
• You can wear almost anything; just avoid "cutting" your figure in half by using a different color top from your bottom. Or if you want to go that way, make sure that the top goes below your hipline.