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Silhouette Empire Waist
An empire waist dress is a dress with a fitted bodice that drapes out under the bustline, rather than at the natural waistline. This shape’s effect is slimming and lengthening; the cinch at the bustline creates a high, thin waist and a longer line of billowy fabric from bust to hem than if you were to cinch the dress at your (lower) natural waist. Since empire waist dresses elongate the wearer’s frame, they’re especially great for petite women or plus-size women who want to redirect attention from their waist or hips to their bust.