Fashion Tips & Trends -- The Summer's Hottest Dresses

What's best this summer? A popular style is the strapless dress. Strapless can flatter any body type, as long it is in the right fabric and the right fit. For example, if you are looking to support a fuller bust, or you feel that your figure needs to be slimmed down, stay away from clingy fabrics, like jersey dresses. Choose a fabric, like heavy cotton with built in boning to create a sexy, streamlined look.

If you fall into the dreaded half-size category, always choose a dress that is one size larger to avoid any hang over in the armpit area; if you fear that it will not fit correctly everywhere else, take it to a tailor and have it taken in only in the areas that need it. One of the hottest new looks for the strapless dress is to wear a paper-thin t-shirt, in a solid color, underneath it; if you choose to go with bare shoulders and are worried about being a little chilly in the evening, purchase a cropped jacket or a wrap knit in silk for a luxurious feel all night long.

Shift dresses are another hot look this season that compliment any figure. They are cool and comfortable no matter what you are doing, and the swing they give is flirty and fun. You can pair these dresses with wedges, flip flops or ballet flats and still have a great look; jelly shoes are back in again too and these are such a quick and fun slip-on. The beauty of the shift dress is that it takes you back to the less stressful, younger years in your life when you were busy chasing butterflies and running through sprinklers instead of chasing cabs and running through the subway.

Keeping with the newest Latin American inspired trends, Mexican blanket tube dresses are popping up on the runways, accented with bright floral patterns. Remember, bright patterns accent whatever area they cover, so, if you are self-conscious about a specific area of your body, choose a solid and wear the floral on the area you feel is the most sexy. These tube dresses will turn you into a sexy senorita within minutes of slipping them on. Similar to the strapless dress, they show off bare shoulders, but typically have a less structured look; these dresses make it easy to dance the night away with a special partner. Complete this look with a pair of wedge espadrilles and a chunky beaded necklace in turquoise.

All this talk about dresses! What about the proper underpinnings for these amazing summer pieces? Every girl that has ever worn a strapless dress knows that the one downfall, no matter how well it fits, is that you find yourself tugging at it to keep it in place. So, follow a few, simple rules, and you'll be able to wear your summer dress all day and night without another thought. To avoid a "shelf" look, choose a strapless bra that offers under wire or lightly molded cups. No matter how big or small ladies, you need to lift and separate! The exception to this rule is if you are wearing a dress that is made of a heavier fabric, such as cotton or linen. Choose a bustier instead of a strapless bra simply because, the heavier the fabric, the more it will weigh your breasts down; a strapless bra will not provide the all day and night support that you will need and it will make your breasts appear saggy. Let's face it, no one enjoys that look!

One last note about the strapless bra; when shopping for one, it is recommended that you purchase a bra that is one size smaller in the band than you typically wear. This variation will provide additional support and lift when you need it the most; remember you're going for function over sex kitten, when it comes to pulling off the summer dress look!