If you need to buy a dress for a special event that you will be attending soon, here are two factors that you should take into consideration before choosing this garment.

1. The type of event you'll be attending

It's very important to consider the type of event at which you'll be wearing your new dress. The one you select should not only be in keeping with the event's dress code but should also be a practical choice for the type of activities you are likely to partake in on this particular day. For example, if you'll be attending a formal wedding reception, a floor-length dress is more likely to be in keeping with this event's dress code than a shorter garment.

If you intend to spend a lot of the wedding reception on the dance floor, a dress that has a 'floaty' lower half might be more suitable than one which is extremely form-fitting, as the former will allow you to move your body more easily when you're dancing. Conversely, if you'll be attending an outdoor party with a less formal ambience, a slightly shorter cocktail dress might be appropriate.

If the party is likely to continue late into the night, you may want to opt for a dress that is made from quite a thick fabric and has long sleeves, as this will ensure that you don't get too cold when the sun sets, and the temperatures start to drop.

2. Your figure

Women's dresses come in a huge variety of styles, and the truth is that only a few of these styles are likely to suit your particular figure. As such, if you want to look and feel your best at your upcoming event, it's important to keep your body shape in mind when selecting your dress, and to choose a style which emphasises your favourite physical features and draws the eye away from the parts of your body you don't want to accentuate.

For example, if you have a wide waist that you feel somewhat self-conscious about, but have quite toned arms, it might be a good idea to choose a strapless empire-line dress; this will show off your arms and décolleté and draw attention away from your midsection.

Conversely, if you dislike the appearance of your arms but have a small waist that you want to show off, a bodycon dress with capped sleeves would be the perfect option, as this type of garment would disguise your upper arms and accentuate your narrow waist.