7 Color Block Dresses That Slim and Shape

Calvin Klein colorbock dress Want to lose five pounds, no diet or exercise required?

Color has the power to slim and shape and that’s why color block dresses are still so popular. Strategically placed colored panels whittle your waist, shave inches off your thighs and create optical illusions to make you look slim and trim.

Dark colors recede and light and bright colors advance

Wherever on your body you place a dark color, it is going to make that part of your body look smaller. This why so many women love black pants. Dark colors camouflage/shrink a tummy, thick hips, and thighs.

Light/Bright Colors Highlight

If you wear a light or bright color on a certain part of your body, it will highlight that area, drawing attention to it and making it look bigger. This is why so many women are afraid of white pants or bright red jeans.

What Happens When You Combine Light/Bright and Dark?

When you combine chunks of dark + light/bright, you get some interesting special effects. Our eyes naturally want to follow lines, and we’re attracted to blocks of color. You can use color blocking as a tool to whittle your waist shave wide hips, lengthen your legs and overall body, shrink your bust, make your bust look bigger, etc.

For example, dark side panels on a light or bright-colored dress like this Calvin Klein Block Print Sheath visually strips away inches of your hips. Think of color blocking like sculpting your body using color.

Here’s a look at the latest color block dresses for women and what they can do for you.

Beautifully Belted I’m starting with my favorite dress-a crisp, modern Ellen Tracy Belted Colorblock A-line ($128). I’m in love with the toasty fall colors, the 3/4 length sleeves (which are hard to find these days), and the self-belt that helps define the waist. To me, this dress is classy but relaxed. It’s a great dress for work or to wear just about anywhere.
2. Criss Cross – This Dress is Boss! This empire style Colorblock Ottoman Knit Sheath ($294) frames your face like a beautiful portrait. The bright red color with the wide V- neckline draws all eyes up, while the black color on the bottom half slims and camouflages. Most elegant, and comfy too, being a knit!
3. Purple Power Purple is the color of royalty and creativity, and it is absolutely stunning when combined with black. This Purple Colorblocked Ponte Fit & Flare ($128) is a great example of that. Notice how the purple draws you in and gives the illusion of a much taller and slimmer silhouette? The keyhole neckline is delicate and feminine, and the fit and flare style is especially slimming on pear-shaped gals.
4. Nip It In If you’re the type who prefers a very subtle nod to the trend, then this Blue Colorblock Neoprene Shift Dress ($148) is for you. Black side panels and a tiny arrow at the waistline point the way to a svelte figure and stunning style.
5. For Creative Souls Express your inner artist in this dramatic Vince Camuto Colorblock Ponte Midi Dress. This dress is a head turner and a real conversation piece. Very fashion forward!
6. Perfect Hourglass Carve out a lovely hourglass shape in this pretty Black and White Ponte Sheath Dress ($137). The unusual square neckline makes it cool and different.
7. Falling Leaves I thought I’d end on this one which is another version of the one I started on. This 3-tone Ponte sheath has the same gorgeous fall colors as the first one but it’s a slightly different style. This would be really nice around Thanksgiving, don’t you think?