The easiest way to balance a bottom-heavy figure is to choose a little black dress that skims over the lower half of the body. Fuller skirts, like this Eliza J dress, disguise heavy hips, while showing off the waist. A fitted halter or strapless silhouette -- which accents a trim upper body -- is very flattering for bottom-heavy figures.

The perfect little black dress for a smaller frame elongates and flatters like this stretch satin dress.More flattery: look for a dress with a lot of shape -- here it has a V-neck and horizontal seaming -- and is scaled just right for your figure. Avoid too-cutesy looks (like puffed sleeves) so you won't look little girlish.