What to wear to special occasions this spring

Our model Marita Willis is president of New Community Housing Development Organization Inc. and chair of the Louisville Water Company Board of Directors. Marita is wearing: Ted Baker dress, $325; Ted Baker purse, $285, available at Boutique Serendipity, 1301 Herr Lane, 502.423.0058

'Tis the season for graduations, weddings, Easter dinners, church events, and more celebrations. Here's how to look amazing at any special occasion this spring.

Whether you are attending a graduation or any other special event, the outfit you select depends more on your body shape than your age, says Sara Sharpe, sales manager at Boutique Serendipity. “I think age is only a number, and if you have it, then you should flaunt it,” she says.

The style of this dress (above), Sharpe says, worked well for our model Marita Willis because she could show off her toned arms. For women who have a straight figure, Sara suggests choosing a shift dress, because they fit looser and are more flattering to a woman who doesn’t have curves.

Curvy women, Sharpe says, should choose a fit-and-flare dress that cinches at the waist like the one Marita is wearing. She also suggests choosing dresses that fall slightly below the knees for women who don’t like their legs.

Marita is wearing: Mother-of-the-bride gown by Jade by Jasmine, available at The Bridal Suite, 9948 Linn Station Road, 502.244.2909

When searching for a mother- or grandmother-of-the-bride (or groom) gown, Sara Rodriguez, manager of The Bridal Suite of Louisville, suggests women keep an open mind.

Sara says it is best for women to try on dresses that are their true size rather than waiting to lose an extra five or 10 pounds. She also says women should be open to trying on dresses that don’t look good on the hanger. “The way the dress looks on the hanger isn’t necessarily how it will look when you try it on,” she says.

The mother-of-the-bride gown Marita is wearing has an asymmetrical ruching on the bodice that makes the waist look smaller, Sara says. Also, the length of the bodice elongates the torso, which can make a woman look taller and leaner.

– Tiffany White / Photos by Melissa Donald