| OK, ladies, we all know that shopping online for a tennis | | | | type |
| dress can be a fun way to save money and time, | | | | - If you're big-busted, you may want to avoid small |
| AND you can find styles that you might never see at | | | | spaghetti-strap type tennis dresses. Opt instead for a |
| your local racquet club or sports store. However, one | | | | fuller top or one with wide straps. And make sure it |
| of the potential drawbacks of buying any clothing | | | | has a built-in bra |
| online, especially when it comes to form-fitting tennis | | | | - To accentuate a thin waist, or if you feel your |
| dresses or tennis apparel, is making sure you order the | | | | movement is inhibited by tight skirts, consider trying a |
| best size, shape and pattern for you. There's nothing | | | | dress that has a flare to its skirt. |
| more frustrating than seeing the cutest tennis dress | | | | - Pay attention to the neckline and the sleeves. These |
| online, and then when it arrives, trying it on to find out | | | | are areas that women tend to be fairly picky about, |
| that it looks ghastly! When you're just going off a | | | | but if you're not trying on the dress in the store, you |
| picture, and not able to try something on, how can you | | | | may overlook a style that could be unflattering for you. |
| make sure you get the right dress for you? | | | | 3) Choose a flattering pattern |
| Here are some general guidelines to help make sure | | | | - Of course, white is the classic, and black is always |
| you can figure out what dress is right for you: | | | | slimming, but what about dresses with patterns or |
| 1) Most online tennis stores will have some sort of | | | | piping or designs? These can be flattering for some. |
| sizing chart. Get an accurate measurement of | | | | For example, some dresses have piping around the |
| yourself, believe it, and USE it! | | | | waist, which helps define and accentuate the waist |
| - Chest/Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your | | | | area. |
| chest, under your arms and across your shoulder | | | | - In general, as with any clothing, vertical lines tend to |
| blades. | | | | make one look slimmer, while horizontal lines can make |
| - Waist: Place the measuring tape right at your | | | | one look wide. |
| bellybutton to make sure you're measuring your natural | | | | - Bold patterns draw attention to areas; where as |
| waistline. Don't pull too tight, keep it comfortably loose. | | | | muted/plain patterns minimize or soften areas. |
| - Hips: Stand with your feet together and measure | | | | 4) Check out the return policy |
| around the fullest part of your hips, before the thigh | | | | - And of course, even after you follow all the steps |
| begins to narrow, usually 7-9" below your waist. Keep | | | | above, realize there is always the slight possibility that |
| the measuring tape level and parallel to the floor. | | | | the adorable tennis dress you are about to buy may |
| - Inseam: Stand straight, and place tape measure high | | | | not make you look as good as Maria...! Make sure you |
| in your crotch. Straighten the tape down the inside of | | | | check out the store's return policy. Do they pay for |
| your leg to the top of your foot. | | | | return shipping, or do you? Can you get cash back, or |
| Even if you insist that you're a size 4 in all your clothes, | | | | just credit? |
| if the sizing chart online is telling you your | | | | There are dozens of unique and affordable online |
| measurements correspond to a size 8, order the size | | | | tennis dress stores-so keep these guidelines in mind |
| 8! Believe the sizing charts, they are there for a | | | | and have fun shopping!! |
| reason. | | | | See you on the courts! |
| 2) Make sure the style of the dress fits your body | | | | |