It is the season of the dress. All ladies should have a few in their wardrobe this summer and enjoy the freedom that the dress gives them, whilst celebrating their femininity.

Just think, no more having to co-ordinate top and bottom. No more having to ensure individual parts of the whole outfit are clean, mended and all coming together at the same time. Just slip on the dress. Pop on some wedges or gladiator sandals and off you go to work or play, as the dress is equally appropriate for both.

But how do you know which dress is the best one for you? Very few of us have a perfect body, and I'm a huge fan of using clothing to fake it. So I have broken down the common body shape issues for you, and matched up the dresses that work best to capitalise on your assets and make all those annoying lumps and bumps and imbalances just disappear.

Just follow this guide, and you should be out and about looking fabulous in your dress in no time at all.

Curvaceous with defined waist, bust and hips

If you are lucky enough to be one of those luscious ladies who have hourglass shapes, this is the perfect season for you.

With a well-developed bust, encased in excellent underwear, tapering in to a narrower waist and then flaring out again to hips that are in the same proportion as your shoulder width, you are considered to be the ideal female shape. And the dress is designed best for womanly shapes. So celebrate it now.

The wrap dress in a silk crepe or cotton jersey knit is an ideal design for anyone with curves — or in fact anyone that wishes to fake curves as it defines the waist and moves with the shape of your body.

If you are self conscious about love handles or a few bumps on the body, opt for a glorious pattern on the dress that will totally disguise any of those unsightly — or imagined — lumps. Always go for a slightly draped cap sleeve or, even better, a three-quarter sleeve to call the eye to your narrower natural waistline.

Then there is the classic '50s dress. Fitted neatly on the bust, with an open neck or strapless, a well-defined tailored waist, before flaring out in pleats or gathers or an A-line skirt, this design makes the most of your shape, whilst skimming over the bits you are not terribly fond of. This style works well for evening dresses and in a loose cotton weave for day wear.

Sporty, angular and slim

As someone who needs a bra to walk to the kitchen, I am deeply envious of all you ladies who can skip one altogether. You are lucky enough to be able to go for the plunging backless evening dresses, the halter-necks to give extra width to your shoulders and the plunging, waist-deep neckline. However, I do understand that with these benefits comes some extra hard work to create the impression of curves.

This can be done by starting with the dress on a hanger. If it has well constructed panels, shoulders and waist on the hanger, then this is a good start for you.

Look for a puff sleeve, a ruched bodice, pockets on the side of the skirt and curved inset panels and piping.

Layers and ruffles also add depth and movement to a dress — and are totally in fashion this season. A high, round neck adds body to the bust and a tulip or puff ball skirt in the dress can add hips where you don't have them.

A shirt dress with cap sleeves, small pockets on the bust, a fitted waist and buttons down the front, in a cotton, linen or denim fabric is an ideal dress to keep an eye out for this season.

Tip top torments

Up top, broad shoulders can easily be narrowed down with a great halter-neck dress. Pair with a bikini top as a bra, if you feel you can't go without any bust support, for a great casual look.

Find diagonal lines or crafty, off-centre patterns that draw the eye away from the shoulders, and avoid tunic dresses that flare out directly from the shoulders as well as puff sleeves and boat necks.

If, like me, you are stuck with a short neck, then a lovely scoop neck or deep V-neck dress is ideal to create extra length. Avoid high neck lines, polo necks and chokers, and always wear your hair up and long earrings with an evening dress.

Upper arm anger can be a contagious disease as you age. The best way to address this is to ensure your dress has sleeves. Make sure that short sleeve dresses have plenty of room in the cuffs so as not to squeeze the upper arm, and a longer sleeve on the dress should be fluted and soft.

A belly laugh

So many of us ladies have issues with our tummies, and yet a dress can so easily disguise all of these problem areas if we choose the right one.

For those of you who have no defined waist — just fake it. Start with making sure that your bust is in the right place. By hoisting up the bust, you create more space beneath it where your ribs finish (your natural waist), to create the impression of a waistline.

Then go and find yourself the most gorgeous empire-line frock you can find, with a lovely deep V-neck or scoop neck, and draping from the empire line, skimming over the tummy and hips. The best examples are often found at The Space where Colleen Eitzen stocks a fabulous selection.

A bit of a wobbly belly is also easy to disguise. You can go one of two ways with the dress. If you have a defined waist, make sure you cinch the dress in at the waist with a fabulous belt, and that there is enough fabric to flare out from there. No tummy to be seen. However, if you don't have a waist to begin with, and now you find you have some extra padding, then the empire line is the easiest way to go.

Don't be afraid to go a size or two up to get enough drape in the empire line — remember size is just a number. Also, never forget the forgiving nature of a pair of hold-it-all-in-undies, available from Woolies countrywide.

The final area for concern in the middle section is the classic apple shape — where you have plenty of meat up top, but skinny wee pins down below.

The secret here is to show off your fabulous legs, whilst trying to achieve some proportion by narrowing down the top. An A-line or kick flare in the skirt, at knee length will go some way to helping with the balancing trick. Also, a wrap top half creates a narrowing impression. Finally, pop a cropped jacket, cardigan or sequined shrug over your dress and this will also help to create the impression of a waspy waist.

Lower half laments

When it comes to down below, there are also some classic complaints that ladies can address with a carefully chosen frock.

If, like me, your 'cankles' are only getting worse with age, it is important to remember that the maxi dress is your friend.

In fashion for a couple of seasons now, the maxi forgives all heavy calf muscles and undefined ankles in the manner of a wonderful pair of wide-leg trousers, whilst maintaining your femininity and being bang on trend.

Pair them with a pair of metallic gladiators and you are all set. In winter go for a fabulous pair of boots instead. The ankle strap shoe and the mid-calf dress length should be avoided at all costs.

Shorter legs should also avoid the mid-calf length and should embrace the empire dress, as this higher waistline makes your legs look miles longer. Wearing trousers underneath your dress also disguise shorter legs. Couple this with a high heel and your legs are simply no longer a problem.

And finally, the wonderfully bootilicious pear shape should gravitate toward the fabulously tailored shift dress, belted A-line dresses, wrap dresses and classic prom dress for the evening. Avoid bias cuts and spray-on lycra, no matter what you see in a 50-Cent video.

Once you have got the perfect dress for you, jazz it up with a snazzy belt, or keep yourself warm with a cute cardigan. Pop the dress over wide-leg trousers for a more casual look, or slip on a pair of strappy heels to take it to a party.

Decorate it with a cool brooch, or combine it with your bikini for a just off the beach vibe. But whatever you do, wear it and enjoy the privilege of being a woman, whatever your body shape.

For more information on Robyn and her personal styling services, go to: www.robyncooke-styleguide.co.za