How to choose the right size and style of a ribbed dress for your body type - Nudyess guide

I'll start with a confession: I don't believe in guidebooks that divide women into fruits and geometric shapes, and then tell them to "hide imperfections." I read dozens of them before we founded Nudyess, and almost all of them have the same problem. They talk about stiff fabrics: chiffon, satin, jacquard. About materials that have their own shape and to which the body must conform.

Rib-knit fabric works the opposite way. It has no shape of its own; it takes yours. And that changes almost all the rules you know from classic guidebooks. That's why I wrote this text: a complete guide to choosing the size and style of a ribbed dress, written from the perspective of the dense fabric we use at Nudyess, made of 95% cotton and 5% elastane. You can read more about it on our Our Fabrics page.

Here you will find three things: how our two-size system works and how to choose yours, how to match length and neckline to body proportions, and why in stretchy knitwear, "rules for your figure" sound different than you're used to.

Why knitwear changes the rules for choosing a dress

Classic style guides were created for non-stretch fabrics. A satin pencil dress must match your measurements down to the centimeter, otherwise it will either pinch or hang loose. Hence all the "concealing" engineering: ruffles adding volume, empire cuts bypassing the tummy, darts creating a waist. These are not tips about your body. These are tips about the limitations of stiff fabric.

Rib-knit fabric stretches and returns to shape; I wrote about the mechanics of this knit in the history of rib knit. In practice, this means three things that simplify dress selection:

1. The fabric follows the body, it doesn't fight it. The same dress fits correctly on a bust of 84 cm and 94 cm, because the knit works within a range, not a single point. You don't need a perfect match to the size chart down to the centimeter.

2. Vertical ribbing visually elongates and streamlines the silhouette, doing what in stiff fabrics requires pleats, cuts, and panels. The style can be simpler because the fabric's structure itself does part of the work.

3. Grammage matters. Our knitwear weighs 280–320 g/m², it's dense enough to smooth the body line instead of highlighting every detail underneath. This is a fundamental difference from thin, chain-store ribs, through which the texture of underwear is visible. If you've ever been put off by fitted knitwear, it was probably just too thin.

The conclusion is simple: with a ribbed dress made of good knitwear, the question is not "how to hide your figure," but "which length and which neckline to choose to feel your best." And we'll go through the selection in exactly that order.

Two sizes instead of ten: how Nudyess sizing works

Most stores offer sizes from 32 to 46 and teach you to navigate charts: "if your waist indicates M and your hips L, choose L and have a tailor adjust it." We took a different path. At Nudyess, most models are sewn in two sizes: XS/S and M/L.

This is not a shortcut simplification; it's a conscious design decision, made possible by the elasticity of the rib-knit. One size of our knitwear covers a range of dimensions that would require three separate sizes in a stiff fabric. And it also achieves something that is at the heart of our brand: it frees you from the pressure of a "small number." You no longer have to choose between an "S that pinches" and an "M that hurts your ego." You choose a range, and that's it.

How to measure yourself: three measurements, five minutes

To choose your size, you need three circumferences. Measure yourself with a tailor's tape, in underwear or thin, close-fitting clothing, never in a sweater, as the result will be inflated:

1. Bust, horizontally, across the fullest point of your bust and back. The tape should be snug but not dig into your body.

2. Waist, at the narrowest part of your torso, usually 2–3 cm above your navel. Don't suck in your stomach: the dress will be on you in your natural state, not on an inhale.

3. Hips, horizontally, across the widest point of your hips and buttocks. Stand with your feet together.

Compare the results with the ranges in our size chart; each model has precise ranges for XS/S and M/L on its product page.

Are you between sizes? Here's how to decide

This is the most common question in our messages, so I'll answer it systematically. When your measurements fall on the border of XS/S and M/L, follow two rules:

• The rule of the dominant measurement. Knitwear works most where the body is widest. If two out of three measurements fall within M/L, choose M/L. The knit will adjust itself in the narrower areas, because the ribbing contracts to the body just as readily as it stretches.

• The rule of preferred fit. Do you want a "second skin" effect that maximally sculpts? For borderline measurements, choose the smaller range. Do you prefer the dress to gently flow over your body, with more freedom of movement? Choose the larger. Both decisions are correct; they differ in character, not in fit quality.

What not to do: don't size down "for better shaping" against your measurements. Ribbing that is too tight straightens out, loses its texture, and visually does the exact opposite of what you expect. Shaping is the work of the knit, not tightness.

And if you still have doubts, write to us at contact@nudyess.com, providing your bust-waist-hip measurements in centimeters. We select the size individually for each figure; we do it every day and we really enjoy it.

Dress length: mini, mimi, midi, or maxi

Length is the decision that most changes the character of a ribbed dress, and most depends on your height and the occasions for which you plan to wear it. In our collections, you will find four lengths, including one that you won't see anywhere else.

Mini: energy and legs in the spotlight

Ends mid-thigh. In ribbed fabric, it works differently than in stiff fabric: the knit stays close to the body, so mini doesn't ride up and doesn't require constant attention. Best for women who want to show off their legs, and for styling with boots or sneakers. Proportion tip: for shorter heights, mini visually elongates the legs more than any other length.

Mimi: our unique length between mini and midi

Ends just above the knee or at the knee line. We created it because there's a space between mini and midi that the market hasn't addressed: a length short enough to maintain lightness, and long enough to be suitable for the office and formal meetings. If you're hesitant between mini and midi, mimi is the answer. It's also the safest length for a "first ribbed dress" because it suits the widest range of occasions.

Midi: elegance and proportion

Reaches mid-calf. The queen of our collections and the most frequently chosen length for everyday wear, work, and evening. In vertical ribbing, midi slims the entire silhouette; the body, guided by an uninterrupted line of ribs, appears taller. One practical note: for heights below 160 cm, check the total length on the product page; midi should not end at the widest point of the calf, but above or below it. If it does, opt for mimi or choose shoes with even a small heel.

Maxi: full length, full effect

To the ankles. In heavy 300 g/m² knitwear, maxi "flows" beautifully when walking and creates an evening impression without a single sequin. Choose it for special occasions, but also for autumn and winter; with a turtleneck or cardigan, it's the warmest configuration in our offer. For shorter heights, maxi requires decisiveness: either flat shoes and a true ankle length, or heels; intermediate solutions shorten the silhouette.

Neckline: five styles we offer and how to choose yours

The neckline in a fitted dress does more than in a loose one; it dictates where the eye travels. Instead of abstract rules, I'll give you real styles from our collections and what they do for the silhouette.

• V-neck and sweetheart neckline, visually elongates the neck and slims the upper body. The most versatile choice; works particularly well with a fuller bust and a round face. In a button-down version (like the Louisiana model), it offers additional depth control.

• Adjustable neckline, our proprietary patent, featured in models like Lyra and Isla: snaps allow you to set the neckline depth to suit your bust, bra, and occasion. One dress, three characters, from modest for work to deeper for an evening out. If you're buying your first Nudyess dress and don't know which neckline is "yours," the adjustable one takes that decision off your hands.

• Sweetheart neckline, as in the Scorpio model: softly emphasizes the bust and adds a retro-feminine character to the styling. Great for dates and evening outings; visually adds fullness to a smaller bust.

• Turtleneck, as in the Askja model: high-necked, wintry, in the spirit of quiet luxury. Elongates the silhouette in one continuous line from neck to hem. Tip: for a shorter neck, choose a version with a soft, unrolled turtleneck or pair the turtleneck with hair pulled back; an exposed jawline restores proportion.

• Wrap neckline, a wrap in elastic knitwear does not gape like in stiff fabric, and its diagonal line softly accentuates the waist. A good choice when you want to emphasize your waist; the geometry of the cut does it for you.

What about body types? The Nudyess approach

I know some of you came here with the question, "what dress for a pear / apple / hourglass figure?" I'll answer, but first I'll explain why, with ribbed fabric, these categories mean less than you think.

Classic guidebooks treat body type as a problem to be solved: a pear shape should "balance proportions," an apple should "distract from the tummy," a rectangle should "create a waist." All this engineering exists because stiff fabric cannot follow the body, so the body is made to adapt to the fabric. Our knitwear doesn't require any correction from you. It fits correctly on each of these silhouettes due to the nature of its weave, which is why, as we wrote in our brand philosophy, we design clothes "for all of us," not for a specific body type.

So, treat your body type not as a diagnosis, but as a hint for what you like to accentuate, and choose the length and neckline accordingly:

• Body with a defined waist (hourglass): Fitted ribbing is your natural ally, showing off your waist without any belts or paneling. Choose any length; a V-neck or sweetheart neckline will emphasize the proportion of the top.

• Hips fuller than shoulders (pear): Opt for necklines that open up the upper body (sweetheart, deeper V, adjustable set lower) and a midi length that guides the eye with a vertical line of ribs. Contrary to classic advice, you don't have to "avoid fitted hips": dense ribbing smooths the hip line instead of highlighting it pointwise.

• Fuller midsection (apple): Choose a denser, heavier knit (which is what we sew), a V-neck to elongate the upper body, and a mimi or midi length to showcase the legs, usually the strongest asset of this silhouette. The smoothing effect comes from the fabric's grammage, not a loose cut.

• Straight silhouette (rectangle): A wrap neckline or a model with a corset-imitating seam (like Bromo) will accentuate the waist with its cut geometry. Vertical ribbing will add slenderness, and a sweetheart neckline will soften the upper body.

And the overarching rule, more important than all the above: if a guide tells you "avoid," and that's precisely what you feel best in, the guide is wrong, not you.

Five mistakes when choosing a ribbed dress

1. Sizing down "for shaping." Overly stretched ribbing loses its texture and works against you. Shaping is provided by the weave and grammage, not tightness.

2. Sizing up "for safety." Knitwear that is too loose stops shaping and starts hanging, losing precisely what you buy ribbed fabric for. Trust your measurements and the size chart.

3. Judging the fit in the first minute. Knitwear with elastane needs about ten minutes of wear to settle to your body and temperature. A freshly put-on dress is always a little more "compact" than after half an hour.

4. Wrong underwear. For a fitted ribbed dress, choose smooth, seamless underwear in a color close to your skin tone. No dress, ours or any other, will hide the relief of lace under elastic fabric.

Neglecting care during the first wash. A poorly washed dress can lose its shape before you even get to love it, and then no size was "right." Before throwing it in the washing machine, read our guide to caring for ribbed knitwear: 30°C, low spin, flat drying.

Frequently asked questions about ribbed dress size and style

What size ribbed dress should I choose if I'm between sizes?

Go by your dominant measurement: if two out of three measurements (bust, waist, hips) fall into the larger range, choose that. For exact borderline measurements, preference decides: a smaller range will give a tighter fit, a larger one, a more relaxed drape. You can also write to us with your measurements, and we'll help you choose the size individually.

Does a ribbed dress suit every figure?

Yes, the rib-knit weave follows the body instead of imposing a shape on it, so it fits correctly on hourglass, pear, apple, and rectangular silhouettes. The choice is about length and neckline, not about "whether you're allowed" to wear knitwear.

Does fitted knitwear not accentuate the stomach?