Girls with a rectangular body type or a boyish figure should look for dresses that create the illusion of curves. Before you reach for a push-up bra or a pair of padded panties, we’d like to suggest another way. Wolford suggests looking for a dress that cinches in at the waist. Rygorsky says that you can also create shape with color blocking. “Look for a dress with a different color on the top than the bottom; this will help visually break up the torso,” she says.

To cut your browsing time in half, Cox has a tip: “Look at the dress on the hanger. If it already doesn’t have shape, pass it up. It’s not even worth trying on.”

Our prom dress picks for you:

BCBG Max Azria Dress Strapless Pleated Empire Waist Evening Gown, $298: This dress adds fullness to the bust through pleating, and also cinches in at the waist to create a more hourglass shape.

Reverse Dress with PVC Bustier and Hi-Low Hem, $85.94: The reason this dress works for a girl with a rectangular figure is the way it uses color to break up the body (aka color blocking). And this gown also picks up on one of Wolford’s favorite prom trends: the high-low dress.