Unfortunately, not all dress styles are made to fit and flatter all shapes and sizes. Being fuller-figured means that you have to spend a little more time looking into whether a dress is going to work for you or not, especially if you’re shopping online. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t options out there, in fact, there’s a whole world of gorgeous choices for plus-sized women, it’s all a question of how to pick the right one for you and your body…
Look at your wardrobe
Skip the scrolling and window shopping for a sec, a lot of the information you need for finding the right dress is actually tucked away in your very own wardrobe. Hopefully, you have a couple of dresses in there that you love and wear regularly, and if this is the case then you should absolutely take note of their cut, material and colour. Use these details to streamline your search and guide you through the seemingly endless options out there on the internet.
Explore your options for fits
There are certain silhouettes that work better for fuller figures, and they are all gorgeous in their own right! Here’s a breakdown of each cut that could just work for you…
A-line: A-line dresses work for pretty much every figure! This amazing silhouette flaunts your décolletage, draws you in at the waist and then flutters to the floor in a flattering, effeminate fashion.
Wrap: Wrap styles are super flattering and beautifying for curves. This cut really celebrates the full female form, showing off your best assets whilst also highlighting your waist, all in a comfortable and breathable way.
Mermaid: This one is great if you’re heading to a very formal prom or wedding event, it’s all things glamour! A mermaid dress hugs your curves and fans out towards the floor around the mid-calf point.
Off the shoulder: The Bardot dress is a flirty style that will make you feel pretty and playful at your next special event. This is a great option if you don’t like having your arms exposed, but you don’t want to completely cover-up.
Materials matter
The cloth that your frock is cut from is an important one! This makes such a huge difference to the overall look, style and feel of your dress, so be diligent here. Look for flowing fabrics that aren’t too clingy or restrictive, lace, tulle, jersey and glitter are all beautiful options for plus-sized women. Try to steer clear of close-fitting satin or sequins, these can highlight areas that you might not want to put centre stage. The right fit will make most materials work for you, so as long as you’ve chosen your dress’ silhouette carefully, you’ll be completely fine.
Colour considerations
Choosing your colour is the fun part! You can opt for absolutely any tone you like here, the world is your oyster! If you need some guidance, try to consider the event that you’re heading to. If it’s a summer wedding or fun cocktail party, look for bright pops of red, pink or powder blue to feel your most confident and beautiful. Maybe you’re heading to a work function or elegant evening event? Check out refined neutrals, rose golds or deep jewel tones like emerald or burgundy.
By following these super simple tips, your hunt for the perfect plus sized dress will be a total breeze! Remember to always stay true to styles, colours and fabrics that you really love, we all deserve to feel at home in gorgeous plus size dresses, no matter what our shape might be.
Photo credit: https://anofficial.com/collections/curve/products/a-n-curve-emma-satin-gown-teal
