Plus-sized women face a special challenge when they encounter special occasions. Not only do they have to find a dress that fits within their budget, but they also have to find a plus size formal dress that makes them feel special. When dealing with plus-sized dress, finding an appealing dress can be harder than finding an affordable dress.
If you’ve started shopping for a plus-size formal dress recently, you’ve probably already encountered this problem. Many plus-sized dresses are designed with a matronly style. While that style certainly has its purpose, not everyone wants to look matronly when they are wearing formalwear.
Before you give up on the idea of finding a plus-size formal dress that suits you, brush up on these tips for finding dress that flatter different body types. Not every full-figured woman is created equal; understanding the types of dresses that look good on your body type can help you easy the strain of finding a flattering dress.
Bottom-Heavy Shapes
If the lower half of your body is larger than the upper portion of your body, you fall into the category that is commonly referred to as pear-shaped. You will want to find a dress that calls attention to your trimmer upper body while downplaying your larger hips and thighs. Look for plus-size formal dresses created with strapless or sleeveless designs that show off your arms and shoulders. Dresses with empire waists and skirts that float away from your hips will minimize your trouble area.
Top-Heavy Shapes
If the upper half of your body is proportionately larger than the lower half of your body, you belong to the apple-shaped body type. Women who fall into this category should look for dresses that emphasize their legs and draw attention away from their upper bodies. Wide necklines paired with shorter hemlines will draw eyes toward your trim legs and away from your cleavage.
Rectangle Shapes
Some women are fortunate enough to be relatively proportionate from their upper bodies to their lower bodies. However, women whose waists are not narrower than their busts and hips tend to project a rectangular shape. If this sounds familiar to you, you should be looking for dresses that create the appearance of a narrower waist. Look for a plus-size formal dress with a contrasting belt or embellishment at your waistline. Alternatively, dresses with fluttery sleeves or skirts can help create the illusion of curves.
Hourglass Shape
Some women are blessed to have what is considered an ideal body shape. Their upper bodies and lower bodies are in balance with each other, and their bodies nip in at the waist to show off their bodies’ curves. Almost any dress can be flattering for these gals, but a wrap-styled dress is particularly attractive. Its v-neck will emphasize your cleavage while the a-line shape of the skirt will accommodate your hips and thighs. The trick with selecting a plus-size formal dress is finding a dress that highlights your curves without being too overt. Select a dress that fits well but is not too tight.
