7 Best Dresses for Plus-size Women to Highlight Their Best Features

Written by Ankita Kandade, Certified Fashion Expert
Updated on Apr 10, 2024
plus size dresses
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In the world of fashion, the phrase "Glamour knows no size" rings especially true when it comes to plus-size clothing. Gone are the days when options were limited, and style was an afterthought. Today, the best dresses for plus-size beauties come in a plethora of choices that celebrate their curves, embodying the essence of what it means to feel and look spectacular. An anecdote that resonates deeply within the plus-size community is the transformation of perception: from being half-seen to fully celebrated. 

For plus-size beauties, there’s a dress for every mood, occasion, and preference in our curated list — be it elegant maxi dresses, minimalistic sheath dresses, to charming smock dresses. These flattering dresses stand as a reminder that every woman deserves to shine, express herself, and step out in confidence, with the power of fashion.

7 Best Dresses for Plus-size Beauties

This design stands out as a gem among plus-size brands, offering a fitted bodice that celebrates curves with sophistication. The dress features adjustable tie straps and a sweetheart neckline, enhancing its allure while ensuring a perfect fit. The side slit adds a touch of elegance and ease of movement, making it both chic and comfortable. 

Crafted from lightweight silk charmeuse, 100% silk, it promises a luxurious feel against the skin. This brand's dedication to high-quality, flattering, and inclusive designs positions it as one of the best plus-size brands, proving that style knows no size.

Size: 14 to 24

  • Best for Romantic Dates

    Sage by Mala Mia Short Dress

    Sage by Mala Mia Short Dress
  • Sage by Mala caters to plus-size individuals looking to inject some joy and color into their wardrobes. Crafted from poplin cotton, it ensures comfort and breathability on warm days and is easy to wash and dry too. With Tuscan yellow as its primary shade, it almost captures the essence of sunny days, radiating a cheerful vibe suitable for any occasion, be it a leisurely park stroll, a delightful brunch, or simply enjoying the summer's warmth. With a sensual V-neck cut and front knot detail add a flattering and stylish accent to this attire.

    Size: XS to 5XL

  • Best Fabric

    Loud Bodies Margarita Dress

    Loud Bodies Margarita Dress
  • Crafted from soft, organic cotton poplin in a delicate blush pink, the Margarita midi dress combines comfort with feminine style. What captures the feminine vibe, is its frilly bodice and shoulder straps, which are adorned with a detachable lace in a complementary color, providing a corset-like effect for a more defined silhouette. 

    With a semi-transparent cloth layout, this dress’s lightweight fabric is just right for warmer weather. Topped with a stretchable elasticated waist for a snug fit, the Margarita is a dream dress for plus-size women aiming for a look that's as refreshing as a tall drink of water!

    Size: 3XL

  • Best Design

    What Lo Wants Arlene Twist-Front Wrap Dress

    What Lo Wants Arlene Twist-Front Wrap Dress
  • This Arlene dress features a soothing Kelly green color with dots of taupe, tan, and gold that complement it beautifully. Made from eco-friendly deadstock poly-satin, it's a silky, faux-wrap dress with a twist front and an elastic waist for comfort. Its bias-cut design adds a voguish touch to your overall look, and works well for all body types. It's perfect for all occasions you have in mind — from weddings to brunch it fits right in. 

    The dress has a lined bust and no stretch, which is why potential buyers should avoid sizing down to accommodate the fabric. The overall pick is fantastic brunches, dates, and beach weddings.

    Size: XL to 5XL

  • Best for All Seasons

    Altar Meredith Dress

    Altar Meredith Dress
  • The Meredith dress by Altar has a low-key, non-cinching, flowy design that is perfect for those who don’t wish to be girded too  tight to be stylish. Made from a super lightweight and breezy brown dotted challis rayon blend, it drapes beautifully over the body and feels a little too comfortable!

    This classic babydoll dress stands out for its year-round versatility, acting as a cool, breezy outfit in the summer and transitioning beautifully into fall and winter when paired with a cozy sweater, stockings, and boots. Besides, its cool brown color is unlikely to go out of style!

    Size: S to 6XL

  • Best Print

    Wray Nikki Dress

    Wray Nikki Dress
  • Embrace groovy vibes with this comfy, curve-hugging midi dress featuring a side slit – it’s adorned in the cult-favorite Algae Swirl print. Crafted from a delightful blend of soft, stretchy cotton, this charming dress in white and green offers both style and coziness. With its distinctive print and flattering shape, you're bound to catch eyes wherever you go and amp up your style quotient in a heartbeat. For plus-size ladies, this fitting is ideal to flaunt those curves and feel empowered in their own skin.

    Size: XXS to 6XL

  • Best for Picnics

    Reformation Nadira Dress

    Reformation Nadira Dress
  • Ideal for strolls in the park and exuding picnic vibes, the Reformation Nadira Dress is a quintessential blend of elegance and leisure. Its body-hugging design, accented with back smocking and sweet tie straps, offers a customizable fit and enhances the romantic sweetheart neckline. 

    This ‘no-nonsense’ dress is all about ease and comfort as the back zipper makes it easy to slip on and off. Adding to that, its lightweight georgette fabric, made from 100% viscose, feels airy and soft to the touch. Customers love this dress as it emits a relaxed vibe, perfect for enjoying outdoor get-togethers.

    Size: 14 to 24

    How to Choose the Best Dresses for Plus-size Individuals?

    Choosing the best dresses for plus-size figures involves focusing on fit, comfort, and personal style. Here are some tips to help you find dresses that not only flatter your figure but also make you feel confident and stylish:

    1. Know Your Body Shape: Understanding your body shape can help you select dresses that highlight your best features. Whether you're an apple, pear, hourglass, or rectangle shape, there's a dress style that will flatter your body type.

    2. Embrace Your Curves: Look for dresses that embrace and accentuate your curves instead of hiding them. Wrap dresses, fit-and-flare styles, and belted dresses can be particularly flattering.

    3. Focus on Fit: A well-fitting dress can make a significant difference in how you look and feel. Avoid dresses that are too tight or too loose. Consider getting dresses tailored for a perfect fit.

    4. Fabric Matters: Choose fabrics that drape nicely and don't cling excessively to your body. Fabrics like jersey, chiffon, and lightweight cotton blends can be comfortable and flattering.

    5. Experiment With Colors And Prints: Don't shy away from color and prints. While solid colors can be slimming, vibrant colors and prints can add personality and flair to your outfit. Vertical stripes and smaller prints can be particularly flattering.

    6. V-necklines Are Your Friend: When it comes to dresses, understand that necklines can either make or break your fit-check. Consider opting for V-necklines, as they can elongate your neck and create a slimming effect in and around the decolletage. And if you want to flaunt your family jewels, this neckline comes pretty handy in showcasing them!

    7. Pay Attention to Length: The length of your dress can impact how it looks on you, so always keep a measuring tape close by when you purchase online. Knee-length or midi dresses are universally flattering options for my plus-size gals as they give a good peep at your footwear. 

    8. Accessorize Wisely: Accessories can elevate your look. Use belts to define your waist, opt for statement jewelry to draw attention to your favorite features, and choose shoes that elongate your legs.

    9. Comfort Is Key: No matter how beautiful a dress is, if you don't feel comfortable in it, it won't look as good as it could. Choose dresses that make you feel confident and comfortable. For that, I recommend fit-and-flare dresses, as they are perfect for people with a rectangle body shape because they highlight the waist and give more volume to the lower body. On the other hand, off-shoulder dresses are great options for fancier events, offering elegant solutions. Plus-size dresses, particularly those tailored to slim and flatter the upper body, should be made with different body shapes in consideration, making sure every woman discovers her perfect silhouette.

    10. Shape: From casual shirt dresses that offer a relaxed yet chic look for daytime outings, to intricately designed special occasion dresses that cater to more formal events, the options are vast. Whether it's a slimming outfit for a day at the office or a breathtaking gown for a night out, the world of plus-size fashion brims with opportunities to shine.

    Conclusion

    That's all folks! Choosing the best dresses for plus-size women boils down to embracing your curves, focusing on fit, and expressing your unique style. And to make it simpler for you, start by picking styles like wrap dresses or fit-and-flare ones, or by going for bold colors and prints that reflect your personality. Make sure to choose fabrics that drape nicely and pay attention to the length to enhance your appearance. The most important thing is to wear dresses that make you feel confident and beautiful. Plus-size dresses, when chosen wisely, can help you celebrate and highlight your figure, so you always feel fantastic when you step out.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Ankita, our fashion expert, penned down the best dresses for plus-size women to guide readers through the vibrant world of size-inclusive fashion. With her help, you can work around trends and make the best “dressions” without a doubt. Ankita’s goal is to empower readers to make the best fashion choices while embracing and respecting their bodies

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health and fitness on board to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
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    Ankita Kandade
    Certified Fashion Expert

    Ankita is a budding journalist and a certified fashion expert. If the Fashion police were an official organization, A More