Wedding season has many blushing brides searching for the perfect dress to wear on their big day. Blushing brides come in all shapes and sizes, and every bride deserves to feel beautiful on her wedding day. You’ll look back at the photos for decades to come, so you want a dress that will make you smile.
Choosing a wedding dress is always stressful and can feel even harder if you’re plus-size. By keeping a few principles in mind you can find a dress you’ll be happy with regardless of your size.
Size vs Shape
Many fashion tips treat plus size as some universal category and assume that all plus-size people look good in one specific style. This is why so many fashion guides used to recommend so many oversized black tunics to plus-size readers.
Fortunately, fashion advice has evolved. The shape of your body is much more important than its size when it comes to choosing dress silhouettes that fit comfortably and show off your unique shape.
Most of us have a pretty good idea of our shape based on how clothing fits us. If you aren’t certain of your shape we recommend taking measurements with a soft measuring tape and following the calculations laid out in an online body type guide.
Basic Body Shapes
There are plenty of ways to describe different body types, but understanding the most common terms helps give you a place to start when searching for dress silhouettes.
Here is a quick guide to understanding which body type you might have, and some dress features that can work well for that silhouette. Of course, you can feel free to experiment with different shapes and features to create a unique look, but here is somewhere to start.
- Inverted Triangle: your chest and shoulders are the widest part of your body
- Recommended dress features: v-neck, one-shoulder, A-line skirt
- Pear/Triangle: your hips and backside are the widest part of your body
- Recommended dress features: off-the-shoulder, ballgown, empire waist
- Hourglass: your hips and chest are a similar width, and your waist is smaller
- Recommended dress features: sweetheart neck, cinched waist, flared skirt
- Rectangle: there is not much difference between your chest, waist, and hip measurements
- Recommended dress features: curved neckline, ruffle details, shift dress
- Apple: your waist is the widest part of your body
- Recommended dress features: A-line skirt, empire waist, bias cut drape
Prepare to Tailor Your Dress
Once you know your shape, you can choose a dress that fits better, and you can anticipate any potential tailoring needs. Often, you’ll want to purchase a dress that fits the widest part of you and then have a tailor take in the rest of the dress.
Most women, whether straight-size or plus-size, have trouble finding a dress that fits perfectly off the rack. Budgeting time and money for tailoring will help you get the perfect fit.
Choosing Your Style
Besides getting a good fit, you’ll want your dress to suit your style and personality. Take your time and look at wedding styles to see which one appeals to you the most before trying some on.
We have been feeling inspired by Sherri Hill’s bridal collection lately. It includes everything from ballgowns to bridal suits in sizes 00 to 26.
Remember, you don’t have to wear a traditional white wedding dress. Any style can work on a plus-size person, don’t compromise to someone else’s idea of how you should look.
Here are some style concepts to consider:
- Simple and Classic: mid-century details, high neckline, tea-length hem, limited adornments, crisp white
- Sweet and Romantic: ballgowns, lace details, tulle and ruffles, cream and pastel colors
- Modern and Fun: masculine details, pantsuits, non-traditional colors, asymmetrical details
- Bold and Sexy: short hems, cut-outs, sparkles and rhinestones, colorful accessories
Feature Your Best Assets
Old-fashioned advice for plus-size folks often tells you to cover up and make yourself invisible, but it’s your wedding, so you should be the center of attention! While some brides may simply prefer a more conservative and covered-up look, it’s not your only option.
A good place to start is by choosing a feature you like best about yourself. Do you have a beautiful neck and shoulders? Choose a strapless or off-the-shoulder dress.
Maybe you have shapely legs, so you might choose a skirt with a high slit. Show off a curvy waist with a fit and flare dress that snatches you in at the waist, then flares out into a full skirt.
If you aren’t certain what your best feature is, ask your partner. I’m sure they will tell you all the most gorgeous parts of yourself.
Be a Dazzling Plus Size Bride
Love isn’t restricted by the size tag on your dress and style shouldn’t be either. You should choose a dress that makes you feel gorgeous and suits your preferred style aesthetic. Be sure to look at dresses online ahead of time and take your most supportive people shopping with you. You’ll have all the tools you need to find the dress that’s perfectly you.
Also Read: Choosing the Perfect Wedding Dress for a Summer Wedding
