There are 11 plus size dresses for wedding guests that will flatter every kind of woman. You’ll know the best silhouette, details, styles, and colors that will highlight your curves and conceal the annoying bumps and lumps that show in dresses.
We have also included clothing tips and recommendations to slim the figure and draw attention away from belly fat. And while this guide is for women attending the wedding, plus-size brides can refer to the best wedding dress style for plus-size to look phenomenal on their wedding day.
11 Flattering Plus Size Dresses For Wedding Guests
A-Line Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
If ranking the best plus-size wedding guest dresses, the A-line silhouette is at the top of the list for the most flattering dress style. A-line dresses are so-called because they’re similar to triangles, where the bodice is fitted with a flaring skirt.
The cinched waist and distance of the clothing from the hips to the hem create a flattering, hourglass-like shape on women. Plus-size wedding guests should consider this silhouette as it slims the figure and conceals the belly.
Midi Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
The length of the wedding guest dress is also influential in looking your best. That said, plus-size guests can shop for midi dresses because the length elongates the body, which also helps create a slim silhouette.
What’s fantastic with midi dress styles is that the ankle length makes it ideal for formal and casual weddings. You don’t risk looking underdressed or overdressed, and the midi is also comfortable to walk with because the shoes don’t risk stepping on the dress hem.
Maxi Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
Formal and black-tie weddings often request floor-length gowns and dresses. And for the plus-size guest, you shouldn’t fear wearing a maxi dress.
Dark colors like black are always flattering for plus-size guests, and a black maxi dress is elegant for a formal wedding. You can highlight your curves with a V-neckline or short sleeves to balance the length.
Lace Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
Incorporating lace into your wedding guest dress can be tricky as you don’t want to appear bridal. Therefore, avoid very detailed and embellished lace, or never wear a white lace dress to anyone’s wedding.
With that being laid out, plus-size guests even use lace details on their dresses to conceal rolls and bulges. It can be a pastel pink V-neck, short-sleeve, lace fitted dress that goes above or on the knees, or a sheath-style dress with lace on the neckline.
Velvet Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
Evening and formal weddings call for the appropriate clothing fabrics. And for women, one of the most sophisticated dresses they can wear for the occasion is the velvet dress.
Consider jewel-toned plus-size wedding guest dresses that complement your skin tone. The styles of the velvet dress can range from a wrap dress, an A-line silhouette, or a pleated surplice design.
Sweetheart Neckline Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
The dress neckline is essential when choosing a wedding guest dress. And an incredibly flattering style fit for plus-size women is the sweetheart neckline because it highlights the curves and supports the bust.
You can even partner it with long sleeves for a classy look or lantern sleeves for a cute and fun look. If you partnered with the sweetheart neckline with long sleeves, you could wear a fitted dress above the knees and a belt to cinch the waist for an hourglass figure.
Kimono Sleeve Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
The kimono sleeve is a flattering style that plus-size women can wear on a casual and formal wedding. This is also a comfortable option if you want to hide your arms but don’t want to feel hot and uncomfortable, especially for a summer wedding.
Because the kimono sleeve style is loose, you want the rest of the dress to be fitted to balance the proportions. It can also pair beautifully with a wrap dress or an empire-waist dress.
Speaking of summer weddings, you can check what to wear to a summer wedding plus-size.
Wrap Bodycon Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
If the A-line is the favorite silhouette for plus-size dresses, the wrap dress is a style that is also often picked by plus-sized women. The wrap dress can be fitted or has a gradual flare, but you can showcase your curves nicely with a bodycon dress.
You can choose between three-fourths, long, or flutter sleeves, whichever flatters your shoulders and arm best. Some wrap dress styles even have a belt or tie at the waist to accentuate it.
Patterned Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
Plus-size women are not limited to dark colors and jewel tones for their wedding guest dresses. They would also look good in geometric and floral patterns that suit the wedding theme.
You can pick strategic designs that conceal the tummy or lines that elongate and slim the body. And since colorful and patterned dresses are often seen in spring weddings, why not check what to wear to a spring wedding plus-size?
Color-Blocked Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
Another style to consider for plus-size wedding guest dresses is color blocking. The combination and contrast of the colors can create a flattering shape or conceal areas that you don’t want to stand out.
For example, a simple t-shirt dress for a casual wedding can look more flattering with a black line in the middle on the sleeve hem. You can also use dark colors on the side of the dress to accentuate your curves.
Textured Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses
Smocking and ruching are great styles for plus-size wedding guest dresses. Not only do they add flair to the dress, but they can also conceal different areas you don’t want to get highlighted.
For example, you can enjoy a fitted cocktail dress with ruching on the skirt, so the lower abdomen is not prominent. You can also use pleats and smocks to balance the proportions if your upper or lower body is bigger than the other.
What Are The Most Popular Styles Of Plus Size Dresses For Weddings?
The wrap dress and A-line silhouette are the two most popular wedding guest dress styles for plus-size women. Wrap dresses are flattering for any plus-size wedding guest because the overlapping fabric does not accentuate the belly area.
Why they are flattering
Depending on the dress, there are also wrap styles with a belt or tie that will cinch the waist and highlight the curves of the guest. Similarly, the A-line silhouette is always a safe choice if you’re unsure what to wear to the wedding as a plus-size.
The fit-to-flare style does not highlight the belly but cinches the waist and creates a slim silhouette compared to other dresses that can make you wide. There are even dresses that combine the styles of the two, where it’s a wrap dress with an exaggerated flaring skirt.
What Are The Most Popular Colors Of Plus Size Dresses For Weddings?
Black and jewel tones like emerald green, ruby red, and sapphire blue are popular for plus-size wedding guest dresses. They are perfect for formal, evening, and cold weddings and don’t highlight creases and folds on the body.
Why dark colors are flattering for plus size
Some also swear that wearing black dresses create a slimmer look, which makes sense because the body’s outline would not stand out as much compared to wearing a bright yellow dress, for example. However, you can always choose colors that fit the wedding, like pastels or floral prints.
A pastel pink wrap dress and a long black dress are equally flattering for plus-size guests if their details and styles showcase the best parts of the wearer’s body shape. Take the time to know what neckline, sleeve style, or skirt length will flatter you best.
How Are Plus Size Dresses For Wedding Different Than Regular Dresses?
A plus-size dress differs from a regular wedding guest dress because of the available sizes. Depending on the designer, the range of sizes for plus-size is anything over size 18 or labeled 1X to 7X and up.
Because they fit better, they would also look better on the person wearing them. Remember that getting your correct dress size significantly impacts how flattering it will look.
You don’t want something too small that you feel constricted or fear you’ll tear the dress with the wrong move. Similarly, avoid oversized dresses because they make you look bigger than you really are.
What Should A Overweight Person Wear To A Wedding?
Follow the wedding dress code
Before choosing any dress, make sure that it adheres to the formality or dress code of the wedding. For example, wearing a short and strapless cotton dress at a formal evening wedding would be inappropriate, while you would look overdressed at a casual beach wedding if you arrived in a long gown.
For casual weddings, an overweight guest can wear a pastel-colored A-line buttoned dress with a square neckline and puff sleeves. A dress idea for a formal wedding would be a dark-colored maxi or midi dress with lace sleeves or overlay and a V-neckline.
Opt for fun but flattering details on your clothing
Details like prints or textures like ruching are fantastic for hiding bumps and lumps while adding style to the dress. Gone are the days of believing that being overweight means avoiding fitted dresses.
You can still wear a body-hugging dress with ruching to hide the belly pooch. Prints like flowers and lines can also be strategically placed around the dress to hide rolls and creases.
Highlight your best features
Understand your body shape and showcase your best features in your dress. For example, some plus-size women want to accentuate their chest, so they wear deep necklines for their dresses.
Wear a dress that stops above the knees if you have fantastic legs. A tasteful slit or lace panel can even dress up your simple-looking wedding attire.
For more flattering guest clothing ideas, read what to wear to a wedding if you are plus-size.
How Do You Look Thinner When You’re Overweight?
You can use these tips on how to dress to look slimmer when choosing your wedding guest outfit:
- Invest in quality shapewear; you don’t need to wear something very tight that will restrict your breathing, but shapewear can smoothen creases, bumps, and lumps while also slimming the waist and flattening the stomach
- Make sure your underwear is the correct size; the perfect-fitting bra and panty make a huge difference in how your clothing will fit you as they’ll support the bust and bum
- Consider a single color for the outfit; wearing a single color for the entire ensemble can create a sleek look, but color-blocking can also slim the silhouette, especially lines on the sides
- Lengthen your neck with V-neck tops and dresses; if you have broad hips, a wide V-neck will balance it out
- Opt for waist-cinching styles like A-line dresses, belted wrap dresses, or empire waistline dresses that camouflage the tummy
- Do not wear oversized or very long dresses, as they can make you look bigger
- Be mindful of the materials and layers of your outfit pieces because they can add volume to that area
- Check the length of the sleeves and skirt, so they don’t stop at the widest parts of the arms or legs; avoid mid-calf skirts and dresses or sleeves that are too high that they’ll highlight the thickest portion of the arms
- Wear comfortable heels to add height and practice good posture; bad posture makes you look bigger, and practicing in heels might encourage you to maintain a straight body
What Can I Wear To Hide My Belly Fat At A Wedding?
Here are some fashion tips for concealing the belly pooch when you’re deciding what to wear for a wedding:
- Empire waist dresses as the waist sit high up and draw attention away from the belly
- Wrap dresses because the material does not sit too closely over the belly
- A-line and fit-to-flare silhouettes cinch the waist but conceal the belly
- Jacket or cardigan tied around the waist to camouflage the belly pooch
- Printed or ruched dress, pants, or skirt, so the belly fat isn’t obvious
Conclusion
Was this a helpful guide? You’ve just learned 11 flattering plus size dresses for wedding guests.
To recap the best styles that will look good on any plus-size guest, they are the wrap and A-line dresses. They highlight the curves and conceal the tummy pooch; depending on their details and lengths, they can be dressed up or down for the wedding dress code.