Here are six plus size wedding guest dresses that would suit every kind of wedding. We’ve given plus size wedding guest dress ideas for the black-tie, formal, semi-formal, semi-casual, casual, and cocktail-style wedding.
You will also know clothing details and tips on finding the most flattering silhouettes and colors for the plus size guest. And for the plus size bride, good news; we’ve also written a comprehensive guide on what is the best wedding dress style for plus size.
6 Flattering Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses For Every Dress Code
Black-tie plus size wedding guest dress
A black-tie dress code for a wedding means very formal outfits for guests. And for plus sizes, consider a floor-length jewel-toned gown with a draped cowl back and puff sleeves for a classy and romantic beauty.
Formal plus size wedding guest dress
You can always go right with full-length plus size wedding guest dresses for a formal wedding. But to make the clothing more flattering, you can always pick a dress with a V-neck and butterfly sleeves to accentuate the bust and flatter the arms.
Semi-formal plus size wedding guest dress
Semi-formal weddings are the most comfortable dress code for any wedding guest because you can dress up or down with jewelry and shoes. But for the plus size beauty, you can opt for a midi floral dress with cinched waist and flaring skirt like A-line silhouettes.
Semi-casual plus size wedding guest dress
What wedding guest dresses for plus size guests suit a semi-casual wedding? Semi-casual is dressier than casual, so you can consider something like a wrap V-neck dress in playful florals and colors.
Casual plus size wedding guest dress
Even if the occasion is labeled casual, you should still pick plus size outfits that won’t seem like you’re just going to the mall or lounging at home. Consider styles like an empire waist dress with a flaring skirt and strategic placements of prints to hide bulges and rolls.
Cocktail plus size wedding guest dress
If the wedding requests cocktail attire, you can opt for cocktail wedding guest dresses or styles that are above the knee but would still suit a formal occasion. Opt for dark colors like navy, maroon, or black and silhouettes like sheath or A-line with a neckline or sleeve style that flatters your specific body shape.
What Are Some Tips For Choosing A Plus Size Wedding Guest Dress?
Besides knowing the flattering silhouettes and colors for plus size, it’s important to consider the dress code and season of the wedding. You should pick the appropriate formality and what clothing styles are comfortable for the season and venue of the occasion.
A quick example to remember is that formal, indoor, and cold weddings call for long silhouettes, darker colors, and thicker fabrics. On the other hand, brighter colors, lightweight fabrics, and shorter silhouettes are the appropriate wedding guest dresses for more laidback, outdoor, and hot weddings.
What is the best dress silhouette for a plus size wedding guest?
The most flattering silhouettes for plus size wedding guests are A-line and sheath. You can also pick wedding guest dresses with wrap and empire waist styles.
These dresses are perfect for plus size women because they emphasize the curves and draw attention away from the belly region. However, you can also wear fitted dresses with strategic designs and details like ruching, belts, and patterns to showcase your body shape and camouflage bulges and rolls.
What is a flattering neckline for a plus size wedding guest?
The V-neckline is often a favorite among plus size wedding guest dresses because it highlights the neck and bust. You can also go for off-the-shoulder or halter necklines as they flatter full chests.
What is a flattering dress length for a plus size wedding guest?
A plus size wedding guest can wear dresses with mid-knee lengths to draw attention away from the thighs but still highlight the legs. It’s also important to pick a high-rise or mid-waistline to conceal the tummy.
Mid-knee dresses combined with high waistlines are especially flattering on apple and pear-shaped plus-size guests for the slimmer illusion. And for more details on picking the appropriate plus size wedding guest dresses, refer to what to wear to a wedding if you are plus size.
What To Wear To A Wedding To Hide Belly Fat?
Here are the tips to consider when picking the styles and clothing items you can wear to a wedding to hide belly fat. Understandably, it can be annoying to see rolls and a bulging tummy, but remember that it’s normal not always to have a flat stomach.
Good posture and avoiding foods that can get you bloated can help you avoid having a prominent belly when wearing dresses. You can also lose weight healthily by being mindful of your diet and daily habits.
Empire dresses can hide the tummy
The empire waist dress is flattering and perfect for wedding guests who want to conceal their belly fat. Empire waist dresses feature a bodice that drapes under the bust, creating a longer and leaner figure without highlighting the mid-section.
Opt for dresses with ruched details
You can still wear body-hugging wedding guest dresses even with belly fat by picking a style with ruching. Ruched details can run along the body or be placed in specific parts of the dress to hide trouble spots like bulges and rolls.
If you don’t like dresses, peplum blouses are fantastic for hiding belly fat
What if you prefer a top and pants for the wedding? Consider peplum shirts to camouflage your belly for the wedding, as some styles flare out to cover the tummy region.
High waist bottoms draw attention away from your belly
What pants or skirts to wear at a wedding that will hide belly fat? High-waist pants and skirts can never go wrong because they smooth out the heavy mid-section, especially those with dark colors or patterns.
Use different colors on your wedding guest outfit
A clothing technique to consider if you want to conceal belly fat is to dress in three columns, which is also helpful for layering in winter weddings. For example, you can pick a dark underlayer like a simple black sheath dress and a lighter-colored open cardigan over it.
What To Wear To A Wedding If You Are Short And Chubby?
You can create a slimmer and more elongated figure with these details and styles for the wedding. But ultimately, identify your best assets and highlight them on your clothing by picking a flattering neckline, sleeve, and length for your wedding guests dress or attire.
Consider dresses with vertical lines
Vertical lines on a dress create a slimming illusion compared to horizontal lines. You can also pick dresses with vertical patterns or details like ruffles that can also hide bulges and rolls.
Choose dresses and skirts that are above the knee
A flattering dress or skirt length for someone chubby and short to wear at a wedding is anything slightly above the knees. You won’t risk looking bigger or shorter than you really are compared to long dresses or very full skirts that can drown you out.
Wrap tops and dresses are flattering
A wrap dress is always flattering and safe for weddings if you’re chubby and short. The placement of the tie can shrink the waist, and the tight portions of the dress will accentuate your busts.
Go monochromatic
Wedding guests who are short and chubby can pick a single color for their entire outfits. You can always go right with dark colors for a slimmer figure, and they also suit formal weddings.
Tuck your blouse
Another style for chubby and short wedding guests is to have their shirts tucked in their pants or skirts. This is called the rule of thirds where the top takes one-third of the outfit, and the bottom takes two-thirds, creating a proportioned look and longer legs for short people.
Wear nude shoes
Picking comfortable heels that boost your confidence is a fashion changer when picking a wedding guest outfit. However, the best pair is anything nude or close to your skin color, as it elongates the legs.
Another tip to remember is to avoid shoes that stop at the ankle, like booties, because they can further shorten the legs. Read what shoes to wear to a wedding for more styles and etiquette tips.
What Is The Average Size Of A Plus Size Wedding Guest?
A plus size wedding guest typically wears women’s size 18 and above. But when buying plus size clothing, be aware that there are misses, women’s, and X sizes, depending on the store.
The secret to finding the most flattering plus size wedding guest dress is knowing how to measure for your body. Have someone help you measure the following regions and use them when comparing the sizing charts of each store.
How to measure for a plus size wedding guest dress
- For the bust, you’ll measure around the fullest part of your chest with your arms relaxed
- For the waist, measure around the narrowest part of the body or above the belly button
- For the hips, take the measurement around the fullest part of the lower body or around 6 to 7 inches below the waistline
- For the hollow-to-hem or how long the dress will be when worn, measure the length between the front of the neck to the edge of the dress skirt
What Should I Avoid When Choosing A Plus Size Wedding Guest Dress?
Before anything else, clothing should make the person wearing the pieces happy and confident. These are just guidelines to assist you on what styles and items won’t help you highlight your best assets and might even make your proportions look more off than they really are.
Very baggy sizing
Avoid wedding guest dresses and outfits that are very baggy. They include tent dresses, baggy shirts, very loose tops, and oversized pants that can hide your shape and make your silhouette look larger than it is.
Too high or too low necklines
The plus size guest should avoid very high or low necklines as the former can hide your neck, and the latter might be inappropriate for conservative weddings. A v-neckline is flattering for plus size wedding guest dresses because they showcase the busts and still show the neck and chest for a proportional look.
Strapless or sleeveless dresses
If it’s a summer or beach wedding and you think you’d be comfortable in a strapless or sleeveless dress, then there’s no reason not to rock this style. However, if your arms or back look too heavy, you can pick dresses with sleeves.
Full-length sleeves that are not very tight would be flattering in slimming the arms. If it’s a hot venue, you can also opt for ¾ sleeves.
Horizontal patterns
Horizontal patterns and details on the wedding guest dress can make you look bulkier than you really are. It’s better to pick outfits with vertical details for a slimmer silhouette.
What Are The Most Popular Styles Of Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses?
Wrap plus size wedding guest dresses
The wrap dress is a flattering style for plus size wedding guests because they often have a fitted waist and flare skirt. This creates a curvy and feminine silhouette, and they even often come with a V-neckline to flatter full chests.
A-line plus size wedding guest dresses
The fitted-to-flare style of A-line wedding guest dresses is what makes them the top choice for any plus size guest. The flare on the skirt keeps it away from the stomach and thighs without losing the waist’s shape.
Maxi plus size wedding guest dresses
A maxi wedding guest dress would look good on you if you’re someone plus size but have no obvious curves on the waist, bust, or hips. It is also a flattering style for someone top-heavy and would suit formal evening weddings.
What Are The Most Common Colors Of Plus Size Wedding Guest Dresses?
Dark and solid-colored plus size wedding guest dresses
Dark colors like black, maroon, and navy are popular among plus size wedding guest dresses as they have slimming silhouettes and wouldn’t highlight any rolls or bulges. They also suit formal weddings and are easy to pair with jewelry and shoes because of their solid colors.
Floral plus size wedding guest dresses
Florals are also popular for wedding guest dresses as the patterns and colors camouflage the belly fat and other regions that might be obvious with other light or solid colors. You can find floral wrap dresses, A-line silhouettes, or even sheath dresses to suit every wedding dress code.
And speaking of floral prints that are perfect for spring, here is what to wear to a spring wedding plus size for more options.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We just learned different styles of plus size wedding guest dresses for different wedding dress codes.
But to highlight what’s flattering, plus size guests can opt for A-line silhouettes, empire waist dresses, dark colors, vertical patterns, ruching details, and dress lengths slightly above the knees.
With these being mentioned, it’s also worth mentioning that you should pick whatever you find confident and comfortable in as long as it’s respectful for the wedding.