Plus Size Evening and Formal Dresses

Sometimes making your way through a mall, especially around formal season, is like trekking through a jungle full of savage beasts! Everyone pushing and pulling and grabbing at whatever pieces of silk, satin, and chiffon they can get their hands on. It's not a pretty sight, and it's certainly the furthest thing from fun. What makes it even WORSE is when you realize that they don't have your size, because department and boutique stores don't tend to carry a large size range of plus size evening dresses, and you're squeezing to fit into dresses a size too small in the change room while surrounded by droves of skinny little things complaining that they look chubby, when what they really look like is that they could seriously use a sandwich, if nothing more than to stop their complaints:)

Finding that perfect plus size evening dress to complete a perfect evening SHOULD be a fun experience though. You are excited about the night, the dancing, the company you'll keep, why shouldn't you be excited about finding a dress that will knock everyone's high heels and dress shoes off! That's why I take to the internet!!

With so many shopping options online, you can find and buy your perfect plus size evening dress, and even shoes and accessories to match, right from the comfort of your own home. If that's not a bonus enough, the internet offers the best deals out there, you don't have to pay for or find parking, your local mall selection pales in comparison to the endless styles and colours to choose from online, and someone online will always have your size!

Often people worry that the dress won't fit or the colour just won't be right when they finally get it in their hands. Not to worry - most online stores have easy to use return or exchange policies, and if it's just a matter of some small tweaks to the dress, a trip to the seamstress can easily fix that problem and you will STILL probably save money compared to mall prices.

While I find Amazon to be the absolute best (so many independent stores list on Amazon!) here are a couple more sites for you to choose from:

Keep reading for some of my favorite Amazon picks and some tips on how to find the perfect plus size evening dress shape for you!

Knee Length or Floor length? If you are under 5'5" and don't plan on wearing 3 inch heels I would opt for a knee length dress. I often see women on the shorter side wearing floor length gowns and they just look like they are playing dress up, and that the dress is wearing them rather than the other way around. If you are self conscious of your legs though, then by all means pick a length that you are most comfortable with! There are exceptions to every rule of course so in the end you should wear what makes you feel most comfortable, and remember a good seamstress can take any dress up to a length you are happy with, so if you really love the style on a long gown don't let the length discourage you from buying!

Strapless? There are varying degrees of strapless, with some plus size evening dresses offering extra coverage in the bust, and some offering very little. Keep in mind the size of your bust and choose accordingly. Someone with a very large chest should definitely stay away from a skimpy strapless number and opt for a full coverage halter or a v-neckline that isn't too deeply cut. Accessorize your strapless with some great chandelier earrings or a beautiful rounded necklace - but not both, that's overkill!

Halter? Again, there are varying degrees of halter dresses. The narrow, deep cut halters should be left to small chested girls, no matter what their dress size. However, a halter that offers more coverage and a non-plunging neckline is perfect for a bustier girl, just make sure you have a bra that converts to a halter shape. Also, make sure the dress cinches in at the waist or somewhere above the waist to keep your shape - you don't want to look like a sack of potatoes!

V-Neckline? The V is flattering on everyone! Depending on your chest size you can go for anything from a shallow V for heavy chested girls, to a Deep V for the daring, smaller chested women. It can also be worn with sleeveless, short-sleeved, or full sleeved dresses depending on your preference and comfort level.

Cut of the dress? For plus size girls stay away from anything cut with too many ruffles, or anything cut on the bias as this will accentuate the size and shape of your hips and add bulk. A-line plus size evening dresses are forever flattering and an empire waist will accentuate your upper half while leaving extra room in the hip and bottom area to hide any imperfections. A wrap dress can also be a great choice to flatter an hourglass figure, just make sure the wrap ends closer to the bust as opposed to the hip, and that the fabric isn't too thin and clingy.

No matter what your size, and what dress you decide to wear, every girl can use a little extra help to smooth out the bumps and slim you down in all the right areas before slipping on an amazing dress for an amazing evening. There are tons of different options, from full body to half body or even just shorts to slim out the thighs and butt. There are also black, nude, and more in terms of colour. If you opt for a body shaper, choose your style based on your comfort level, and think about the areas you are most sensitive about. A girl wants to look and feel her best on a special night but you don't want to feel uncomfortable so don't slip into a shaping piece that doesn't make you feel good about yourself!

OK so you've found your perfect plus size evening dress (yay!), now it's time to pick the all important hairstyle! Going to the salon can cost a fortune and I have had one too many bad experiences where I left it up to the "expert" and the "expert" destroyed my hair. Too pouffy, too much hairspray, too perfect (I hate those coiled looks where your hair doesn't ever move), and too $$! Now what I do it search the web for updos I like and that I think will work with my hair, print them out and I do my hair at home. If you start a few weeks before the event, you can practice and perfect the look so you aren't stressed on the big day. If you are a total klutz and don't trust yourself, you can head to a salon but at least you will be prepared with a print out and a clear idea of what you want.

At any evening event, clutches are the way to go! You want something big enough to carry your camera, some makeup, money, extra bobbypins, and your cell phone but dainty enough to match the elegance of the evening. Here are some of my favorites!