Not that many years ago, plus size evening dresses that had style, grace, and interesting, appealing fabrics were hard to find. Relegated to only a few meager choices, larger women often had no recourse but to add another dull piece to their existing plus size evening dress collection. As if a lackluster choice of fabrics were not enough, the color selections were equally poor, with dark somber shades or the same boring pastels taking precedence.
Perhaps due to the increase in female designers, with an eye to style that is unwilling to compromise on comfort, women are finally able to have a few extra pounds and formal wear that is fun to shop for, too. With fabrics varying from rustling taffeta to polyester and rayon confections, styles range from regal to flowing. Moreover, with plus size evening dresses often coming with pretty jackets, shawls or scarves, there is the added interest they bring, whether in additional styling or pattern or color nuances.
When shopping for plus size evening dresses, shoppers should be aware of what the formal event they are attending will require. For outdoor evening events, if a plus size evening dress does not come with its own jacket or topper, one must be obtained. To just use a sweater hanging in one’s closet will not do any formal dress, much less a plus size evening dress, any favors. That is because plus size formal dresses require the same attention to accessory details as those for smaller women, inappropriate accessories capable of making the nicest dress look unappealing or covering up its best attributes. On that note, if plus sizes evening dresses are being shopped for, it is advantageous to find a selection that offers the accompanying jacket or shawl.
Plus size evening dresses should flatter one’s figure as much as possible. Just because someone is larger than average does not mean they cannot look nice and that their proportions should not be given consideration. For instance, if a woman’s hips are dominant, she should look for a style that flows gracefully from the bust or waist, not one that clings to the hips and accentuates them even more. Fortunately, plus size evening dresses come in enough style variation nowadays that one can achieve that rather easily. And what is more, they have actually been designed to cover various figure flaws just as their slimmer counterparts have always done. That is a far cry from the tent styling that characterized plus size evening dresses not that long ago, for example take note of the two plus size evening gowns pictures on this page, they are gorgeous compared to the old days.
Moreover, the old rules of only simple, solid pastels, or overwhelmingly dark shades have gone by the wayside allowing for many more choices in color and design in plus size evening wear. Now for larger women, patterns are available that flatter, serving to elongate rather than widen body shape. That is a refreshing change, too, and a very welcome one. And should plus formal evening dresses be offered only in solids, they often sport a cover-top or jacket that has some patterning. A beautiful chiffon shawl that is softly swirling with patterns can look magnificent atop a plain color as long as they are harmonious. For example, a dress of deep turquoise blue would be flattered with a jacket or shawl that not only incorporated turquoise, but also other soft shades of blues and greens.
By pairing the right accessories and jewelry with the beautiful choices in plus size evening dresses being made today, a larger woman can go to any formal event feeling just as pretty and feminine as anyone else. That is what had so long been hoped for by many, not only on the shopping end of the spectrum, but also by those in the fashion industry envisioning beautiful creations for women of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Comfortable, high quality fabrics and eye-appealing design have made that a distinct reality.