How to choose a dress for curvy women?

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To learn more about dresses for curvy women, check out our 100% dedicated guide!

There are several types of dresses for curvy women. And for good reason, there are several occasions that require wearing a dress. Furthermore, it’s always useful to have different kinds in your wardrobe.

Yes, it all depends on your body shape and taste. Should you wear long dresses? Short dresses? What type of neckline should you choose? What sleeve style? Should you opt for a high-waisted or straight cut? How to hide the bulges? In short, how to dress when you are curvy? We’ll tell you everything in this article.

There are cuts to adopt for every occasion, patterns to prefer, and those to avoid. We explain the effects of colors on your silhouette and the fabrics suitable for plus-size models.

What dress for a curvy woman to wear to a wedding?

Dressing for a wedding requires careful consideration. To make things easier for you, here’s Modalova’s guide on the dresses for curvy women to wear to a wedding.

Chic, elegant, glamorous, sexy, casual, or classy items are needed in various types to prepare adequately for different events. But you also need to find pieces that suit your body shape.

What dress for a curvy woman to wear for her wedding?

As a bride, you need to look your most stunning on the big day. And for that, a beautiful bohemian dress is the piece that will enhance your beauty. Combining simplicity, beauty, and freedom, it will transform you into a princess for a day.

• The flowy white dress:

Whether it’s made of cotton voile, light viscose, English embroidery, or even silk fabric, choose one that is lightweight. Opt for mid-length flared sleeves that are fluid and transparent. The best option is to highlight your bust with an open neckline or even a plunging one.

Add some lace or guipure pieces to your bridal outfit. Prefer elegant, discreet, and embroidered patterns like small flowers, butterflies, or feathers that symbolize peace and freedom. With this piece, keep it as simple as possible by wearing minimal embellishments and choosing off-white colors.

• The empire dress:

Another essential model of wedding dress for curvy women is the empire dress. With its fitted cut just below the bust, it enhances your bust while camouflaging the belly at the same time.

Here, you can add some pearls, diamonds, or sequins, but only at the bust area to avoid weighing down your outfit. And do this in moderation.

You can wear a strapless dress or one with thin straps. But if you prefer to hide the fullness of your arms, opt for a long-sleeved or 3/4 length model. Just make sure to choose transparent fabrics for the sleeves.

Choose a plunging neckline or a model with bare shoulders. To lean more towards this look, choose a backless dress for a glam effect. Play well with the color and patterns of your model while being careful not to weigh down your outfit.

How to choose your dress cut for curvy women for a wedding?

Are you curvy? Are you invited to a wedding and don’t know which dresses for curvy women to choose? Or are you even a bridesmaid and unsure of the dress cut that suits your body shape?

Don’t panic, we have the tips you need.

• If you are a bridesmaid, it’s best to agree in advance regarding the color of your outfits. Opt for dark and refined colors like emerald green, navy blue, midnight blue, or burgundy.

Next, discuss the fabric of your outfits. Classy satin, chiffon, elastane, muslin, and viscose are the fabrics to prioritize. In any case, choose stretchable materials. Regarding the cut, the mermaid dress or empire dress without sleeves and fitted is perfect.

• If you are an invitee, you can opt for simplicity. A straight dress, for example, or an A-line dress will enhance your figure.

To break this simplicity, choose a slit dress or a model that is short yet classy. In this case, opt for dark colors and play well with accessories. For example, choose high-heeled shoes like pumps or wedges.

This way, you highlight your legs. Alternatively, opt for a wrap dress or a crossover dress. These models are more sophisticated.

You can then choose between long cuts and short cuts. Just make sure to highlight your assets like your bust, thighs, and waist. To hide your curves, opt for a cinching with a belt or a knotted cord.

To better choose your wedding dress for curvy women, we offer a specific guide for weddings!

Choosing your dress for curvy and sexy women: the Modalova guide

Here are some tips to be sexy when you are curvy.

What evening dress for curvy women to choose?

• The bodycon dress:

To be sexy in the evening, the base is to wear a bodycon dress for curvy women. Especially for women with an A or 8 body shape, this model enhances your silhouette. Here, you can opt for ultra-sexy models without sleeves or with thin straps, short dresses, or even mini dresses or longer models.

You can also choose a laced model, a tied back, or a backless one.

Here, play with the color. Although the black dress for curvy women is the most recommended, you can choose other colors. If you are more confident in your body, choose purple, pink, or red. For the fabric, prefer satin or chiffon. For shoes, square heels with laces are the best for this type of outfit.

• The long dress:

You can also choose a longer dress. Whether it’s straight, pencil skirt, or wrap, you can still look sexy. To do this, opt for a two-tone model. A touch of leather will add a cheeky aspect to your look.

Alternatively, lace, silk, or lycra are exceedingly sexy fabrics. You can also add some revealing touches to your outfit. For example, wear a sheer dress, a one-shoulder model, or one with bare shoulders or a plunging neckline.

• The mini-dresses:

If you prefer shorter models, a little ruffle at the ends of your model will be welcome. Also, belted models highlight your waist. Again, choose your accessories wisely. For example, wear dangling earrings, choker necklaces, and glamorous bracelets.

For more information on evening dresses for curvy and petite women, check out our thematic guide!

How to be sexy in a dress for curvy and petite women?

• Choose the right models:

The models of sexy dresses for curvy and petite women are numerous. For example, you can wear a skater skirt that is short enough to reveal your thighs and legs. For a glamorous touch, choose a backless or laced model. Prefer a fitted bodice, asymmetrical sleeves, bare shoulders, or a plunging V-neckline.

Alternatively, you can choose a sleeveless cut. If you prefer less short and more elegant models, choose a midi cut.

A slit dress for curvy women with a belt accentuates your cheeky side. Whether it’s a jersey style, A-line, empire, or a simple straight skirt, a slit and a belt make any model sexier.

Also, opt for a sheer or slightly transparent look. Choose a passionate color for your dresses for curvy women like red. And most importantly, don’t forget your heels.

• Patterns to avoid:

First, choose patterns that do not flatten you. Heavy patterns tend to overload your look while accentuating your curves.

By “heavy patterns“, we mean animal prints, bold large stripes. Anything like snake, leopard, zebra, or overly emphasized giraffe patterns should be avoided.

For curvy and petite women, it’s best to opt for more balanced patterns. Like small polka dots, tiny butterflies, and others. Also, only slightly discreet vertical stripes give the illusion of a more elongated body.

So, prioritize these last ones as well as floral prints. Regarding the cut of your dresses for curvy women, opt for models that are short enough not to overwhelm you.

Thus, forget about long and maxi skirts. However, you can opt for midi models as long as you accessorize with heels.

For more information on sexy dresses for curvy women, check out our detailed guide ;)

The slimming dress for curvy women, how to choose?

How to dress if you want to look slimmer? Well, it all depends on the cut of the model as well as its color!

Which slimming dress models to wear?

• The colors:

Here, we won’t teach you anything new, just follow some basic rules. One of these rules states that you should play well with colors. You may already know that dark colors create a slimmer silhouette and accentuate curves.

And yes, it’s true that they attract heat, but they do not attract light. This property allows them to effectively hide bulges and thus give the illusion of a slimmer body. So, make use of black, dark green, dark red, dark gray, and brown.

• The cut:

As for the cut, prefer longer models. Maxi dresses are thus to be prioritized to sculpt your silhouette. Midi models are also effective. Furthermore, you can play with your waist. Cinch it with a belt or a knotted cord to appear slimmer.

• The types of dresses for curvy women to prioritize:

In the ranking of slimming dresses are shirt dresses, wrap dresses, and wallet dresses. To wear the shirt cut, choose a looser fit that will mask your curves. For accessorizing, choose a belt or a cord to cinch the waist.

Open your collar and unbutton the first two buttons to highlight your bust. As for long wrap dresses, it’s all about the fluidity of your model. To add a touch of femininity to your outfit, choose an asymmetrical model that is short in the front and long in the back.

You can also choose a slit dress. For wallet cuts, prefer a long and flowing model with long or mid-length sleeves. Here, play well with patterns.

How to achieve a slimming effect in a dress for curvy women?

You have the choice between:

• The A-line dress:

For a dresses for curvy women simple like a A-line dress, just choose a long cut. Also, for maximum effect, choose a dark color. To avoid a total look, you can choose a dark model on the hips and waist, but bright or light in the center. This technique has always been effective in giving the illusion of a slimmer body.

• The straight dress:

Straight dresses also give the illusion of a slimmer body. It works every time! Just wear heeled shoes for maximum effect. Additionally, you can prioritize small close patterns that deceive the eye by giving the illusion of a less bulky body.

Vertical stripes are also suitable for a slimming effect. Just ensure that they are not too bold.

• The pencil skirt:

You can also choose this very chic model. This cut conceals the fullness of the hips and thighs while highlighting the waist.

However, choose a pencil skirt that is not too tight. Also, flared dresses in a bohemian style or loose jersey nicely slim down the body.

Just be mindful of the colors and collars. The V-neck, for example, yields quite a satisfactory result. Also, skirts with an A-line cut slim the silhouette.

However, to break their simplicity, opt for a rather provocative bodice. On the other hand, if you prefer to cover up more, you can choose a fitted bodice. Here, avoid puffy dresses that only accentuate curves.

In fact, everything that is too frilly and draped is not advisable for those who want a slimming body.

Are you looking for more information on the slimming dress for curvy women? Check out our article dedicated to this type of clothing!

Discover our complete guide on the dresses for curvy women when you are petite!

Need information on the elegant dress for curvy women perfect for your events and ceremonies? This is where it’s at!