Tips For Finding The Right Fit For A Cocktail Dress As A Plus-Sized Woman
If you are like many women, you have or would like to have a little black dress in your closet. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to find a flattering cocktail dress, if you are a plus sized woman. The good news is that if you know how to choose the right dress and the right accessories, there are more options than you might think for that black cocktail dress.
Choose The Most Flattering Length For Your Little Black Dress
One of the most common misconceptions about the use of a cocktail dress for plus-sized women is that it has to be short. In fact, if you choose one that has a skirt that hits at least your knee or calf, you will have the most flexibility for its use. A dress of that length could more easily be used during any season and could even make the cross-over between your job and an evening out.
Many of the dresses seen on the red carpet the last two years were not mini-skirts, so it will be easy to find a flattering length for your new, multi-purpose cocktail dress. Since the average woman in the United States is a size 14 or 16, it only makes sense that more stores and designers are trying to meet that need.
Consider The Sleeves
One common problem for plus-sized women is the extra weight on the bottom of their upper arms. Because so many cocktail dresses are sleeveless, you may have been stuck with few options in the past. However, now you will see that dresses with both short sleeves and 3/4 inch sleeves are more frequently available.
If you haven't found something that you like with sleeves, do not forget about the shrug. It is available in a number of different lengths and styles. Because it can be made of a very lightweight yarn, instead of standard fabric, its weight does not have to be a problem during a hot summer night. Conversely, you can also choose something made of a heavier or thicker material, when you will be wearing your new dress outside in December.
The standard shrug is easily recognized due to its abbreviated length. Some styles are like that of a short jacket or bolero. It may or may not be buttoned or zipped. Other styles will tie around your waist. If you are a plus-sized woman who has a curvier figure, a tied shrug is often a flattering addition to a form-fitting dress.
In conclusion, fashion often seems like it is only accessible by smaller women. Fortunately, there are new designs being made all the time that will help you find the best cocktail dress.