Flawless Fits: Finding the Ultimate Plus-Size Bridesmaid Dress

Shopping for bridesmaid dresses is no small feat—especially when your crew of besties comes in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. But guess what? That just makes it more fun! Finding the perfect plus-size bridesmaid dress doesn’t mean sacrificing style or confidence. It's all about embracing those stunning curves and letting each bridesmaid shine. So, let’s toss the old rules aside and dive into real tips to help you find the right bridesmaid dress for every woman in your bridal party.

Understanding Different Body Shapes

Let’s be honest—no two women are the same, and that’s what makes shopping for plus-size bridesmaid dresses so exciting. Your bridal party likely includes different body shapes, each with its own fabulous features. The key? Finding dresses that enhance what makes each woman feel (and look) her best.

Apple Shape

If your bridesmaid tends to carry weight around her midsection with slimmer legs, she’s got an apple shape. The goal here is to find a dress that highlights her best assets—like her gorgeous legs or neckline—while offering a bit of flow around the tummy. Think empire waist or A-line dresses that gracefully fall away from the body at the tummy. A chic empire-waist gown paired with a soft V-neckline? She’ll be owning that aisle!

Pear Shape

Have a bridesmaid with curvier hips and a smaller bust? She’s rocking a pear shape, and the trick is to balance her proportions. A fit-and-flare dress works wonders here, hugging the waist and skimming over the hips while adding a bit of volume or detail to the upper body. Off-the-shoulder dresses or flutter sleeves are fabulous choices—they pull attention upward, making the silhouette look beautifully balanced.

Hourglass Shape

Hello, curves! If your bridesmaid has an hourglass shape, it’s all about embracing those proportions. A wrap bridesmaid dress or belted style will draw attention to her natural waist while body-skimming fabrics will show off those fabulous curves. And yes, she can totally pull off a form-fitting gown—don’t let anyone tell her otherwise!

Rectangle Shape

For the bridesmaid with a more athletic or rectangular frame, the goal is to create the illusion of curves. Dresses with ruching, draping, or adding a belt to define the waist can do the trick. She can play with textures and layers, like a gown with a flowy skirt or a cinched bodice. A peplum style or a dress with some flare at the bottom can also work magic, giving her that hourglass vibe without adding bulk.

Choosing The Right Fabrics

Let’s talk fabric—because the material of a bridesmaid dress is just as important as the cut. It can make all the difference between feeling amazing or fidgeting all day. Some fabrics are perfect for smoothing, supporting, and offering extra confidence, while others might leave your girls a bit exposed.

Flattering Fabrics: Your Secret Weapons

When it comes to offering both comfort and confidence, fabrics like jersey, crepe, mikado and taffeta are your go-tos. Jersey and crepe have a gentle stretch that hugs curves just right—perfect for a sleek, comfortable fit. Mikado and taffeta, on the other hand, are a bit more structured, providing support and holding everything in place while still looking chic and sophisticated.

Beware of Unforgiving Fabrics

Some fabrics, like charmeuse and silk, while undeniably gorgeous, tend to cling to every curve—and not always in the most flattering way. These thinner materials can highlight areas your bridesmaids might not want on full display.

Pro tip: If you're set on a particular fabric and one of your bridesmaids isn’t feeling 100% confident in it, don’t stress. Mix-and-match styles can be a lifesaver! Opt for a dress with ruching or gathering around the waist—it’ll create a gorgeous, flattering, and confidence-boosting silhouette.

Seasonal Fabrics

Now, let’s talk about the seasons because fabric choice becomes even more important depending on the weather.

Spring & Summer: If your wedding is during warmer months, go for lightweight, breathable fabrics like chiffon or organza. These floaty materials will keep your bridesmaids cool while still giving them a flowy, romantic look.

Fall & Winter: For cooler months, choose more decadent, more structured fabrics like velvet, crepe, taffeta, or satin. These fabrics will not only add warmth but also give your bridesmaids that extra bit of smoothing so they feel secure and stylish.

Finding the Perfect Fit

Ah, sizing—the part of bridesmaid dress shopping can turn even the most joyful bride tribe moment into a headache. The truth is, when it comes to formalwear, sizes aren’t as simple as grabbing a pair of jeans off the rack. Every designer seems to have their own idea of what a size 14, 16, or 18 should be, and more often than not, those numbers don’t align with the sizes you're used to in everyday life.

Let’s face it: formalwear sizing is all over the place. Your bestie who comfortably rocks a size 14 in her day-to-day life might need an 18 or even a 20 in a bridesmaid dress simply because formal wear designers use sizing charts that feel straight out of another universe. And don’t even start on what happens when a designer’s size range stops just shy of one of your bridesmaids’ measurements—it’s enough to make anyone tear up in the dressing room.

Alterations are inevitable, and while they help, too many changes can alter the entire look of the dress. But don’t worry; there’s a different way to tackle bridesmaid dress sizing.

Custom Size Bridesmaid Dresses

Rather than focusing on a tag size that might bring them down, encourage your bridesmaids to focus on fit. If the dress fits properly, no one will care what number’s on the tag. And here’s some good news: at Chic Sew, we believe in celebrating every body shape, which is why we offer custom sizing. No more trying to conform to unrealistic standards—your bridesmaids can have a dress made to their exact measurements, ensuring a comfortable and flattering fit from the get-go.

How to Take Measurements for the Best Fit

Bust:

Measure around the fullest part of the bust, keeping the tape snug but not tight. Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, let us give you a few extra tips to make it as accurate as possible.

When possible, have someone else do the measuring. This will ensure your body is in a natural position, not flexed, while doing your own measuring.

Make sure the measuring tape is straight and level around your back at the same height as in the front. If the tape is lower in the back, the measurement will be bigger, resulting in the wrong size.

Wear the same bra that you will wear with the bridesmaid dress (if possible). Why? Well, all bras are not equal, right? Some have padding, some give extra lift, and some flatten your bust (like a sports bra), so if possible, wear the same bra for measuring that you will when you wear the dress.

Waist:

This is the smallest part of the torso, right above the belly button. Again, it sounds simple and straightforward. But what does “right above the belly button” mean? If you think about the hourglass shape of a woman, you can easily recognize the “waist.” But like all bras are not the same, no two women’s bodies are the same. So, here’s a tip to help you find where your “natural waist” is.

Remember the nursery rhyme “I’m a little teapot?” The part that has you lean to the side is how you find the natural waist, which is what you need to measure.

• Stand with your feet together (don’t forget this part)
• Lean to one side (it doesn’t matter which one)
• Wrap the measuring tape around your waist
• Where the natural crease in your body is, is where you need to measure
• Again, make sure the measuring tape is level, and when possible, have someone else do the measuring.

Hips:

Measure around the fullest part of the hips and bum. That’s it! You’re done. But honestly, follow our same tips for standing with your feet together (spreading your feet apart can make your hips wider) and make sure the measuring tape is level.

Hollow to Hem:

This one’s a little trickier! It’s the length from the base of the neck (the hollow– that’s the little dip or depression area between your collar bones) straight down to where you want the hem to fall.

Here’s a crucial tip: ensure your bridesmaids take this measurement while wearing the shoes they’ll have on for the wedding day. Changing shoe height later can throw off the length, and nobody wants to trip down the aisle because the dress is suddenly too long—or worse, be stuck with a dress that’s too short!

Remember, alterations are an essential part of the game, whether you're going with a standard size or custom. But starting with the correct measurements makes everything easier. When the fit is flawless, your bridesmaids will be walking confidently and trust us, that energy will shine through in every photo!

Exploring Different Styles and Necklines

Another thing to consider when shopping for plus-size bridesmaid dresses is the silhouette and neckline. These two elements can completely transform how a dress looks and feels on different body shapes, making or breaking how your besties feel.

Bridesmaid Dress Styles

Take some time to choose your dress style, it determines your overall look.

A-Line

The A-line silhouette is a flattering and classic style that looks great on everyone. It’s fitted through the bodice and waist and then flares out at the hipbone area. So, it’s perfect for any woman who wants to disguise her hips or thighs.

Empire Waist

Another flattering style for plus-size bridesmaids is the empire waistline. This silhouette flares out from just under the bust area, providing lots of movement and comfort. And since it isn’t tight around the waist or hips, it hides any tummy imperfections.

Mermaid and Trumpet

Now, for the fitted silhouettes, many people will argue that plus-size women shouldn’t wear tight, body-hugging dresses, but we disagree. A woman's body is designed to be curvy; a beautiful hourglass shape is perfect for rocking a mermaid or trumpet bridesmaid dress. You gotta have some curves to fill out the fitted silhouette, so yes! Fitted bridesmaid dresses are an excellent option for your plus-size besties.

Sheath

A sheath dress is a fantastic choice if your girls prefer something simple yet chic. This style hugs the body gently and exudes elegance. It’s a no-fuss option for formal and casual weddings, letting their natural beauty shine.

Bridesmaid Dress Necklines

Now, let’s examine the bridesmaid dress necklines, which can also help your bridesmaids feel confident.

Strapless

We get it; the word “strapless” can send some women running to hide, but trust us– your bridesmaids can rock a strapless bridesmaid dress even if they’re on the curvier side. The key is finding a well-structured bodice with built-in boning or corsets and then getting it tailored to fit perfectly.

If they do that, everything will stay in place, so they can focus on celebrating instead of adjusting their dress all night.

Off-The-Shoulder

This neckline highlights your collarbone (which is universally flattering) while providing a little more structure than a strapless option. It's an excellent choice for bridesmaids who won’t wear strapless dresses. Plus, it photographs beautifully!

V-Neck

As simple as it sounds, the V-neckline has straps that go over the shoulder and form a V shape in the front. They’re the real winner for plus-size women because they create an elongating effect. Plus, it's a bonus! Because they have straps, your plus-size bridesmaid can wear a traditional bra, which will help them feel beautiful and confident.

Conclusion

We believe that every girl can get the bridesmaid dress that suits her best through customization. Wearing the right dress, the bridesmaid will be confident and beautiful, helping the bride to have a perfect big day!