March 26, 2008
Tips for Plus Size Evening Gowns
What You Need to Keep in Mind
Before you start looking for the perfect plus size evening gown, you need to be as clear as possible about what type of social event you will be attending. The occasion will dictate the type of evening dress you need. Evening wear is vast and therefore being able to zero in on what type you need is so very important.
If you receive an invitation and you are not sure if it is formal (black tie) or semi formal, do not be afraid to ask for clarification. Nobody wants to show up at a social occasion in a dress that is all wrong for the occasion. That is a serious fashion faux pas that no plus size woman wants to break! A beautiful floor length gown befitting Cinderella is very elegant but not if every woman in the room but you, is wearing a cocktail dress.
As a general rule of thumb, any social occasion that takes place after 6pm calls for a dress that leans towards the formal side. The good news for the plus size fashionista is that the options for evening dress are not strict or conventional anymore. Today’s woman who is attending a formal event has lots of options for evening wear and there is no reason at all that she cannot allow her personality to shine through! Some examples of evening dresses that can be appropriate fro a variety of formal “after the sun goes down” occasions include floor length halter dresses, sheath dresses, dresses that include a jacket instead of a wrap (these dresses were formerly thought of as mother of the bride dresses but today can be worn by any woman), and off-the-shoulder dresses for summer season galas.
Consider the type of fabric you would like your evening dress made out of. Most plus size evening dresses are made from synthetic material which is good for those who need to watch their money and cannot afford to spend too much. Buy an evening dress that is made out of wool crepe, nylon or a body skimming jersey material (and /or a material that is similar). The key here is to find a fabric that accentuates your womanly curves as opposed to hiding them or worse yet, allowing the less advantaged areas of your body to take center stage.
