How to Dress for a Wedding When You’re Curvy?

Are you invited to a wedding and not sure how to dress for the occasion? Are you looking for outfit ideas that will enhance your curves?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I often feel let down by the guides and articles on the subject that frequently overlook providing outfits and advice tailored for plus-size women.

This is why today I’ve decided to share all my tips and outfit inspirations for wedding attire, specifically tailored for curvy figures!

No matter your body shape, there are countless outfit options for celebrating a wedding or any other joyous occasion. If you are more curvy, I recommend highlighting your figure by choosing a dress or jumpsuit that enhances your curves rather than hiding them. Oversized cuts may not be the most suitable. Colorful clothing and dresses that cinch at the waist will be your best friends. Feel free to choose beautiful prints or unique accessories so you can feel comfortable in your outfit.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

• How to understand your body shape to choose flattering clothing,
• Tips specifically tailored for your body type,
• Some dress ideas that will enhance your curves,
• Advice on how to dress when you’re curvy for special occasions,
• And plenty of inspiring outfit ideas with the many illustrations in this article!

Highlight or Slim Down Your Curves? Embrace Your Body!

When I research online and read articles in fashion magazines, I often notice the same thing: unfortunately, most of these publications still encourage curvy women to hide their curves. There is often a focus on masking their shapes, which are viewed as imperfections.

In this article—and more generally on this blog—I offer you a different perspective. Your curves are a part of you: just like any other part of your body, they can be highlighted and accentuated. Instead of desperately trying to hide them under baggy clothes, it’s important to find an outfit that complements your shape.

This is especially true for formal attire, such as when attending an event like a wedding. Therefore, I encourage you to wear colorful and well-fitted clothes that will make you look radiant in the eyes of your loved ones!

👉 This article is intended for those who are invited to a wedding. If you are looking for a wedding dress for curvy women, I recommend checking out our other article titled “which wedding dress for which body type“. 😉

What styles and cuts flatter different body shapes? What should you avoid?

No matter what your body shape is, there are styles that will flatter you, while others may not be designed with you in mind. That’s why, before choosing an outfit, I recommend you analyze your body type to understand where your curves are, so you can highlight them effectively.

🔸 If your curves are concentrated around your belly, hips, and bust, you have a type O body shape. In this case, it’s wise to avoid overly tight clothing, long dresses, and shiny fabrics. To accentuate your curves, opt for a midi dress that is flowy, with a nice neckline and short or ¾ sleeves.

🔹 Do you have more pronounced curves in your lower body (hips, thighs)? In that case, you likely have an A-shaped body type. To feel comfortable in your clothing, I recommend outfits that complement your figure, such as flared dresses and tunics. An empire-waist dress would particularly enhance your silhouette. If you’d like, you can wear a lovely necklace to draw attention to your neckline.

On the left: O-shaped body type / On the right: A-shaped body type

🔸 In contrast to the previous situation, is the lower half of your body slimmer while your shoulders are broader? With your V-shaped figure, you can wear any type of skirt or dress to draw attention to your legs. Avoid flared cuts and wide necklines on the shoulders, such as off-the-shoulder styles.

🔹 Do you have a slender waist with generous bust and hips? You have what is known as a hourglass figure: the advantage is that you can wear most outfits. If your dress is loose and doesn’t accentuate your slim waist – which is a true asset to highlight! – consider adding a belt to cinch it in.

Left: V-shaped body / Right: Hourglass silhouette (X-shaped)

Some Stylish Outfit Ideas for Attending a Wedding When You’re Curvy

To help you out, I’ve put together a small collection of fashion inspirations and outfit examples that will highlight your curves and make you look very feminine for this festive occasion.

A midi dress to accentuate your waist and highlight your hips

This type of dress is perfect for curvy figures: it features a cut that will enhance your neckline and hips, subtly accentuating them under your clothing. The knee-length style is ideal as it elongates your legs and showcases their shape beautifully.

❄️ If it’s a bit chilly, feel free to wear this outfit with a nice, colorful blazer!

A stylish jumpsuit for a slender and dynamic silhouette

When I talk about fashion with curvy women, I often find that they believe jumpsuits aren’t flattering for their body type. However, if you select a well-tailored design with a cut that suits your curves, you can achieve an outfit that is both comfortable to wear and stylish.

To enhance your curves, I recommend a solid-colored or vertically striped jumpsuit with a loose fit that hints at your hips and accentuates your neckline.

👉 Feel free to go for a fitted waist style or add a belt at that spot to give your outfit a touch of sophistication. 😉

Define Your Shape with a Stylish Short Skirt

Short, fitted skirts, often called “pencil skirts“, are designed to create a flattering silhouette by accentuating your waist and hips. I recommend opting for a darker color, whether patterned or solid, and a high-waisted cut.

This type of clothing pairs wonderfully with heels to elongate your legs, along with a slightly loose blouse or a blazer to accentuate your neckline and shoulders.

A flowy bohemian dress to elegantly showcase your curves

Flattering for all body types, bohemian style is perfect for curvy women, thanks to its flattering cuts and a variety of colorful fabrics. An ample dress with a beautiful print, a bright hue, and a cut that cinches your waist slightly will be just right for a chic outfit at a wedding.

👉 At Boho Via, we are dedicated to enhancing all body types so that every woman can feel beautiful. That’s why we offer a collection of chic plus-size bohemian dresses that is now available on our online shop. Don’t hesitate to take a look!

Long Bohemian Dress

5 Tips to Flatter Your Figure and Find the Perfect Outfit!

Dare to Use Bright Colors!

I often notice that many plus-size women tend to favor dark colors such as navy blue, charcoal gray, and black, which are thought to be slimming. However, a wedding is a joyful and celebratory event, and I encourage you to be bold and wear vibrant colors that will make you shine among the other guests.

Here are a few tips for wearing colorful outfits without making any missteps:

• Choose no more than three different colors for your outfit,
• Wearing just one shade is also an option! Pick one that compliments your skin tone:
• warm colors if you have golden or dark skin and brown hair,
• cool colors if you have fair skin, redness in your complexion, or light or blonde hair.
• If you’re not very comfortable with bright colors, you can opt for pastel shades or incorporate colors in small touches with a darker outfit.

Shape Your Body with Shapewear

If you choose a fitted dress or jumpsuit, you might want to consider wearing a shapewear garment underneath. It will smooth out your curves and help boost your confidence, especially if you’re not used to wearing this type of clothing.

To achieve this, I recommend choosing a color that matches your dress, so that your shapewear remains invisible:

• nude color for all pastel and white dresses,
• black for dark and black dresses.

👉 When purchasing your shapewear, make sure to check that it is the right size and not too tight. It should be comfortable to wear, so you can fully enjoy your day while being free to move around!

Invest in Heels for a Beautiful Posture

Do you love wearing heels? If so, go for it, as they elongate your legs and improve your posture. Whether it’s summer or winter, they will be your best allies for a confident look and incredible charisma. 😊

👉 Choose a comfortable pair that allows you to dance and move without any issues. If that’s not the case, consider packing a spare pair of shoes in your belongings!

Choose Accessories That Match Your Style and Reflect Your Personality

On this blog, I often emphasize the importance of accessories such as jewelry, bags, belts, as well as sunglasses and elements of your hairstyle. Indeed, it’s these details that will subtly allow you to personalize your outfit and feel good in it. They are a way to better understand yourself just by looking at your appearance and reflect your creativity and uniqueness.

👉 To brighten up your face or enhance your body, nothing beats a unique piece of jewelry that showcases your personality! Recently, I discovered the resin jewelry embedded with dried flowers from Atelier Passiflore. Entirely handcrafted and very colorful, they are perfect for elevating any outfit! Check out their online store 😉

Atelier Passiflore Jewelry

Wear Your Outfit Ahead of Time to Build Your Confidence

Have you found the perfect outfit? I’m so happy for you! Before we wrap up this article, here’s one last secret: to feel as comfortable as possible on the big day and boost your confidence, don’t hesitate to wear your party outfit at home in advance, so you can get used to it. This way, putting it on will feel natural, and on the day of the celebration, you’ll be sure to feel at ease!

I hope this article has helped you find THE perfect outfit for the wedding of a friend, family member, or loved one, so you can feel fabulous for this joyous occasion. 😊

Are you looking for a gift for the happy couple? At Vie-de-Bohème, we specialize in fashion, but we also have a good understanding of the event planning world. So, I want to share my latest find: the eternal roses from Auréole Florale! I immediately fell in love with this romantic gift, which is sure to delight the newlyweds! Check them out now! 🌹