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

Have you been invited to a wedding and aren’t sure what to wear for the occasion? Are you looking for stylish outfit ideas to highlight your curves?

I'll help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I often find it disappointing that guides and articles on the subject frequently overlook outfits and advice suitable for curvier women.

That's why today I've decided to share all my tips and outfit inspirations for a wedding, especially aimed at those with curvier figures!

No matter your body shape, there are plenty of festive outfit options to celebrate a wedding or any other joyful occasion. If you have a curvier figure, I recommend highlighting your silhouette with a dress or jumpsuit that accentuates your curves rather than hiding them. Oversized cuts may not always be the best choice. Brightly coloured garments and dresses that cinch at the waist will be your main allies. Don’t hesitate to opt for lovely prints or unique accessories to ensure you feel comfortable in your outfit.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• How to determine your body shape to select clothes that highlight your best features,
• Tips specifically tailored to your body type,
• Stylish dress ideas that will enhance your curves,
• Advice on dressing when you're curvy for special occasions,
• And loads of inspiring outfit ideas thanks to the many illustrations in this article!

Emphasise or downplay your curves? Be proud of your figure!

When I browse the internet and read articles in fashion magazines, I often come to the same conclusion: sadly, most of these publications still encourage curvy women to hide their curves. There’s often a focus on concealing these curves, which are seen as imperfections.

In this article - and more generally on this blog - I want to share a different perspective. Your curves are a part of you: just like any other part of your body, they can be celebrated and highlighted. Instead of trying to hide them beneath layers of loose clothing, it's important to find an outfit that suits your shape.

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

👉 This article is for those who have been invited to a wedding. If you are looking for a wedding dress for curvy women, please check out our other article titled "which wedding dress for which body shape". 😉

What fabrics and cuts enhance different body shapes? What should be avoided?

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 you choose an outfit, I recommend that you analyse 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 an O-shaped figure. In this case, it would be wise to avoid overly tight outfits, long dresses, and shiny fabrics. To highlight your curves, opt for a knee-length dress that flows nicely, with a lovely neckline and either short or three-quarter sleeves.

🔹 Are your curves more pronounced around your lower body (hips, thighs)? If so, you likely have a A-shaped body. To feel comfortable in your clothes, I recommend outfits that complement your shape, such as flared dresses and tunics. An empire waist dress will particularly enhance your figure. If you like, you can wear a lovely necklace that draws attention to your neckline.

On the left: O Shape / On the right: A Shape

🔸 Unlike the previous situation, is your lower body slimmer while your shoulders are broad? With your V-shaped body type, you can wear any type of skirt or dress to draw attention to your legs. Avoid flared cuts and wide necklines on the shoulders, like the Bardot neckline.

🔹 Do you have a slender waist with generous bust and hips? You have what is known as an hourglass figure: the great thing is that you can wear most outfits. If your dress is loose and doesn't accentuate your slim waist - which is a real asset to showcase! - consider wearing a belt to cinch it in.

On the left: V-shaped body type / On the right: Hourglass figure (X-shaped)

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

To help you out, I've put together a little collection of fashion inspirations and outfit examples that will flatter 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 has a cut that will enhance your décolletage and hips, subtly accentuating them beneath your clothing. The knee-length style is ideal: it elongates your legs and showcases their shape beautifully.

❄️ If it’s a bit chilly, don’t hesitate to wear this outfit with a lovely coloured blazer!

A stylish jumpsuit for a sleek and dynamic silhouette

When I talk about fashion with curvy women, I often find that they believe jumpsuits aren't suited to their body shape. However, if you choose a well-fitted style that complements your curves, you can have an outfit that is both comfortable to wear and stylish.

To accentuate your curves, I recommend a solid-colour or vertically striped jumpsuit, with a loose fit that hints at your hips and highlights your neckline.

👉 Feel free to opt for one that's fitted at the waist or add a belt in that area to give your outfit a sophisticated touch. 😉

Define Your Shape with a Beautiful Short Skirt

Short, fitted skirts, commonly known as “pencil skirts”, have the special quality of narrowing your waist while accentuating the curve of your hips. I recommend opting for a darker colour, with or without patterns, and a high-waisted cut.

This type of outfit pairs beautifully with heels to elongate your legs, along with a slightly loose blouse or a blazer to highlight your neckline and shoulders.

A flowing bohemian dress to gracefully highlight your curves

Flattering for all body types, bohemian fashion is perfect for curvy women, thanks to its flattering cuts and vibrant fabrics. A loose-fitting dress with a lovely print, a bright colour, and a design that highlights your waist slightly would be ideal for a chic outfit at a wedding.

👉 At Boho Via, we are passionate about enhancing all body shapes, so that every woman can feel beautiful. That’s why we offer a collection of plus-size bohemian dresses, now available on our online store. Feel free to have a look!

Bohemian Long Dress

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

Dare to embrace bright colours!

I often notice that many curvy women tend to favour darker colours like navy blue, charcoal grey, and black, which are thought to slim the body. However, a wedding is a joyful and uplifting occasion, and I encourage you to dare to wear vibrant colours that will make you shine amongst the other guests.

Here are a few handy tips for embracing colourful outfits while ensuring you don’t make any fashion missteps:

• Choose no more than three different colours for your outfit,
• It's perfectly fine to wear just one shade! Pick one that matches your complexion:
• warm colours if you have golden or dark skin and brown hair,
• cool colours if you have fair skin, redness, or light or blonde hair.
• If you're not very comfortable with bright colours, you can opt for pastel shades or incorporate colours in small amounts into a dark outfit.

Shape Your Body with a Corset

If you opt for a fitted dress or jumpsuit, you might consider wearing a shapewear garment underneath. This will smooth your curves and boost your confidence, especially if you're not used to wearing this type of clothing.

For this, I recommend choosing a colour that matches your dress, so that your shapewear remains discreet:

• “Nude” for all pastel and white dresses,
• black for dark and black dresses.

👉 When buying your shapewear, make sure to check that it’s the right size and not too tight. It should be comfortable to wear, so you can fully enjoy your day and move freely!

Opt for Heels to Achieve a Beautiful Posture

Do you love wearing heels? If so, don't hold back, as they elongate your legs while improving your posture. Whether in summer or winter, they will be your best allies for a confident look and an undeniable charm. 😊

👉 Choose a comfortable pair that allows you to dance and move around effortlessly. If that's not the case, consider bringing along a spare pair of shoes in your bag!

Choose accessories that suit you and reflect your personality

On this blog, I often emphasise the importance of accessories such as jewellery, bags, belts, as well as sunglasses and even your hairstyle elements. Indeed, it's these details that will subtly allow you to personalise your outfit and feel comfortable in it. They are a way to better understand yourself just by looking in the mirror and they reflect your creativity and originality.

👉 To brighten up your face or accentuate your body, nothing beats a unique piece of jewellery that showcases your personality! Recently, I discovered the resin jewellery embedded with dried flowers from Atelier Passiflore. Handcrafted and vibrant, these pieces are perfect for enhancing any outfit! Check out their online shop 😉

Jewellery from Atelier Passiflore

Wear your outfit ahead of time to boost your confidence

Have you found the perfect outfit? I'm delighted for you, and before I wrap up this article, here’s one last tip: to be as comfortable as possible on the big day and feel confident, don't hesitate to try on your party outfit at home beforehand to get used to it. This way, putting it on will feel natural, and come the day of the celebrations, you'll be sure to feel at ease!

I hope this article has helped you find THE perfect outfit for the wedding of a loved one, a family member, or a friend, and that you’ll feel absolutely fabulous for this joyful occasion. 😊

Are you on the lookout for a gift for the happy couple? Here at Vie-de-Bohème, we primarily specialise in fashion, but we’re also well-acquainted with the world of events. I’d like to share my latest find with you: the eternal roses from Auréole Florale! I instantly fell in love with this romantic gift, which is sure to delight the newlyweds! Check them out now! 🌹