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

Have you been invited to a wedding and are unsure how to dress for the occasion? Are you looking for stylish outfit ideas to enhance your curves?

I'm here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I often feel disappointed to see that guides and articles on the topic frequently overlook providing outfits and advice suitable for curvy women.

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

Regardless of 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'd recommend showing off your silhouette by choosing a dress or jumpsuit that enhances your curves rather than hiding them. Very loose cuts may not be the best fit. Brightly coloured clothing and dresses that cinch at the waist will be your best friends. Don't hesitate to pick lovely prints or unique accessories to ensure you're comfortable in your outfit.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• How to understand your body shape to choose clothes that flatter you,
• Tips specifically tailored for your body type,
• Ideas for stylish dresses that enhance your curves,
• Advice on how to dress when you're curvy for special occasions,
• And plenty of inspiring outfit ideas, complete with numerous illustrations in this article!

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

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

In this article - and more generally on this blog -, I’d like to offer you a different perspective. Your curves are indeed a part of who you are: like any part of your body, they can be celebrated and highlighted. Instead of desperately trying to conceal them under baggy clothes, it’s essential to find an outfit that suits your shape.

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

👉 This article is 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 "what wedding dress to choose for which body shape". 😉

What are the fabrics and cuts that enhance 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. This is why, before choosing an outfit, I recommend analysing 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 chest, you have an O-shaped body. In this case, it's wise to avoid overly tight clothing, long dresses, and shiny fabrics. To accentuate your curves, opt for a flowy midi dress with a lovely neckline and short or ¾ sleeves.

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

I'm sorry, but there's no content provided to translate. Please provide the text you'd like translated, and I'll be happy to help!

On the left: O-shaped figure / On the right: A-shaped figure

I'm sorry, but it seems there's no additional content provided after "
". If you could supply the actual content or blog post you'd like translated, I'd be happy to help!

🔸 Conversely, if your lower body is more defined while your shoulders are broader, you have a V-shaped body type. This means you can wear any style of skirt or dress to draw attention to your legs. It's best to avoid flared cuts and wide necklines, like those found in a Bardot neckline.

🔹 Do you have a slim waist with generous bust and hips? You have what’s 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 highlight! – consider adding a belt to cinch it in.

On the left: V shape / On the right: Hourglass silhouette (X shape)

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

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

A knee-length dress to highlight your waist and accentuate your hips

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

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

A chic jumpsuit for a sleek and dynamic silhouette

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

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

👉 Feel free to choose one that is fitted at the waist or add a belt at this spot to give your outfit a sophisticated touch. 😉

Define Your Size with a Lovely Short Skirt

Short, fitted skirts, also known as "pencil skirts", have the unique ability to define your waist while accentuating the curve of your hips. I recommend opting for a dark colour, whether plain or patterned, and go for a high-waisted cut.

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

A flowy bohemian dress to elegantly showcase your curves

Flattering for all body types, bohemian fashion is perfect for curvy women, with its flattering cuts and a variety of vibrant fabrics. A flowy dress featuring a lovely print, a bright colour, and a silhouette that cinches the waist will be just right for a stylish outfit at a wedding.

👉 At Boho Via, we are passionate about showcasing all body types, so that every woman can feel beautiful. That's why we are offering a collection of plus-size bohemian dresses that is available right now on our online store. Feel free to take a look!

5 tips to enhance your figure and find the perfect outfit!

Embrace Bright Colours!

I often notice that many curvy women tend to favour dark colours like navy blue, charcoal grey, and black, which are thought to create a slimming effect. However, a wedding is a joyful and positive occasion, and I encourage you to have the confidence to wear vibrant colours that will make you shine among the other guests.

Here are a few handy tips for embracing a colourful outfit while ensuring you avoid any fashion missteps:

• Don't choose more than three different colours for your outfit,
• Wearing just one shade is possible! Pick one that matches your skin tone:
• warm colours if you have golden or dark skin and brown hair,
• cool colours if you have fair skin, redness, or light/ blonde hair.
• If you're not very comfortable with bright colours, you can opt for pastel shades or incorporate colours in small accents into a dark outfit.

Shape Your Body with a Shapewear

If you opt for a fitted dress or jumpsuit, you might want to consider wearing shapewear underneath. It will smooth out your curves and help you feel more confident, especially if you’re not used to wearing this kind of outfit.

For this, I recommend choosing a colour that matches your dress, so that your shapewear is invisible:

• “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 without feeling restricted in your movements!

Opt for Heels for a Beautiful Posture

Do you love wearing heels? If so, go for it! They elongate your legs and improve your posture. Whether it’s summer or winter, they will be your best friends for achieving a confident look and a fabulous charm. 😊

👉 Choose a comfortable pair that lets you dance and move around with ease. If that's not the case, consider packing a spare pair of shoes in your gear!

Choose Accessories That Suit You and Reflect Your Personality

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

👉 To brighten up your face or showcase your body, there's nothing quite like a unique piece of jewellery that highlights your personality! Recently, I discovered the resin jewellery embedded with dried flowers from the Atelier Passiflore. Each piece is handmade and very vibrant, perfect for elevating any outfit! Check out their online store 😉

Wear your outfit beforehand to boost your confidence

Have you found the perfect outfit? I'm thrilled for you and, before I wrap up this post, I want to share one last tip: to feel as comfortable as possible on the big day and boost your confidence, don't hesitate to try on your party outfit at home beforehand, to get used to it. This way, wearing it will feel natural, and on the day of the celebrations, you'll be sure to feel comfortable!

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

Are you looking for a gift for the happy couple? At Vie-de-Bohème, we focus mainly on fashion, but we also have a good understanding of the events industry. I’d like to share my latest find: the everlasting roses from Auréole Florale! I instantly fell in love with this romantic gift, which is sure to delight the soon-to-be newlyweds! Check them out now! 🌹