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 stylish outfit ideas to enhance your curves?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I often feel disappointed when guides and articles on the topic regularly fail to offer outfits and advice suited for curvy women.

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

Regardless of your body shape, there are numerous options for festive outfits to celebrate a wedding or any other joyous 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. Loose-fitting styles may not be the best choice. Vibrant colours and dresses that cinch at the waist will be your best friends. Don't hesitate to opt for beautiful prints or unique accessories to ensure you're comfortable in your outfit.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• How to determine your body shape to choose clothes that flatter you,
• Tips specifically tailored to your body type,
• Ideas for elegant dresses that will enhance your curves,
• Tips on how to dress when you're curvy for a special occasion,
• And plenty of inspiring outfit ideas thanks to the many illustrations in this article!

Highlighting or downplaying your curves? Be proud of your body!

When I do research online and read articles in fashion magazines, I often come to the same conclusion: most of these publications unfortunately still encourage curvy women to hide their curves. There is frequently talk about concealing one's curves, which are viewed as imperfections.

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

This is especially true for formal attire, such as for an event like a wedding. Therefore, I encourage you to wear well-fitted, colourful clothes that will make you shine 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 plus-size women, I recommend checking out our other article titled "which wedding dress for which body shape". 😉

What are the fabrics and cuts that enhance different body shapes? What should you avoid?

No matter your body shape, there are styles that will highlight your best features, while others may not be quite right for you. That’s why before choosing an outfit, I recommend you assess your body type, to understand where your curves are, so you can emphasise them effectively.

🔸 If your curves are concentrated around your belly, hips, and bust, you have an O shape. In this case, it's best to avoid overly tight outfits, long dresses, and shiny fabrics. To highlight your curves, opt for a midi dress that is flowy, with a lovely neckline and short or ¾ sleeves.

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

Left: O Shape / Right: A Shape

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

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

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

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

To assist you, I've put together a small collection of style inspirations and outfit examples that will accentuate your curves and make you look very feminine for this festive occasion.

A midi dress to highlight your waist and showcase your hips

This type of dress is perfect for curvy figures: in fact, it features a cut that will accentuate your neckline and hips, subtly highlighting them underneath 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 coloured blazer!

A stylish jumpsuit for a slim and dynamic silhouette

When I talk about fashion with curvy women, I often find that they believe jumpsuits are not suited to their body shape. However, if you choose a well-fitted design 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 or vertically striped jumpsuit with a loose fit that hints at your hips and highlights your décolletage.

👉 Feel free to choose one that is fitted at the waist or to add a belt in that area to bring a sophisticated detail to your outfit. 😉

Define Your Size with a Stylish Short Skirt

Short, fitted skirts, also known as "pencil skirts", have the special ability to enhance your waist by accentuating the curve of your hips. I recommend choosing a darker colour, whether patterned or plain, and opting for a high-waisted cut.

This type of clothing pairs beautifully with heels to elongate your legs, as well as with a slightly loose blouse or a blazer to highlight your décolletage and shoulders.

A flowing boho 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 colourful fabrics. A flowy dress, featuring a lovely print, a bright hue, and a cut that highlights your waist slightly, will be just right for a chic outfit at a wedding.

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

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

Dare to embrace bright colours!

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

Here are some handy tips for rocking a colourful outfit without any fashion faux pas:

• Don't choose more than three different colours for your outfit,
• It's perfectly fine to wear just one colour! Choose 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 with a rosy hue and light or blonde hair.
• If you're not very comfortable with bright colours, you can opt for pastel shades or incorporate colours in small accents within a darker outfit.

Shape Your Body with a Shapewear

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

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

• skin colour for all pastel and white dresses,
• black for dark and black dresses.

👉 When buying your shapewear, make sure to check that it fits you properly and isn’t too tight. It should be comfortable to wear, so that you can fully enjoy your day while feeling free to move!

Opt for Heels to Achieve a Beautiful Posture

Do you love wearing heels? Don't hold back then, because they elongate your legs and improve your posture. Whether it's summer or winter, they will be your best allies for looking confident and exuding fabulous charm. 😊

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

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 elements of your hairstyle. Indeed, it is these details that will subtly allow you to personalise your outfit and feel good about it. They are a way to express who you are just by looking at yourself and reflect your creativity and originality.

👉 To brighten up your face or showcase your body, nothing compares to a unique piece of jewellery that highlights your personality! Recently, I discovered the resin jewellery embedded with dried flowers from the Atelier Passiflore. Entirely handcrafted and vibrant, these pieces are perfect for enhancing all your outfits! Check out their online shop 😉

Wear your outfit in advance to boost your confidence

Have you found the perfect outfit? I'm thrilled for you! Before we wrap up this article, let me 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 in advance, so you can get used to it. This way, putting it on will feel second nature, 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 a wedding of a close friend, family member, or loved one, so that you can feel fabulous for this joyous occasion. 😊

Are you looking for a gift for the happy couple? At Vie-de-Bohème, we usually focus on fashion, but we have a good grasp of the events industry. So, 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 newlyweds! Check them out now! 🌹