How To Choose A Cocktail Dress
Oftentimes, it seems we wear cocktail dresses to formal occasions more than we wear an actual formal gown. Strolling through most department stores, you will quickly deduce that most cocktail dress styles are clearly designed for the thin people of the world. That said, with the right plus sized cocktail dress the fabulous curves of the plus sized woman can outshine almost anyone. Use the following tips to choose the perfect plus sized cocktail dress.
First and foremost, you have to decide what style of plus size cocktail dress you are looking for. Empire waist styles look great on most plus sized women, along with a-line or in some cases the straight sheath dress. Most necklines work well, but spaghetti straps and cap sleeves should be avoided because they add weight. Consider v-neck or strapless.
Choosing the features and style is another important part of choosing a plus size cocktail dress. The most important thing you can do is avoid overly embellished plus size dresses. Stay away from big bows, large flower appliqués and heavy bead work. These things add weight. Light embellishment or a small sash or tie at the waist is nice.
When choosing your color or print stay away from stripes or small floral prints. Look for fun retro or geometric prints, polka dots or solids. Black looks great on plus sized women because it slims and balances. Look for darker, bolder colors like deep reds, purples and blues. Darker colors like these colors make a statement and help slim you down. In addition to this, avoid fabrics that cling and don’t be afraid of lightly layered skirts.
To add a little something to your look, you will need to accessorize. Plus size cocktail dresses look great with a matching wrap or shawl. Instead of using a purse with a shoulder strap choose a small matching clutch. It is far more feminine and it doesn’t distract from the look. You also want to pick the right shoe. A strappy open toe heel will usually work best, but if it’s winter consider a standard solid color pump.
