A Complete Guide to Plus-Size Bridesmaid Dresses

Getting your hands on the most flattering plus-size bridesmaid dresses for all the body types represented within your bridal party might seem daunting, but this guide has all the tips you need to streamline your search for the best plus-size bridesmaid gowns. Covering everything from finding the most flattering features to styling plus-size bridesmaid dresses beautifully, this complete guide will help you focus on the fun part of outfitting your bridal party for your big day! Let’s get started by exploring how different dress features can make a huge difference in making your girls look their best.

• How to Choose Flattering Plus-Size Bridesmaid Dresses
• How to Get Bridesmaid Feedback on Plus-Size Styles
• How to Style Plus-Size Bridesmaid Dresses
• Final Tips: Finding the Best Plus-Size Bridesmaid Gowns

How to Choose Flattering Plus-Size Bridesmaid Dresses

As a guide to plus-size bridesmaid dresses, we simply must start with the most flattering dress features and designs. Choosing plus-size bridesmaid gowns with some or all of the options below can go a long way to keeping your bridal party comfortable and happy at your wedding, which in turn is sure to make your day even more enjoyable too! Here are a few things to look for when you’re shopping for plus-size bridesmaid dresses:

• Silhouettes That Define: By far, the most flattering bridesmaid dress style for plus sizes is the a-line gown. Fitted and defined in the bodice but forgiving through the hips, the a-line style has been a universal favorite for just about every body type, so it feels almost like a cheat option given how well it works for diverse bridal parties! Check out Avery Austin’s collection of a-line bridesmaid dresses and you’ll see just what we mean. Another flattering bridesmaid dress for most body types is a wrap-style gown in flowy fabrics like chiffon, as it can emphasize upper body curves. If your bridesmaids prefer a more fitted look through the hips, a soft fit-and-flare silhouette could be just what she needs! The trick is to find a style that’s not too snug, as the bridesmaid dress should highlight those curves, not smother them. Forgiving fabrics, like stretch satin, are perfect for this!
• Necklines That Balance: The neckline on your plus-size bridesmaid gowns should help balance the figure visually and draw attention in a way that flatters. A top pick is the v-neckline, thanks to its slenderizing effect and the way it can balance out a full bustline. Just take a look at Avery Austin’s collection of v-neck bridesmaid dresses and see for yourself! Soft scoop necklines are another favorite among flattering plus-size bridesmaid dresses because of the way they frame the face. On the other hand, be careful about off-the-shoulder or high necklines, as they need to fit very well to be comfortable and look good. For example, draped straps that won’t stay in place or pinch the upper arms should be avoided. Which brings us to our next point…
• Sleeves for Coverage or Straps for Support: If your bridesmaids prefer arm coverage, find out just how much they’d like and then explore the options from there. Look for fun and flirty flutter sleeves for minimal coverage or loose, flowy, or stretchy half, three-quarter sleeves, or long sleeves for more. Avoid tight sleeves, especially snug cap sleeves or short sleeves that can cut into the thickest part of the arm. When it comes to straps, wider styles offer maximum support and easier bra coverage, which is always a plus for curvy bridesmaids who need support or plan to use shapewear.
• Fabrics with Function and Beauty: When choosing flattering plus-size bridesmaid dresses, you want to look for fabrics to look AND feel great. Choosing the right fabric is so important, as it can change the impact of the silhouette itself. For example, an a-line dress in chiffon is going to be ethereal and flowy with lots of movement, while an a-line dress in satin is going to be heavier and stiffer in order to hold the shape of an elegant drape or similar design. How both the fabric and silhouette work together can make a huge difference in the bridal party’s look and comfort. For starters, try exploring flowing, forgiving fabrics like chiffon. Here are Avery Austin’s chiffon bridesmaid dresses so you can see the different styles possible in this lovely material. You can also check out fabrics with a little extra give to them, like stretch lace or stretch satin.

How to Get Bridesmaid Feedback on Plus-Size Styles

Teamwork makes the bride’s dream work, so it just makes sense to get some input from the bridal party before choosing plus-size bridesmaid dresses. Having their input makes it so much easier to find looks that will be comfortable and flattering from dawn to dusk, and how you go about getting their feedback can vary. Here are a few ways you can get your bridal party’s feedback on the best plus-size bridesmaid dresses for their body types:

• Mix & Match: Ever heard of this trend? It’s when each girl chooses to wear a style that flatters her best, within the rules of course! What are those rules, you ask? Well, you’re the bride, so you decide! Perhaps you want everyone in the same color, but they can choose any plus-size bridesmaid dress style they prefer. Or maybe you want to vary one feature, like necklines or silhouettes, while the rest of the plus-size bridesmaid gowns match. You decide which feature or color needs to remain the same for a cohesive look, then let each bridesmaid fill in the rest with her personal preferences. Not only will you end up with a one-of-a-kind bridal party look, but you’ll also have happy and comfortable bridesmaids too! For more tips on how to coordinate mixed styles, check out Avery Austin’s guide to mismatched bridesmaid dresses.
• Shop Together: If it’s at all possible, try to coordinate a time when everyone gets together to try on styles and chime in regarding comfort and color preferences before making your final decision. While it should be made clear that you, as the bride, get the final say, this experience gives you a chance to see how different plus-size bridesmaid dress styles and colors look on each one of your bridal party members. Think some of your bridesmaids might be a little uncomfortable voicing opinions at a public bridal shop? Consider planning your get-together at home instead! No, you don’t need to buy all of the bridesmaid dresses in advance for the try-on experience. Simply use Avery Austin’s Try-at-Home program for bridesmaid styles! You can pick up to three sample bridesmaid dresses ($10 each, free shipping both ways) to try at home for seven days, and you’ll get everything you need to round out the at-home fitting room experience, like clips and measuring tape. Turn it into a cozy gathering of friends and have fun shopping together at home!
• Chat One-on-One: This can be especially helpful if you’ve got some shy bridesmaids since talking one-on-one gives each girl a chance to share any concerns she might have about certain plus-size bridesmaid dress colors or styles without the peer pressure of an audience. For example, some girls might be hesitant to share with everyone that they prefer to wear certain types of shapewear or bras that will require the right amount coverage in the bodice to pull off, especially if another bridesmaid has already championed a low-back style. Gathering this kind of intel can help you choose the best plus-size bridesmaid dresses for the whole bridal party with far less drama and discomfort between your girls.

How to Style Plus-Size Bridesmaid Dresses

Once you’ve chosen beautiful, flattering plus-size bridesmaid dresses for your wedding party, it’s time to think about ways to accessorize them that will be just as comfortable and stunning as the gowns themselves. Remember that you can still use all the tips above regarding feedback from your bridal party to help you select accessories too! Here are some great ways to go about styling plus-size bridesmaid dresses:

• Skip the High Heels: Unless you’ve got a crew that loves them and a stable ground for the ceremony and reception (heels + grass = SUNK), it’s best to plan your bridal party’s look without high heels. If height is needed, consider block heels or dressy wedges so you’ve still got all the stylish edge but with extra stability and comfort for everything from walking down the aisle to busting a move on the dance floor. Planning to choose fun footwear for your wedding party’s look? Sneakers, slippers, ballet flats, flipflops, and more are all on the table for your creative whims! Just remember to consider how your chosen footwear might feel at the end of a long (but fun) day.
• Choose Jewelry with Purpose: Do your bridesmaids prefer to draw attention to their faces? Statement earrings can go a long way to catching eyes! For an elongating visual effect, necklaces with longer chains or a few draped layers can pull the eyes up in a vertical motion that flatters (bonus if paired with a v-neckline!). Skip the bracelets if the plus-size bridesmaid gowns you’ve chosen feature lace or delicate embellishments that might snag on them. If there’s no risk of snags though, thin bracelets or bangles can make the wrist look slim and delicate, as well as create a focal point that breaks up forearm length in a balanced, flattering way.
• Consider Removable Layers: If there are accessories that can be added or removed throughout your wedding, then your bridesmaids are sure to be comfortable from start to finish. Planning for a coordinating shawl, bolero, jacket, or similar layer makes it possible to snap some really great photos with and without the accessory, but it also means that each bridesmaid can take off the layer when warmed up from all the dancing or add the layer when the AC kicks on and she feels chilled. Plus-size bridesmaid dresses with removable sleeves offer the same kind of appeal!

Final Tips: Finding the Best Plus-Size Bridesmaid Gowns

Now that you know all about how to style plus-size bridesmaid dresses, as well as how to choose flattering features and get bridal party feedback, let’s cover a few more helpful tips that can help you and the bridal party throughout the whole experience.

• Allow Plenty of Time for Alterations. It often takes several dress fittings between each alteration session, and the amount of work needed for each girl’s plus-size bridesmaid dress can vary depending on what needs to be altered. Working together to select and order the plus-size bridesmaid gowns well in advance can go a long way to making sure each girl is able to get every alteration she wants before the big day, especially since many special order styles can take weeks (if not months) to receive. Of course, if you’re in a time pinch, Avery Austin has got you covered! Check out these in-stock bridesmaid dresses that are ready and available to ship within two business days, so you can have those dresses in hand and ready for alterations ASAP.
• Focus on Fit, Not Size Numbers. If you didn’t already know, bridal sizing is often very different from the sizing used for everyday clothes. In fact, it usually runs a few sizes smaller! This means that even if your bridesmaid usually wears a size 20, she might find that for plus-size bridesmaid gowns, she needs to try a size or two up in styles by different designers. Help your bridesmaids explore multiple sizes in a particular style to see how they fit, rather than relying on that one "typical" size that might give some unflattering or uncomfortable results.
• Comfortable and Flattering Go Hand in Hand. Constantly pulling up straps, worrying over the neckline, tugging fabric back into place, or resting a protective arm or hand over exposed areas makes it impossible for a bridesmaid to feel comfortable, which in turn drags down her confidence and creates a less than flattering look. On the other hand, a bridesmaid that is comfortable and confident in her gown is more happy and radiant naturally. Remember that you and your girls will want a beautiful plus-size bridesmaid gown that looks amazing for more than a few minutes in the dressing room. It should be a style that looks AND feels great throughout the whole wedding day (which includes walking, sitting, and dancing). Consider features that hold up well and look great no matter how your bridal party moves, like wider straps, high backs that are bra-friendly, and stretch fabrics. Make your girls move all around when they’re trying on those plus-size bridesmaid dresses to give them a true and proper assessment!
• Order Extra Fabric. While not every bridal shop offers this option, it can’t hurt to ask! Having additional fabric on hand means there’s more to work with during the alterations process if any of your girls are in need of it. This is especially helpful if the style you’ve chosen is not available in the plus sizes that your bridal party members might need. With Avery Austin, however, you won’t even need to buy extra fabric. Plus-size bridesmaid dresses go all the way up to size 30, at no extra cost for the upper sizes. That means for the same style, a size 2 and a size 30 are the same price. You can even customize your dress length without an additional fee. Simply choose petite, standard, or tall when selecting your size, and voilà! Minimal hemming required. Shop Avery Austin’s plus-size bridesmaid dress collection to explore the inclusive sizing options.
• Pull the Look Together with Unifying Details. No, not all the bridesmaid dresses have to be the same exact color or the same exact style (remember when we mentioned mixing and matching plus-size bridesmaid dresses above?). In fact, you’ll be able to create an even more flattering look for your bridesmaids if you don’t go for a one-gown-suits-all. Maybe you go for different tones of the same color or varied necklines of the same style. Or maybe you focus on accessories to help bring everything together. You could focus on the shoes, jewelry, hair styles, or a handheld accessory (bouquet, parasol, clutch, etc.) to show a cohesive bridal party look. The most important thing is to find some kind of unifying detail that is the same across the whole bridal party and visually pulls everyone together.
• Keep the Season in Mind When Choosing Bridesmaid Dresses. No curvy girl wants to be standing outside during the hottest part of summer while wearing a long-sleeve velvet plus-size bridesmaid dress. Talk about uncomfortable! In fact, when you’re planning for the summer season, it’s best to go for lightweight fabrics and warm-weather-friendly features (like short to tea-length skirts or sleeveless bodices). Winter calls for warmer, heavyweight fabrics, long skirts, and sleeves or an extra layer (shawl, bolero, etc.). If you’re planning for a fall or spring wedding, look up the average temperatures and weather patterns for your venue’s location at that time of year and take that into consideration when shopping for plus-size bridesmaid dresses.

So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with your bridal party and start connecting. Find out what styles and colors make them feel their best, then use what you’ve learned about flattering plus-size bridesmaid dress styles to start narrowing down your options. Don’t forget to plan a get-together for a fun fitting experience (maybe even at home?). With all of the tips in this guide to choosing and styling plus-size bridesmaid dresses, you’re sure to find the best styles that flatter your favorite people! And of course, don’t hesitate to shop online together with your girls by exploring Avery Austin’s plus-size bridesmaid dress collection.