How to Shop for Plus Size Holiday Dresses

The holiday season is just around the corner - time for a whirlwind of exciting holiday social events. Office Christmas parties, open house parties, family get-togethers, or even romantic evenings at dinner or the theatre are all good reasons to get decked out in holiday finery.

Buying plus size holiday dresses to fit and flatter is a breeze with this concise tutorial. Print out a copy to tuck into your purse and use as a reference guide when shopping. Learn how to accent positive features, give the illusion of slim trim waists, and elongate the look of legs.

Holiday Dresses for Plus Sizes Overview

Here are a few general guidelines to consider when shopping for a holiday dress for a plus size gal. Taller full-figured ladies can wear large bold floral patterns or prints, while the more petite plus size women should stick with small or micro-patterned prints and mini-floral patterns. Use bold colors to add punches of color in either large or small patterns and florals.

Angled or curved patterns work wonders on plus size dress designs and so do shirred or twisted fabric looks at bust lines and waistlines. Color blocking is the perfect way to emphasis bosoms or create a waist, so look for styles with these design features.

Little Black Dress for Holiday Parties

Think simplicity and limit the number of accessories. A classic pearl necklace and earrings set is always in style, as is the little black dress and its trendy little sister, the little white dress. White after Labor Day? An emphatic yes - just accessorize with red, green, or gold for a fresh new fashion look. Another good idea is to look for a sheath or A-line style dress in Christmas red or green.

Check out this sheath with a lace overlay for the perfect little black dress for holiday parties. From the tip of the feminine the v-neck styling, to banded ruched waistline, to the bottom of the lacy hemline, this plus size dress will fit and flatter any figure.

Best Necklines for Plus Size Dresses for the Holiday

The best neckline designs for plus size dresses draw the eye up and play up positive body features like the neckline, face, and bust. Plunging necklines, low square cut tops, strapless styles, one shoulder fashion designs, princess necklines, or styles with tiny spaghetti straps all bring the focus on the upper part of the body and help balance the lower portion.

This ruched and ruffled holiday party cocktail halter dress in sexy red is the perfect way to play up the bust and curves of a plus size lady. The clever side ruching helps disguises the tummy while the asymmetric ruffled hem creates a slimming silhouette line.

Best Waistline Details for Holiday Plus Size Dresses

Accent details at the waistline are the perfect way to add symmetry to the body profile and create curves. Pear and apple body shapes usually have some natural waistlines, but rectangle body shapes need to create the illusion of a trim midsection.

This can be done easily with details like shirring or ruching at the waist. Choose design with color blocking (using different blocks of color in a garment to create areas of accent), gathers, or belts. Plus size ladies with ample bosoms should opt for tiny skinny belts or other waist details, while those with smaller busts can use larger waist details with confidence.

Best Skirt Options and Details for Plus Size Holiday Dressing

Knee length skirts or full length skirts are the most flattering for plus size dresses, and side slits are a great way to add fashion pizzazz. Side slits on taller plus size gals lengthen and elongate legs; they add precious height to shorter plus size women.

Flirty hemline designs like lettuce edges or ruffled hems are nice, but make sure they are balanced by neckline details to create a slim profile. Try on each style and check the total appearance in a full-length mirror.

Choosing fashion forward plus size holiday dresses should be fun and painless. Refer to this guide often to pick the most flattering style for that special holiday fete.