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I’ve been plus size all my life. In high school I was a size 14/16 and the hardest thing was finding the perfect plus size prom dress in my size. Way back in 1999 and 2000 when I was attending proms, internet shopping was still new and thus I was relegated to finding my gown in-stores.
Needless to say this was quite the difficult task, especially on a budget. But, now there are more options in-stores AND an abundance of places to shop online. Being plus size does not mean looking frumpy at the prom. To help you avoid the stress and emotions I felt, we’ve rounded up the top Plus Size Prom Dress trends and 10 places to shop for them!
A Few of the Plus Size Prom Dress Trends
Trending Plus Size Prom Dress Colors & Patterns for 2024
When it comes to the hues that you will see for prom, you will have a range of potions to choose from to match your personal style! One 2024 prom dress color trend that almost all prom shops have noted is pastels! Of all hues!
On the other side of the color trend spectrum, you will also find bold and vivid colors to play in! According to ItsMilla.com, “vibrant colors take center stage, boasting rich color palettes.”
PromHeadquarters.com echo in this trend, further sharing that we should “Think bright red and royal purple hues… Also think neon. Neon colors attracting new attention from buyers and fashion-forward formal dress designers include hot pink prom dresses, and neon green and neon yellow.”
Another fun surprise that will may find among plus size prom dresses are floral prints or sheer overlays. Taking a cue from the runways, we will see a few options that allow your personality to shine!
Lady in White: Yes, white. No, I’m not confused with this being a wedding. White is the new black this season and prom gowns are no exception.
The Top 2024 Plus Size Prom Dress Silhouettes
One-shoulder dresses: This look has become a classic. PromGirl elaborates a bit further, sharing that “One-shoulder styles offer an edgy, asymmetrical look, while off-the-shoulder gowns are the perfect blend of flirtatious sass and timeless charm.”
Short AND Long dresses: Show off those legs or cover them in a long elegant gown. Either way, you’re right on trend!
Mermaid AND Ball Gowns: PromGirl is split between these two dress styles and explains that “Mermaid prom dresses and ball gown prom dresses are both flying into people’s carts this season. Since the silhouettes are exact opposites, it feels like an epic battle is raging on between the sexy prom dress trend and the classic princess prom dress trend, and so far neither style has come out on top!”
2024 Plus Size Prom Dress Trend in Finishes and Features
Captivating Corsets: Embracing boldness and allure, this trend stands out as the pinnacle of daring elegance in 2024 prom fashion. Revealing the midriff with confidence, yet adorned with tastefully placed embellishments such as lace, beadwork, or sequins, sheer corset bodices redefine the notion of flirtatious sophistication.
Supported by boning for structure, these designs offer a playful peek-a-boo style, ensuring a captivating entrance at prom. Intrigued by the idea of donning a sheer corset dress for this special occasion?
Statement Sequins and Glam Glitter: Sequins and sparkles emerge as the quintessential companions for prom 2024. Transform into the epitome of a dazzling spectacle, radiating a luminous aura that captivates the night. Whether opting for a subtle shimmer or fully embracing an extravagant sparkle, this trend serves as your passport to illuminate the evening with the same brilliance as you.
Ravishing Ruffles: Embracing the essence of elegance and femininity, ruffles are poised to redefine the curves of the fashion-forward plus size prom queen, this prom season. Elevate your style with a touch of whimsical charm by opting for prom dresses featuring delicate ruffles adorning the neckline or embellishing one-shoulder or off-the-shoulder straps.
However, this year’s prom aficionados are pushing the boundaries by embracing voluminous ball gown skirts cascading with layers upon layers of ruffles! For those aiming to channel their inner princess, why not indulge in the ultimate fairytale fantasy and embrace the extravagant allure of ruffles in full bloom?
Full-On Feathers: Ruffles do not get all the fun here! Looking for a fun textured element? Try feathers! Enter the realm of whimsy and playfulness with the standout trend of 2024: feathers.
Whether it’s delicate feathered accents or extravagant full-on feathered skirts, these ethereal details infuse your plus size prom dress with an enchanting allure. Prepare to glide across the dance floor, captivating all with the mesmerizing flutter of feathers that adorn your attire, ensuring a night filled with magic and movement.
Mesmerizing Metallic: Prepare to steal the spotlight with the prominent emergence of metallics in this year’s prom attire. Embrace the futuristic allure and otherworldly charm as metallic ensembles take center stage.
Whether opting for a dazzling metallic dress or a sleek metallic suit, let your ensemble speak volumes as you exude brilliance and radiance on the dance floor. Get ready to outshine even the brightest disco ball, as you shimmer and shine your way through the night!
Now that we’ve got the trends out of the way, I know you are wondering where you can find your dress and what to expect? No worries, we have you covered there, too! After this list, we also have a few dress shopping tips to help you find that perfect plus size prom dress!
Best Places to Shop for Your Plus Size Prom Dress
Juicy Body Goddess
6801 Northlake Mall Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28216, United States
You’ve seen the viral TikToks and Instagram Reels, maybe even on the news with this North Carolina based plus size boutique! Business Insider shares that this store is mainly options from her own original designs! With sizes up through a 6X, you are sure in for a treat if you are able to make it to her store BUT for some options, you can shop online, too.
Sydney’s Closet
Sydney’s Closet is a online-only pillar in the plus size evening dress space. For the last 10+ years, Sydney’s Closet and its retail partners throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and Australia have dressed tens of thousands of plus size teens and women! They also carry up to a size 40 in their dresses.
Nerecina Couture
“Nerecina is a size inclusive, made-to-order fashion brand that creates luxurious, customizable and sustainably made formal, bridal, and ready-to-wear fashion. We aim to be the pioneering and go-to luxury fashion brand for inclusivity and sustainability.” They provide custom and ready to order options up through a size 6X.
Atianas Boutique
Connecticut: 1571 Boston Post Road Milford, CT 06460
Texas: 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd. Unit P130 Cedar Park, TX 78613
“Atianas Boutique was founded in 1984 and is dedicated to bringing teen prom and special occasion fashions to a new level of choice and sophistication. Since then, we have proudly grown to be one of the largest prom and social occasion resources in the state of Connecticut and have become known as a Premier Prom Superstore and the place to find that perfect prom dress. Our recent nomination as the “Best of the Milford Region” is proof of our commitment to customer service excellence and an exceptional experience.”
Macys
The department store that is probably the most size inclusive for plus size folks, Macy’s gives us a few options to play in with tier sizes going up through a 3X mostly.
Christian Omeshun
Custom plus size prom gown anyone? This Cultivate Awards finalist is no stranger to the drama! Christian Omeshun is a “remarkable brand serving to cater for the ambitious, curvy woman who stops the show with her charismatic sense of style.” Available up through a size 32!
PromGirl
“PromGirl was founded in 1998 and is dedicated to bringing teen prom and special occasion fashions to a new level of choice and sophistication. We have proudly grown to be the number one prom resource in the country and have become known as The Online Prom Superstore and the place to find the perfect prom dress.” They are available up through a size 24.
Looking for a custom prom dress and are in the Atlanta area? You are in luck. “Established in 2015, Shantress Sadá has become synonymous with timeless elegance and cutting-edge fashion. With each piece, Shantress draws inspiration from the beauty found in everyday life.”
Unique Vintage
2830 N Ontario St Burbank, Ca 91504
“Always in search of the perfect vintage dress, Katie quickly realized that she wasn’t alone and decided to try buying and reselling vintage styles on her very own website. A one-woman-show in the beginning, Katie set-up the very first version of uniquevintage.com, beginning to sell her vintage finds online, even turning her garage into the very first warehouse for our brand.”
Rene Tyler
3960 Howard Hughes Pkwy Suite 531, Las Vegas, NV 89169
“Angela Rene’ is CEO and Designer of Rene’ Tyler Plus Sizes 12 & Above. Her frustration to find fashionable and stylish clothing in her size, gave her the determination to create her own. Out of necessity, her passion grew as well as her clientele. After providing her designs for Red Carpet and Formal Events, in 2010, Purple Diva Designs was born.”
Nordstrom
Nordstrom is one of the leading department stores that has made quite a few changes in their plus size offerings. If you have a store near you, you can have it shipped or pick up at the nearest store or go shopping inside! Plus size options will vary by store, but it is a resource! Most options go up through a size 3X (24).
Chic & Curvy
206 S. Market St., Inglewood, CA 90301
LA-Based plus size prom girlies, if you are looking for a fun, playful, and go to resource in southern California, then you should make it a purpose to make it out here! They give us options up to a size 3X.
Cinderella’s Gowns
700 C Beaver Ruin Road Lilburn, Georgia 30047
“Once upon a time, Cinderella’s Gowns was just a little girl’s dream. In 1994 that dream became a reality. Cinderella’s Gowns began as a small bridal and formal wear business that also sold flowers, gifts, & invitations. The salon has now expanded to more than 15,000 square feet of fashion & fun, housing more than 5,000 dresses, 45 dressing rooms, and 3 stunning runways! Cinderella’s Gowns is not only the Southeast’s LARGEST formal store, it is the place to shop.” Available up through a size 3X/24!
Make sure you also do not discount any of the plus size secondhand stores to shop from, too! The Plus Bus or Secondhand Curves are great places to start! Also? If you know of a plus size bridal boutique, this may be another option for you to find that plus size prom dress of your dreams!
Tips for Shopping for Your Plus Size Prom Dress
Now that we have shared a few places to shop for your dress, how about a few tips to help you find that perfect one?
When it comes to your plus size prom dress, finding what you are looking for as a plus size person can be a bit daunting. BUT! With a few tips, hopefully you will be able to navigate through it all with confidence.
- Do your research. Most of plus size shopping happens online, so we tend to have a bit more experience when shopping, but when shopping for a dress, make sure you find out what plus size prom dress trends exist, which brands or designers cater to your style, how long it takes to ship and if you are fortunate, which boutiques and shops are near you.
- Know your measurements. Because evening dresses tend to have different cuts and fits than traditional plus size clothing, knowing your bust, waist, and hip measurements will help you understand the sizing you’ll need for the ideal fit.
- Define your style. What trends speak the most to you? What will make you feel beautiful? What silhouettes are you most comfortable with? Do you want to be on trend or march to your own beat? Either is fine, but it is important to know what you WANT before you head out to find what you are looking for. If you do not know, that is okay too! In this case, allow yourself the space to let the dress choose you!
- Start as Early as You Can. As a plus size person, finding regular clothes can be a hassle. When it comes to specialty clothes, the more time you give yourself to navigate the options, the more confident you will be in finding THAT dress. If you decide to go custom, you will need to research that designers schedule to gauge how long that will take.
- Wear Your Ideal Foundations. Will you wear a strapless dress or one shoulder option? It will be important, when trying on your dress to wear the undergarments (your foundations) that will be needed for that style of dress. This means both your bra, panties, and any other desired undergarments that will allow the dress to fit you properly.
- Have a Budget in Mind. According to USA Today and Yahoo’s Prom Across America Survey, Between hair and makeup, outfits, tickets and rides to prom, teens are spending an average of more than $600 on prom. Knowing this will help you manage expectations and help you shop in confidence with knowing what your needs are.
- Bring Your Besties. Yes, you will probably shop with your guardians but if you are able to have your friends there, this will help give advice, share what they are wearing and might even help encourage you to step out of your comfort zone.
Hopefully, this fun little guide will help you rock out your 2024 prom in style! Make sure you check out the other plus size dresses articles, you may find something there too!
Which look are you looking to rock at the prom this year? Please make sure to tag us on Instagram, we are @thecurvyfashionista, so that we can share YOUR beautiful prom looks! Use the tag, #TCFStyle to be featured!
This article, Your Ultimate Plus Size Prom Dress Shopping Guide for 2024! first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Team TCF.
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