When it comes to finding stylish clothing, those of us who are in the plus size range just do not seem to have the choices that those 'average' sized gals do.
But, if it's any consolation at least, the 'average' has gone up in recent years.
What was considered to be a woman of average build, used to be upwards of a size 10 to 12.
Now it has been raised to 12 to 14, allowing many of us to finally fit into that category.
Attempting to find a stylishly designed dress, especially one for evening wear, can be difficult even when living in a big city with plenty of options among many different dress shops and boutiques.
First of all, the larger sizes are usually buried at the back of most stores, like an after thought.
When you find a rack of dresses they will usually all somehow look alike except for maybe a few colour choices.
And the styles! Deciding between a Moo Moo and a tent dress can be discouraging.
This pretty aptly described shopping for plus size dresses a decade or two ago.
Now the choices have expanded and design, style, and colour have greatly improved.
Many of the top name department stores now have a great selection of dresses for larger women, including evening attire, formal gowns, wedding gowns, and all the pretty under garments to go with them.
It is always preferable to go into a store, pick out several that look like they'll work, and then go try them on before you buy.
If you aren't completely happy with the choices around locally, there is a vast assortment of plus size dresses and casual wear available on the internet.
A quick inquiry using your favourite search engine will give hundreds of millions to choose from.
Don't be intimidated by that number though, you can most likely find anything you are looking for within the first few pages of hits.
Style has come to the larger sized dresses by way of some intrepid women who, just like yourself, could not find what they needed or wanted to wear.
Many of the newer dress designers are themselves plus size gals so they know just what to manufacture.
These stores usually have a catalogue they will mail to you so you can take your time looking through what is available.
Remember that larger women should never wear horizontal stripes or lines.
Vertical lines tend to draw the eye lengthwise and give a taller appearance.
Colours should be more neutral rather than overly bright or contrasting, let your accessories add that splash of colour to your attire.
Accessorise your dress with jewellery, scarves, pins, or even a colour coordinated blazer or sweater for that well put together look.
If you do purchase online and find your items do not fit or flatter or perhaps the colour is not what you expected, returning them is simple and many online clothing sites will even pick up the return shipping because they want to please you and turn you into a permanent customer.
But, if it's any consolation at least, the 'average' has gone up in recent years.
What was considered to be a woman of average build, used to be upwards of a size 10 to 12.
Now it has been raised to 12 to 14, allowing many of us to finally fit into that category.
Attempting to find a stylishly designed dress, especially one for evening wear, can be difficult even when living in a big city with plenty of options among many different dress shops and boutiques.
First of all, the larger sizes are usually buried at the back of most stores, like an after thought.
When you find a rack of dresses they will usually all somehow look alike except for maybe a few colour choices.
And the styles! Deciding between a Moo Moo and a tent dress can be discouraging.
This pretty aptly described shopping for plus size dresses a decade or two ago.
Now the choices have expanded and design, style, and colour have greatly improved.
Many of the top name department stores now have a great selection of dresses for larger women, including evening attire, formal gowns, wedding gowns, and all the pretty under garments to go with them.
It is always preferable to go into a store, pick out several that look like they'll work, and then go try them on before you buy.
If you aren't completely happy with the choices around locally, there is a vast assortment of plus size dresses and casual wear available on the internet.
A quick inquiry using your favourite search engine will give hundreds of millions to choose from.
Don't be intimidated by that number though, you can most likely find anything you are looking for within the first few pages of hits.
Style has come to the larger sized dresses by way of some intrepid women who, just like yourself, could not find what they needed or wanted to wear.
Many of the newer dress designers are themselves plus size gals so they know just what to manufacture.
These stores usually have a catalogue they will mail to you so you can take your time looking through what is available.
Remember that larger women should never wear horizontal stripes or lines.
Vertical lines tend to draw the eye lengthwise and give a taller appearance.
Colours should be more neutral rather than overly bright or contrasting, let your accessories add that splash of colour to your attire.
Accessorise your dress with jewellery, scarves, pins, or even a colour coordinated blazer or sweater for that well put together look.
If you do purchase online and find your items do not fit or flatter or perhaps the colour is not what you expected, returning them is simple and many online clothing sites will even pick up the return shipping because they want to please you and turn you into a permanent customer.
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