By That Girl Whitney Team
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Wedding guest dress shopping should be fun. But if you have a bigger tummy, it can feel like every dress on the rack was designed to cling exactly where you’d rather it didn’t. Bodycon fabrics and thin knits can leave you tugging at your dress all night instead of enjoying the party.
There’s nothing wrong with your tummy, and you don’t need to hide it. Plenty of women simply feel more comfortable in a dress that skims the midsection instead of hugging it. The right silhouette and fabric give you room to eat and sit through a long ceremony while looking gorgeous in every photo.
This guide covers the silhouettes that skim beautifully, the fabrics and details to look for, how to think about shapewear, and the accessories that pull the look together. For the full wedding guest playbook, see our plus size wedding guest dress guide.
Silhouettes That Skim
The shape of a dress decides where it touches your body and where it flows.
Empire waist dresses are fitted just under the bust and then flow away from the body. They’re comfortable through the midsection and show off your bust and shoulders.
A-line dresses fit at the top and gradually widen toward the hem. They skim the tummy and hips without clinging.
Wrap dresses let you adjust the fit exactly where you want it. The diagonal wrap creates a flattering line, and you can loosen or tighten the tie for comfort.
Shift and trapeze dresses fall straight or slightly flared from the shoulders. They’re great for daytime and cocktail weddings.
Flowy maxi dresses with a gathered or elastic waist give you plenty of room and look elegant for garden and evening weddings.
Our flattering dresses guide goes deeper on why these shapes work for so many bodies.
Shop Whitney’s storefront: plus size empire waist maxi dress or plus size chiffon wrap dress
Fabrics and Details to Look For
Fabric can make a skimming silhouette even better.
Fabrics with drape. Chiffon, georgette, crepe, and rayon flow over curves instead of clinging. They move beautifully on the dance floor.
Fabrics with structure. Medium-weight crepe and lined fabrics hold their shape and smooth over the midsection.
Ruching. Gathered fabric across the middle of a dress adds texture and creates a soft, flattering effect.
Prints. Florals and abstract prints draw the eye around the whole dress and photograph beautifully.
Interesting necklines and sleeves. A V-neck or an off-the-shoulder neckline draws attention up toward your face.
Skip thin, stretchy jersey and bodycon knits if comfort through the middle is your priority. Those fabrics show every line and can ride up when you sit.
For outdoor summer weddings, our plus size summer wedding guest dresses post covers breathable fabric picks.
Shapewear Is Optional
Shapewear is a personal choice, and you don’t need it to look amazing in a wedding guest dress. The right silhouette does most of the work.
If you like the smooth feeling shapewear gives you, choose comfort first. A high-waisted shaping short is more comfortable than a tight full-body piece, especially for a long day. It also prevents thigh chafing on the dance floor.
Make sure it fits. Shapewear that’s too small rolls down and digs in, which is the opposite of what you want. Our plus size shapewear guide explains how to choose the right size and level of control.
Try it on with your dress before the wedding. Sit and dance around your bedroom to make sure everything stays put.
If you do choose shapewear, try it on with the dress before the wedding day and sit down in it for a while. A piece that feels fine standing can roll or pinch once you’re seated through a ceremony and dinner. Our Spanx vs. Amazon dupes guide compares options at different price points. Comfort should always win.
Shop Whitney’s storefront: high-waisted shaping shorts
Accessories That Pull It Together
Accessories let you put the spotlight wherever you want.
Statement earrings draw attention to your face and look stunning in photos.
A belt at the narrowest part of your waist (often just under the bust) adds shape to a flowy dress.
A pretty wrap or shawl keeps you warm during an evening reception and adds a soft layer.
Comfortable heels or dressy flats keep you dancing all night. Block heels and wedges work well for outdoor venues.
A clutch with room for your phone and a few blotting papers is all you need for the night.
Dress for Comfort and Celebration
The best wedding guest dress for a big tummy is the one that lets you feel comfortable and confident all day. Choose an empire waist, A-line, wrap, or flowy maxi, pick fabrics with drape or structure, and decide on shapewear based on what feels best to you. Add statement earrings and comfortable shoes, and you’re ready to celebrate the happy couple from the ceremony to the last dance.
Shop Whitney’s favorite dresses on her Amazon storefront, and follow @thatgirlwhitney on Instagram for more plus size outfit ideas.
