Plus Size Sleeveless Knit Long Dress

Investment Value

Consider a plus size sleeveless knit long dress as a great wardrobe investment:

• It is a classic style that will look current year-after-year.
• The sleeveless feature lets the dress be worn year-round with, or without, other garments to cover your arms.
• The knit fabric is very durable and usually does not require dry cleaning.

Fabric

• No wrinkling – Knits usually don't wrinkle, so they are perfect for all-day wear.
• Easy cleaning – Avoid dry cleaning bills. Look for knits that are machine washable. Some are also machine dryable on low. If not, lay the dress flat to dry. Hanging a knit to dry will create shoulder bumps from the hanger and will eventually stretch the fabric.

Fit

• Not bulky – Sleeveless dresses are an excellent alternative to the bulk caused by sleeves under jackets. Many knit jacket dress outfits include a sleeveless knit dress.
• Long, lean look – Solid color knits that are designed without a waist provide a long vertical look. This can visually narrow the look of your body and make you appear taller.

Style

• Great with boots – The length of the dress combined with a boot add to the long vertical look. You can maximize the slimming effect by wearing tall boots. Short boots that don't meet the hem of the dress draw the eye to your leg and make you appear shorter.
• Flexible for layering – A sleeveless dress can be worn in any weather with a jacket or shawl. It can also be worn in cooler weather as a jumper with a shirt or t-shirt underneath.
• Very stylish – Many dress styles from France and Italy are based on the long knit silhouette. It is also very common to find sleeveless dresses in Europe during the summer due to the lack of air conditioning.

Functionality

• Multi-purpose – A knit dress can be worn casually without accessories or it can be "dressed up" with other fashion pieces and accessories.
• An outfit-builder – Consider the long knit dress as the starter piece, building your outfit with jackets and boots in the cool weather and shawls and sandals in the warmer weather.
• Practical for travel – The knit fabric lets the garment fold flat in a suitcase, taking minimal room to pack. The dress will not be wrinkled when you pull it out of your suitcase at the last minute before dashing out the door for sightseeing or an evening on the town.
• Easy to accessorize – The long length looks great with a loose belt belt or a long chain necklace.

What to Look For

• Substantial fabric – Avoid polyester blends that will pill after repeated washings. A natural fiber knit such as cotton, rayon or wool will keep its shape after washing and will not stretch out after many years of wear.
• Quality construction – Look for a garment with tight stitching on the seams and hem. These features will let you wear this classic style for years. The dress doesn't have to be expensive to have good construction.

Where to Buy

• Ulla Popken
• Roaman's
• Lane Bryant
• Woman Within
• Coldwater Creek