Sundresses in Plus Sizes

The average American woman wears a size twelve, which is a bit larger than what prances down the runway each season. Smart retailers stock clothing in a wide range of sizes. As casual wear, sundresses are usually inexpensive, so if you're seeking cheap plus size women's dresses, sundresses are great wardrobe additions.

Sundress Characteristics

Sundresses are made to fit closer on top and to flare out a bit on bottom. Your shoulders and neckline will be attractively accentuated. This is a flattering look for plus size women because it draws the eye to the bust line, an area that many women like about themselves, while not drawing attention to the hips and thighs. Plus, if you love your legs, this is the perfect outfit to show them off.

Wear the Right Undergarments

Sundress straps should be wide enough to offer adequate support for your bust. Still, sundresses don’t often have the straps necessary to fully cover brassiere straps. A strapless bra is a good investment to ensure your bra straps don't sneak out. If you choose a sundress with spaghetti straps, a strapless bra is a necessity. This ensures your overall look is classy and not sloppy. If you don’t feel comfortable without bra straps, you can always buy a bra with clear plastic straps. This way, you can still be fully supported while keeping your undergarments hidden. There are many plus size lingerie sites that cater to the full-figured woman's lingerie needs.

How to Accessorize Your Sundress

To show off your sundress to its best advantage, try smart accessorizing. Now is not to the time to be shy. Plus size women look best in bold accessories. There are retailers that specialize in plus size women's jewelry. Some accessory options include:

• Necklaces
• Bracelets
• Earrings
• Handbags
• Hats

Try a necklace with natural stones such as turquoise or jade. A wide bracelet will flatter your wrist while big hoop earrings will balance your look.

Sundresses and sandals are made for each other, so choose comfortable sandals that will go with a few outfits in your closet. A casual purse in a material such as woven straw or canvas will generally match your sundress best. Also, don’t forget your hat. A pretty straw hat with a wide brim will offer you sun protection at the same time it pulls your entire look together.

Where to Buy Sundresses in Plus Sizes

Plus size women want to be just as stylish as their slimmer counterparts. Decades ago, there were no separate shops just for the full-figured woman, but today, there are stores that cater to this market. These shops don’t carry unflattering tents and muumuus, but instead sell clothes that flatter the curvier figure. Just because a woman is larger than the average size, she still wants to feel beautiful in clothes that fit well. Popular plus size retailers include:

• Lane Bryant which sells sizes from 14-28
• Ashley Stewart
• Torrid which carries sizes up to 4x
• Catherine's
• alight.com which carries sizes 14-30 for women and teens

When these shops stock their spring and summer items, you should find an array of sundresses in plus sizes there.

Making Your Own Sundresses

If you can’t find the sundress you want in stores and you’re a talented seamstress, try making your own. You can find fabrics and patterns in craft shops like:

• Joann
• Hancock Fabrics
• Vogue Fabrics

Two pattern makers that cater to the full-figured woman are Sewgrand Patterns and Fashion Patterns by Coni. Exploring your crafty side will allow you to fashion clothing that fits you perfectly and is unique.

Popular Sundress Prints

Just because a woman is plus sized doesn’t mean that she should always wear black in hopes of appearing slimmer. You can find many different prints on sundresses in plus sizes. Sundresses are flirty and made to be noticed, not to blend in with the tee shirt and shorts crowd. Women wear them to show their femininity and the prints should reflect that. Some flattering prints you’ll see on sundresses include:

• Florals
• Polka dots
• Plaids
• Geometric

Sundress Confidence

Because sundresses are so popular for the hot weather, especially during the summer when clothes tend to be more casual and carefree, they can make you feel girly and cute. Feeling pretty in your clothing can be a real confidence booster.