Hunting down flattering dresses for mature women has never been an easy task, especially when you're plus size, but now that more retailers are becoming size-inclusive, the best plus-sized dresses are easier to find than ever before.
Everyone deserves to look and feel good in their clothes, which is why we're glad to see many of our fashion faves now carry extended size ranges to cater for a wider range of bodies. Don't get us wrong, there is still a long way to go until fashion is fully size-inclusive. However, there are definitely more plus-size clothing options out there than there used to be.
The best plus-sized dresses at a glance:
• Our favourite for summer: Floral Square Neck Midi Smock Dress - view on M&S
• Our favourite occasion-wear dress: Occasion Pink Floral Tiered Maxi Dress - view on Simply Be
Perhaps you're looking for that perfect summer dress that will keep you cool yet stylish in warm weather. Maybe you're in need of a dress for a special occasion, such as a wedding or anniversary party. You might even be looking to elevate your work wardrobe with some formal yet fun dresses. Whatever the occasion, the fashion and shopping experts here at Yours have got you covered with our guide to the best plus-sized dresses.
Best plus-sized dresses
Our favourite for summer
www.marksandspencer.com
A stylish choice for day times in Summer is this Floral Square Neck Midi Smock Dress from M&S. It's in a smock style with shirring across the bust to ensure a comfortable fit. The midi length and square neckline are super flattering, and we love the floral print, blue and green colour and the frilly hemline.
Sizes available: UK 6-24
Customer review: "Lovely flowing summer dress that is very comfortable to wear"
Our favourite occasion-wear dress
www.simplybe.co.uk
Pretty in pink is this Occasion Pink Floral Tiered Maxi Dress from Simply Be. It will be perfect for any weddings you've got coming up in the next couple of months. The dress features a tiered frill skirt, a tie back and dainty scallop detailing around the neckline and at the back to give it a fun, floaty, feminine feel.
Sizes available: UK 10-32
Customer review: "This dress is comfortable. I thought when I took it out the bag it was going to be returned I was so wrong. Fits perfectly and the colours are lovely. Felt like I was floating when I tried it on"
Best mesh midi dress
www.wallis.co.uk
Perfect for date nights with a partner or evening drinks with friends, the Curve Floral Mesh Twist Midi Dress from Wallis is a sophisticated little number. In a lovely sheer but lined fabric, all you need to do is pair it with your favourite strappy heels, add a clutch bag and you'll be ready for your night on the town.
Sizes available: UK 18-28
Customer review: N/A
Best off-the-shoulder dress
www.very.co.uk
We love the broderie detailing along the top and around the bottom of this V by Very Curve Off Shoulder Broderie Midi. You can style this off-the-shoulder midi dress with a pair of flat sandals or trainers for effortlessly cool day-to-day styling, but it can easily be taken from day to night with some wedge sandals.
Sizes available: UK 14-24
Customer review: N/A
Best casual dress
www.roman.co.uk
Ideal for any garden parties or summer BBQs you might be attending is this Green Curve Stretch Waist Midi Dress from Roman. It has a fun and fresh white floral print against a beautiful green colour, with elasticated 3/4 length sleeves and a shirred waist for your comfort. Wear with white trainers or sandals and a denim jacket on those chillier days.
Sizes available: UK 18-32
Customer review: "This dress is as lovely on, as it is in the photo. I'm not a " dressy" person, but required one for a special lunch. Length perfect, as is colour & style... Love it."
Best wrap-effect dress
www.seasaltcornwall.com
The Chapelle Jersey Dress from Seasalt Cornwall feels so soft and comfortable to wear as it's made from an organic cotton jersey. It has a wrap-effect neckline that offers a gentle gather under the bust before going into a skimming, drapey skirt. It comes in seven different prints and petite, regular and tall lengths so you can find your perfect fit.
Sizes available: UK 6-28
Customer review: "Love, love this style of sea salt dress! The colour/pattern are always great and are so comfortable to wear. Thankyou so much for doing your beautiful clothing in sizes for the bigger women."
Best denim dress
www.monsoon.co.uk
This Embroidered Denim Midi V-Neck Dress from Monsoon is a versatile piece that can be styled differently to allow you to wear it all throughout the year. You can wear it with trainers or sandals during warmer weather, and the once we hit those cooler seasons, you can ditch them in favour of boots and tights.
Sizes available: UK 8-24
Customer review: "Lovely dress to dress up or dress down and a lovely fit"
Best wedding guest outfit
www.yoursclothing.co.uk
Looking for a wedding guest outfit? This YOURS LONDON Blue Floral Angel Sleeve Wrap Dress is a pretty choice. The wrap-style v-neckline will complement your curves, while the shirred waist offers a comfy fit throughout the day and into the evening of wearing it. The floral print will never go out of style.
Sizes available: UK 14-32
Customer review: N/A
Where to buy the best plus-sized dresses:
Some of us just love to browse the web looking for outfit inspiration, the team here at Yours included. However, it can be hard to know where to shop when you're looking for the best plus-sized dresses, or any plus-size clothing for that matter. If none of our top picks has taken your fancy, we've rounded up some of our favourite retailers where you can buy plus-sized dresses, along with the range of sizes they stock. Happy shopping!
Simply Be
Simply Be's goal is to create size-inclusive clothing made for all proportions, which is why they stock sizes 10 to 32. You can discover everything from day dresses to wedding guest outfits on their site.
Wallis
From elegant evening dresses to more formal frocks to wear to the office, Wallis' plus size range has all of this in sizes 18-28 at a reasonable price point, too.
Very
Stocking many different retailers, including New Look, Yours, FatFace and White Stuff, with sizes 14-40 available, if you want to shop lots of brands at once, Very should be your go-to.
Seasalt Cornwall
One of our favourite size-inclusive retailers is Seasalt Cornwall. It doesn't have a dedicated plus size range as its main collection offers sizes 6-28 as standard, and they also offer petite, regular and tall fits in a wide range of sizes, too. You'll love the brand's quirky style and prints.
Yours Clothing
Yours Clothing ranges are made with curvy women in mind, with sizes 14 to 40 available, and that's why they're one of the UK's most loved plus size retailers.
Cotton Traders
Cotton Traders know a thing or two about making dresses for the over 50s as they've been around since the 70s. Their range starts at a size 8, with selected styles going up to a size 26.
M&S
We don't think you can go far wrong with M&S dresses. The brand says the pieces in their range are designed to be worn and loved by women of all ages, and with dresses available in sizes 6-24, there's something to suit all shapes and tastes.
Best plus-sized dresses FAQs
Are wrap dresses flattering for plus size?
We're all about body positivity here at Yours, so we say that a flattering dress is one that makes you feel fabulous while wearing it.
One of the most searched-for questions when it comes to the best plus-sized dresses is, 'Are wrap dresses flattering?' Wrap dresses are considered one of the most universally flattering styles, regardless of your body size and shape. The wrap section helps to define your waist while the overall style enhances your bust and skims over your hips.
What is considered plus size in the UK?
You may be unsurprised to hear there isn't an industry standard for what is considered plus size in the UK. Some plus size clothing ranges start from a size 14, whereas others have their starting size as a 20. Some retailers include some plus sizes as part of their standard range, with many going up to a size 22, 24 or 26. It does vary from retailer to retailer, but typically you can expect to see UK's best plus-sized dresses and other plus-size clothing ranges start at a size 18.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.
