With her eye firmly on the party season, this month, our fashion guru Manar Al Hinai casts her view over the most flattering fashions for fuller figures

Parties for plus-size women

At just about every wedding or party I attend, I seem to spot a perfectly lovely, overweight teen or a twenty-something dressed in a shapeless dark jacket, an oversized dress, and extra chunky bling.

Finding the right party dress for a fuller figure can be a pretty hard task. I’ve been dragged to many shopping sprees of this kind: the options are limited and unflattering. Every lady knows there’s no better feeling than strutting into a ballroom feeling like a queen with compliments spilling from every other guest. And that’s why I
am here.

So where to begin? Firstly, look for cuts that follow the natural lines of your body: v-necks and off the shoulder numbers will instantly flatter your figure. Avoid wearing shapeless chiffon dresses and fitted blazers; they will inevitably make you look lumpy! Try on a thicker material such as stretch satin, which will hold everything in and give you a more streamlined silhouette. For those with feminine hips, find a dress with embellishments at the waist, or wrap a fancy belt around – this little trick will instantly transform your figure into an hourglass.

Finally, instead of buying dresses in dark tones, stand out this summer by wearing emerald or plum. There’s something about this season’s statement colours that will make you want to hit the dance floor and party hard – looking fabulous, of course!

If you find a hot dress for a prom or the next wedding you will attend, be sure to tweet me @manar_alhinai and share your finds with me!