This article contains affiliate links, we may receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
We confess, we are totally dress converts. After all who does not want to get dressed easily and in one fail swoop. Plus size dresses have always been fairly strong as an area but of course as the market has developed the choice has become even better and fairly far reaching, making choosing new plus size dresses both exciting and a pretty tricky task. The joy of a good dress and a versatile one, is choosing a plus size dress that you can easily restyle for different occasions.
Right now, more than ever, we are looking for key styles that won’t date and that won’t be one trick ponies either. For many, our social lives are all over the place, so we want dresses that will look great on a Zoom work call, but still take us out to a restaurant or a bar should local laws allow.
As it is the start of the season the high street is of course packed with new season offerings, making it the perfect time to stock up on key styles and seasonal looks that can really add impact to your wardrobe.
Because 2020 is, well, 2020, we’ve rounded up seven of our favourite wear anywhere for everything dresses. From pub lunches to cocktails with the girls, date nights and data meetings, these seven dresses can be easily dressed up or down for any occasion.
When looking to make a dress more versatile, think about how you accessories it. Many dresses will look just as great with a plimsoll style trainer as they do with an on trend stompy boot or a party ready pair of heels. Equally swapping delicate chain jewellery for more statement pieces can change the vibe and design of an outfit.
But make sure to shop for pieces you can really wear, your wardrobe is not a museum, so enjoy your clothes but make them work for you.
Here are our seven favourite dresses to shop now.
Just a little bit obsessed with this Derek Lam utility dress. Great for showing off your curves, the belted waist detail, front breast pockets and strong button detailing make this a super classic but incredibly chic utility dress. This is a trend that will keep coming around season after season, which makes this a great designer investment purchase as you can certainly wear this dress across the seasons.
Shop: Buffy Utility Maxi Dress by Derek Lam at 11 Honore, $425
Celestial prints have really gained momentum over the past couple of seasons and this autumn/winter 2020 the moon and star prints are back with a (big) bang. This gorgeous midi dress is great for a little festive Halloween cheer, but of course you can wear it beyond the spookiest night of the year and simply embrace the magical print for day or evening.
Shop: Celestial Tiered Satin Midi Dress at Simply Be, £35
As we head into festive season it is impossible to ignore red. Such a symbolic colour of the holiday period, if you can’t beat them, we say join them and so this red sweet fit and flare dress is just an easy and festively fun piece. The hue obviously makes it perfect for this time of year but the short sleeve ensures you can carry this dress over right into spring. Great for WFH as we are all feeling a little more snug and don’t need the extra layers.
Shop: Perfect Sleeve Textured Fit & Flare Dress at Lane Bryant, was £84.64 now £41.29
Basic black dresses are literally the best layering pieces and we love the fit and flare shape of this one. This dress can literally be transformed from day to evening with a mix up of accessories or layering pieces such as a lurex cardigan or an on trend jewelled button cardi or jumper. Treat these kind of fit and flare ponte black dresses as a base layer and then add splashes of colour through accessories, such as a belt. And of course you can ignore all of the above and just wear it as is. Basically we love it and we think you will too.
Shop: Black premium ponte elbow length sleeve midi dress at Torrid, was $69.50 now $45.17
We’re all still very much ‘hot for the spot’. If you remember last season’s obsession over polka dot dresses, then autumn/winter 2020 is not really all that different. We are all still loving spotty prints and this River Island plus size wrap dress is right on the money. A gorgeous wrap shape and and chic on trend statement sleeve, this plus size dress can easily be dressed up with heels and costume jewellery but you can comfortable style it like the model with a pair of trainers too. Super versatile, super cute.
Shop: Plus black polka dot wrap midi dress at River Island, £36
We’re loving everything about this checked shirt dress. The midi length hemline, the full statement sleeve and the well tailored bodice, this is a style steal at under £40 and a look you can easily wear for work or for weekend occasions.
Shop: Checked shirt dress at H&M, £39.99
We love Anna Scholz dresses, the designer has been making beautiful plus size clothing for several years and really knows how to cut for curvier figures. Her designs really focus on luxe fabrics and stunning prints and this velvet, leopard combo is really ticking a lot of boxes for us right now. Again this is great for partying or for everyday if you want to get maximum wear out of it. But the amazing leopard fabric gives this a real Christmas feel too.
Shop: Plus size velvet boho dress in leopard print at Anna Scholz, £195
Images: courtesy of brands