The Prettiest Plus-Size Wedding Guest Dresses from Amazon, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and More

Our top picks start at under $50

Cai Cramer is a shopping writer at PEOPLE.com with 2 years’ experience in journalism and digital media. She regularly tests the best and buzziest products in the beauty and lifestyle spaces and has researched and written about moisturizers, blow dryers, clothing, and luggage, among many other popular products.

Zip up your floral gown, strap on your most comfortable heels, and tuck an anti-chafing stick into your purse — because it’s officially wedding season.

Finding a dress that’s elegant, comfortable, and makes you feel your best is tough. According to plus-size fashion influencer Emma Arletta, it’s even more difficult to find the perfect dress outside of traditional sizing.

“It can be really challenging to find something that fits my curves perfectly,” Arletta tells PEOPLE. “A lot of plus-size women, when we’re shopping for events, we have to shop so early because we can’t just go in-store at the last minute to find things.”

To make things simpler, we curated a list of the very best plus-size formal dresses for every kind of wedding, from casual to black tie. These dresses don’t compromise on comfort and elegance, and neither should you. Keep reading to see the prettiest plus-size wedding guest dresses starting at under $50.

Wedding dress codes can be confusing. (Hawaiian casual? Garden party formal? What does that even mean?) To make things clearer, we consulted Nordstrom’s official breakdown of what each dress code term means and tagged each dress on our list with the occasion it works for.

This cowl-neck dress with a draped waist looks so elegant we could barely believe it’s priced at under $50. It comes in tons of different colors (43, to be exact), and the floral green colorway is a great choice for summer weddings. Dress it up with a pair of neutral-colored heels for a cocktail-attire wedding, or slip on your favorite wedges or espadrilles for a more casual vibe.

Occasion: Cocktail, semi-formal | Sizes: Large plus — 5XL plus | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash or hand wash cold, line dry

For daytime and semi-formal weddings, this floral maxi with a flattering A-line cut is comfortable and sweet. The scrunched top is stretchy and hugs the smallest point of the waist in a flattering way, and the short puff sleeves give it a boho vibe. Best of all, because the style is so versatile, you can wear it with sandals to a beach wedding and then wear it again on your next tropical vacation. 

Occasion: Semi-formal, casual | Sizes: Large plus — 4XL plus | Material: Polyester | Care: Not listed

"I like to have the top of the dress more fitted to accentuate my waist, and I love a flowy moment on the bottom so I don’t get too hot, especially coming into summer weddings." —Emma Arletta

If you’re looking for a last-minute dress that’ll get to your doorstep in a snap, this chiffon dress from Amazon looks like it came from an elegant boutique. The ruffled, off-the-shoulder detail adds visual interest and creates a great moment for a statement necklace to shine. The design hugs the waist and falls loosely from the hips to skim the ground, creating a fairytale floating effect when you twirl on the dance floor.

Occasion: Black tie, formal, cocktail | Sizes: 14 plus — 28 plus | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash

Elegant, comfortable, and on-trend — this scarf-neck pick from Eloquii has everything we could ever want in a dress. The one-shoulder scarf detail is the star of the show and is sure to draw compliments from your most fashionable pals. The silky material has a loose drape that’s easy and comfortable. And, from a black-tie event to a cocktail occasion, the polished maxi dress fits the bill. 

Occasion: Black tie, formal, cocktail | Sizes: 14 — 32 | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry

Jumpsuits are a fabulous choice for lots of occasions, and this satin number from Eloquii is easy and comfortable to throw on. The draped shoulder adds a flattering moment of visual intrigue and keeps the jumpsuit up while you hit the dance floor. It comes in a classic black and a fairy-esque lavender. And, unlike a lot of other formal dress options on our list, this one is machine-washable. 

Occasion: Formal, cocktail, casual | Sizes: 14 — 32 | Material: Polyester | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

"For a more formal event, I always go for a clutch and just bring the minimum. I think a clutch is so great for posing. You don’t have to worry about putting it over your shoulder." —Emma Arletta

The Corset Column Dress from Eloquii is a stately, elegant, and architectural gown that would fit right in at a black-tie gala or a cocktail party. The corset top gives it a flattering structure, and the boning helps the strapless design to stay up. It comes in two neutral colors — black and brown — and would pop with a colorful heel or bedazzled clutch.

Occasion: Black tie, formal, cocktail | Sizes: 14 — 32 | Material: Rayon, nylon, spandex | Care: Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry 

Make a fashion statement while moving freely and comfortably in this adorable dress from Atsu. The oversized bow detail is on trend and conceals an adjustable one-shoulder strap, so you won’t have to worry about tugging the dress up all night. It comes in three colorways that are lightly lustrous, which gives it a luxury feel. This is the kind of show-stopping gown that looks so fashionable on its own that it can be paired with simple accessories and still -

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make a major statement.

Occasion: Black tie, formal, cocktail | Sizes: XL — 3X | Material: Polyester | Care: Dry clean

A slip dress is a wardrobe staple, and this one from Anthropologie can be dressed up or down in a snap — wear it with sandals to a beach wedding or strappy black heels for a formal occasion. We love how versatile this dress can be, and each of the three color options brings a different vibe that works for unique styles. The pale yellow floral pattern would look at home at a garden party, and the black and white pattern would suit an Art Deco theme perfectly.

Occasion: Formal, cocktail, casual | Sizes: XL — 3X | Material: Viscose | Care: Hand wash

If elegant and timeless are what you’re after, then check out this silky strapless gown from Anthropologie. The lustrous fabric drapes romantically over curves, creating an easy, polished look that appears to be much more expensive than it actually is. The strapless design stays up with elastic stitched into the top of the bust, but it may also benefit from the use of a good strapless bra underneath if you’re worried about it staying up all night.

Occasion: Black tie, formal, cocktail | Sizes: XL — 3X | Material: Viscose | Care: Machine wash

Channel Taylor Swift's Speak Now era in this fairytale gown that can arrive on your doorstep in just a few days. The dress features a plunging neckline that shows off the bust and a tulle skirt with delicate vine appliques. The fluttery sleeves are flattering on the upper arm, and the fitted waist and flowy skirt create a pretty A-line shape. For a dreamy look, wear your hair loosely curled with a large-barrel curler or clip a few sparkly bobbles into a messy updo.

Occasion: Black tie, formal | Sizes: 14 — 36 | Material: Sequin, tulle | Care: Hand wash

This fluttery dress comes in 14 colors, and each one looks soft and sophisticated. The A-line dress falls to knee length, so it’s great for semi-formal or cocktail weddings. It’s made from a light, flowy chiffon that’ll keep you cool and comfortable no matter the weather. The ruched V-neck top is flattering on larger chests, and the flutter sleeves cover the upper arms without being restricted. 

Occasion: Semi-formal, cocktail | Sizes: 8 — 26 | Material: Chiffon| Wash instructions: Hand wash only 

Made from luxurious satin with a ruched off-the-shoulder neckline, the Mayah dress makes an elegant statement. The dress has a structured waist that flows out to an ankle-length hem, which means that it works for black-tie weddings, but it could also be styled to fit a cocktail party with a pair of comfortable flats. It comes in a classic black and a vibrant green, and (drumroll, please) it has pockets!

Occasion: Black tie, formal, cocktail | Sizes: 14W — 24W | Material: Cotton | Care: Dry clean 

If you’re looking for a short dress that still provides modest coverage, the Midnight Shibori Dress from Nic+Zoe may be just what you’re after. The figure-hugging dress falls to just above-the-knee length and has a flattering twist detail that visually brings in the waist. The pattern is inspired by traditional Japanese shibori, and the fabric has a light stretch to it, making it super comfortable.

Occasion: Formal, cocktail | Sizes: 1X — 3X | Material: Viscose, spandex | Care: Hand wash, line dry

Online shopping can already feel overwhelming, so the fact that not all sizing charts use the same terms can be confusing. Before you order, it’s important to look at the sizing chart that most brands list on their product page. It will list out a range of measurements that will best fit each size and typically refer to the bust, waist, and hip circumferences in either inches or centimeters. Use a measuring tape at home to determine your measurements and find the right size for you.

Once you know the dress code, you can get creative in choosing your outfit. If you’re not sure where to start in making your wedding guest outfit feel unique, Arletta has a few suggestions. “I love a textured dress — feather or beading. I’ve been seeing a lot of florals for spring and summer.”

Figuring out what to wear under a wedding guest dress can be almost as tricky as finding the dress itself. A solid piece of shapewear — whether it’s shorts, underwear, or a bodysuit — can help you feel comfortable all night long. “I love to have shapewear on for a formal event because it makes your dress lay better on top,” Arletta says. Finding the right shapewear to go under a strapless dress can be even trickier, but Arletta recommends a strapless bodysuit that you can find at Amazon.

Elegant plus-size formal dresses exist across a wide range of prices to fit any budget. Generally, the lower end of the price range starts around $50 and, depending on how much you want to spend on a dress, can go all the way up to $500.

Cai Cramer is a shopping writer for PEOPLE who has been writing about style and fashion trends since 2021. She loves to peruse stores, shop online, and make Pinterest boards dedicated to the latest fashion trends. For this story, Cai chatted with plus-size fashion expert Emma Arletta about where to find plus-size wedding guest dresses, the best materials for dresses, and the latest trends in wedding guest attire. Cai also consulted Nordstrom’s wedding attire guide for insights on occasion buzzwords like “black tie,” “cocktail,” and “black tie optional.”

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