It doesn’t matter your size, you want to look good, especially for special events. Why do some designers think because a woman has a little heft, a little “substance” to her frame, that we don’t care about how we look and will wear any old thing? Fortunately not all designers are this ignorant and know how to create great looking plus size gowns, not just gowns in larger sizes. Plus size gowns flatter our figure, sometimes camouflage flaws, and feel good when we wear them.

But when looking for a plus size gown, you have to start with a shopping strategy. Here are some tips.

1. Know what looks great on you.
Read up on articles about this before you go and hunt for your wedding dress that tell you the right cut and color that will look good on you. Think about your best outfits: the ones that look good on you feel comfortable and you get complemented on. Think about the fabrics, how they fall on your body, The waistline, the neckline, the shoulders, etc. Know what looks good and it will be harder for people to sell you stuff or to convince you to buy something that will not look good on you.

2. Shop with people you can trust to be honest.
Your wedding dress is important. You need to know how it looks really, especially as a plus-size. There is a lot of plus size crap out there, waiting for a sucker. Whether you are looking in a store, in a magazine or online, browse with friends and family who you know will tell you the truth. Sometimes we are blinded by designs that we think look good but are in actuality not great with the body type. Those close to you can act as your eyes when you are trying out different designs. They will be able to tell you what looks good on you and what looks bad. But pick people whose judgment you trust!

3. Don’t buy tight dresses
Sometimes, we plus size women make the mistake of buying clothes that are one size too small. We may think that the smaller the size is, the better is the look. Or we may think we’ll lose the weight before the wedding. Neither are good plans. Wearing tight clothes will only emphasize your curves or your body structure. And too loose will only make you too frumpy. When you buy your wedding dress, you need a size that fits you to a T–not too tight or too loose.

4. Plan for time to find a dress
Even the smallest sizes take weeks or months looking for a formal plus size gown like a wedding dress. For a plus size wedding gown, you’ll want to make sure to start your search as early as possible. Giving yourself extra time to look means you’ll be able to fully appreciate all the options available to you. This way you can find the right size and style at the best price possible.

There’s a perfect dress for every body. The trick is to know which plus size gowns show off your curves!