Even if you are a "plus size" woman, you can now enjoy that visit to the mall to find just the right outfit for a special event. In the past you may have had the unhappy experience of discovering that the prom gown or party dress you wanted wasn't stocked in your size. Finally, clothing manufacturers have gotten the message, and you have a new world of style options waiting for you. Nevertheless, you must still take your body type into account if you want to find a dress that makes you look truly terrific.

Plus size women generally come in one of three basic shapes: apple, hourglass, or pear. Apple shaped women carry their weight mostly around their abdomen, and have little different between waist and bust measurements. Pear shaped women carry most of their weight in the hips and thighs, and hourglass shapes distribute the weight about evenly between the bust and hips, and have a larger difference between their bust and waist measurements. Wearing a dress suited to a type that you're not could mean that it's too tight in one place, and way too loose in another.

Be sure to select a size that words with your measurements, not an arbitrary number you believe you should fit into. Manufacturers design clothes so differently that the sizes on the items mean very little nowadays. You might think about underwear that smooths the outline of your body under the gown, which prevents visible lumps and other distortions.

The color black has always been known to help to make women look slimmer. For years the plus size woman has been told that she must wear black to look a smaller size. Black does flatter some women, but some larger women would like to get rid of most of the black outfits. They yearn to wear color. There's really no reason not to wear color if you want to. Look carefully in the mirror as you create your outfit, and remember to balance your colors.

Never purchase an outfit without trying it on, first. Make sure that you have the exact shoes and undergarments that you will be wearing with your dress. Then, you'll be sure the hem is not too long or short. Also, the bra that you wear will affect the lines of your dress and your overall appearance.

Lastly, do not fail to consider visiting the alteration shop. If you encounter a great outfit that does fit quite right, it may just need to be taken in a little bit. The neighborhood seamstress or tailor can make any required changes. Fashions are intended for a nonexistent perfect body.