While I would be the modelling industry’s idea of plus size at a size 10, I’ve never been in the position myself where I couldn’t find an evening dress because majority of brands didn’t cater for my size.

As a Stylist, I’m constantly contacted by women tall, short and in between who struggle with finding plus size formal dresses over a size sixteen. It’s not something that’s advertised well in Australia. You don’t see gorgeous plus size models on the covers of magazines adorned in the latest designer gown – it’s just not something we get educated on because nobody talks about it.

Well, we all know I’ve got the gift of the gab, and what type of Stylist would I be if I didn’t start a conversation about finding gorgeous plus size evening gowns in Australia? Seeing a curvy woman at a formal event is not a rare sighting and while all these amazing designer dress hire companies are popping up and more and more designers are making a name for themselves in the industry, there’s still a huge lack of advertised options. So as usual, I’m here to clear the air and provide you with a lovely list of options for sizes sixteen and up and then if one of our readers would kindly throw us all a black tie dinner party, we can all go and shimmy together in our sequinned frocks.

Size 16 Plus Size Formal Dresses / Bridesmaids / Ball Gowns

George: An Australian based brand with dresses suited to women who want a gorgeous floor length chiffon frock, to a cute cocktail dress for a wedding.

Rodeo Show: I love taking my clients into Rodeo Show because they always have gorgeous dresses that flatter the figure and emphasize the waist. My favourite Rodeo Show store in in Pitt Street Mall in Sydney.

Alannah Hill: I don't just love her because we have the same initials and her accessories are fabulous. She provides fun and flirty garments, often providing styles catering from a knee to floor dress length.

More Plus Size Dresses Brands:

Anthea Crawford
Forever New
Elle Zuitoune
Grace and Blaze
Alice & Olivia
Diane Von Furstenberg
L'Amour
Mr. K
Virgos Lounge

Carla Zampatti
Grace & Hart
Langhem
Tadashi Shoji
Badgley Mischka
Pasduchas
Tania Olsen
Nicholas The Label
Jadore
Adrianna Papell

Size 18 Plus Size Formal Dresses

ModCloth: By far one of my favourite plus size brands, they not only have amazing prices when there's a sale but because they know how so many formal dresses sizes can be out of touch, they have an excellent reviews system where you can see pictures of other people who have purchased the dress!

White Runway: Are best known for catering to bridesmaids and some of their garments are even nice enough to double as a wedding dress! White Runway have such a huge collection that you can narrow down your findings by things like dress length, sleeves and even colour!

Tadashi Shoji
Theia
Asos Curve
Perri Cutten
Anthea Crawford
Boohoo Plus
L'Amour
Mr. K
Virgos Lounge

Langhem
Joanna August
Badgley Mischka
Pasduchas
Tania Olsen
Nicholas The Label
Jadore
Adrianna Papell

Size 20 Plus Size Formal Dresses

Langham: Are a much more glamourous style formal wear brand. Perfect for the woman who appreciates a little old hollywood glam and nice bold lip. Langham is stocked mainly online in various stores and they cater to women looking for a more feminine style dress.

Tadashi Shoji: A stand out brand that I wish had a stand alone store in Sydney! They sell modern, fashion forward evening dresses for women sizes 0 to 20. They sell cocktail dresses, bridesmaids dresses, evening gowns and even dresses suitable for a school formal!

More brands:

Joanna August
Badgley Mischka
Carmen Marc Valvo
White Runway
Boohoo Plus
Montique
L'Amour
Theia

Fame & Partners
ML Monique Lhuillier
Nha Khanh
Asos Curve
ModCloth
Virgos Lounge
Adrianna Papell
Marina Rinaldi

Size 22 Plus Size Formal Dresses / Bridesmaids / Ball Gowns

Fame & Partners
White Runway
Joanna August
Saphire Butterfly
Boohoo Plus
Asos Curve
ModCloth
Nha Khanh
Carmen Marc Valvo
Badgley Mischka
Kay Unger
Slate & Willow
ML Monique Lhullier
Theia
Eloquii
Marini Rinaldi

Still Need A Little Help?

Hire Alarna Hope

Having a Personal Stylist is much cheaper than you think and it's not just for the rich and famous! Prices for Personal Styling start at only $380 and while that may sound like a few pairs of pretty shoes, what you learn and discounts you can get can save you so much more money and time in the long run!