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As a Size 18/20, These Are the 20 Plus-Size Dresses I'm Adding to My Cart

I'm seriously set for every wedding, brunch, & weekend.

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Mili Patel

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For every "let's get brunch" text from your BFF, wedding invite stuck on your fridge, and Partiful RSVP awaiting your response, there's a plus-size dress ready to take your 'fit up a notch—you just need to find it first. Enter: Your guide to all things minis, maxis, and everything in-between. As a size 18/20 or 2X, depending on the brand, I've learned the hard, crying-in-the-fitting-room way that dress shopping can be super stressful. Between retail stores rarely carrying anything above a size 14 to realizing just how few extended-size options are out there compared to traditional straight sizing, it's lowkey (ok, highkey) infuriating to shop for plus-size dresses.

But let's take a deep breath together, yeah? Because I may not have all the answers, but I have done tons of research. What plus-size brands lack in number, they make up for in stunning, selfie-worthy dresses. I'm talking body-skimming looks that'll leave jaws on the floor, the perfect wedding guest dresses, and sundresses you'll definitely wanna grab for your next vacation. Seriously, bookmark this roundup now—because there's no event it doesn't cover.

Whether you prefer itty-bitty minis or legs-for-days maxis, bodycon or smock silhouettes, neutral hues or pops of color, you're so set. Grab your wallet, because it's time to shop these 20 plus-size dresses—you know I already have!

1
Best Overall Plus-Size Dress

Eloquii Maxi Dress With Halter Layer

Maxi Dress With Halter Layer
Now 40% Off

It's sleek. It's sophisticated. It's under $70 with a 4-star rating and available in 10 sizes. I'll take one in every color, thanks. This halter dress is the perfect wardrobe staple for almost any season (and especially into the cooler months), paired with your favorite heels or tall boots.

  • Size Range: 14-32

Garden party or late-night soiree, this strapless linen dress is bound to come with tons of compliments. The best part? You can easily dress it up with strappy heels or add a pair of sneakers and an oversized button-up for a more casual 'fit.

  • Size Range: XXS-5X
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3
Best Plus-Size Wedding Guest Dress

The Occasion by Old Navy Satin Cowl Maxi Dress

Satin Cowl Maxi Dress
Now 56% Off

Found: a must-have slinky little slip dress in a head-turning hue. This silhouette is a showstopper in every way and comes in five other colors if coral isn't your scene (or if you want one for every wedding on your calendar).

  • Size Range: XS-4X
4
Best Plus-Size Denim Dress

Torrid Mini Crew-Neck Denim Dress

Mini Crew-Neck Denim Dress
Now 30% Off

Trust—this isn't your average denim dress. Treat your wardrobe to a cutie mini from Torrid that's majorly leveled-up. It's easy to wear and versatile enough for everything from beach days to brunch.

  • Size Range: 10-30
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Polka dots are timeless. They're the old money aesthetic's preppier (and slightly quirkier) younger sister—and this drop-waist strapless dress is the chicest way to wear them.

  • Size Range: 1X-3X

Every warm-weather wardrobe needs a few linen basics—and I found the essential linen dress for you (on Amazon, of course). The silhouette is simple and classic, while the fabric is designed to keep you cool on hot summer days. In other words, it's perfection.

  • Size Range: XXS-5X
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7
Best Plus-Size Shirt Dress

Eloquii Twofer Shirt Dress

Twofer Shirt Dress
Now 40% Off

My personal life hack: twofer dresses. It's everything great about layering, without having to physically layer anything. This half-shirt, half-sweater dress from Eloquii checks every box, and is bound to become a go-to in your rotation.

  • Size Range: 14-32
8
Best Plus-Size Maxi Dress

Quince Tencel Rib Knit Maxi Slip Dress

Tencel Rib Knit Maxi Slip Dress

Might have found the ultimate going-out dress, no big deal. It's spicy enough for a solo photoshoot and stretchy enough for dancing all night. The rib knit fabric makes this pick sooo comfy, too—so if you're too tired to change into PJs at the end of the night, no worries.

  • Size Range: 1X-3X
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With a flirty side slit, a milkmaid-inspired bodice, and an adorable floral print, this under-$35 dress from Amazon deserves a spot in your wardrobe. Wear her on vacay or to the farmer's market—you can't go wrong with this one.

  • Size Range: L-4XL

Take my advice: Sometimes a dress really is splurge-worthy. This 100% linen midi is the type of dress you'll keep forever—and wear over and over again. The classic hue, elegant silhouette, and always-trendy fabric earns it a spot on my list.

  • Size Range: 14-24
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The '90s called, and they want to know where you got this dress. (Tell them it's an Old Navy exclusive!) The flutter sleeves, lace detail, and itty-bitty polka dots all come together to create a so-cute vintage-inspired mini your closet definitely needs.

  • Size Range: XS-4X

A chic pleated dress in the color of the season for under $25? Pinch me—I must be dreaming. This butter midi from PrettyLittleThing would look so cute as a wedding guest dress or at a fancy cocktail party.

  • Size Range: 12-24
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13
Best Plus-Size Little Black Dress

Cider Boat Neck Solid Mini Dress

Boat Neck Solid Mini Dress

Finding a can't-miss LBD can be tough—but this mini from Cider hits the mark. The fabric is stretchy for ultimate comfort and the '90s boat neck is super trendy. Mini dress goals? Achieved.

  • Size Range: 10-18
14
Best Plus-Size Bodycon Dress

AFRM Indina Dress

Indina Dress

With a playful print and silhouette that gives total va-va-voom energy, this bodycon dress from AFRM has stolen my heart. It's a little sheer for added intrigue, and has a halter neck for major support. Adding to cart ASAP.

  • Size Range: XXS-3X
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If you could turn a tropical vacay into a dress, it'd be this exact one. The exotic animal print and swoon-worthy fabric for under $50? Just imagine the golden hour pics.

  • Size Range: 12-20
16
Best Gingham Plus-Size Dress

Moon Wood Smocked Gingham Dress

Smocked Gingham Dress

If you're not already on the gingham train, all aboard. This casual smock dress is the easiest way to test out the trend—it's affordable and comes in a bunch of colors. Win-win.

  • Size Range: L-5XL
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It's a classic for a reason—cotton really is that girl. This maxi from Lane Bryant is crafted in 100% cotton with a cute tie front and flutter sleeves. Dressed up for a more formal look or down for weekend adventures, it's a breathable, comfortable must-have.

  • Size Range: 12-28
18
Best Plus-Size Active Dress

Popflex Cut It Out Dress

Cut It Out Dress

Hi, built-in shorts and hidden pockets! Go from tennis court to coffee shop to errands in this can't-believe-it's-activewear dress. The support is iconic and the silhouette is beyond cute.

  • Size Range: XXS-3X
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A little trendy, a little timeless—this mini is the best of both worlds. The puff sleeves keep it fresh and the tiered, v-neck silhouette stands the test of time. Plus, it has pockets.

  • Size Range: 1X-3X

Worn on its own with strappy sandals or paired with a chunky cardigan and sneakers, a cami dress is a year-round essential. Think of it as the perfect base layer for endless outfits.

  • Size Range: 0-40
Headshot of Maggie Griswold
Maggie Griswold
Contributing Fashion Editor
Maggie Griswold (she/her) is a contributing fashion editor for Cosmopolitan and freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles, covering everything from the latest wardrobe must-haves to interior design trends. Along with Cosmopolitan, you can find her work on Oprah Daily, StyleCaster, Women's Health, and House Digest, among others. She's a big (read: ridiculously huge) fan of the '90s sitcom Frasier, all things Shakespeare, and a good romance-filled YA novel. Follow her on Instagram.
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