Fashion or Bust: How to Wear a Maxi Dress When You're Curvy, Jennifer Lopez Kohls

While my usual look is Starlet Bombshell, there are times when I envy ladies who can pull off Bohemian.  I usually find that trend doesn’t flatter my curves, and I end up looking more frumpy than fabulous.  I still attempt time and time again to find a maxi dress.  Most of my attempts resulted in empire waists that made me look like I was expecting, and spaghetti straps that could barely contain me and made me look like I was nursing.  I had all but given up, until I found this dress by Jennifer Lopez for Kohls.  It is the perfect fit for me (it always amazes me how JLo’s clothing fits me so well, considering we could no be more different in body shape).  This dress is no longer available, but I wanted to offer a few tips for curvy Starlets who want to give maxi dresses a try…

  • Find one with wider straps.  Many maxi dress have thin, barely there straps (or none at all).  That’s fine for the small chested population… but if you’re full busted, then wear a supportive bra, and wear straps that are wide enough to cover it.  Trust me, you’ll feel so much more comfortable.
  • Pick a more natural waist, or one that’s a little wider.  If you’re apple/strawberry shaped, and you are a little fuller in the middle, an empire waist can easily fall into a maternity look (and no one wants that unless they are actually pregnant).  Just like a wide black belt can be your best friend, so can a wider or natural waist dress.  Remember, you can always add a belt to define your waist.
  • Darker colors and bigger patterns are slimming.
  • Open necklines are flattering for full busts.  A v neck is the most flattering, but just avoid high necklines.

Maxi Dress Look1

Maxi Dress Look 3 Maxi Dress Look 2

Get this look:

Everyday Starlet signature

This post/video is not sponsored.  All opinions are my own.  All products mentions were purchased by me unless noted with an asterisk (*).  This post contains affiliate links, that means that if you purchase any of these products, I receive compensation, through no extra charge to you.  That income will go towards making ES even better.  

This post was also featured on IFB’s Links a la Mode with some amazing bloggers…

Links à la Mode, July 9

SPONSOR: Shopbop sale, red bikinis, cupcakes and cashmere, Tarin Thomas, Joanna Constantine, Emanuel Ungaro, Alexa Wagner, blue dresses, black blouses, anna sui, bella freud, Adina Reyter, Ca & Lou, Paul & Joe Siste

 

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18 Comments on Fashion or Bust: How to Wear a Maxi Dress When You’re Curvy

  1. Biana Perez
    July 7, 2015 at 10:32 am (8 years ago)

    I love how full coverage the maxi is up top!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 7, 2015 at 12:34 pm (8 years ago)

      Me too, that’s my favorite thing about it! 🙂

  2. Miriam Goh
    July 7, 2015 at 12:49 pm (8 years ago)

    You look absolutely amazing dear! Thanks for the tips. I have problems looking for the perfect maxi dress without looking pregnant!

    xoxo
    Miriam
    http://www.miriammerrygoround.com

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 9, 2015 at 10:11 am (8 years ago)

      I sympathize!… glad I could help! 🙂

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 9, 2015 at 10:10 am (8 years ago)

      Thanks so much!!!

  4. Suzanne Carillo
    July 9, 2015 at 1:33 pm (8 years ago)

    This is gorgeous on you.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 10, 2015 at 11:13 am (8 years ago)

      Thanks so much!

  5. Crystal Dench
    July 9, 2015 at 7:11 pm (8 years ago)

    Hi Sarah,

    I came across your blog from IFB Links a la Mode where my blog was featured too.

    Great post- I love the floral print of this maxi!

    – Crystal x
    http://denchibitionist.com

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 10, 2015 at 11:14 am (8 years ago)

      Awesome! Congrats on the feature!!! Thanks so much!!! 🙂

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 15, 2015 at 10:26 am (8 years ago)

      Thanks so much!!!

  7. Lady B
    July 12, 2015 at 7:25 am (8 years ago)

    Hon, this dress was simply made for you! It nips in your waist deliciously and skims over your curves in a real flattering way. Kudos to JLo and her team for this winning number!

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 15, 2015 at 10:27 am (8 years ago)

      Thanks so much! I love JLo and her clothes, they are so easy to wear!

  8. A Cup of Tea with Kelsey
    July 12, 2015 at 11:05 am (8 years ago)

    Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for the tips- I’m always afraid of the maternity look, plus I’m short which makes finding a maxi dress even more challenging. Still looking for the right one!

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 15, 2015 at 10:28 am (8 years ago)

      I find many maxi dresses too long for me, and I’m definitely not short… they really should make clothes in a variety of lengths as well as widths!

  9. therealanab
    July 13, 2015 at 7:23 pm (8 years ago)

    Beautiful! The way this dress plays up your curves and nips in your waist, is perfect and reads classic Hollywood bombshell. All around winner!
    xo
    A

    • Sarah Blodgett
      July 15, 2015 at 10:29 am (8 years ago)

      Aww Thanks so much, that is the ultimate compliment!!!! <3