Forget the Rules, Own the Runway: Your 2025 Plus Size Prom Dress Bible

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Back in high school, I was a size 14/16 and plus size prom dress shopping? Whew. It was an emotional rollercoaster. The year was 1998 (cue the Destiny’s Child soundtrack), and online shopping was barely a thing. That meant hunting down a dress in-store, with limited options and even tighter budgets.

Fast forward to 2025? The prom dress game has changed—and in all the best ways. With more online retailers, body-positive designers, and a serious glow-up in size inclusivity, finding that perfect dress is no longer a struggle, it’s a celebration.

So if you’re a plus size prom queen-in-the-making, we’ve got you covered with the top 2025 plus size prom dress trends and where to shop them! Let’s get into it, shall we?

A Few of the Plus Size Prom Dress Trends

2025 Trending Colors & Patterns for Plus Size Prom Dresses

This year’s color palette is giving main character energy, no matter your vibe.

• Electric Brights: Hot pink, neon green, cobalt blue, and fiery orange are dominating the scene. Think bold, vibrant, and totally TikTok-worthy. PromGirl is spotlighting bold colors as must-haves this year. Prom Headquarters echoes this sentiment, sharing that “Whether it’s because it’s been a dreary couple of years for young people navigating a pandemic, or the sheer joy of watching spring unfold, bold is the new motto for prom colors in 2025. Think bright red and royal purple hues.”
• Pastel Party: Soft lilac, butter yellow, and dreamy mint green offer a softer, more romantic feel. Perfect for the coquette-core girlies who want to float into prom with ethereal energy.
• Metallic Magic: Golds, silvers, and iridescent shades are hot right now. PromGirl shares, “From a metallic sheen to outright glitz and dazzle, sparkly prom dresses are big for the 2025 prom season.”
• Florals & Sheers: From romantic rose prints to sheer overlays and 3D floral appliqués, florals are blooming all over 2025 prom gowns.
• White Hot Moment: Yes, white. Not just for weddings. White is chic, unexpected, and ultra glam for prom night—especially when paired with feathers or sequins.

Trending Plus Size Prom Dress Silhouettes for 2025

When it comes to silhouettes, 2025 offers a blend of classic and contemporary styles. Strapless gowns are making a major comeback, exuding sophistication and confidence. Sarah’s Bridal Gallery emphasizes, “Strapless gowns are making a major comeback this year! Whether it’s a sleek, fitted design or a voluminous ball gown, these dresses exude sophistication and confidence.”

Mermaid and ballgown styles continue to be popular choices. Camille La Vie notes that mermaid prom dresses are “made to embrace your inner sea princess,” while ballgowns are perfect “for those who want to wear glass slippers.”

For a modern twist, cutout designs are gaining traction. All The Rage Stores mentions, “This year’s trends are all about standing out – think bold colors, cutouts, and statement backs.”

2025 Plus Size Prom Dress Trend in Finishes and Features

Details make the dress, and this year is no exception. Sparkly embellishments are a must-have, with PromGirl stating, “From a metallic sheen to outright glitz and dazzle, sparkly prom dresses are big for the 2025 prom season.”

Corset bodices are also in vogue, offering both structure and style. Camille La Vie highlights their corset prom dresses as ideal “for the girls who want to be snatched this season.”

Statement bows are another eye-catching detail. Ashley Lauren Designs points out, “A major statement prom trend of 2025 and one of our favorite prom trends in the US this year are bows! Bows bring a feminine and playful touch to prom while adding a stunning focal point to your dress.”

Feathers are making a glamorous comeback as well. David’s Bridal notes, “Trending silhouettes and sparkly details put you in the best light,” with feather accents adding a touch of drama.

Now that we’ve got the trends out of the way, I know you are wondering where you can find your dress and what to expect? No worries, we have you covered there, too! After this list, we also have a few dress shopping tips to help you find that perfect plus size prom dress!

Best Places to Shop for Your Plus Size Prom Dress

These plus-size-friendly brands, boutiques and online retailers get it. And many offer up to size 28, 32, or even 40.

Juicy Body Goddess

6801 Northlake Mall Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28216, United States

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You’ve seen the viral TikToks and Instagram Reels, maybe even on the news with this North Carolina based plus size boutique! Business Insider shares that this store is mainly options from her own original designs! With sizes up through a 6X, you are sure in for a treat if you are able to make it to her store BUT for some options, you can shop online, too.

Sydney’s Closet

Sydney’s Closet is a online-only pillar in the plus size evening dress space. For the last 10+ years, Sydney’s Closet and its retail partners throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and Australia have dressed tens of thousands of plus size teens and women! They also carry up to a size 40 in their dresses.

Nerecina Couture

“Nerecina is a size inclusive, made-to-order fashion brand that creates luxurious, customizable and sustainably made formal, bridal, and ready-to-wear fashion. We aim to be the pioneering and go-to luxury fashion brand for inclusivity and sustainability.” They provide custom and ready to order options up through a size 6X.

Atianas Boutique

Connecticut: 1571 Boston Post Road Milford, CT 06460

Texas: 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd. Unit P130 Cedar Park, TX 78613

“Atianas Boutique was founded in 1984 and is dedicated to bringing teen prom and special occasion fashions to a new level of choice and sophistication. Since then, we have proudly grown to be one of the largest prom and social occasion resources in the state of Connecticut and have become known as a Premier Prom Superstore and the place to find that perfect prom dress. Our recent nomination as the “Best of the Milford Region” is proof of our commitment to customer service excellence and an exceptional experience.”

Macys

The department store that is probably the most size inclusive for plus size folks, Macy’s gives us a few options to play in with tier sizes going up through a 3X mostly.

Christian Omeshun

Custom plus size prom gown anyone? This Cultivate Awards finalist is no stranger to the drama! Christian Omeshun is a “remarkable brand serving to cater for the ambitious, curvy woman who stops the show with her charismatic sense of style.” Available up through a size 32!

PromGirl

“PromGirl was founded in 1998 and is dedicated to bringing teen prom and special occasion fashions to a new level of choice and sophistication. We have proudly grown to be the number one prom resource in the country and have become known as The Online Prom Superstore and the place to find the perfect prom dress.” They are available up through a size 24.

Shantress Sada

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Looking for a custom prom dress and are in the Atlanta area? You are in luck. “Established in 2015, Shantress Sadá has become synonymous with timeless elegance and cutting-edge fashion. With each piece, Shantress draws inspiration from the beauty found in everyday life.”

Unique Vintage

2830 N Ontario St Burbank, Ca 91504

“Always in search of the perfect vintage dress, Katie quickly realized that she wasn’t alone and decided to try buying and reselling vintage styles on her very own website. A one-woman-show in the beginning, Katie set-up the very first version of uniquevintage.com, beginning to sell her vintage finds online, even turning her garage into the very first warehouse for our brand.”

Rene Tyler

3960 Howard Hughes Pkwy Suite 531, Las Vegas, NV 89169

“Angela Rene’ is CEO and Designer of Rene’ Tyler Plus Sizes 12 & Above. Her frustration to find fashionable and stylish clothing in her size, gave her the determination to create her own. Out of necessity, her passion grew as well as her clientele. After providing her designs for Red Carpet and Formal Events, in 2010, Purple Diva Designs was born.”

Nordstrom

Nordstrom is one of the leading department stores that has made quite a few changes in their plus size offerings. If you have a store near you, you can have it shipped or pick up at the nearest store or go shopping inside! Plus size options will vary by store, but it is a resource! Most options go up through a size 3X (24).

Chic & Curvy

206 S. Market St., Inglewood, CA 90301

LA-Based plus size prom girlies, if you are looking for a fun, playful, and go to resource in southern California, then you should make it a purpose to make it out here! They give us options up to a size 3X.

Cinderella’s Gowns

700 C Beaver Ruin Road Lilburn, Georgia 30047

“Once upon a time, Cinderella’s Gowns was just a little girl’s dream. In 1994 that dream became a reality. Cinderella’s Gowns began as a small bridal and formal wear business that also sold flowers, gifts, & invitations. The salon has now expanded to more than 15,000 square feet of fashion & fun, housing more than 5,000 dresses, 45 dressing rooms, and 3 stunning runways! Cinderella’s Gowns is not only the Southeast’s LARGEST formal store, it is the place to shop.” Available up through a size 3X/24!

Make sure you also do not discount any of the plus size secondhand stores to shop from, too! The Plus Bus or Secondhand Curves are great places to start! Also? If you know of a plus size bridal boutique, this may be another option for you to find that plus size prom dress of your dreams!

Tips for Shopping for Your Plus Size Prom Dress

Now that we have shared a few places to shop for your dress, how about a few tips to help you find that perfect one?

When it comes to your plus size prom dress, finding what you are looking for as a plus size person can be a bit daunting. BUT! With a few tips, hopefully you will be able to navigate through it all with confidence.

1. Do your research. Most of plus size shopping happens online, so we tend to have a bit more experience when shopping, but when shopping for a dress, make sure you find out what plus size prom dress trends exist, which brands or designers cater to your style, how long it takes to ship and if you are fortunate, which boutiques and shops are near you.
2. Know your measurements. Because evening dresses tend to have different cuts and fits than traditional plus size clothing, knowing your bust, waist, and hip measurements will help you understand the sizing you’ll need for the ideal fit.
3. Define your style. What trends speak the most to you? What will make you feel beautiful? What silhouettes are you most comfortable with? Do you want to be on trend or march to your own beat? Either is fine, but it is important to know what you WANT before you head out to find what you are looking for. If you do not know, that is okay too! In this case, allow yourself the space to let the dress choose you!
4. Start as Early as You Can. As a plus size person, finding regular clothes can be a hassle. When it comes to specialty clothes, the more time you give yourself to navigate the options, the more confident you will be in finding THAT dress. If you decide to go custom, you will need to research that designers schedule to gauge how long that will take.
5. Wear Your Ideal Foundations. Will you wear a strapless dress or one shoulder option? It will be important, when trying on your dress to wear the undergarments (your foundations) that will be needed for that style of dress. This means both your bra, panties, and any other desired undergarments that will allow the dress to fit you properly.
6. Have a Budget in Mind. According to USA Today and Yahoo’s Prom Across America Survey, Between hair and makeup, outfits, tickets and rides to prom, teens are spending an average of more than $600 on prom. Knowing this will help you manage expectations and help you shop in confidence with knowing what your needs are.
7. Bring Your Besties. Yes, you will probably shop with your guardians but if you are able to have your friends there, this will help give advice, share what they are wearing and might even help encourage you to step out of your comfort zone.

Ready to Slay Prom 2025?

Whether you’re feeling flirty in feathers, bold in sequins, or magical in metallics, prom is your night to SHINE. Be extra, be bold, be you. Hopefully, this fun little guide will help you rock out your 2025 prom in style! Make sure you check out the other plus size dresses articles, you may find something there too!

Tag us in your looks—we live for a good prom slay! Use #TCFStyle and tag @thecurvyfashionista so we can feature your fabulous fits!