Summer brings a multitude of events and gatherings like birthday parties, weddings, barbecues and more that warrant a fun and stylish dress to wear. If you’re on the hunt for cute plus size dresses that won’t have you guessing if they’ll fit before you order, we’ve got you covered.
Peak seasonal gatherings can end up being the hottest, most humid stretches, so we’ve rounded up some chic options that will not only look great but also keep you cool. From mini dresses to floor-length frocks, we found styles for everyone and every type of event. Read on to discover editor-loved dresses and more summer fashion we have our eyes on.
For parties or weddings$undefined$99.00
Editor-loved dresses in extended sizing
If you having been feeling inspired by the release of the “The Odyssey” recently, this dress is for you. It is so convertible you can change the length, and you can choose to add a built-in bra.
Assistant market edito, Audrey Ekman said, “I can’t stop wearing this maxi dress from Halara this summer. You can wear it strapless or tie it behind your neck as a halter and it’s insanely comfortable and breathable.”
This fruit dress screams summer. I remember scouring the internet for it in years ago on vintage sites, but now it comes in my size! I love the fruit detailing and it sits at just the right length for summer. It’s very flattering and I love that you can tie the ribbon tighter to adjust to your chest size.
I have been shopping at Lulus since I was in high school looking for a homecoming dress. I know when I shop there, the dress will be true to size and made with great materials. I recently got this purple dress from Lulus, but it has been so popular it is selling out! It fits like a glove and is so beautiful.
This blue dress is another one of my favorites because it covers the chest well so you can dance all night and allows airflow with the leg slit.
Rat Boi is one of my favorite brands for inclusive sizing. Their swimwear has been my go-to for summer and I recently got this dress and have been wearing it every week.
Normally, thin or spaghetti strap dresses never fit my chest, but this one does and I love that you can adjust the strap length. It is really well made and I have been wearing it to work, to dinners and plan on wearing it in the winter with a sweater over it.
Brown has been one of the breakout colors of 2026. If you are heading to an even in the end of summer or early fall, this brown dress is great for transitional weather. It has a gold accent at the keyhole top, so you can match your jewelry to it easily. I love the fabric too; it is structured so it flows nicely on the body.
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender has added this fun dress to her summer wardrobe. She says it is made with “really comfortable material, easy to dress up and down, easy to maintain — it has it all!”
The dress cinches and is made with a pre-shrunk material, so you don’t have to worry about it shrinking in the wash.
Editor Kamari Stewart-Jackson recently picked up this dress from Eileen Fisher. While she was initially hesitant about the price, she says, “after having it for a couple months and wearing it regularly, I can say that I would absolutely buy this dress over and over again. It’s so comfortable, the perfect length (not too long), really flattering, can be worn with sneakers or sandals (of which I have done both) and also looks good with a jean jacket over it for those more breezy nights. It’s also worth mentioning that every single time I wear this dress, I get at least one compliment.”
The linen material is great for keeping you cool this summer, and the adjustable straps are there to help you find the perfect fit.
More plus-sized summer dresses
Eloquii has some of the best options for plus-sized dresses, but this white one really caught my eye. I love a tiered-looking dress because it is not only flattering, but it is also breezy and helps with airflow in the summer.
Gingham is another one of my favorite prints for the summer, and this brow gingham one is perfect for outdoor parties this summer. Asos’s Curve line is one of my favorite places to shop for great-fitting plus size options. They have so many great options that are fun and full of personality.
More Asos Curve Dresses:
- Asos Design Curve Bubble Dress
- Asos Design Curve Strappy Dress
- Asos Design Curve Scoop Neck Mini Dress
Linen is a must-have for summer, and this fit and flare dress from Quince would look great with a pair of sun heels or sandals. The neckline is great for those with a larger chest and the adjustable straps help lift.
A happy shopper said, “The material feels soft and breathes very well. The color is true to the picture and I’m very excited to wear it out on a summer afternoon date with my husband.”
When I have a big event or wedding, one of the first places I look for dresses is Anthropologie. They have so many great styles and I particularly love their plus-sized options.
This striped option is such a fun beach dress because it has a starfish accent on the top and the cap sleeves help make sure you’re not restricted in your movements. One reviewer says, “Great material; the detail of the gold makes it so SPECIAL when you also accessorize with gold earrings and bracelet.”
More Anthropologie dresses:
I recently discovered Le Bop, a brand from ShopBop, and I love their fun dress options. This striped one is great for a casual summer dress. The slit in the back also helps with airflow. I would wear this with a pair of fun sneakers for a day event.
Baby pink is another one of the breakout colors of 2026, and this Stine Goya dress caught my eye for summer because not only is it on sale, but it is so cute. The flower detail is so fun and I love that it is a combo of jersey and cotton (some of my favorite fabrics for summer). You can also snag an extra 20% off at checkout right now.
How we choose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the plus-sized dresses based on editor recommendations an customer reviews from popular retailers. We also conducted market research, filtered our searches for top-rated plus-sized dresses and asked our editors for their favorite picks.
NuFace Fix Microwand
NuFace Fix Microwand