Plus Size Black Cocktail Dresses: 6 Picks and Their Sizes

Start here if you want lace and sleeves and wear anything up to a 5X. The self fabric is 90% nylon and 10% spandex over a 100% polyester lining, with a V-neckline, short flutter sleeves and pockets in the skirt, and a brand answer in the listing’s Q&A says it is a pullover style. Kiyonna calls it a “knee-length plus size midi dress” and sells it as “Perfect for cocktail parties, semi-formal occasions, wedding guest moments”. It comes in Onyx and Nocturnal Navy; Onyx is the black one (our reading of the colour name and photos). On Kiyonna’s size chart, 5X is a 61 to 66-inch bust, a 55.5 to 60.5-inch waist and 66.5 to 71.5-inch hips.

For an evening wedding or reception where you want your arms covered and a little shine at the neckline rather than sequins. Alex Evenings describes a sheath crepe cocktail dress with a sheer mesh bodice, beaded embellishment at the neckline, bell sleeves and a concealed back zip, “Perfect for wedding guests, formal receptions, or evening celebrations”. The fit details list a “Generous” stretch level, no bra cups, and 41 1/4 inches from the top of the shoulder to the hem at 14W, inside the 40 to 42 inches the brand’s size chart gives for its plus Short length (our reading). Care is hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry. On that chart, 24W is a 53-inch bust, a 47-inch waist and a 56-inch low hip.

The pick if you would rather wash it at home: the care line on the listing is machine wash cold. It is a knit crepe sheath with princess seams, a crew neck outlined in faux pearl trim that is repeated on the bell sleeves, a 100% polyester lining and a back zip. The listing marks the stretch as “Some Stretch”, and the description calls it a midi dress with “a knee length hem”. The model is 5’8”. On the plus chart printed on the same page, 26W is a 54-inch bust, a 48-inch waist and 58.5-inch hips.

If your bust or hips are past the largest size on the other charts, look here first. Universal Standard sells it from 4XS (00-0) to 4XL (38-40), and its body measurement chart puts size 40 at a 75 to 78-inch bust, a 70 to 74-inch natural waist and 80 to 84-inch hips. The dress has a built-in shawl collar, light gathering at the waist and long sleeves, in a 95% rayon and 5% elastane jersey; care is machine wash cold and lay flat to dry. The fit note says it runs true to size, the model is 5’8” and wears 2XS (6-8), and the brand says its sample size is an 18.

One of two picks under $100 (the BloomChic is the other), and the one with a period cut. Unique Vintage describes a 1920s style flapper dress “crafted in a luxurious black velvet with ivory accents”, with short sleeves, a draped faux collar tie and a back zipper. It is the one for a themed party, or if velvet is what you want for a winter invitation. The size chart printed on the listing, given as body measurements, puts 5X/32W-34W at a 57 to 60-inch bust, a 51 to 54-inch waist and 61 to 64-inch hips.

The lowest price of the six, less than half the Unique Vintage dress (our arithmetic). It is a sleeveless black dress in glossy satin, 100% polyester, with a high-low hem, a side pocket and a pull-on fit, and the listing says it is “Tailored for mid and plus-size women.” Care is machine washable on a gentle cycle, turned inside out, with no tumble drying. Its body size chart puts 6X at a 61.8 to 65.7-inch bust, a 55.9 to 59.8-inch waist and 65.7 to 70.1-inch hips. The listing warns the fabric may arrive with slight wrinkles from packaging, so iron it before the party.