I’ve always loved showing off my curves in bodycon and bandage dresses, but since having a baby, I need to wear shapewear underneath to keep my silhouette as streamlined as it used to be. While I don’t mind wearing shapewear occasionally, I also want to be comfortable – especially if I’m wearing a dress for a function that lasts all night, like a friend’s wedding.

The good news is, bodycon dresses come in several iterations, like this bandage dress from Catherine’s Curvy Collection. (If you’re not familiar with Catherines, it’s a great resource for on-trend skirts, dresses, and tops that are specially designed to accentuate your curves, like this dress does. Definitely bookmark it for wedding season!) While there definitely are, some classy bandage dresses out there, this version is a bit more sophisticated and versatile in terms of what types of functions you can wear it to.

I love this particular look for a few reasons. First, it has strategically placed stripes that accentuate my curves in all the right places, proving once again that the idea that curvy women can’t wear stripes is wrong! Second, the layered panels across the mid-section provides structure, so I don’t need to wear shapewear underneath. It’s a major confidence booster for spring and summer, knowing I can just throw this dress on and not have to worry about shimmying in and out of shapewear to make it work. It’s also made of a rayon-spandex blend fabric, which means it won’t wrinkle when you pack it – making it a great option for destination weddings!

Here, I paired the dress with a nude bag and heels to keep the focus on the dress. As I mentioned in my last post featuring stripes, the great thing about them is you can keep the rest of your look simple because they’re a style statement on their own.

Why You Need This New and Improved Bandage Dress via @GirlWithCurves Why You Need This New and Improved Bandage Dress via @GirlWithCurves Why You Need This New and Improved Bandage Dress via @GirlWithCurves

Thanks to Catherines for sponsoring this post.

 

THE DETAILS

Dress: Catherines (wearing 0X/12-14)

Bag: old BCBG

Shoes: old Nine West

Bangles: Ralph Lauren

Sunglasses: Celine

Lipstick: MAC Neon Orange