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    1. Fashion

    The 4 Plus-Size Spring Dresses I Wear on Repeat

    The styles I rely on when I want to look pulled together with minimal effort.

    Sarah Chiwaya#039;s avatar
    By Sarah Chiwaya
    Published 5 May 2026 In Buying Guides

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    4 Spring Dresses I Wear On Repeat
    (Image credit: )
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    I love layering as much as the next fashion girl, but I’ll admit that I have a special place in my heart for spring dresses. There’s something so satisfyingly simple about a one piece, throw on and go outfit that still looks purposeful and pulled together, and the right spring dress is just that.

    The Reversible Column Dress That Feels Like Two Outfits in One

    If you’ve been following my Style at Large column here, this silhouette might look a little familiar - likely because I have this same Baacal dress in two different colorways, and the red version made a cameo in my first article on the best comfortable shoes that don’t look like comfortable shoes. That red is still in heavy rotation (especially since red is one of the major color trends for 2026), but something about this vibrant green version just screams “springtime” to me.

    If you took a peek at my camera roll, you’d quickly be able to figure out why: It is chock-full of photos of budding trees ablaze with the same bright, verdant, almost-chartreuse green, contrasting beautifully with pale blue spring skies. My favorite shots also include pops of purplish-pink from flowering trees like magnolias, eastern redbuds, and cherry blossoms. All together, these colors form the spring nature palette for me, so I decided to style this dress accordingly.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
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    Sarah Chiwaya styles a lime green pleated dress by Baacal for spring

    (Image credit: Sarah Chiwaya)

    I started with another comfortable shoe favorite: Franco Sarto’s Oakes Mary Janes in powder blue suede to echo the sky. I layered on my beloved Henning for Universal Standard trench for the slight crisp in the air, and threw everything I needed for the day in another piece from my collection: This pebbled leather North-South tote from Bill Blass (long since sold out, but the tall leather tote from Cuyana looks like a similar vibe, both for the pebbled leather and capaciousness). For a final whimsical touch, I added a lilac-lensed pair of Bvlgari sunglasses with enamel accents that remind me of butterfly wings. (This particular style is sold out as well, but their sleek Viper silhouette is a perfect modern update). All together, I felt like a walking embodiment of the season and took a detour through Madison Square Park to relish the moment (even if I paid for it later in the form of seasonal allergies!).

    This dress is a perfect throw-on-and-go piece for warmer days, too, and garners compliments and “Is that Miyake?” questions with regularity. It also comes in a variety of colors, including classic black, but I personally recommend one of the color options for maximum versatility - the reversible nature basically means two dresses in one! And if the nearly-neon green of mine isn’t an everyday hue for you, you’ll be happy to know that the opposite side is a subtle, soft sage green—a shade close enough to moss green to take advantage of that color trend too.

    Sarah Chiwaya pairs her lime green dress with a pink bag and powder blue shoes

    (Image credit: Sarah Chiwaya)

    BAACAL, Jaya Pleated Dress

    BAACAL
    Jaya Pleated Dress
    $218
    SHOP NOW

    Franco Sarto, Oakes Square Toe Flat

    Franco Sarto
    Oakes Square Toe Flat
    $135$101
    SHOP NOW

    Henning X Us Park Soft Trench - Black

    Universal Standard
    Henning x US Park Soft Trench
    $248
    SHOP NOW

    Serpenti Viper 65mm Cat-Eye Sunglasses

    BVLGARI
    Serpenti Viper 65mm Cat-Eye Sunglasses
    $840$588
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    Tall Easy Zipper Tote

    Cuyana
    Tall Easy Zipper Tote
    $328
    SHOP NOW

    The Red Halter Maxi That Works on Multiple Body Types

    As a long-time Christopher John Rogers fan, I was at my local Old Navy first thing in the morning on launch day to try out the New York designer’s latest collab with the affordable retailer. I expected to leave with one of my signature striped or printed pieces, but after trying pretty much everything on, I kept coming back to this lightweight cotton halter number. The crisp cotton poplin has a touch of elastane for ease of fit, and that makes a difference: The same dress in the same size fits beautifully on both my 5’4” full-bust frame and my creator friend Shainna Tucker’s 6’0” long-legged one. As an influencer who is all about helping plus-size shoppers find items that work for them, I am always on the lookout for pieces that look good on a variety of body types, as I find this a mark of good fit and thoughtful construction. This CJR x Old Navy dress passed this test with flying colors.

    The lightweight, breathable cotton means this one will be in heavy rotation for me as summer heats up, too, especially since it can easily be styled for occasions from casual to formal with simple shoe and accessory switch-ups.

    Sarah Chiwaya poses in a quot;bold red dressquot; in NYC

    (Image credit: Sarah Chiwaya)

    Old Navy X Christopher John Rogers Halter Drop-Waist Dress

    Old Navy
    x Christopher John Rogers Halter Drop-Waist Dress
    $75
    SHOP NOW

    The Animal-Print Maxi That Actually Nails the Fit

    This is another dress where the fit is everything. Ashley Graham’s eponymous line with JCPenney is multiple collections deep at this point, and I have quite a few dresses from it that I love (including this cutie polka dot maxi), but the one I keep coming back to is this soft, drapey jersey dress. The zebra print is a spot-on trend for 2026, and the cut was clearly designed with plus-size bodies in mind (the label is plus-only, with everything available in sizes 0x-5x). I love how the ruching detail on the front stops just above the lower belly to prevent clinging in that area, while still fitting closely through the waist for a nice nipped-in effect.

    It is also regular-bra-friendly, a feature whose importance I cannot overstate. My years of research and wear-testing have made me something of an expert on the best strapless bras for very full busts (I’m particularly partial to Elomi and Curvy Couture), but sometimes I just want to wear a standard strapped number. The neckline on this Ashley Graham Collection dress gives the illusion of a sexy halter while actually being easily compatible with regular bra straps—something my ribs will always thank me for!

    Sarah Chiwaya wears an Ashley Graham for JCPenney animal print dress

    (Image credit: Sarah Chiwaya)

    JCPenney, Ashley Graham Womens Plus Keyhole Neck Sleeveless Maxi Dress

    JCPenney
    Ashley Graham Womens Plus Keyhole Neck Sleeveless Maxi Dress
    $90$43
    $43 AT JCPENNY

    Smooth Full Figure Strapless Underwire Bra

    Elomi
    Smooth Full Figure Strapless Underwire Bra
    $79
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    Curvy Couture Smooth Strapless Multi-Way Push Up Bra, Champagne, 36dd

    Curvy Couture
    Smooth Strapless Multi-Way Push Up Bra, Champagne
    $68$49
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    The Sheer-Skirt Hybrid That Goes From Date Night to Daytime

    When I first got this ASTR The Label dress in the mail, I thought it would be something I’d wear every once in a while, thinking it would be a special occasion-only piece. But after my first wear (to a chic Vera Wang x David’s Bridal event), I realized this one is meant for all sorts of situations. I’ve been really into the sheer skirt and drop waist trends lately, and this manages to combine both in one effortless piece.

    The strapless silhouette is form-fitting without squeezing or clinging, and the stretch ponte bodice is a nice, substantial weight that makes it bodycon, not tight. The sheer part of the skirt starts short enough that this would be a hot date night dress (as confirmed by my husband, who said “HOT!” upon seeing me in it), but could also easily be dressed down with a pair of sneakers and an oversized button-down, or beachy sandals and gold jewelry for a resortwear vibe. The sheer portion is a great way to show off your legs without feeling overly exposed, and the light chiffon also billows softly in the breeze, a little touch I find charmingly romantic. Don’t be surprised if you see me in this one again!

    Sarah Chiwaya wears a hybrid mini-maxi from ASTR The Label

    (Image credit: Sarah Chiwaya)

    ASTR The Label, Lizet Strapless Mini Dress with Sheer Maxi Overlay

    ASTR The Label
    Lizet Strapless Mini Dress with Sheer Maxi Overlay
    $158
    SHOP NOW

    Astr the Label Women#039;s Lizet Dress, Periwinkle, M

    ASTR The Label
    Lizet Dress, Periwinkle
    $158
    SHOP NOW

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Sarah Chiwaya
    Sarah Chiwaya
    Social Links Navigation
    Contributing Editor

    Sarah Chiwaya is a plus-size fashion expert, size inclusion advocate, editor, brand consultant, and style influencer.

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