The Scarlett & Jo Confidence Report 2026

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Key Findings | Methodology | What Women Want | Why Fit Matters | Feeling Beautiful | Confidence | Customer Satisfaction | Occasions | Loyalty | What Women Value | Finding the Right Dress | Customer Experiences | FAQ | Full Report

The Scarlett & Jo Confidence Report 2026: What 10,081 Reviews Reveal About Plus-Size Occasionwear

 

At Scarlett & Jo, we have always believed that beautiful plus-size occasionwear is about more than fashion.

When women shop for a special occasion dress, they are not simply looking for something to wear. They are looking for a dress that fits beautifully, feels comfortable, flatters their shape, and helps them feel confident on the days that matter most.

That belief has shaped everything we do.

As we approached our 10,000th customer review, we realised we were holding something far more meaningful than product feedback. We had thousands of real customer reflections describing not only what women wore, but how they felt wearing it — whether they were choosing a plus-size wedding guest dress, a black tie dress, a mother of the bride outfit, or another elegant look for a special occasion.

So we took a closer look.

Drawing on 10,081 verified customer reviews from 6,815 women over a ten-year period, The Scarlett & Jo Confidence Report explores what women truly value when choosing plus-size occasion dresses. The findings revealed a clear and consistent message: confidence comes from fit, comfort, and feeling good in what you wear.

Key Findings at a Glance

 

  • Women were more than 70 times more likely to mention fit than fashion trends
  • 46% of reviews used positive emotional language such as “beautiful”, “gorgeous”, “lovely”, or “stunning”
  • Positive emotional language appeared almost 13 times more often than anxiety-related language once women found the right dress
  • Fit-related language appeared in almost half of all 5-star reviews
  • Almost one in five reviews referenced a wedding
  • The strongest themes across the report were fit, comfort, confidence, flattering shape, and feeling ready for an important occasion

Our Methodology

 

The findings in this report are based on a detailed analysis of 10,081 verified customer reviews submitted by 6,815 women over a ten-year period.

Our team reviewed this feedback to identify recurring themes in:

  • fit and comfort
  • emotional response
  • occasion-based shopping behaviour
  • confidence and satisfaction
  • repeat purchase and brand loyalty

This helped us better understand what women really want from plus-size occasionwear — and what helps them feel their best when the occasion matters most.

What Women Really Want From Plus-Size Occasionwear

 

The report makes one thing very clear: when women choose plus-size occasionwear, they are not led primarily by trends.

They are looking for:

  • a flattering fit
  • comfort they can rely on
  • elegant style for special occasions
  • dresses that suit and celebrate their shape
  • confidence from the moment they get dressed

For weddings, milestone birthdays, black-tie events, graduations, cruises, anniversaries, and family celebrations, women consistently value clothing that helps them feel comfortable, confident, and beautifully themselves.

 

One of the clearest findings in the report is that women were more than 70 times more likely to talk about fit than fashion trends.

When customers reflected on their purchases, they rarely focused on what was current or trend-led. Instead, they talked about dresses that fit properly, felt effortless to wear, and helped them feel ready for an important event.

That matters because confidence does not begin when the event starts. It begins much earlier — in the moment a woman tries on a dress and feels that it fits as it should.

For women shopping for plus-size wedding guest dresses, black tie dresses, or elegant outfits for milestone occasions, fit is not a detail. It is the foundation of confidence.

How the Right Dress Helps Women Feel Beautiful

 

Across all 10,081 reviews, the most recurring theme was not colour, print, or embellishment. It was emotion.

Nearly half of all reviews (46%) included words such as beautiful, gorgeous, lovely, or stunning.

Again and again, women came back to one central idea: how the dress made them feel.

That emotional response mattered more than seasonal styling and far more than trend-led fashion. Women remembered the reassurance of wearing something flattering, the comfort of being able to move with ease, and the confidence of knowing they looked right for the occasion.

In other words, beautiful occasionwear is not just about appearance. It is about feeling at ease in your own skin.

Why the Right Fit Changes Confidence

 

Many women described the difficulty of shopping for occasionwear before finding the right dress. Their reviews often mentioned worries about fit, body confidence, and whether a dress would feel flattering enough for an important day.

But once they found a dress that felt right, the language changed.

Positive emotional language appeared almost 13 times more often than anxiety-related language when women described the experience of finding a dress that truly worked for them.

That shift is powerful.

The right dress does not simply complete an outfit. It changes how a woman approaches the occasion itself — with excitement instead of uncertainty, ease instead of self-consciousness, and confidence instead of compromise.

Why Fit Is the Strongest Driver of Customer Satisfaction

 

When we looked at the reviews that expressed the highest levels of satisfaction, one factor stood above all others: fit.

Fit-related language appeared in almost half of all 5-star reviews, making it the single strongest driver of customer satisfaction in the data.

Comfort, flattering shape, thoughtful construction, and feeling ready for a special occasion also featured strongly throughout the reviews. Together, these insights reinforce something Scarlett & Jo has always believed: when dresses are designed for curves from the outset, confidence feels natural.

For women looking for more guidance on finding the right fit, our Style Guides Hub offers expert advice by both occasion and body shape.

The Occasions That Matter Most to Women

 

The report also highlights the important role occasionwear plays in women’s lives.

These are not everyday purchases. They are dresses chosen for the moments that stay with us — moments that are photographed, celebrated, remembered, and revisited for years to come.

Almost one in five reviews referenced a wedding, while many others mentioned:

  • milestone birthdays
  • anniversaries
  • graduations
  • cruises
  • holidays
  • black-tie events
  • family celebrations

Whether a woman is searching for a polished mother of the bride outfit, a sophisticated black tie dress, or a flattering wedding guest dress, what matters most is how she feels in it.

Confidence Builds Trust — and Trust Builds Loyalty

 

The report also revealed the lasting effect of getting occasionwear right.

When women find clothing that fits beautifully, feels comfortable, and gives them confidence, the relationship does not end with one purchase.

The reviews included hundreds of references to:

  • returning for future occasions
  • recommending Scarlett & Jo to others
  • trusting the brand when the moment mattered most

That loyalty is built on something simple, but rare: the reassurance of knowing a dress will fit well, flatter your shape, and help you feel good from the moment you put it on.

What Women Value Most in Plus-Size Occasion Dresses

 

Based on our analysis of more than 10,000 reviews, women consistently value:

  • A flattering fit that feels effortless and supportive
  • Comfortable occasionwear that can be worn with ease throughout the day or evening
  • Confidence-boosting dresses for weddings, parties, black tie events, and milestone occasions
  • Elegant plus-size occasion dresses that suit and celebrate their shape
  • Quality fabrics and thoughtful construction
  • Styles that feel as good as they look

Ultimately, women remember far more than how a dress looked on the hanger. They remember how it made them feel.

Finding the Right Dress Starts With Knowing What Suits You

 

One of the clearest insights from the report is that women want help finding not just a beautiful dress, but the right beautiful dress.

That is why Scarlett & Jo’s Style Guides Hub brings together expert advice by both occasion and body shape, helping women shop with more clarity and confidence.

Shop by Occasion

Shop by Body Shape

You can also browse the By Shape Hub or explore the thinking behind our fit philosophy in Advanced Fit Technology.

In Their Own Words: Real Customer Experiences

 

“I have finally found a dress that makes me feel like a million dollars. It’s only taken me 63 years.”

“I felt wonderful wearing it, which doesn’t often happen when you are a plus size lady.”

“The fit is perfect and the shaping makes me look curvy instead of just big.”

“I can now relax and look forward to enjoying what should be one of the proudest days of my life.”

These words reflect what has always been at the heart of Scarlett & Jo: creating plus-size occasion dresses that help women feel comfortable, confident, and beautifully themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plus-Size Occasionwear

What matters most to women when buying plus-size occasionwear?

 

According to The Scarlett & Jo Confidence Report 2026, women most consistently value fit, comfort, confidence, flattering shape, and feeling good in what they wear.

Is fit more important than fashion trends in plus-size dresses?

 

Yes. The report found that women were more than 70 times more likely to mention fit than fashion trends when reflecting on their purchases.

What occasions do women most often shop for plus-size occasion dresses?

 

Weddings were the most frequently mentioned occasion in the review data, with almost one in five reviews referencing a wedding. Other common occasions included birthdays, black-tie events, cruises, graduations, holidays, and family celebrations.

What makes a plus-size occasion dress feel confidence-boosting?

 

The strongest drivers of confidence were a flattering fit, comfort, supportive construction, and a dress that felt right for the occasion.

Why does Scarlett & Jo focus so strongly on fit?

 

Because the report confirms what our customers have been telling us for years: when a dress fits beautifully and feels comfortable, confidence follows naturally.

Read the Full Scarlett & Jo Confidence Report

 

This page offers a snapshot of the insights uncovered through more than 10,000 verified customer reviews.

The findings are clear: when plus-size occasionwear fits beautifully, feels comfortable, and flatters the woman wearing it, confidence follows.

Read the full Scarlett & Jo Confidence Report to explore the customer stories, data, and findings in greater depth — and discover what women truly value in plus-size occasionwear, from wedding guest dresses to black tie dresses and beyond.

Read the Full Report →

 

Page Author: Kelly, Community Liaison Leader
Date Published: 17.06.2026
Report Author: WhistlePR