Plus-size women often have a hard time exploring their fashion sense due to the societal pressure surrounding beauty standards. Is your belly flat enough? Are you curvy in the right places? What kind of fruit are you – a pear or an apple? However, the simple truth is that all body types are beautiful and should be celebrated for their beauty. And what better way to do it than through fashion? Finding your own personal style is an important part of self-expression, and here are 6 amazing style tips to help you get started.
1. Shop Smart
There are plenty of successful clothing brands that simply don't cater to plus-sized women. They can have the most beautiful dresses, skirts, and blouses but they stop at a size 12. However, that doesn't mean that you have to limit yourself to an unfairly small selection of items. There are plenty of amazing fashion brands that make clothes with plus-size body types in mind as well. So instead of browsing through entire galleries of clothing that aren't made with inclusivity in mind, why not opt for businesses that cater to your body specifically?
Amongst the most popular are Lane Bryant, ASOS, and Savage X Fenty. Plus you can easily find Lane Bryant promo codes that will get you your favorite items for up to 50% off. The only thing better than shopping from stores that make clothes for curvy women is doing it for a fraction of the cost – that means you can get even more goodies!
2. Wear What Fits
A lot of curvy women tend to hide their bodies under oversized clothes. They might feel self-conscious about their figures so they would rather envelop themselves in baggy clothes that make them look frumpy. However, this is actually the complete opposite of what you should be doing. When you wear clothes that fit your body well, you end up looking ten times better than when you're wearing something that's too big for you. No matter what you put on, when your clothes are the right size for you, it can make all the difference. You'll look put together, confident, and of course, beautiful.
3. Know The Rules
Women aren't fruit, and shouldn't be compared to them. That said, there are certain rules that you might want to keep in mind. For starters, as already mentioned, always remember that fitted clothing will always look better than loose and baggy clothes. If you're going to wear something flowy, make sure it's balanced out with a fitted top or bottom.
Pointed-toed shoes will visually elongate your legs, while a V-neck will make your torso look longer. Big blocks of color can make you look bigger than you are, so try to break up your outfit with different patterns and textures. There's one main reason why you should know these rules – so you could break them if you want to.
4. Break The Rules
Just like Piccaso didn't go straight to Cubism – he learned the ropes first – you should too. Knowing the rules can help you better understand what effect certain things like colors, patterns, and silhouettes provide. Once you know the rules, though, feel free to break them however you see fit. That's what fashion is all about – expressing yourself in whatever way you want. If you want to wear all one color, go for it! If you want to mix and match different prints, do it! Rules are just guidelines that you can keep in mind if you feel like going for a safe option, but they are far from being set in stone.
5. Go Bold With Colors
If you like the black and white aesthetic that's perfectly fine. However, a lot of plus-size women tend to stick with dark colors as a way to hide – similarly to how they wear baggy clothes. There's no need to do that at all whatsoever. If you like colors, then go all out! Find clothes that you absolutely love and that make you feel beautiful. It doesn't matter if it's a bright pink dress or a neon green top, as long as you like it and feel confident in it, that's all that matters.
If this is somewhat out of your comfort zone, try accessorizing with colors – like a bold necklace or brightly colored scarf. Adding more color to an outfit is sure to make it that much more fun.
6. Accessorize Like A Pro
Accessories are a great way to spice up any outfit – no matter what you're wearing. If you want to add a pop of color, go for it! If you want to experiment with different textures and patterns, have at it! Plus-size women often shy away from accessories, but there's really no need to. Always pick an accessory that will compliment your outfit. A neutral-toned outfit can benefit from a bright and bold piece, while a more colorful outfit might be balanced out nicely with a simple necklace or earrings.
If you prefer a minimal look – a silk scarf tied to your handbag or a dainty bracelet – that's perfectly fine too. The key is to find what works for you and what makes you feel the most comfortable and confident.
No matter your size, shape, or height, fashion is for everyone. These six style tips are just a starting point – there are endless possibilities when it comes to developing your own personal style. The most important thing is to have fun with it and to experiment until you find what works best for you.