As a fashion editor, stylist and personal shopper, I’ve witnessed a significant shift in women’s relationship to their bodies and clothes. Decades of dieting and straining to fit into a set size are melting away. “I want to look 10 pounds thinner” has been replaced by “I want to look amazing!”
While I don’t dress the following stars or know their specific sizes, in the spirit of body positivity, I give these curvaceous and attractive individuals as style inspiration. Here are 10 strategies for embracing the frame you’re in.
1. Give Your Body, Brain And Wardrobe A Boost
Opening your wardrobe and getting dressed should be an elevating experience, not an unpleasant aspect of your day. Start by giving your old “I’ll lose the extra pounds someday” clothing and boxy, unstylish stuff ASAP. Then start adding new things that put a grin on your face and make you thrilled to get dressed and say “Yes!” to your next evite.
2. Dress To Extend Your Body
Weight is a horizontal thing: It increases breadth at the bust, waist, hips and thighs. Height and leg and arm length, however, do not alter, no matter how much the scale shifts. Whatever your height, you’ll obtain a more attractive overall look by generating the illusion of a longer, taller silhouette. You can do this several ways: by dressing in one color from head to toe; wearing jeans with a higher rise (if you’re a belt-and-waist person); showing your ankles and wrists in 3/4-sleeve tops, ankle-cropped pants or midis instead of full-length pants and maxis; and wearing a shoe with some elevation, like a chunky lug or platform sole, a low block or kitten heel, and/or tapered, pointy-ish (not toe-cramming pointy) shoes.
3. Show Off Your Shape
Don’t hide those curves in big, shapeless clothes — emphasize them. The only thing stylish, body-hugging dresses, bodysuits and knits that skim your figure require is the correct underclothes (see tip number 9) and a confident attitude.
4. Define Your Waist
Many bodacious women abandon belts and tucked-in shirts after menopause due to weight accumulation at the belly. But a belt may be a form creator. If you have an hourglass-shaped body or a broader midsection that has lost its indent, a belt instantly emphasizes that bosom, stomach and belly are not one solid unit. Shirtdresses, wrap dresses, fit-and-flare-style dresses, jumpsuits, paper-bag-waist pants and belted pants make the point. Though many designs come with their own “cinchers,” consider investing on a few specific belts to customize your outfit.
5. Or Wear Skirts And Tunics That Flow
Add a couple one-piece, belt-free dresses with an A-line shape or a loose, straight form to your collection. With no break at the waist, these fashions skim straight over the midsection. Long, untucked shirts that mix well with flat-front elastic-waist slacks and jeans are another waist-breaking choice.
Read Also: Plus Size Womens 70s Fashion To Try This Season
6. Work With Your Personal Dimensions
Shop and dress to flatter your form. You may feel better in a plus bottom but wear a regular-size top or vice versa. Grab a tape measure and establish your bust, waist and hip measurements in inches. Size charts are a prominent component on most plus-size and size-inclusive apparel sites and might range from brand to brand. Instead of grabbing your “typical” size while shopping online, compare your inches to the retailer to get your best size selection.
7. Opt For Laidback Items
There’s more to the plus-size fashion explosion than bigger sizes. Athleisure garments like joggers, oversize hi-low shirts and comfortable sweats have taught women with curved bodies to enjoy, layer and combine relaxed looser clothes and longer skirt and dress lengths. This new ease is also showing up in roomy wide-leg slacks and jeans with elastic waists, expansive tunics and hi-low tops, midi skirts, and generously cut sweaters and cardigans. Make them your mainstays.
8. Add Coats And Cardigans
Toppers like structured blazers, long cardigans and dusters are necessary for women of every size. The firm form or sweeping lines (depending on whatever you pick) give reassuring firmness or covering on days when you’re just not in body-positive mood. Adding a second or third piece enhances your day.
9. Wear Bras That Lift And Support
Many women are throwing the shapewear along with body criticism. But this doesn’t imply you should hang around in do-nothing bralettes and lace bikini underwear. Bras that elevate your breasts and seamless undergarments that give your clothing a sleek line are necessary regardless of size. Choose elegant modern support bras to raise your breast and gain visible inches of torso. Your breast should “sit” approximately midway between your elbow and shoulder whether you’re wearing a jacket, dress, fitting sweater or tunic top.
10. Make More Of A Fashion Statement
Many women cover their bodies with garments that are generic and dull. It’s time to display your style. You may still adjust proportions, match tops and bottoms, and wear the volume where you need it most. Yes, they are standard “dress-slim” strategies, but they also happen to be fashionable fashion movements, so no need to stop. Buy that jacket in bright pink and that coat in purple instead of black; opt for that sequined hoodie and winter white jumpsuit. The only person you need to impress is yourself.
Mercado Wolski
As a fashion editor, stylist and personal shopper, I’ve witnessed a significant shift in women’s relationship to their bodies and clothes. Decades of dieting and straining to fit into a set size are melting away. “I want to look 10 pounds thinner” has been replaced by “I want to look amazing!”
While I don’t dress the following stars or know their specific sizes, in the spirit of body positivity, I give these curvaceous and attractive individuals as style inspiration. Here are 10 strategies for embracing the frame you’re in.
1. Give Your Body, Brain And Wardrobe A Boost
Opening your wardrobe and getting dressed should be an elevating experience, not an unpleasant aspect of your day. Start by giving your old “I’ll lose the extra pounds someday” clothing and boxy, unstylish stuff ASAP. Then start adding new things that put a grin on your face and make you thrilled to get dressed and say “Yes!” to your next evite.
2. Dress To Extend Your Body
Weight is a horizontal thing: It increases breadth at the bust, waist, hips and thighs. Height and leg and arm length, however, do not alter, no matter how much the scale shifts. Whatever your height, you’ll obtain a more attractive overall look by generating the illusion of a longer, taller silhouette. You can do this several ways: by dressing in one color from head to toe; wearing jeans with a higher rise (if you’re a belt-and-waist person); showing your ankles and wrists in 3/4-sleeve tops, ankle-cropped pants or midis instead of full-length pants and maxis; and wearing a shoe with some elevation, like a chunky lug or platform sole, a low block or kitten heel, and/or tapered, pointy-ish (not toe-cramming pointy) shoes.
3. Show Off Your Shape
Don’t hide those curves in big, shapeless clothes — emphasize them. The only thing stylish, body-hugging dresses, bodysuits and knits that skim your figure require is the correct underclothes (see tip number 9) and a confident attitude.
4. Define Your Waist
Many bodacious women abandon belts and tucked-in shirts after menopause due to weight accumulation at the belly. But a belt may be a form creator. If you have an hourglass-shaped body or a broader midsection that has lost its indent, a belt instantly emphasizes that bosom, stomach and belly are not one solid unit. Shirtdresses, wrap dresses, fit-and-flare-style dresses, jumpsuits, paper-bag-waist pants and belted pants make the point. Though many designs come with their own “cinchers,” consider investing on a few specific belts to customize your outfit.
5. Or Wear Skirts And Tunics That Flow
Add a couple one-piece, belt-free dresses with an A-line shape or a loose, straight form to your collection. With no break at the waist, these fashions skim straight over the midsection. Long, untucked shirts that mix well with flat-front elastic-waist slacks and jeans are another waist-breaking choice.
Read Also: Plus Size Womens 70s Fashion To Try This Season
6. Work With Your Personal Dimensions
Shop and dress to flatter your form. You may feel better in a plus bottom but wear a regular-size top or vice versa. Grab a tape measure and establish your bust, waist and hip measurements in inches. Size charts are a prominent component on most plus-size and size-inclusive apparel sites and might range from brand to brand. Instead of grabbing your “typical” size while shopping online, compare your inches to the retailer to get your best size selection.
7. Opt For Laidback Items
There’s more to the plus-size fashion explosion than bigger sizes. Athleisure garments like joggers, oversize hi-low shirts and comfortable sweats have taught women with curved bodies to enjoy, layer and combine relaxed looser clothes and longer skirt and dress lengths. This new ease is also showing up in roomy wide-leg slacks and jeans with elastic waists, expansive tunics and hi-low tops, midi skirts, and generously cut sweaters and cardigans. Make them your mainstays.
8. Add Coats And Cardigans
Toppers like structured blazers, long cardigans and dusters are necessary for women of every size. The firm form or sweeping lines (depending on whatever you pick) give reassuring firmness or covering on days when you’re just not in body-positive mood. Adding a second or third piece enhances your day.
9. Wear Bras That Lift And Support
Many women are throwing the shapewear along with body criticism. But this doesn’t imply you should hang around in do-nothing bralettes and lace bikini underwear. Bras that elevate your breasts and seamless undergarments that give your clothing a sleek line are necessary regardless of size. Choose elegant modern support bras to raise your breast and gain visible inches of torso. Your breast should “sit” approximately midway between your elbow and shoulder whether you’re wearing a jacket, dress, fitting sweater or tunic top.
10. Make More Of A Fashion Statement
Many women cover their bodies with garments that are generic and dull. It’s time to display your style. You may still adjust proportions, match tops and bottoms, and wear the volume where you need it most. Yes, they are standard “dress-slim” strategies, but they also happen to be fashionable fashion movements, so no need to stop. Buy that jacket in bright pink and that coat in purple instead of black; opt for that sequined hoodie and winter white jumpsuit. The only person you need to impress is yourself.