This is a shout out to all those extra curvy women out there. I want to share with you my top tips for dressing your fabulous shape. It’s all about fit, defining your waist and creating balance.
The most important rules of dressing for a plus-sized gal are to never buy a jacket that you can’t close, be fitted for and invest in a good bra, and stop camouflaging your curves with shapeless, baggy clothing! I also can’t stress enough how important it is to have a great tailor.
STRUCTURE:
- Tops, dresses and jackets should emphasize the narrowest part of your torso.
- Look for structured tops in a stiffer stretch material and consider small shoulder pads to help balance a larger chest and/or tummy.
- Find a one- or two-button fitted jacket with darting, pleating under the bust, or down-angled pockets to create an hourglass shape.
- Choose sweaters with a fine knit and loose weave that don’t cling.
COLOUR:
- Dark colours are slimming but that doesn’t mean you need to dress all in black. Try
navy, dark khaki, brown, charcoal and red.
- Wear lighter colours on your upper body to frame your face and attract attention.
THE PROPER FIT:
- The shoulder seam of shirts and jackets should land on the edge of your shoulder. If it goes past, the shirt is too big and will add volume to your upper body.
- Buy the size that properly fits your larger parts and have a tailor take in the rest.
- Choose narrow sleeves for tops (not skin tight) to create a sleeker silhouette.
- Avoid big, square t-shirts, pleated waists and batwing sleeves.
BALANCE:
• To create a strong vertical line, look for straight leg or trouser pants that have a flat front, a wider waist and a crease — avoid skinny pants and skirts that taper at the knee.
• Emphasize your waistline by wearing a dark, solid top (V-necks will frame your face) and a textured bottom.
• Choose a tapered heel or wedge shoes with an almond-shaped toe to balance your curves — stay away from square, chunky styles or exaggerated pointy shoes.
By: Erin Bradley, Style Columnist inside the Spring 2014 issue of NICHE
