Plow & Hearth



Basic Rules For Plus Size Clothing And Style

by Andrea Dilea

In the world of fashion, there are no shortages of ideas about do's and don'ts when it comes to what clothes to purchase. The specialized world of plus size fashion is no different. While some of these tips are genuinely useful, others are little more than myths and misconceptions. Lets debunk a few of these myths commonly associated with plus size fashion.

Plus size women should not display any bare skin. This seems less like a real fashion tip than an admonition for larger women to cover themselves up as much as possible. No woman should have to hide herself within "fat clothes." You owe it to yourself to flaunt your best features. So wear short skirts if you have great legs, or a V-neck to display a swelling bosom, and don't worry about this "fashion tip."

One piece of fashion advice for plus sized women is to never bare your arms. Although it has long been thought that sleeveless tops are not for larger ladies, this is completely untrue. It can be very flattering and sexy to bare a little skin yet if you feel uncomfortable doing so there are many things you can do to avoid this. A cute shawl or shrug draped over your shoulders, or a lace- or chiffon-sleeved shirt will cover your upper arms. So there are ways in which you can show your arms yet not bare too much flesh!

Hefty ladies are advised not to wear clothing with sideways lines as it is not a good idea. Multi-directional stripes can be appealing if they are worn in the right places on your body. Pear shaped women should make sure to wear the sideways stripes in other areas of their bodies such as their chest, neck area, or near the leg area of the body rather than at their larger mid torso area.

Plus girls should stay away from bold prints. Actually, prints that are big and expressive can be flattering to a larger frame. This is, however, dependant upon the print because it is usually the space that is between the print that causes problems. Prints with edges that overlap are a better choice than prints that are spread out with lots of space in between.

Larger girls should try to avoid tight fitting clothing, at least that is what everyone is told. This is untrue, unless you are hoping to hide your figure from everyone. No one, especially plus size girls, should be forced to wear nondescript piles of clothing that hang unflatteringly. By selecting clothing that fits your figure appropriately, you can make any outfit shine. A tighter, fitted tank top covered with a slightly looser jacket can be a staple of your wardrobe. Don't let everything cling your problem areas, but do let your positive features shine through.

Myth: Plus size women should avoid white clothes. Truth: Dark neutrals like navy, grey and black are slimming, but you can include other colors in your wardrobe too. Pair a dark color with white or a lighter color to focus attention on your assets. If you're pear-shaped, wear dark trousers with a sparkling white top or a pretty pastel blouse. Plus sizes are not doomed to a closet full of darks. Let in the light! Wear pastels, bold primary colors and, yes, white too.

Andrea writes about Plus Size Clothing. Visit us for plus size deals on a Plus Size Wedding Dress

Published November 5th, 2007

Filed in Family, Home


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