Fashion is for all and it is about self-expression, and no one should feel restricted by size, shape, or societal norms. Plus-size fashion has evolved dramatically in recent years, with more designers embracing inclusivity, celebrating curves, and promoting body positivity.
Designers such as Christian Siriano, Ashley Nell Tipton, and Halima Aden have championed the importance of fashion that represents everyone. These designers, along with others in the industry, believe that style should be for every body.
Here are 8 plus-size fashion tips, complemented by insights from fashion designers who are helping shape the future of body-positive fashion.
1. Embrace Your Natural Shape with Fit-and-Flare Styles
Embrace Your Natural Shape
The key of your beauty is to embrace your natural shape and wear clothes that highlight your best features and represent yourself. One of the most flattering styles for plus-size women is the fit-and-flare dress or top. This silhouette is designed to accentuate the waist and then flare out, creating a balanced, hourglass shape that enhances your curves without feeling restrictive.
In addition to fit-and-flare pieces, tops or dresses with waist detailing—such as belts, darts, or seams that cinch the waist—are great for creating definition and structure.
Renowned fashion designer Christian Siriano says, “I don’t believe in the ‘ideal’ body. I think every body type is beautiful, and I want my clothes to make every woman feel her best.” He added, “Every body type is beautiful, and my goal is to make women feel good about who they are.”
He enhances a wide range of collections that feature dresses with elements like waist-cinching details, draping, and flattering silhouettes that highlight the body’s natural lines, encouraging women to wear clothes that make them feel powerful and beautiful. Siriano’s designs are a reminder that embracing and accentuating your curves is a form of self-expression and self-love, not something to be hidden or minimized.
Why Waist Detailing Works
Waist detailing serves multiple purposes. First, it draws the eye to the waist. For many plus-size women, emphasizing the waist can create a more balanced, proportionate look that feels both flattering and natural. Waist detailing also breaks up the bulk of fabric, which can often overwhelm curves, providing structure without feeling constricting.
For plus-size individuals, clothing that defines the waist can create a shape that feels confident and authentic. Designer Kate Boggiano notes, “A belted waist or a structured seam gives the body shape and creates definition. It also helps clothing follow the natural line of the body, making the overall look feel more polished and put together.”
2. The Power of Tailoring: Fit Over Size
Clothing should feel like a second skin
Fit is paramount. And tailoring is a key step to ensuring that your clothes hug your shape in the most flattering and comfortable way possible. A tailored garment, one that fits perfectly and accentuates your unique features, can make all the difference in how you carry yourself and the confidence you exude.
Clothing should feel like a second skin—fitting closely enough to highlight your shape but loose enough to allow movement and comfort. Stella McCartney, a leading designer known for her sustainable and inclusive fashion choices, places a significant emphasis on the importance of proper fit. McCartney has said, “Fit is everything. A dress should always feel like it was made for you.”
Why Fit Matters – Comfort, Confidence, and Style
Proper fit interacts with your body. Clothes that fit well not only look better but feel better. Ill-fitting clothes, on the other hand, can cause discomfort and distraction. When clothes are tailored to your unique shape, they boost your confidence and help you feel comfortable in your own skin.
Fashion psychologist Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner, author of “You Are What You Wear”, has long emphasized the psychological benefits of wearing well-fitting clothes. She explains, “When you wear clothing that fits your body well, it creates a sense of harmony between how you feel and how you present yourself to the world. Clothes that fit properly are a form of self-respect—they show you care about yourself and how you feel, which can have a ripple effect on your confidence.”
Tailoring as an Investment in Yourself
Investing in tailoring is also an investment in your overall style and self-worth. It may come at an extra cost, but the payoff is significant. Over time, having a few key pieces that are perfectly tailored will give you the foundation of a versatile, flattering wardrobe.
Kate Boggiano says, “At Torrid, we focus on creating pieces that are cut to fit and flatter the plus-size body. But sometimes, adding a little personal touch through tailoring takes it to the next level. A tailored piece gives women a sense of ownership over their clothing and allows them to make their wardrobe truly their own.”
3. Play with Color and Patterns
Wear Bright Colors
Many fashion designers, including Eloquii’s head of design, Jodi Arnold, encourages plus-size women to wear bright colors and bold patterns. Arnold states, “Fashion should be about freedom, and it’s important for women to feel liberated in color and print. It’s about having fun and not limiting yourself based on what society expects.”
“When people wear colors and patterns they enjoy, they feel empowered,” says Dr. Johnson, a fashion psychologist. “Bright hues and bold designs can create a sense of optimism and strength, helping individuals embrace their unique bodies.”
Bright Color Brings Confidence
As the body positivity movement continues to reshape the fashion landscape, a growing number of designers, stylists, and advocates are championing the importance of vibrancy and individuality in plus-size clothing.
Fashion consultant and body-positivity advocate, Gabi Gregg, believes that embracing bold patterns and colors can help women reclaim their confidence and assert their presence. “Plus-size women have often been told what they should or shouldn’t wear, but the truth is, they should wear whatever makes them feel powerful,” says Gregg. “Pattern mixing is a fun and easy way to elevate your wardrobe and show off your personality.”
It Reflects Positive Image
Research on the psychology of fashion shows that embracing bold prints can have positive effects on self-image. “Fashion is not just about what you wear—it’s about how it makes you feel,” says fashion psychologist Dr. Pamela Rutledge. “Bright colors and fun patterns can uplift mood, help people feel more in control, and allow them to communicate who they are without saying a word.”
4. Wear Clothes To Feel Good
Fashion Makes You To Feel Yourself
When it comes to fashion, one of the most empowering principles is to wear what makes you feel good. Clothing is about expressing your personality and identity, and above all, feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. The key is to wear what makes you feel confident, not just what’s trendy or what others think you “should” wear.
Fashion designer Ashley Nell Tipton, who gained national recognition for her body-positive, size-inclusive designs on Project Runway, is a huge proponent of dressing in a way that makes you feel comfortable and true to yourself. Tipton has said, “When a woman feels comfortable in what she’s wearing, it shows in her demeanor and how she carries herself. That’s the most important thing—wear what makes you feel good.”
Wear That Aligns Your Personal Style
Stella McCartney, a British fashion designer states, “Clothing should always reflect the person wearing it. If you wear something that aligns with your personal style, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident.” Stella McCartney ‘s designs often incorporate simple lines, bold colors, and eco-friendly fabrics, allowing wearers to feel both stylish and responsible.
Actually, clothing expresses who you are and how you want the world to see you. Fashion should celebrate your individuality, and the best way to do that is to select pieces that make you feel good about yourself.
5. Highlight Your Favorite Features
Embrace Your Body’s Unique Shape
Highlight the parts of your body that you love. Don’t try to hide behind oversized clothing. Rather embrace your body’s unique shape and features.
Designer Marta Rivas, founder of Rebdolls, passionately believes that confidence is born from self-expression through clothing. She says, “Whether it’s your curves, your legs, or your waist, wear pieces that showcase your favorite parts. Confidence comes from wearing what you love, not hiding behind your clothes.”
Practical Tips for Showcasing What You Love
Marta Rivas offers practical style tips on how to showcase particular features that you may love about yourself.
If you love your legs: Opt for skirts or dresses with high slits. A high slit can add drama and sophistication to an outfit while subtly drawing attention to your legs. Rivas suggests that when you embrace your legs with a high slit, it creates a sense of elegance and allure, which exudes confidence.
If you love your arms: Try sleeveless tops, off-the-shoulder dresses, or sleeveless jackets. These styles are perfect for highlighting toned arms or simply feeling more liberated and comfortable. Rivas points out that showcasing your arms can be an incredibly feminine and a way to celebrate your physique.
If you love your waist: Belted dresses or tops can highlight the waist, giving you an hourglass shape. Wearing something that cinches at the waist or accentuates your curves can help you feel more balanced and proportioned.
6. Layer with Confidence
Layer it Right
Layering is a great styling tool. Torrid’s lead designer Kate Boggiano explains that “Layering isn’t just about warmth; it’s about styling. When done right, layers can create a sleek silhouette while adding dimension to your body.” Layering the right pieces can help you balance your proportions, elongate your frame, and add visual interest, making it an invaluable technique in the wardrobe of any plus-size woman.
According to fashion stylist and image consultant Jillian Zed, “Layering is all about creating structure and balance. It’s a great way to define your shape, especially when working with different textures, lengths, and cuts.” For plus-size women, layering allows the freedom to experiment with shapes and offers the chance to show off individual style while maintaining a flattering look.
Use Layering as a Tool
Layering can also be an essential tool in minimizing areas that you may feel self-conscious about, while highlighting the parts of the body you love. For example, a structured jacket or cardigan can help create a streamlined effect while drawing attention to the face or upper body.
“For plus-size women, layering can be a powerful tool for creating an hourglass silhouette,” says celebrity stylist and body-positive advocate, Gabi Gregg. “By choosing layers that cinch at the waist or flow from the body, you can emphasize your natural curves and feel more confident in your appearance.”
Enhance Creativity Through Layering
Layering is also an excellent way to express creativity and style by mixing fabrics, textures, and lengths. For example, pairing a fitted leather jacket with a loose knit sweater can create a fun juxtaposition. A structured coat over a draped blouse can add sophistication and dimension to your look.
“Layering is a great way to mix patterns, textures, and colors in a way that feels intentional,” says stylist Rachel Zoe. “It’s a way to break away from the norms and create an ensemble that expresses who you are, while still feeling balanced and flattering.” For plus-size women, this approach is key in creating outfits that feel both fresh and forward-thinking, without being confined to outdated ideas of what is “appropriate.”
7. Choose the Right Fabrics
Choose Fabrics That Offer Comfort
Fabric choice plays a crucial role in how clothing fits and feels on the body. Different fabrics have varying levels of stretch, breathability, and draping ability. They can influence how flattering a garment looks and how comfortable it is to wear. For plus-size fashion, it’s especially important to select fabrics that offer both structure and comfort, as well as those that allow the body to move freely without feeling restricted or clinging too tightly.
Fashion designer Michael Kors explains, “I love fabrics that flatter every curve—silk, jersey, and stretch fabrics that don’t feel stiff but instead flow with the body.” Choose fabrics that allow for a soft, smooth fit that doesn’t cling in an unflattering way. These fabrics can enhance your natural shape while offering a high level of comfort.
Fabric Characteristics to Look For
Stretch Fabrics: These fabrics are key to achieving comfort and flexibility. Fabrics like spandex, jersey, and cotton blends have enough elasticity to mold to your shape without feeling restrictive.
Designer Stella McCartney often uses stretch fabrics in her collections for their ability to hug the body in flattering ways without sacrificing ease or comfort. She once stated, “A well-cut garment that stretches with the body can create a beautiful silhouette and support every shape.”
Natural Fabrics: Fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool are breathable and comfortable. Kate Boggiano suggests that natural fabrics like cotton can be a great option because they’re versatile and don’t feel heavy on the body. “Natural fabrics breathe, move, and keep you comfortable, which is key to feeling confident in your clothes,” Boggiano says.
Soft Draping Fabrics: Fabrics that drape well, like silk, chiffon, and crepe, can create an elegant, flattering look by skimming the body. These fabrics are especially great for dresses and tops.
Prabal Gurung, a designer known for his inclusive designs, often uses fabrics that drape beautifully to enhance the shape of the body while providing structure. Gurung states, “The right fabric should move with you, not against you. It’s about creating something that makes the woman feel like she’s glowing, not restricted.”
Opt for Quality Fabrics
Always consider the quality of the fabric. Poor-quality fabrics may lose their shape after washing or fail to retain their color over time. Designer Sophie Theallet suggests always opting for fabrics that maintain their integrity and feel good against the skin. “A high-quality fabric will keep its shape and color, no matter your size, and will make you feel luxurious when you wear it,” Theallet explains.
8. Create Vertical Lines to Lengthen Your Silhouette
Diversify Your Fashion Ideas
Prabal Gurung, a designer who celebrates diversity, stresses the importance of creating vertical lines in a design. “Vertical lines are universally flattering—they make the body look longer and leaner,” he says. His collections include long, flowing designs with subtle vertical elements to elongate the figure.
Vertical lines are one of the most effective ways to create the illusion of height. “Vertical lines are an easy and effective way to make any body shape look taller and leaner,” says celebrity stylist and body-image advocate Ashley North. “For plus-size women, incorporating vertical lines into your wardrobe can help to avoid the widening effect that can sometimes be caused by horizontal patterns.”
Another benefit of vertical lines is that they allow for versatility in styling. “The beauty of vertical lines is that they work for all types of plus-size body shapes,” says plus-size influencer and stylist, Nadia Aboulhosn. “Whether you’re pear-shaped, apple-shaped, or hourglass, vertical elements can enhance your natural shape while giving you the confidence to experiment with more daring styles.”
Use Vertical Lines in Various Forms
Vertical lines can be used in various forms, from stripes to seams, pleats, or the natural drape of fabrics. Plus-size fashion consultant Gabi Gregg notes that “Vertical stripes and lines can help define curves without sacrificing comfort or style. Whether it’s a vertical seam down the middle of a dress or subtle stripes on a blazer, these small details can dramatically change the way an outfit fits and flatters a plus-size body.”
Incorporating vertical lines into the wardrobe can also be about playing with proportions and balancing the body’s natural curves. For instance, a high-waisted pant or skirt that elongates the legs can be paired with a top featuring vertical seams or stripes to create a cohesive, flattering look.
“For plus-size women, the key is understanding that vertical lines don’t just have to be in the form of stripes,” says stylist and fashion expert, Stacy London. “Well-placed vertical seams, pleats, or even a V-neckline can also create the same effect, giving you the opportunity to enhance your figure without feeling constrained.”
Final Thoughts: Fashion for All
The fashion industry has come a long way in embracing diversity and inclusivity, thanks to the efforts of visionary designers and brands. By following these tips, plus-size individuals can feel confident, stylish, and true to themselves. With insights from designers who champion body positivity, it’s clear that fashion is about more than just clothes—it’s about empowering people to feel good in their own skin.
