What woman wouldn't want a closet full of clothes that enhance her best features while hiding her flaws? While plenty of dress-for-your-shape advice is available, the majority of it either ignores or lumps plus-size women together as if their bodies were identical.
Styling Guide for Plus-Size Body Type
In this guide, we'll divide full-figured body types into five categories and then offer expert advice on the specific needs of each shape.
Plus-Size Body Type: Apple
Most of the weight is carried on the top half of the body, particularly in the middle, around the waist, giving the body a round appearance. Many Apples have a larger bust and a broad back or rib cage in addition to a protruding tummy. Legs and arms are more slender. The best you can do is divert attention away from the midsection.
What to look for:
Scooped or V-necklines give the appearance of a longer torso and a smaller waist. Focus on slightly A-line jackets that hit you at the hip and have princess seams [vertical seams in front or back that give you a more waist-defining shape]. Knee-length skirts and dresses with a subtle A-line shape (the widening of the silhouette should be gradual and not exaggerated) will hide lumps and bumps.
Choose boot-cut or straight-leg pants and jeans; a little volume on the bottom will balance the top half. Look for vertical patterns to elongate the space and draw the eye away from the center. A geometric print is intended to draw the eye and conceal the midsection. With simple details like buttons or a layering piece like a vest or cardigan, solid-colored parts "break up" the torso region.
What you should avoid:
Shapes that are too tight or too large can draw attention to a full tummy. While it may be tempting to focus on killer legs to de-emphasize the waist, tread carefully: Extremely slim-fitting pants draw attention to the fuller upper body.
If you have this body type, there are a few things you should avoid wearing.
- Pleats and pockets in the most crowded areas (they will draw attention and add bulk)
- Necklines with high cutouts (which spotlight your upper half)
- Pencil skirts (they will draw attention to your disproportionately smaller lower half).
- Boxy coats (the name says it all)
Belts worn at your natural waistline (a straight horizontal line emphasizes the width of your midsection; if you like straps, wear one slung low on the hips instead)
Plus-Size Body Type: Pear
Weight is primarily carried on the lower half of the body, resulting in full hips and upper thighs or a substantial booty (or often all of the above) (or usually all of the above). The waist is more pronounced, and the shoulders are narrower than the hips. Here, the bust is frequently on the average to the small side.
Create a proportional silhouette by playing up your top half and accentuating your waistline.
What to look for:
Structured jackets with light shoulder padding, short jackets with the shape at the waist, and tops with wide necklines like ballet, boat, or square will help you achieve this. These styles are also suitable for pears because they circumvent the fruit's densest portions.
- Empire waistlines
- The use of asymmetrical hemlines to draw attention upward
- Skirts with a flared hemline
- Fit-and-flare dresses
Jeans, slacks, and skirts in straight, wide-leg, and boot-cut styles (Lighter colors on top and darker colors on the bottom will make you look taller and leaner by drawing attention away from your hips.)
What to avoid:
Wearing skinny or slim-fit pants will draw even more attention to the imbalance. Similar arguments are made for hip or bottom-hugging skirts, pockets, or embellishments. No baggy jackets that end at the crotch.
Plus-Size Body Type: Straight (aka Rectangle or Pencil)
There is little to no definition or curvature at the waist, and the body's lines run vertically from top to bottom. Typically, the hips and bust are the same widths as the shoulders. You can "create" the ideal curves by wearing the right clothes.
What to look for:
You should also aim for clothing that draws attention away from your waist, like Apples. Shirts with a wrap or surplice design, a deep scoop neck, or a V-neck are all excellent choices for creating the illusion of a waist because they direct the eye downward and create angles. (Styles with figure-flattering details, such as ruching or princess seams, get extra points.) Tops with asymmetrical stripes or feminine details like a ruffle on a classic cardigan are great options. The following are some additional items that work well with this physique:
- Flare-hemmed dresses
- Pencil skirts with a high waist
- Pants with a high waistline
- Skirts with a flared hemline
- Skirts shaped like trumpets
- Prolonged, full skirts
- jeans and slacks with a boot-cut style
What to avoid:
Avoid wearing jackets, skirts, and dresses with a straight cut. Belts have worn right on the midsection, drawing attention to the absence of a waist, and clothes tend to cling to the body in general. If you want to give the impression of a smaller waist, a better tactic is to wear a belt high on the waist, right under the rib cage (where almost everyone has the tiniest waist). Plus-Size Humans with a straight body type (aka Rectangle or Pencil)
Plus-Size Body Type: Hourglass
A woman with an hourglass figure has a larger bust and hips (and often more enormous buttocks) and a smaller, more defined waist. Generally, a person's upper and lower halves bear the same weight. You can show off your overall shape while hiding any problem areas.
What to look for:
Slim, unfussy cuts are best for flattering those with well-proportioned frames. Choose flattering silhouettes like peplums, shaped jackets, and wrap styles that flow with your body.
Wearing a high-waisted skirt and a belt will also draw attention to your waistline. A pencil skirt with careful seaming can accentuate your curves if you have an hourglass figure. Wear mid-rise jeans and pants in a slim cut, boot cut, or straight-leg silhouette to accentuate your curves.
What to avoid:
Don't go for baggy styles that make you look boxy, and stay away from frills and ruffles that only accentuate your bust. Your thighs and calves will look more prominent in cropped or Capri pants. Skirts that are too full, especially if they have a lot of busy patterns, and belts that are worn too low on the hips will make you look broader and less trim.
Plus-Size Body Type: Inverted Triangle
The upper half of the body is heavier than the lower because the shoulders are broad, and the upper torso tapers inward toward the hips (like the point of an upside-down arrow). The V-shape is often more pronounced due to fat reduction around the hips, thighs, and rear. The best strategy is to make the body's lower half look like it's of equal importance.
What to look for:
Wrap tops and V-necks will draw the eye downward. Exaggerate your lower half by donning flared pants, fit and flare dresses, or A-line skirts. Pick a pair of jeans that fits closely through the thighs and knees before gently flaring at the ankles. Like to play with hues and designs? Try this: wear dark tops, bottoms, and bold shoes wear dark tops, bottoms, and bold shoes to make your lower half stand out.
What to avoid:
Wearing slim or cropped pants will accentuate your proportions by drawing attention to the length of your legs concerning your upper body. Shoulders, oversized collars, lapels, embellishments, and shoulder pads will all be drawn to a garment with a crew or wide boat neckline.
