So your body type is more curvy, midsize. That’s great. The great thing about being in today’s day and age is that more sizes and bodies are being advertised and normalized. We even have mannequins with more realistic body proportions now. More brands are including sizes that aren’t your average XS or plus-size lines. The most important thing is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying on outfits that you would like and wear once you get more comfortable. I’d suggest first creating a Pinterest board of outfits and styles you typically gravitate toward before buying clothing items. Don’t focus on the model’s size, just focus on the outfits and type of items you like. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with your body and it’s perfect the way it is! Here are some fashion tips for those who are a little curvier and fit into mid-sized clothing.
Now, before you think this is a cop-out tip, it’s not. Want to know what makes those models glamourous? They stand tall and walk with a purpose. If you crouch and try to hide, you’re never going to look good because you’re not feeling good. Stand straight, smile, and don’t let anyone bring you down. Confidence is the first step to everything else. Once you nail that, everything else will be a breeze and you can just eye-roll at anyone who has a nasty comment. If it’s in your size and it fits, then your body and confidence is really all you need. I know this is easier said than done, so try wearing an outfit that you’re more worried about or is out of your comfort zone at your house first. Once you think you’re nailing that, wear the outfit to go grocery shopping or run errands. Simply build up your confidence until you feel good in whatever the heck you want to wear!
If you’re worried about wearing dresses, don’t be. If you have a flowy dress that seems too boxy for you and you want to accentuate your figure, place a belt above your hips and at the smallest part of your waist to give off a more hourglass figure. The trick with dresses is finding one that is snug in all the right places. Make sure if it’s cap sleeve that it isn’t squishing your arm─or else you might be tempted to put a cardigan over it (yes, cardigans over sundresses are cute, but don’t use them as a safety blanket). A dress should dip into the waist and hug your hips whilst being stretchy and loose around your legs. Don’t worry if it shows your stomach line, you can wear spanks if you want. But remember, you should show off your natural figure, not hide it!
This might be a real problem for you, and if it is, just know that chub rub happens to most women who carry weight on their legs. It can be quite dreadful, and it usually is what stops women from wearing dresses or skirts. So, here are a few tips for those curvy midsize girls. If your dress or skirt is long enough, you can wear boy shorts underneath them to stop the chafing. If your skirt or dress is too short to wear biker shorts, don’t worry. There’s always the tried and true deodorant trick. You might have to reapply the deodorant onto your legs throughout the day, but if that doesn’t bother you, then problem solved. You can also buy anti-chaffing rubs. Target sells a few, and you can to find them in the beauty section. You might have to try a few to see what lasts longer and works better for your skin type, but they are relatively inexpensive and easy to find nowadays.
Skirts are super cute, and if you’re looking for a nice business outfit, pencil skirts are the way to go. They’re simple, sexy, and professional. The skirts that are most flattering on everyone lay above the knee. Pair this with a simple cropped tee for the perfect balance. These tend to be very hip-hugging, so make sure you purchase a size that actually fits. If you’re seeing underwear lines, size up. If you’re wearing a shorter, more flirty skirt, pair it with some fashionable patterned stockings. They even sell anti-cellulite stockings if that’s an insecurity of yours. But don’t let that stop you from wearing skirts! Bonus tip: the tights underneath a shorter skirt also help in reducing the chafing that you might usually feel with skirts.
I think more curvy-figured bodies understand the preference of showing off their feminine figure by the accentuation of their curves. The point is to do this in a casual way that you can work into your everyday lifestyle. Try pairing a plain white bodysuit with a pair of high waisted black jeans. This shows off the dips of your waist-to-hip ratio without it being too much. If you’re looking for a more confident and bold look, you can choose a bodysuit that has a high rise cut. This cut looks great on the curves of our natural figures as well. This look is used often by celebrities as well, so you know it works.
Don’t you hate it when the weather gets warm and you hear “Is your body bikini ready?” Well, if you have a body and a bikini, congratulations─you have a bikini body. That being said, swimwear can be a difficult and scary thing to try on. You might not know what fits you best and you don’t want to wear an oversized T-shirt and board trunks, do you? Of course not. You want to get a good tan and feel confident when enjoying the ocean or pool. If you have thicker thighs and a smaller waist, a high rise bikini bottom might fit best for your lower half. If you’re unsure about your stomach and have smaller shoulders and bigger hips, you can wear high waisted bikini bottoms (if you have a belly piercing, show it off and look for high waisted bottoms that sit just below the belly button) and an off the shoulder top. Just remember that if you’re going tanning, slip your arms out of the arm straps to not get a weird tan line. If you have wider shoulders and hips but a flat tummy, a regular printed bikini will work well with you. If you have a fuller chest but worry about your waist and hips, try ordering a one-piece that has a v-neck. One-pieces are also great for overall support on curvy mid-sized bodies.
You know what they say, a smile is the best accessory. The most important thing is feeling confident and proud of yourself in your own skin. If you’re not ready to ditch the sweatpants or athleisure wear for a spaghetti strap dress, that’s fine. Play up your everyday clothes with accessories until you get comfortable in trying something new. This can work well in the smallest ways. For example, you might wear a grey sweatsuit but pair it with bold red lips. There’s always spanks and sweaters to cover your body when you’re in the transition phase of getting out of your comfort zone but still too timid to try out new outfits. And that’s fine, as long as you don’t stay in your comfort zone. If you’re wearing sandals and joggers, try throwing on an anklet. Wear bold statement jewelry to get used to catching people’s gaze. Good luck styling, you queens!
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