Don’t be afraid to go bold
In the past, we as plus sized women were expected to wear clothing that didn’t draw major attention to ourselves. I can remember reading tips that suggested plus size women should only wear dark colors, especially encouraging black because it was slimming to the eye. Those days are long gone, and it’s time you embrace all the beautiful hues your fashionable heart desires! Try that beautiful deep orange that’s perfect for Fall, or that hot pink shade you’ve had your eyes set on for this upcoming Summer. Don’t be afraid to stand out boldly, because darling….you were never meant to fit in. Try out different colors, both light and dark, until you decide which ones complement you best.
Mix and Match
Have fun with your style. play around with the mixing and matching of different prints to remix your normal wardrobe. Take risks you may have never been comfortable taking. Give your outfits some extra sass by color blocking or mixing different textures. Lace and leather is one of my fave mix & match combinations. It’s the feminine softness paired with that tough edge that I feel reflects my personality. Of course, not everything can be paired, but if you experiment with different combinations enough you’ll eventually find great pairings that work for you. Don’t be afraid to check out blogs and networks (like Pinterest) for styling ideas.
Block out your critics
Although body acceptance and positivity has become more popular these days, unfortunately there will always be those that seek to make plus sized women feel insecure. Let’s face it: there will always be hurt, insecure people that will try to hurt other people with their words and behavior. Remove this negativity from your life, both on and offline. Stop surrounding yourself with people who make you feel uncomfortable for their own amusement, and people who don’t seem to like that you love yourself just the way you are. Stop reading nasty comments aimed at those who look like you, and instead focus on those who celebrate and embrace you. You don’t have to be a finished product to love yourself just the way you are. Wear what makes you feel good, and surround yourself with people who don’t try to compromise the way you feel about yourself or your body type.
Flaunt what you love, minimize what you don’t
We all have days where we feel that some things are just off. You may have a day that your legs are looking great, but you feel that your cleavage isn’t sitting as nice as they normally do. You may feel that your arms are looking nice in the top you’re wearing, but you’re feeling like your waistline isn’t looking as snatched today. No one said that body acceptance means that you’ll think every little thing about yourself is perfect every moment of each day. Crappy “off” days will happen, and that’s okay. Take time to play up the things you feel look great, emphasizing your strong points and simply minimizing the areas you may not feel so great about all the time. If you’re not feeling your legs today, throw on a cute pair of jeans with a stunning top. If you feel bloated, find a flowy dress that disguises your midsection and instead focuses on your legs and statement heels. Take time to make note of the things you love about your body, and the things you’d like to improve. You don’t have to stay home feeling unpretty or like you have nothing to wear simply because you’re having an “off ” day. Learn to shop for emphasizing pieces as well as minimizers to get you through each season.
Wear your confidence
A smile is your greatest accessory. It warms any color combination you could ever come up with. I love the saying, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” A lot of times it’s your confidence that brings an outfit alive, and makes you stand out. Don’t be afraid to own your style choices and carry yourself like the stylish diva you are. What better way to send a message of confidence than a warm smile as you go throughout your day? Featured photo credit: Yahoo Images via yth.org
