For those of us that are more generously proportioned, it can be a challenge to dress ourselves in a flattering way. As a size 10/12 woman with an hourglass shape, here are a few things I’ve learned over time that make me feel more confident when I’m going out and about. Make friends with your figure; it’s not your enemy! I love having a curvy figure, and I love it even more when I’m wearing clothes that flatter it and make me feel fabulous!
Having a Fit!
Fit, fit, fit. This is the number one thing to look out for when you’re curvy. Some curvy women think if they buy bigger sizes they can hide their curves. You know what this does? It makes you look even bigger than you are. Wear your size. Wear clothes that fit. No one is looking at your hips! (and if they are, they are probably thinking that you look amazing!)
The other problem a lot of women have is squeezing into a smaller size because we are in denial about our curves. Just accept yourself as you are. Stop saying “I’ll buy new clothes when I lose weight.” Dress your body today, as it is right now, and you’ll feel better about yourself. If your clothes are too big or too small, you’re not going to feel confident or secure about your curves. Dress them in the proper size.
Emphasize the Positive!
Curvy women may feel either top of bottom heavy. But your waist is still the narrowest part of your body, so belt it in and emphasize that small area to give your body a proportional shape. Sometimes being curvy is hard because I may have to get a larger size dress to accommodate my bust and hips, but the rest of my body gets lost in it. Prevent this problem by belting it to emphasize your waist and give you that beautiful hourglass figure!
Don’t wear anything too billowy or baggy or your figure will lose all of its pretty curves in all that material!
The “Girls”
For me, my bust is my biggest (ahem) asset as well as my biggest aggravation! Tops look trashy on me, dresses may be too tight or low cut and I don’t want to call too much attention to the “girls.” Dressing a little more conservatively will take attention away from that one part and make you feel less self-conscious.
A good bra is a must, too. It’ll make you stand up straighter and will flatter your curves. Try a v-neck style to flatter your cleavage and make sure things aren’t too terribly tight.
Dressed to Kill!
Dressed look beautiful on curvy girls! Wrap dresses give you the best shape possible. The v-neck is flattering on top, the narrow waist gives you shape and they generally flow out from the body and create a flattering line on your bottom half. It’s a perfect look for a curvy chick. Stay away from pleating or anything that adds bulk to your body, and keep your overall look when you’re dressed up tailored.
Jeanius!
What kind of jeans should you wear? Some brands, like Old Navy, offer a jean specifically for curvy figures! Boot leg or flare cut look great because the little flare at the bottom balances your body out, whereas a skinny jean may cut your leg off and not be as flattering.
Make sure jeans fit in the waist and skip the “low rise” look, that really doesn’t look good on anyone and when you’re curvy you need things to fit properly and closely to the body. Dark rinse denim elongates the legs more and it’s just an overall nicer look for curvy ladies, so go dark when it comes to denim. And don’t forget to add a bit of a heel, which always makes your legs look longer, especially if you’re a petite curvy chick, like me!
