Learning how to style oneself does not always come naturally. Most of the time, it is a long process of getting to know yourself, learning your tastes, and figuring out which clothes suit your overall vibe well. Amongst all these, one of the most important things you need to find out is knowing which clothes fit your body shape best.
This process can be a struggle for many curvy women, who, for the longest time, have been subjected to dominantly skinny beauty standards. Visiting shops that don’t have your size, wearing clothes that don’t fit well, or feeling limited in your fashion options is something that many curvy women have experienced. However, as beauty standards shift and evolve, today there are more fun and exciting clothes you can get to spruce up your wardrobe than ever before.
Your styling journey starts here. Whether you have a pear- or hourglass-shaped body, the following items are versatile, adaptable fashion staples that no woman blessed with curves should go without. Here are 8 fashion must-haves for curvy women.
TOPS
Before you start scouring the high street for mom jeans or begin searching for where to shop for cotton leggings online, let’s go through the tops first. There’s a multitude of beautiful tops available in the market, and with so many options, it can be difficult to find which type fits you best. To get you started, here are some fundamentals that can serve as your starting point.
Blouse
First up is the blouse – especially one in crisp white blouse which brings a level of elegance to the table. Moreover, it’s quite flexible and, depending on what you pair it with, can fit in almost any occasion. Whether you’re going for a casual hang with friends or heading out to the office, it’s difficult to get it wrong with a white blouse. Because of its versatility, it is a must-have in the wardrobe.
The only question is: which style of blouse should you get? After all, blouses come in a wide range of styles. From button-up dress shirts to puffed sleeves, explore the variety and find a blouse that makes you feel great.
Blazer
A blazer can significantly impact your whole look. The moment you put it on, you immediately look like you mean business. The nice shape and slimming design are also confidence boosters. Coupled with its flexibility, it most certainly makes the cut in everybody’s wardrobe essentials.
For women with curves, the important thing is to wear a blazer that fits you well. An ill-fitting blazer risks making you feel frumpy and uncomfortable, far from the sleek style you’re originally aiming for. If needed, get the blazer tailored to suit your measurements. It’s more work, but going the extra mile will ensure that you make the most of the blazer and get that bang for your buck.
Tunic Top
What’s not to like about tunic tops? They are flowy and airy and come in a rich assortment of colours and styles. You can partner them with a dark pair of leggings or jeans and come out looking awesome in the process. If you prefer a tighter fit, there are tunic tops that cinch around the waist, giving you that beautiful hourglass shape.
Styling Tips: Take extra care when choosing the style of your top. Different styles can significantly change how you look. A wrap, for example, will highlight the waist. Meanwhile, a V-neckline draws the eye to the midsection and slims down your neck and face.
BOTTOMS
For the curvy-bodied, finding well-fitting bottoms can be a struggle. Sometimes, the pants fit your legs but not your hips. Then when you do find ones that fit you, they’re a couple of sizes bigger, so the length is too long.
Fortunately, many trousers and skirts today are made of more stretchable material, making it easier to find bottoms that fit your hips and legs perfectly. The following are some of the bottoms you need to have for a versatile wardrobe.
Dark-Wash Jeans
Jeans with a dark to medium wash are flattering on a curvy body. They’re dark enough to hide details, which streamlines the bumps and highlights your body shape instead. Moreover, they go well with everything. Whether you’re wearing a tank top or a sweater, you can never go wrong with dark-wash jeans.
That said, white and light jeans look fabulous on girls with curves too, the only word of caution is to check the fabric of the jeans you wear. Sturdier materials like denim can stretch a bit and hold their shape well. However, if you’re going to be moving or walking a lot, it may cause chafing between the thighs, especially on warm days. In this case, look for lighter and more breathable alternatives like chambray jeans.
Leggings
Leggings are the curvy girl’s best friend. They’re snug, they’re comfy, and the right pair will make your legs look great. Pairs made of thicker material can be used under dresses and skirts on cold days or worn on their own on warmer ones.
Some tops that go well with leggings include long cardigans, tunic tops, and other hip- or knee-length blouses or shirts.
Pencil Skirt
There’s nothing more flattering on a curvy body than a pencil skirt. It hugs all the right places and gives you that sexy vase-like silhouette. Pencil skirts are more commonly worn in office settings and more formal events. That said, don’t let it stop you from wearing them casually as well. Black pencil skirts are quite flexible to style, but try exploring other designs and colours (like plaid or florals) for a unique get-up.
Styling Tips: If you wish for your legs to look longer, opt for a high-waist style in your bottoms. The high-waist cut creates an illusion that your torso is shorter and the legs sleeker. This effect is even stronger when you partner a high-waist bottom with a pair of heels.
TOP & BOTTOM
This category covers clothes that cover both the upper and lower halves of the body, like dresses, jumpsuits, and overalls. For this list, you may not always wear the following clothes as much as those above, but having them in your wardrobe will come in handy for more special occasions.
Shapewear
Shapewear is essential for curvy women everywhere. It helps you smoothen any lumps and gives you a cleaner silhouette to work with. In this manner, you can focus on feeling confident and fabulous instead of wondering if the abdominal or back hip area looks good.
Moreover, wearing shapewear does not mean slipping into tight spandex that makes breathing difficult. In reality, it is important to choose shapewear that feels snug and comfortable and simply hugs down some bumps to put the focus on your curvaceous body shape.
Some clothes fit some body shapes better than others. For curvy women, you have more options now than ever before. From shirts to skirts and trousers to dresses, there’s no limit to the number of clothes that you can try. Use this list as a place for take-off and begin to explore more styles and designs to find a look that is uniquely you.
Two-Piece Suit
Everybody deserves to have a classy, well-fitted two-piece suit in their closet, including curvy women. You can use them in several places, such as a job interview, a high-stakes meeting, or any other important event. If you can, have it tailored to ensure you have the best fit. After all, with a two-piece suit, you are dressed to impress.
Neutral colours like black, navy blue, and gray are the go-to colours when it comes to suits. They look and match well with a wide array of tops and accessories, giving you a lot of flexibility in styling. That said, if you like other colours, try getting a suit with bright hues or a creative design. You may just love the daring and bold look it gives you.