CHENNAI: Stakeholders in fashion, be it ace designers or leading platforms like Forever 21 and Asos, are tapping their plus size clientele. If fashion pundits are to be believed, the hip bone is the new clavicle. But then, there are some of us who haven’t seen that side of town in a long while. Women oscillating between the higher denominations of an inch tape know the struggle to follow the ‘trend’ for the season.
Our oversized tees and grandfather jeans are ever ready to be our everyday wardrobe choice, particularly in the summer. Times have changed though. You no longer need a cardboard box to cover up all those love handles. We pick a few of our favourite styles to best flaunt those curves this season.
Slit in time
Be it a tunic, like the one Ashley Graham sports or a gorgeous printed kurta, a slit maxi works wonders for a plus-sized woman. These are best teamed with palazzos or even skinny denim depending on the styling. If you’re going for hot pants, make sure to throw in some sleek boots to finish the look. Boho chic accessories are also a great addition to this ensemble. If you’re sporting a kurta, collared necklines make for a neat look.
Bottoms up
Flatter your thunder thighs with a great pair of flared pants, palazzos and culottes over the usual bell bottom denim and pants. Frills and tassels are best kept to the shorter bottoms and not to this lot. Make sure to team this with a fitting vest, crop top or tee.
Check list
Shirts are a wardrobe-staple for this year and the easiest outfit to go wrong with. Mega sleeve shirts need to find their way out of your wardrobe. If you’re looking at baggy shirts, fitting pencil jeans or shorts are a nice complement. You could also choose to tie the ends of your shirt for a DIY crop top. Keep the pants high for this one if you’re not too sure of showing skin.
The black vest-shirt jacket look is an undisputed winner and helps create a thinner silhouette. Plaid jackets are a thing and the longer ones are classy when paired properly. For the checks and stripes, take cues from Bishamber Das, Britain’s first Asian plus size model. Opt for darker hues while sticking to pastels for the plain variants is preferred. Tucking in may not be a great idea. A half-tucked ruffled styling however, has our stamp.
Shoulder To sleeve
Off-shoulders and statement sleeves are plus-size boons, accentuating all our prime features. Flowy dresses or crop tops are our go-to-choice while cold-shoulders and flared sleeves have our vote. Since kaftans are in, we recommend a tie-and-dye number for the perfect outdoor look. If you’re baring the clavicle, throw in a choker or a long chain with a charm. Single shoulder outfits are best teamed with a bare neck and maybe a statement earring or hand accessory. We like close-necked cold-shoulder tops, making for a sharp silhouette with the thrust on the shoulder line.
Sun kissed
High waist bikinis and vintage-inspired one-pieces are the way to go this summer. You can choose traditional dark hues or experiment with florals and geometry. Tess Holliday gives us a few lessons on how to unabashedly flaunt those curves on a day out by the seaside. Ditch the uncomfortable thong-inspired swimwear for fitting outfits, with accessories being your field of experimentation. We particularly like colourful halter swimsuits. Team this with a simple sarong, pastel hat
and shades and you’re sunbath ready.
crop IT!
Crop tops have conquered fashion, season after season and how. This is one style that suits all, subject to smart styling of course. Keep the bottom high-waist, be it a pencil skirt, denims or hot pants. If you’re choosing a loose crop tee, make sure to team it with smart fitting bottom and vice versa. Loose crop silhouettes go well even with our own nine-yards. Keep the accessories down to just statement pieces for this look. Usually, a gorgeous ring, an intricate neckpiece (depending on your neckline and top fit) or a big bangle or bracelet does the trick.
Maximum caution
Incorporate body con outfits and fabrics with care in your outfits this season. Looking amazing at the expense of becoming a hotbox isn’t worth the effort.
Do not clutter your look with chunky accessories. Minimalism sells and works with any look one is trying to pull off.
Dare to ditch the blacks. Dark colours don’t necessarily have to help hide the flab. Be bold and throw in some summer hues to your ensembles. Make sure to pair the colours well, lest we end up with a human popsicle!
Vertical lines are a plus size staple. Horizontal lines often give the wearer an illusion of being wider. If you’re conscious about your body width, go for the former.
It’s time to dump those oversized sunglasses for good. Rounded glasses are great depending on your face cut or there are always the all-weather aviators to fall back on.
Insides matter and quite literally too with plus size fashion! It’s time to throw those saggy grandma bras and undies away and go for more comfortable fitting options instead. Seamless innerwear is a mandate if you’re looking at body con dresses or tight skirts.
Follow your body and not a trend. A hot and happening fashion fad may look disastrous on you, whether you have a little flab or are super skinny. Always dress to your body type and see what compliments your personality.