Fashion Tips for Wearing The Latest Plus Size Women’s Fashion!

I try to help women of all shapes and sizes here at Fabulous after 40. Many of you have written asking specifically for fashion tips for larger women.

Whether you have been plus size your whole life, or you are a little rounder and heavier now, since menopause, no problem.

The key to looking fabulous is to dress for your body. You can look and feel fabulous in your clothes no what your size.

Here are five fashion tips for buying and wearing plus-size women’s clothing.

1.  Don’t Buy Tight Clothes

Nothing is worse than trying to fit into clothes that are too small. You may think a smaller size will make you look thinner, but in reality, it makes you look bigger.

Small, tight clothing on a big body exaggerates your weight. Get clothing that fits and forget about the size tag, even if it means you need to start wearing plus-size women’s clothing.

2. Avoid Baggy Clothes

On the Flipside, clothing that is too loose doesn’t work either. When it comes to fashion tips for overweight women, this is one you really need to pay attention to.

It’s very common to see a heavy woman walking around in a “tent.” What I mean here is a top or dress that is big, sloppy, and has no fit. True, some styles of plus-size women’s fashion clothing have been designed this way, but most often, this problem has to do with buying the wrong size.

Many larger women choose oversize clothing to try and hide their bodies when the truth is they are only drawing more attention to it.

Clothes need to skim your body, no matter your shape or size. I don’t mean they should be tight, but they need to flow gently over your curves.  It doesn’t matter whether you prefer trendy plus-size women’s clothing or more sophisticated plus-size women’s clothing. Fit is as important as style when it comes to looking Fabulous.

* Note: For large and tall women, make sure your sleeves and pant legs are long enough to fit properly. I suggest you check women’s plus-size clothing stores specializing in tall women’s clothing.

3. Wear Dark Colors on Your Heavy Half

Big thighs? ….then wear dark navy, brown, black, gray, burgundy pants and a lighter/brighter top. Huge bust and tiny hips? Then you’d want to wear the darker color up top and the lighter color on the bottom.

4.  Avoid Detail where you carry Your Weight

Buttons, pockets, pleats, embellishment…they all draw attention, so don’t have them where you don’t want people to look. If you have a generous rear end that you are trying to downplay, don’t buy jeans with studs, embroidery, or anything else jazzing up the back pockets.

If your upper arms are beefy, a short-sleeved top with sleeves that end at the thickest part of your arm will make them look heavier. A mirror is your best friend.

 5.  Keep Your Accessories in Scale

Make sure that your accessories match your body size. Tiny pieces can look lost on a plus-size woman and actually make her appear larger. Medium to large size jewelry is best.

Don’t be afraid to stack bracelets or layer necklaces. This can look fabulous on a plus-size gal.

Jewelry that draws the eye up and down will help make you look taller and slimmer, like a pendant necklace.

Scale is also important when it comes to the thickness of your heels. For example, if you have heavy legs and calves, a thin spiky heel is such a contrast to your legs that your legs will look heavier than they are. You’d be better off in a thicker or chunky heel.

As for bags, Imagine a very heavy-set woman carrying a tiny purse. It makes her look bigger, right? Keep your accessories in line with your weight,  size, and bone structure to look your best.

Some great stores to find women’s plus-size clothing include EloquiI ( where all the clothes above are), Nordstrom, Macy’s, Maurice, Draper James, Good American, and Bloomingdale’s.