Plus Size Women: Throw the Old Rules Away!
Published by Kathy on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 11:11 AM.
In the past, there were all kinds of fashion "rules" for plus size women that everyone thought were set in stone, but they are just not applicable any longer. There were even times when certain stores didn't sell larger sizes and having to shop was a total nightmare. And just try all those years ago to find a designer label on anything over a size 12 or 14. Not very likely!
Luckily, times have changed and now fashionable clothing is available in all sizes and for all shapes of women. You will still need to keep in mind that just because a certain item of clothing is now being made in your size, it doesn't mean you will automatically feel comfortable wearing it. Many online stores currently sell such items in sizes that will fit any type of body, but there are some styles that modesty or good taste wouldn't allow the wearing of for any size of body.
In the not too distant past there wasn't much choice for those women sized 16 and over to buy nice clothing off the rack. There is no such problem any longer and most stores have an entire clothing section for plus sizes.
Before going shopping, however, you need to realize that everything that happens to be available in your size will not necessarily mean that buying and wearing it would be a good choice. "Clingy" material is one example (such as spandex) unless you have tried it and like the way it looks.
One of the blunders that women in past eras often made was thinking that they needed to cover up with a lot of extra fabric. Buying or making clothing that was a few sizes too large actually made them appear to be more plus sized than they were. New fashion rule number one is to buy clothing that fits. Extra fabric doesn't cover up; it gives the appearance of your body being larger.
By the same token, don't buy clothing that is too small just because you are able to fit into it. Clothing should fit well when you buy it. (Sometimes ordering from a catalog or online merchant can require an item to need modifying or alterations, however.)
Another very outdated "rule" is that plus sized people need to wear very dark colors such as black or navy blue. Buy the colors you enjoy and research which colors will best accentuate the skin tone you have. If you do in fact choose to stick with darker colors, then select accessories that have those important splashes of color.
A good fashion rule to remember is that often clothing doesn't have an "age limit" although people have thought for many years that it does. If you see a great dress or sweater in the junior section, try it on, it may turn out to be one of your favorites!
Remember that just because you need a larger size of blouse or dress it does not mean that you need to shop for clothing that your grandmother would wear. Enjoy the fashions that are available and when you feel good about yourself, others will notice how confident you are and that is always a good thing.
