Plus Size Pencil Skirts: Do or Don't?

When you wear plus sizes, the idea of a figure hugging skirt can be overwhelming no matter how classic the style. Is a plus size pencil skirt a fashion faux pas or a fashion superstar? A fashion do, or a fashion don’t?

Plus size pencil skirts are definitely on the fashion superstar, definite “do” list. They are more flattering to fuller figures, because of the seaming, the length and the basic design. While a pencil skirt can help anyone look curvier, no one rocks it like a girl who’s already curvy!

Plus size pencil skirts are a perfect choice for women whose waistlines are not much smaller than their hips. While it seems counter-intuitive, they are a great choice for plus size figures.

By definition, the skirt is cut in a straight line from hip to hip. The seaming narrows the silhouette slightly to accentuate the curve of the hip, and the length – traditionally skimming the bottom of the knee – is surprisingly flattering. The waistband suggests a more cinched figure, and creates a waistline even if you don’t have a defined one!

Women with a large waist and smaller hips can wear plus size pencil skirts, too, and create the illusion of a curvier figure. If you have a small waistline and large hips you can wear pencil skirts, too, but watch the fit and get it tailored if the material bunches up or sags.

The key to happy shopping in plus size fashion is to learn what styles flatter your figure. A classic pencil skirt is just the thing. Try to avoid stretchy materials, which are not as flattering as others, because they tend to accentuate problem areas. You want to accentuate the parts of your figure that you love, and embrace your curves!

When it comes to plus size fashion, the best material choices for classic pencil skirts are wool, gabardine or linen. Look for skirts to be lined or with finished seaming, and perfectly fitted. The material should be matte, not shiny. The hemline should fall about an inch below the knee and the garment should be free of any ornament or fussy decorations.

Often, a pencil skirt becomes staple of the wardrobe, worn repeatedly throughout a woman’s life. Think long-lasting when you buy it, because you will wear it often. Classic black is a good color choice for plus size pencil skirts, offering a day into evening option with a quick shoe and top change. Charcoal gray is perfect for the office (wear it with purple or lavender this spring), and a warm chocolate brown offers an on-trend statement. Try it with pink, aqua or pale green for a dynamite color statement.

xoxo-Robyn

Plus Size Dresses - Always in Fashion

Plus size dresses come in almost as many sizes and shapes as plus size women, so why feel that you are stuck with just one style? The truth is that no matter what your size, you can find dresses that flatter your shape and bring out the very best you have to offer.

When most people consider plus size fashion, they think of boxy jackets, shapeless kaftans and monochromatic color schemes. But these tried and true “tricks” for dressing a large size woman don’t really work. Think about it…if there is not just one body shape, how can there be one dress style which fits everyone? The answer is, there can’t!

The first step in finding dresses that fit well and flatter you is to determine exactly which body type you are. Be aware of your shape and, most importantly, your most attractive features, and choose styles which enhance them. Plus size dresses come in everything from A-line to wrap to two piece and even strapless. Any of these can work as long as you choose a style which fits with your body type.

Even if you are heavy you may still have a slim waist. In this case, consider styles which cinch in at the waist, like a wrap dress, which can give you a fantastic hourglass shape. If your legs are your best asset, try a shorter length skirt to enhance them. Like most of the fashion world, plus size fashion is all about finding what works for you and helping you put your best face forward.

And plus size dresses do not have to be stuck in a color rut! We all know that wearing black can be slimming, but that doesn’t mean you have to wrap yourself in nothing but. Larger women can pull off prints as long as the style of the dress is flattering and the print isn’t overpowering. And color can be your friend. Pairing up a basic like black with a punch of red or blue can actually give you a more dramatic and modern look.

The important thing to remember when choosing a dress is that plus size fashion should be about emphasizing, not hiding. Forget the baggy muumuus and tent-like shapes and don’t be afraid to show your curves. Accentuate a full bust, shapely legs or slim waist. If your eyes are your best feature, draw the attention up to them with colors that bring them out and make them sparkle.

You can also play down problem areas by choosing plus size dresses which de-emphasize them. If you have a thick middle, consider an empire waist, which brings the waistline just below the bust and is looser. Also, an A-line, which is more fitted at the top and gently slopes outward as it goes down, can be another way to draw attention away from a heavy midsection while emphasizing a full bust and/or long legs.

The thing to remember is that just because you may be larger in size does not mean you can’t find clothes that fit. Being plus size no longer means having to hide. You can be proud of your curves and with the right figure flattering dress you can show the world that there is more of you to love!

xoxo-Robyn