Plus Size Fashions: Fashion isn’t Just for Skinny People

The era of flower-printed muumuus is long gone.

The fashion caste system which separated people into people who can (skinny and rich) and those who can not (everybody ) created by snobby designers and power-hungry fashion editors (who by the way are often plus-sized themselves), is crumbling. A fashion utopia is emerging–one that offers several style options for curvy fashionistas, none of which involve polyester tent dresses.

In this guide, we give you the rules to follow along with the shops to shop to boost your voluptuous, fashionable self. Take that, Kate Moss!

The Rules of Plus Size Fashions

Within this diet-obsessed, waif-model culture, designers still gear their creations toward a size 4 (a shout-out to all the skinny fashionistas–we love you, too) and their version of”plus size” is a bigger size 4. Fear not! Commit these size rules to heart and watch your style quotient rise.

Dress monochromatically

Dressing in 1 color de-emphasizes your problem areas by creating one long silhouette.

Break out the heels

Heels elongate your legs. Stores like Zappos.com offer a Massive selection of pumps and heels from designers such as Etro and Roberto Cavalli.

Low-Low-rise is not an option

Not many people, irrespective of size, can wear low-low-rise trousers.

Avoid crop jackets

Crop jackets draw attention. Purchase well-structured jackets that hit you right below the bottom.

Vertical lines are a must

Vertical stripes make you look thinner by drawing the eye instead of side to side.

Purchase boot-cut pants

Pencil-leg pants make large butts look even bigger. Stick with pants that have a slight flare at the base to produce a more balanced look.

Find a great tailor made

Since they’re too long, do not throw out those pants. A tailor will be able to hem them.

The Plus-Size Fashion Stores

Where can you buy these clothes? Below are the best stores to purchase fashions that will enhance your style when going easy on your pocketbook.

Alight.com

A great place to find contemporary fashions for curvy gals that are younger. This is the place to go if you’re a size fashionista needing a Prom dress.

Newport News

Offers cheap, trendy fashions in sizes up to 28. Virtually all the clothing you see in their size 2 models are available in larger sizes.

Lane Bryant

Lane Bryant is the best plus size fashion store on the internet. They provide a wide array of grandma-free and size styles including a brand new jeans line referred to as”Seven7″. Somebody got the memo that size stylistas need designer jeans as well.

Gap.com

Believe it or not, the online version of Gap carries up trousers to size 20. In addition, outerwear, sweaters and tops are available up to size XXL.

Kiyonna

This Internet page that is little features sophisticated styles for fashionistas who wear a size. We are big fans of the dresses.

OldNavy.com

Owned by The Gap, OldNavy.com has cheaper, lower-quality versions of the styles seen at their parent shop , up to size 28 Plus/3XL. It is an excellent spot to stock up on tees, tanks, and other items you can buy in bulk.

Overstock.com

This is a wonderful place to pick up cheap designer items, and the online outlet. The plus-size section will be a little boring, but it is possible to find deals like a Dana Buchman top for up to 80.

Goal

Stop by for toilet paper and leave with an outfit. The Isaac Mizrahi line extends up to size 18.

Nordstrom

Come to the shoes. Stay for the clothing. The little however well-stocked plus-size section contains items from the store.

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart’s George line is hot! Where else could you score this seasons hottest fashion, the coat , for $26? More items are being added every day!

Torrid

Torrid is THE best place to shop if you’re a young, stylish, plus size fashionista. In their prom dresses to their low rise jeans, this shop certainly sheds the plus size grandma myth. Plus the items are priced with items under $50.

Size Appeal

Directly off the runway and on to this website, Size Appeal has fashions that will interest fashionistas that are searching for runway. Clothing canbe a little generic occasionally (such as something you can grab in the local Target), but you can get some interesting bits from time to time.

Top Plus Size Fashion Designers

Lafayette 148

Among my favorite designers, hip and expensive. Locate this designer on sale in the Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus Outlets.

Tom and Linda Platt

These designers create beautiful evening dresses up to sized 4x.

Carmen Marc Valvo

Evening wear for plus size fashionistas

INC

Trendy, bright and Inexpensive

Eileen Fisher

Fluid styles petites.

DKNY

Stylish urban wear that size plus younger fashionistas will want to check out.

Linda Allard for Ellen Tracy

Among the best lines for and size fashionistas

Old Navy

The cheaper cousin into the Gap has an extensive and size section.

Ralph Lauren

The traditional American designer’s preppy line that is petite.

Anne Klein

Stylish suits for work. Check out the Anne Klein lineup at Sears, A line.

Gap.com

Online store stocks tops up to size XXL and trousers around size 20.

Tommy Hilfiger

Mixing hip Tommy Hilfiger’s plus size line is great for weekend wear.

Dana Buchman

Great line size plus for fashionistas.

Try stopping by your local outlet mall–Away 5th, the Saks Fifth Ave Outlet, has an awesome selection of designer plus-size styles. And check out stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom,Bloomingdales, and Macy’s; they all have quite fashionable plus-size departments. The departments at Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s generally have the best sales, while Saks Fifth Avenue has more cutting-edge styles and higher-end designers.

Bear in mind that you may be a fashionista no matter your size. Do not let pop culture fashion caste system dictate what you can and can not wear. Equipped with a dose of self-confidence, a handbag filled with common sense and the rules over, you are well on your way to becoming a true fashionista.