Rock That Body & Flaunt Those Curves

Guest post by Andrea Boley

Too often plus sized women hide their bodies beneath what looks more like a tent than an article of clothing. Instead of flattering the voluptuous curves they were given, they choose to cover themselves in large, often black, pieces of flowing fabric which makes them look shapeless. Plus sized clothing can be both beautiful and becoming as long as you dress for your specific body type. Clothes do not fit everyone in a specific size the same way. When it comes to choosing dresses for a plus sized figure, the key is to choose ones that are complimentary to your unique body type. It’s time to step away from the black and rock that sexy body.

If you carry most of your weight in your thighs, hips, and butt, you are known as a pear body type. Your womanly figure should be emphasized by adding structure and volume above the waist and keep from drawing eyes to your bottom half. A-line dresses are your friend as they skim right over your hips and keep the attention on your upper half and lower legs. Draw the eyes upward by emphasizing your bust with a slightly lowered neckline. Make sure you avoid tight or stretchy fabric, as they will cling to your hips and make your bottom look larger. Solid colors and large print dresses work well with pear body types, especially the colors teal and pink.

You are an apple body type if your upper body is noticeably larger than your lower body. Ladies with an apple figure often want to hide their bellies and any back bulges they may have from bras and odd-fitting clothing, so it is important to find a dress that highlights your bust and is not too tight around the stomach area. Avoid any belts or waistline embellishments; you don’t want to call attention to your trouble areas. Instead, opt for dresses with an empire-cut, wrap style, or a flared hemline. Avoid large print, as it makes one look larger. Dark, bold colors like red, blue, and purple are perfect for an apple shape and will make you feel foxy and confident.

If your figure is bigger up top than your lower half, you have what is called a busty, or strawberry, body type. Bring balance to your body by emphasizing your lower half and avoid drawing extra attention to your shoulders and bust. Aim for dresses that are fitted on top with flared skirts.  Avoid any frilly or puffed sleeves as well as off the shoulder dresses. If you are going strapless, opt for an a-line cut and accessorize with a large necklace. Simple designs and light colors work well for strawberry shapes. Go for light blue, off white, or brown colored dresses and show off your inner sex kitten.

Or maybe you have more of an athletic, or rectangle, body type. You may crave more curves, but the right clothing can create that illusion; the key is to add structure. Dresses with a halter top are super flattering on athletic bodied women. While most dresses will look great on your frame, try to avoid straight sheath dresses and ones with a dropped waist. If you’ve got a bit of a bust, aim for a lower neckline. Otherwise, look for a higher neck and show off some of your other sexy assets like your legs or back. Bright colors like aqua and coral and bold printed dresses will have you turning heads in no time.

Whatever your specific body shape, being a plus sized woman doesn’t mean you must hide beneath layers of unflattering clothing. Emphasize the body parts you love most and draw attention away from those areas you don’t much care for. Step out of your usual style and try a bright, bold color that will boost your confidence and get the attention of others.

This was a guest post by Andrea Boley who is a writer, blogger and mommy to twin boys.  She is always happy to share her passion for life and experiences through her work, and in her spare time works as a freelance writer for Storkie.

Fashion Week Trends that Will Translate Into the Plus Size Market

Guest post by Parmeeta Ghoman

Many of the trends seen on the runway for fall/winter 2011/2012 will translate into the plus size market. Silhouettes and color palettes will mix between the two markets as well as inspire new trends.

Glamour Girls from the Seventies

The seventies trend made a comeback for this season with jumpsuits, wide leg pants and leopard print.

Both L.A.M.B by Gwen Stefani and Marc by Marc Jacobs used a color palette including black, browns, dark purples and jewel greens that will cross over to the plus-size market for this particular trend.

Outerwear – Capes and Ponchos

Ponchos and capes were a huge influence within outerwear in Rag & Bone, Michael Kors’ and BCBG’s fall/winter collection this season. Seen in various colors throughout the collections the easy to wear outerwear style will come in several lengths and fabrics for the plus-size market.

Retro Baby Doll Dresses in Monochrome Black and White

Anna Sui showcased fabulous baby doll dresses this season, in various patterns with a black and white color palette, which will easily be translated into the plus-size market.

Menswear-Inspired Tailoring

Women’s suits will be inspired by menswear this season as silhouettes become more fitted than previous years and influence the plus-size market.

Tuxedos are a major influence within womenswear for fall/winter 2011/2012 as seen on the runways of Jason Wu, Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander Wang. The color palette for women’s tuxedos are different to men’s however as the traditional black and white is left behind and the focus goes towards purples, blues, and oranges.

Trends that flatter the female figure will always be popular and those that make a statement will easily translate from one market to the next.

When looking for trends to follow whether your size is in the plus-size range, the petite or the “average” look for pieces that you feel comfortable in. Pieces that flatter your unique shape and size, and if trying new trends scare you try mixing it up with accessories.

Accessory Trends For Fall/Winter

Structured handbags in all colors are popular this season and look fabulous from day to evening.

Boxed clutches with jewels and tassels come out at night to add sparkle to any outfit.

Beanie style hats were seen in various fabrics and colors, both plain and embellished were seen in collections from Jenni Kayne and Adam.

What will you be wearing this season?

This was a guest post by Parmeeta Ghoman of FashionTrendExperts.com. Fashion Trend Experts provides cutting-edge style tips from the runways and beyond for men and women of all sizes.

The Plus Size Style Guide Launches Today

The Plus Size Style Guide is finally launched!

I’m very excited to share this with you all today; this is something I have been working on for the past few weeks  and it’s finally ready to be released!

If you’ve been a Pasazz.net follower for a while, then I’m sure you will know that it is truly my passion to provide plus size women with style tips, sale updates and other tools to help curvy women find stylish clothes that fit… and save some money whilst doing so too!

Today I’ve decided to take things a step further with the launch of my brand new Plus Size Style Guide.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, how to provide curvy women with something they can turn to whenever they are about to choose a dress, a top, or pair of jeans, to help them choose the best style to flatter their figure. And finally, this is exactly what I’ve done in The Plus Size Style Guide – created a handbook which any plus size woman can turn to, to help her dress to impress!

The Plus Size Style Guide show you how to easily figure out what body shape you are; provides tips on how to dress to flatter your body shape; shows you how to choose a swimsuit (and where to find one), and much more.

Head on to The Plus Size Style guide today to get the full scoop about what this guide includes, and to jump on the very special introductory offer going on to celebrate this launch!