It's the beginning of December, which can only mean one thing, its sparkle season!
If you are a curvy, plus size or larger lady now is the time to embrace your curves and really show off with sequins, chiffon and shimmer. If you are happy to embrace your curves and know how to dress to really show off your shape that is fantastic. However many women worry about what you are going to wear to the work's Christmas party, or a family meal out or other dressy events at this time of year and don't like to show off their shape.
I've put together a few tips which might encourage you to try new styles and really embrace your body, making you look and feel fabulous.
Sleeves
Many ladies, no matter what size or shape they are don't like their arms. If you don't like wearing sleeveless but don't want to wear a long sleeve either, why not try a floaty angel or chiffon sleeve. They look feminine and allow you to show your shape without being tight or uncomfortable. The picture below is a great example, it's fitted showing the waistline and figure with the angel sleeve being a fabulous feature of the dress.
Neckline
A V neck will usually be the most flattering if you are large busted, it depends on your own personality and comfort as to how deep the V is! Also a wrap around style, similar to the one pictured above is very flattering. Off the shoulder dresses and tops are also very flattering to any shape and can add width to your shoulders giving balance to your frame.
Tummy & waist
if you are conscious of your tummy area one of the best ways to flatter it is with a wrap around style, especially if it is rusched to one side. Patterns, sequins and soft pleats also hide a tummy well, if that is what you feel you need to do. Also if you are an "apple" shape, try wearing a pencil shape skirt to show off your great legs and bottom. The dress below has rusching all the way down the side to really show off your curves and the one shoulder looks stunning.
Underwear
This is probably the most important part of your dress, what's underneath it! Make sure you are wearing the right sized bra, no matter if you have a A cup or a J cup. If your boobs are in the right place it can make your waist appear slimmer, your posture will be better and will help to stop you having any back problems. Shapewear will give you the perfect silhouette too, smoothing your figure and making you feel more confident in your fitted dresses. I personally always wear my pants one size bigger than my dress size and always have done, this avoids giving you the dreaded VPL!
Accessories
Use jewellery and other accessories to make a statement and enhance your outfit. If you are conscious of your upper arms and don't really like to show them, a beautiful bracelet or group of bracelets will detract from your upper arms maybe making you feel more comfortable. A statement necklace will draw the eye to your neckline. If you are an apple shape and don't have much of a waist, use a narrow belt to highlight it and style the outfit.
Opposite attraction
If you are self-conscious of your hips, wear something striking on your top half. If you are conscious of your boobs, wear a striking skirt on your bottom half. By doing this you are highlighting the part of your body that you do like and almost ignoring the part that you don't.
If you are an apple shape you will have great legs and a pert bottom. Show them off with a pair of faux leather trousers or skinny jeans and a sparkly top. If you are an hourglass, show off that amazing waistline and womanly figure with a daring dress like the sparkly one pictured above. It doesn't matter if you are a size 10 or 20, embrace your curves, and dress to emphasise the bits you love and disguise the bits you don't, after all we all have parts of our body we would rather not show!
Try on something you wouldn't normally wear and step out of your comfort zone. If you always opt for black, why not try a bright colour, whether that be just a scarf or a sequin jumper if you can't pluck up the courage to wear too much colour just yet.
Use clothing to really show off your personality and if you've always wanted to wear a fitted sequin dress then go for it!!
These are just a few quick tips that I thought would help you dress your curves in the forthcoming party season. If you need any help deciding what to wear, shopping or clothing advice, please get in touch x
