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This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive
Plus-Size Panache
If frustrations over style and fit have left you vowing not to shop for clothes until you hit your goal weight, listen up: Experts say this is the season to cut loose and let your inner fashionista come out!
Indeed, women size 14 and up have never had more exciting, fashionable choices.
"Plus-size clothes have taken a very modern and very stylish turn," says Sam Saboura, one of the fashion forces behind Extreme Makeover and author of Real Style: Style Secrets for Real Women with Real Bodies. "There is a look that can flatter almost every plus-size shape, and this season we are seeing more of those styles than ever before." What's more, there are lots more places to find all these great new clothes. In addition to well-known plus-size outlets like Jessica London, Catherine's, and Avenue, many shops that traditionally cater to the skinny have taken note of the fuller figure.
Stores like Old Navy, Lands' End, L.L. Bean, Kohl's, and T.J. Maxx are packing their racks with plus-size styles. Even Victoria's Secret is now offering its super-sexy jeans in sizes up to 16, with tops up to size extra-large (18-20).
What to Wear Now
One of the hottest trends for spring is what stylists call "rich girl Bohemian" -- an updated hippie look that can be fashion heaven for a plus-sized woman.
"The bohemian look, with its long flowing skirts, is perfect for the plus-size woman," Saboura tells WebMD. "It gives you lots of room, and it's a great alternative to wearing pants or shorts in the summer. The look is causal but chic, offers great coverage, and it's very fashionable."
To flatter your figure even more, says Sharon Haver, director of FocusOnStyle.com, skip skirts in stiff fabrics like denim or twill. Instead, opt for soft, billowy chiffons or knits, pairing them with a close-fitting (but not tight) knit top.
"Many women think they need a big, flowing top to cover their body, but that can make you look bigger," says Haver. "Slimmer tops, as long as they fit properly, can be more flattering."
However, if your top half is larger than your bottom, Haver advises switching the proportions: Wear a loose-fitting embroidered "bohemian" top over a slim-cut long skirt, Capri pant, or boot-cut jean.
Another trendy seasonal look: A cropped jacket in a splashy summer-resort print.
"It's a quick way to update your look and any woman can wear it," says June Saltzman, HSN's vice president of fashion merchandizing. "Toss it on over a simple black or navy sheath, or over Capri pants, a pair of denim jeans -- it just works with everything."
But when choosing a print, stay away from oversized florals, which can make a plus-size woman look larger. Also avoid very dainty prints, which look out of balance.
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