The holidays are coming, which means holiday parties with friends and family. It usually includes a holiday office party as well. It can be hard to shop around the holidays since beautiful, flattering plus sized clothing can be difficult to find. You’ll want to find pieces that flatter the body while celebrating the season. To do this, steer clear of bulky Christmas sweaters, and you’ll be at least one step in the right direction. Here are a few tips for this holiday party season.
First, there are a couple of things you should not do as a full-figured woman not matter what time of year it is.
Don’t Assume Bigger is Better
Buy clothing that fits superbly. Don’t guess at your size. Do some measurements to find out your true clothing size. Clothing that fits will slim the body and not emphasize bulges. Over sized clothing will make you look larger than your true size. If that means buying an outfit and finding a great tailor, you should do that instead of wearing over-sized clothing.
Classic Pieces
It’s hard to see trends come and go without being able to try them out. Some trends do not fit unless you’re a size 0 or 2. To look classy and elegant, stay away from trends and stick with classics that will stand for years. Invest in a beautiful a-line skirt or classic black dress. These will never go out of style and can be paired with stunning shoes and accessories to give yourself many brand-new outfits.
The Perfect Bra
Invest in a bra that is the correct size and is made with quality materials. Think of it as the foundation for a great outfit. Nothing is more uncomfortable than a bra that doesn’t fit. It will constantly slip off the shoulders or the cups have to be adjusted every time there’s a sudden movement.
Heels
Whenever possible, wear heels. They will elongate the legs and make them more beautiful and shapely. In the winter, calf boots with a heel can be a classic look for any size woman. As a plus sized woman, you’ll have to find a calf boot for a wider calf but they are available and can last for years.
For the holiday season, keep these rules in mind while shopping for the perfect Christmas outfit.
An evening or party dress is a purchase that can make most women cringe and want to hide. It can be even more intimidating for a plus sized woman, but it doesn’t have to be if you keep the rules in mind.
Accentuate the Positives
If you love your chest area, accentuate it with cleavage baring necklines and off-the-shoulder dresses. With stunning, shapely calves, a shorter skirt will serve you better. Accentuating the positives might mean blending down the negatives. If a wide waist is a problem, find a skirt with a shirt combination and add a beautiful belt and tailored, form-fitting jacket over it. Women who want to dress a bit more conservatively, consider a flowing, flirty dress that covers the body but is flattering to a plus sized figure.
Sequins and Sparkle
Almost every woman wants to sparkle when she goes out at night. The holidays bring that desire to the forefront. It’s the perfect time to don that sparkly blouse for the Christmas party. There’s an art to wearing sequins and sparkles.
Make sure you wear them in moderation. An entire dress made of sequins with large oversized jewelry and sparkly shoes might be overkill even for a holiday event. Pick one sparkly piece and build the rest of the outfit around that piece. It has more impact when it’s done selectively. The sparkly piece should be one that accentuates a part of the body you love as well. Don’t wear a sparkly, sequined skirt if you don’t like your legs. Save the sparkle for the top.
Pattern
For plus sized women, the large prints should be off limits. Since it’s the holiday season, find tiny prints or narrow stripes. Bold, solid colors are almost always more flattering than finding the right sized print. Green or red along with silver and gold are great colors for Christmas. A monochrome silhouette can be flattering in certain tones like dark green or red.
Whatever you purchase for the holiday parties, make sure it fits correctly and emphasizes the favorite parts of your body. With a little thought and planning, you can find the perfect outfit. Make sure you take your recent measurements, and don’t buy clothing that is too big or too small.
With these tips, you’ll feel confident, strong and sexy when you head to your next holiday event.
Helen Meechan is freelance fashion blogger and writes for a number of blogs in the UK and US.
