Discover Your Body Shape

Dressing to suit your body shape is important regardless of your clothing size and it's always important to remember that the shape of your clothing is more significant than your size; you can't change your shape so it's best to work with it instead. Your height, shoulders, ribcage and ribs are all key in understand your body shape and the style of clothing that best matches them.

Most plus size women tend to cover up their bodies using fabrics and shapes that are unflattering on fuller figures rather than emphasising their best bits. By figuring out what style of clothing best suits you you'll be able to dress to make the most of your figure by showing off your best bits and concealing those you want to keep hidden.

You may have a large chest, fuller thighs or plump bottom and if you have either of them you probably consider yourself to have a curvy figure, however, you should look at your figure as a whole and find clothes that complement your shape rather than focussing on one area. Rather than concentrating on your body shape you should look at styles of clothes and how they work with your size and figure.

Women come in all shapes and sizes, but most women come into four styles of dressing. Working our what your body shape will help you to make the most of your figure and dress to suit your shape whatever your style, size or shape, and this style advice will help you discover your body shape and what best suits you, making shopping for plus size clothing much easier.

If you have a fuller figure with a large waistline, full hips, large thighs and a big bust then you'll best suit clothes that skim your figure and have swing and movement using draping fabrics like long loose jackets, blouses and tunics that are all easily worn over straight skirts, trousers or dresses. You should also go for deep bold vibrant too as well as complementing with bold accessories.

Women with a slight waistline, low bust and rounded hips will find outfits with gentle waist emphasis best suit their body shape like semi-fitted jackets and coats, fitted dressed that flare out, and trousers and skirts with little or no waistbands. You'll also want to accessorise with slim belts or low-slung belts.

Opt for clothing with straight clean lines with little waist emphasis if you have a long silhouette with an undefined waistline, flat hips and thighs, and an average size bust. Tailored looks will work well if you have this shape like straight pencil skirts, straight dresses and slim-leg trousers with short jackets in crisp fabrics. For something more casual tunic tops and ribbed knitwear work well, especially in geometric patterns.

If you have an obviously natural curvy shape with a clear waistline that goes in and out, flared hips and a high bust then you'll suit clothing that gives waist definition including belted coats, fitted jackets, full skirts and tucked in tops that can be complemented by waist belts and contoured patterns.