The Question - To Layer Or Not To Layer?

There probably isn't a woman out there who wears a size 16 (or larger) who hasn't struggled with trying to "hide" her body under her clothing, as if she were wearing a suit of armor. Why? Because society tells us from childhood that skinny is beautiful. Either overt or subliminally, this notion had been ingrained in many of our minds. Now that may or may not be true. Haven't we been told, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder?" After all, who are WE to say someone isn't beautiful? But if we do believe that, then why would we allow anyone to say it to us? After all, before we add even one stitch of clothing, beauty is an inside job. So if you have bought into the idea that you are too full-figured to be gorgeous, head-turning and glam - well, toss that right out with your grandmother's plus-size girdle. Because fashion has caught up with you! The billion-dollar plus-size fashion industry WANTS you to look and feel like the prettiest woman on the block, no matter what the occasion. And after all, why shouldn't you?

So while vests and jackets and ankle-length skirts are great for some seasons and some events (like apple picking in November), there is also nothing wrong with throwing out those layers in favor of tank tops, sundresses, shorts and mini skirts. It is beautiful and empowering to show off your full, curvy legs and your strong suntanned arms and back. You can choose to wear a sleeveless, V-neck top with flowing bell bottom jeans, or a low-cut spaghetti strap dress that accents your figure. After all, your fashion should be an extension of your personality, not a place to hide.

More and more manufacturers are entering the full-size clothing world, designing everything from the little black dress to business suits. In fact, this past summer, Christian Dior's very own fashion designer, Jean Paul Gaultier, ditched the "normal" runway of size zero's in favor of larger models (and I don't mean a size ten) to show off his clothes. That's right; high fashion is paying homage to today's plus size woman. In fact, the biggest hit of his show was a curvy size twenty!

The bottom line is that there is nothing more attractive on any woman than a suit of confidence. Choose to express yourself and flaunt your stuff. Leave the black pants and cardigan home and wear something bold and red instead. Abandon your old oversized sweatshirt in favor of a crisp, belted v-neck sweater or short colorful cowl-neck dress. Yes this may be a stretch from your normal website but what's most important is that you are true to yourself. Many of us have a creative flare deep within us that if unleashed, will cause many to notice and even emulate. This is YOUR life and YOUR body, and if dressed to show it off, you might be surprised to find out that underneath it all, you're the best looking woman in the room!