It may seem like the fashion world focuses on tall and thin people. The reality is that fashion has always given short and plus-size people the short end of the stick.
Thankfully, this is starting to change.
More companies are offering better options. Those who are short and overweight just have to learn how to dress to take advantage of various styles.
Table of Contents
Wear fitted clothing
Every person has a shape, yet those who are short and heavy have been told to hide theirs. They have been told they need oversized clothes to hide the body.
That is the opposite of what you want to do. Oversized clothes on a short and curvy or a petite plus size person can look disastrous.
You need to embrace your shape, and show off your curves because you have them. Shapeless and oversized clothes make you look bulkier, and they may make you seem shorter than you are.
It’s time to buy clothes that highlight who you are, top to bottom, and don’t be apologetic about it.
Choose the right neckline
Necklines play an important role in how we look, no matter what size or height you are. They are especially critical if you have a curvy figure, such as a plus size who typically have full bust. Wearing the right neckline can instantly make you look taller and leaner.
The most flattering necklines for plus size women with curvy figure like yours is the lower and open necklines such as
- U neck
- Off the shoulder neck
- Boat neck
- Sweetheart neck
Wear not just black
Black is definitely slimming, but some petite and curvy people think they can’t wear anything else.
It’s heartbreaking to feel that you can only wear one color because of who you are. The good thing is that there are more options that will give you that effect you desire yet make your world more colorful.
One thing to do is opt for dark versions of any color you want, like dark blues, greens, and browns, which are just a few examples.
Be selective with prints
Short and chubby people are told to stay away from prints. There is some truth to this, but it’s not black and white.
If you love prints but refuse to wear them because you’re afraid they’ll make you look heavier, you can breathe easier. There are options for you.
The key is learning how to wear prints. Small prints are not a good idea, but you can opt for large prints that don’t look out of place.
If you get this right, the outfit will complement your petite and curvy look.
Experiment with a few shapes and prints until you find something that works for you. Take your time to learn what works.
No Low Rise
Low-rise pants seem to come into fashion every so often.
This does make sense, as fashion trends are like a revolving door that keeps repeating itself. They can be flattering for some people, but you want to avoid these sorts of pants, no matter what fashion magazines say.
These sorts of garments are going to highlight areas of your body that are less than flattering. You want to stick to high-rise pants and other high-rise pieces.
For one, high rise helps create a more visible waist, which is quite flattering. It also lifts the waistband, which is a good thing for you as they can make your legs appear longer and leaner.
This gives the illusion that your legs are longer than they are. You’ll look taller than you are, and your shape is going to look sexier.
Avoid anything bulky
It is important that you stay away from bulky clothes. While these may look great, they do make you look bigger.
Of course, it’s nothing more than an illusion, but it’s not the kind of illusion you want to create. If you aren’t sure what bulky clothes are, they include things with ruffles and puffy or balloon sleeves or skirts. It also includes pieces with dramatic shoulders.
Anything that looks like it adds to your body you probably want to stay away from. It’s a shame you can’t enjoy these types of styles, but everybody type comes with its shortcomings.
Choose the right size bag
The next thing that has to be discussed is the size of your handbag. It’s wise to purchase a handbag that matches your overall shape.
For the petite plus size shape, an oversized handbag will look out of place. It will overwhelm this body type.
You want something in the middle. Nothing too small or it’ll hurt your look but nothing too big either.
The micro handbag is trending, but following trends blindly is never the way to go.
Wear supportive bras
A chunk of people don’t know the importance of choosing the right undergarments.
People don’t put much thought into their undergarments because they believe no one is going to see them. These folks usually just get something inexpensive that sort of fits.
While it’s true that people will not see your undergarments, the truth is that choosing the right kind can make a big difference.
If they fit like a glove, they can accentuate your body and help your clothes look better. You are going to have to spend more time looking for the right undergarments, and you may have to spend more on these garments, but it’s worth it.
Avoid anything clingy
You don’t want clingy clothes.
While there’s nothing wrong with wearing clothes that accentuate your shape, there’s a difference between clingy and something that embraces your shape.
Clingy clothes can’t help but highlight areas of your body that you might not want to show off, such as that muffin top or other areas that aren’t for the world to see.
This doesn’t mean your clothes have to be oversized as mentioned earlier. It just needs to hug your body just right, so consider clothing with some give. You can look for pieces with some elastic.
You can also choose clothes that are slightly snug in one area and looser elsewhere.
Alteration is gold
The chances of finding clothes that fit you like a glove in the store are low. This isn’t a criticism of you but on the retail businesses that ignore you.
It’s a reality you have to accept, but you can do something about this.
You want to find clothes that sort of fit and work with a tailor. You must find one that can make your clothes fit as if they were designed specifically for your body. Look at reviews to see if this person can work with various body types.
It might not seem important, but well-tailored clothes make you look much better.
It accentuates your body perfectly and makes you look like a million bucks. It can be costly, but you’ll feel happier and more confident in your clothes.
Simplicity is key
You want to stay away from busyness because it adds bulk to your look.
Fashion is about doing a lot with a little. It may seem like fashion is the other way around, but that’s not the case.
If you are going to wear a bold blouse, then make sure your pants or bottoms are simple. If you want your shoes to stand out, then quieten the rest of your outfit.
When you wear a statement necklace, be sure the rest of your jewelry is petite. Looking too busy will not have the effect you want it to have.
The good thing about dressing like this is that you can stretch out your statement pieces throughout the week or month rather than wearing everything in one day.
Hopefully, these tips help with your overall short and chubby look. If you want more guidance, work with a personal stylist that has experience with short and heavy people.
