Online Shopping for Women's Plus Size Clothing - Shop by Body Type

by Jane Clark

Your Body Type and Plus Size Online Shopping

Plus size women struggle with what to wear that will make them feel comfortable in their plus size clothes. Every woman who wears plus sizes would be trendy and fashionable if she new how to find BBW clothes that fit right. We see a lot of misinformation about what clothing a plus size woman should wear. Most of that fashion advice is about hiding or covering your flaws. Forget it!!! You have assets! Show them off!

Hourglass Figure - Also called X Shape, Curvy

You have a curvy, feminine figure. Your shoulders and hips are balanced. Look for soft flowing fabrics. Princess cut dresses and wrap or faux wrap dresses will work for you. Try belted knits (avoid tight knits). Skirts that have gathers and hip yokes will flatter you. You can wear straight leg, flared leg and cropped pants. Look for jackets that create a vertical line that curves in at the waist.

Rectangular Figure - Also called H Shape, I Shape, and Straight Shape

If you are a full waist, flat hip type you will want to look at straight or vertical lines that curve in at your waist. Your ability to wear a straight vertical look is your asset. Straight Skirts are your friends. You can wear jackets any length. You also want to look for jackets that curve in at the waist to give you body definition and the illusion of a waist. Even though your waist may not be as small as you would like it to be, princess cut in any garment will give your waist definition and great body fit without creating a horizontal line at your waist. In pants, you want to look for tapered and somewhat tapered legs. Pants with comfort waist or a small amount of elastic allows you the room for your waist/tummy without having to buy larger pants that bag out in the derriere.

Apple Shape - Also called O Shape, Circle Shape or Round Shape

If you are very round or full in the middle of your body with slim legs, you know you have difficulties finding plus size clothes that fit. Your focus needs to be to create a long vertical look. Tunic tops are your friend. You can wear plus size tunics over straight skirts or tapered pants. Long necklaces and shoes with heels will help you to elongate your look. Wear long jackets, but avoid stiff and boxy fabrics. Don’t be afraid of slinky fabrics, but do avoid clingy fabrics. If you are a petite apple shape you need to look at plus size petites. Luckily, designers have suddenly discovered plus size petite clothes and you will see lots of them coming out. If you are a plus petite woman and wearing tops out of proportion, you will just make yourself look bigger.

Pear Figure - Also called A Shape, Triangle Shape

If you are a flared hip type, you may see a lot of advice about wearing jackets that cover your hips. This jacket choice creates a horizontal line that goes around the widest part of your body. Instead of accenting your hips with a horizontal line, accent you wonderful waist with a jacket that cuts in at your waist and flairs out and ends somewhere between your waist and hips. This plus size jacket length will accent your small waist, give you great body fit and definition and your hips will become a non-issue. What to wear under your body fit jacket? Bias cut skirt (never a straight skirt - it will never fit right), Pants with plenty of darts and a small amount of elastic in the waist - zippered on the side or front. Straight legged pants are your best bet. Avoid too tapered pants as they will accent the width of your hips.

Plus size women have fitting issues if they don’t know which styles work on their body types. When you find plus size pants, for example, that fit you perfectly – buy, buy, buy. Buy them in different colors and multiples of the color you are most likely to wear often. I am not suggesting you wear the same pants everyday. I am suggesting that if you buy in bulk on 5 or 6 different pants that fit you like a glove, you will be much happier with your plus size wardrobe.

Jane Belle Clark is an expert on dressing by body type. She is the author of Plus Size Bridal Guide, the only bridal guide written for plus size brides.

Visit Jane at http://www.MyPlusGal.com Jane has also been an ebay power seller - specializing in plus sizes.