Fashion magazines, websites and the general public are always proffering lists of dos and don’ts and rules for how curvy women should dress. They provide “helpful” advice on what is or isn’t “flattering” to curvy women. But did we ask for advice? I don’t think so. Do we want rules to govern how we dress ourselves? Certainly not. Should we limit our creativity and avoid certain fabrics, patterns or styles because someone on the interwebs has deemed them “unflattering” for curvy women? Hell no.
I think we can all agree that curvy women should dress how they like, in what makes them feel fabulous and comfortable, rules be damned. And yet still, so much time is spent pontificating on what items or styles of clothing curvy women should avoid, so much paper and space on the web wasted on creating myths about what we shouldn’t or can’t wear.
Let’s debunk some of those myths with some hard evidence, shall we? Below I’ve linked to some examples that break all the rules and bust these myths wide open. I’ve included a mix of rule-breaking inspiration from ready-to-wear, curvy celebrities, and our own talented Curvy Sewing Collective. I hope this inspires you to do some myth busting sewing yourself, too!
Myth #1: Curvy women shouldn’t wear horizontal stripes.
This is a pervasive one… and totally unfounded! Narrow or wide, horizontal or vertical, curvy ladies look good in all stripes.
Check out these plus-size models from Torrid, Eloquii and Old Navy looking smoking in stripes:
And our own Curvy Sewing Collective stunning in stripes… Tanya in Cashmerette Concord, Abbey in Blank Slate Marbella Dress and Manju in McCall’s 6886.
Myth #2: Curvy women shouldn’t wear big or bold prints.
Really?! I beg to differ. Curvy women look amazing in big prints, in my opinion, and should rock them with pride.
For example, check out how gorgeous the plus-size models look in the enormous prints in the Marimekko line for Target, how great Melissa McCarthy looks in a large-and-in-charge print on the cover of Bust, and big, bold florals from Eloquii:
And have a look at the lovely ladies of the Curvy Sewing Collective, beautiful in big old prints… Sandra in a large-scale floral Myrtle, Meg in a giant floral Anna, Debbie’s Lady Skater in delightfully large scale circles:
Myth #3: Curvy women shouldn’t wear small prints.
This one makes me laugh… according to these rules curvy women are allowed to wear neither big nor small prints? Only solids for us, I guess.
Small prints, big impact from Eloquii, Torrid and River Island:
The CSC looks fabulous in a dainty print: Jessica in a butterfly dress from Gertie’s Ultimate Dress Book, Mary’s floral McCall’s 6696, Alicia in a springy floral Butterick 5997:
Myth #4: Curvy women shouldn’t wear bright colors.
Oh wait, scratch that: only dark, somber colored solids for us curvy gals. Kinda takes the fun out of dressing, doesn’t it? I contend that curvy women look amazing in color, whether it be jewel-tones, neon, or pastels.
Stunning colorful examples from Torrid, Rebel Wilson and Old Navy:
The CSC is killing it in curvy colors… Kelly in a bright, mixed print Shirt Tail T, gorgeous green McCall’s 6503 from Tanya, Seven Stitches’ Washington Dress in purples and pinks:
Myth #5: Curvy women shouldn’t wear mini-skirts/skinny jeans/close-fitting clothing.
Gosh, this is exhausting. And patently false. Wear what you want, work it, flaunt it, own it.
Hot ladies in close-fitting clothes from Torrid, Eloquii and ModCloth:
Our own CSC ladies looking hot and feeling good in hand-made body con: Andie in Tenterhook’s Snapdragon pencil skirt, Gillian’s self-drafted wiggle dress, Meg in Deer and Doe Brume:
Myth #6: Curvy women shouldn’t wear maxi dresses.
Exhausting and confusing. We can’t wear minis AND we can’t wear maxis? What exactly does that leave? Sigh. I say swathe yourself in the maxi-est maxi you can and sashay around…
Maximum foxiness in maxis from Torrid, Melissa McCarthy for Seven7, and Asos.
The CSC is chillin’ out, maxin’, relaxin’ all cool: Jenny in a maxi True Bias Southport, Jewel’s maxed out Simplicity 1358, Marianne in an Anna maxi:
Phew, that was a lot of myth busting and rule breaking. But there are still more myths about curvy dressing out there… Which ones did I miss? Which myth is your pet peeve?
In the 1960s, the “fat girls” section of every store, and every mail-order catalog, and every sewing pattern book, seemed to feature only navy or black tent dresses. The end.
I like to wear navy and black, but not exclusively. And tent dresses can be comfortable and flattering, but not on everybody’s body.
Thank goodness that we have become more accepting of every girl’s and every woman’s beauty — heck, every person’s beauty! There was a print ad for some diet pill decades ago … was it Ayd’s candies? Can’t now recall … that lectured “yards and yards of flowing fabric can’t hide yards and yards of flowing body.” I thought it was a mean-spirited ad campaign at the time, and I think it is even more horrible now, all these years later. I can still picture the advertisement, the blue ball gown, the wistful look on the brunette model’s face as she gazed into a mirror, lip pencil and powder compact in hand.
Great article! I laughed all the way through! I’ve pretty much broken e er “rule” there is. My favorite dress is one I made from a pattern I found in a magazine, meant for some model. My version is in a knit with a crazy pattern, and I get complimented on it all the time.
My pet peeve is the assumption that all women of size nevertheless have and/or want to have an hourglass shape. I don’t! That plus the assumption that our shoulders size up along with all the other measurements.
This is a terrific post. I see so many over sized patterns that come in larger sizes and I say oh my goodness how unflattering. Do we all want to hide? I am currently making an off the shoulder dress in a large print. But, I needed to rake in the pattern by quite a bit in my muslin. to make it feel good to me.
You are a breath of fresh air. We all need to push our boundaries and decide if we really like it or if it’s what we are told we need to wear.
My conclusion is always: You are too big to go out in public.
Pray tell, who can wear large prints if not us who are large enough for them to read in their entirety?
I love this post! Thank you for including professional photos and photos of regular (fantastic, sexy, curvy) people.
I know fit is important, but this post is driving home the idea that it is the MOST important. When people say – where whatever you want – I sort of don’t believe them. The photos here are changing my mind.
Get the fit right, then where WHATEVER YOU WANT. Hurray!
Really, I think these rules are part of a plot! Before RTW being almost the only option for the average woman, I’m sure there were rules, but not everywhere you looked. Now that RTW and CHEAP RTW flooded the market, retailers have to make US fit their mold. They can’t cater to the individual like a home sewer or professional dressmaker could. Cheap RTW makes everyone look tacky. Retailers want to squeeze us into their parameters and then we end up with beautiful curvies being woefully poorly dressed. We feel wretched about how awful our clothes look, so we go buy different clothes. But it’s the same cheap RTW, so its a viscous plot to take our money. Even when I go buy basic clothes for my 10 year old daughter, I’m dismayed at the thinness of the fabric and the poor construction. I really dislike marketing….
I don’t think marketing itself is the issue as much as corporate business models. Marketing of one kind or another has always been around, and even our favorite businesses have to run some kind of marketing campaign to bring in customers. I think the real issue stems from how businesses are being run. Most of the companies that are supplying products in the US are running based on how Boards of Directors & shareholders’ expectations of profit margins. Fast fashion is only a symptom of a greater underlying condition.
The way they handle RTW isn’t so much vicious attack as it is a method of chasing profits & keeping up with consumer demand. We cannot ignore that we, as consumers, pretty much demand the lowest prices for consumables. In order to keep profits up, businesses need to keep people buying new things (because product life cycles can compete with Mayflies for longevity at this point) & cut production costs. This means that products need to be made quickly and cheaply. “Standard” sizes will generally fit most body types and are easy and cheaper to produce. But as we all know, plus sizing requires more tailoring and customization. The RTW business models just aren’t built to accommodate that. It’s not profitable.
The way to fight this is what we’re doing now. We’re opting to take a slower path of consumption by sewing instead of mindlessly buying. We are choosing clothes and designs that fit our shapes rather than swallowing the one-design-solution-to-fit-all that the mass market provides.
You’re so right. I was being a bit over the top in an effort to be humorous. I don’t REALLY think this is a plot, but economies make thing harder for those of us who don’t fit the parameters of normal. Personally, I like doing my own thing, so this works well for me!
No worries! I’m stuck in business-head right now!
The thing is, our concerns and complaints are very valid! The quality of merchandise has gone downhill, and until the market changes, I think we’ll continue to see more of the same. The greatest change agents will be us, the consumers. The consumer majority can affect how the market is run! If a large enough number create a demand, businesses will need to try to supply it, whether it is better quality merchandise & materials, or more plus sized patterns.
Sometimes these demands are driven by the independent businesses, like Colette or Cashmerette. I really enjoy and appreciate their flavor of marketing strategy, which is often informative or community based.
Thanks for reminding me it’s time to shock the fashion police again by making another maxi dress 🙂
That is a lot of options for the curvy girl – this is a great post
Fitting is important – if that is done right, those blessed with curves can look gorgeous in anything , as proved by your post. When fitting is taken care of by your sewing skills – ta da magic
sarina
It really is all about fitting, isn’t it, Sarina?
How about sticking with a deep v-neckline, because it’s more “flattering” ? (Sure, that is a great look when I bend down – not!) Or, the one where curvy pear-shapes will be most “flattered’ by an A-line skirt? (A little A-line goes a long way, and more than a little makes me look like I’m wearing a kite.)
Good ones, Monica! I have to say, as a pear, that I hate A-lines on me!
Arg!! Yeah, I’m of the opinion that you should wear what you like and what makes you feel good to be in.
It’s funny though, my older edition of the Reader’s Digest “Complete Guide to Sewing” says horizontal stripes are actually better than vertical because of how they break up the view. Specifically “Stripes running vertically can make a figure look wider than similar stripes horizontally arranged, though the opposite is often assumed, The reasons: spacing between lines; amount of contrast in color divisions.” And I do believe this to be correct.
Goes to show that fashion mags and other “style” sources aren’t always the most reliable for deciding what “looks good”.
I think I have that same Reader’s Digest sewing guide, because I remember that piece of advice and I agree with you the advice is sound. My classic sewing books are still my go-tos.
I think that’s one of the things that’s so ridiculous about so much of the style rules and advice- it’s so contradictory!
I saw a piece on stripes from a style blogger a few years ago who said, and demonstrated that horizontal stripes are more flattering on curvy women than vertical stripes. I certainly like my horizontal striped top.
Great article Meg. You presented that so well and your CSC examples were great! Thanks for the encouragement I needed it.
Glad to be of service, Kel! Happy sewing!
“Don’t wear loose/baggy clothes because they’ll make you look bigger.” And along those lines, stay away from big sleeves, lots of ruffles, basically any detail that will put extra fabric on your body.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to make a red sequined minidress that shows a LOT of cleavage….
Yes, Dana!! Awesome.
My thoughts are a bit like Lisa’s but a bit more global.I think we can choose to be aware of rules in a descriptive sense, but have no use for them in a prescriptive way. That is, I have no business telling anyone what they should or shouldn’t wear and no one has any business telling me the same. However I find it useful to be aware of how different colors, shapes patterns and design lines change how I look and take it into account to whatever extent I please.
I agree, Kyra! I think there shouldn’t be rules imposed on us by any means, but if a particular person feels more comfortable in or has a preference for a particular style/length/color/print, great! We choose our own personal style rules.
These crazy “rules” are part of why I love the CSC — it’s incredibly helpful to look at pictures of real women who look like me, in clothes that I could make. Flaws and dated-ness aside, I’m eager for the promised “apple” chapter for shape suggestions.
*Specific* bits of advice have been helpful to me over the years, like when someone pointed out to me that sleeves that end in the same line as the peak of the bust tend to emphasize the bust — so I can choose sleeve length depending on whether I want to emphasize/de-emphasize/don’t care. But it helps when there’s no judgement involved or insistence that a vague idea of “flattering” is the only goal.
Yes I would find a post on emohasizing/ deemphazing useful too.
Those are great ideas for posts, Lisa! We’ll incorporate your thoughts into our planning process for future posts!
No sleeveless tops! Can’t show big arms. I was told this when I was a size 10, many years ago…
That’s a silly one, isn’t it? What’s wrong with arms??!!
My Dad woulds say “Clothes make you street legal. Put something on and go outside.” All the fashion magazines said otherwise, but Dad’s influence won! Crazy floral prints with plaid? “Good, let’s go.” he would say. Hippy Dad’s Daughter.
Sounds like great advice to me!!
Great post and absolutely LOVE the giant print on your Anna dress. How out of this century are these rules? I’m still struggling myself while trying to wear less plain garments and it is great to read this post with so mang lovely pieces of art. Go ladies, you are awesome.
Thanks so much! Ha ha, it sounds like you and I have the opposite problem- I need more plain/solid colored/neutral garments in my wardrobe- I am addicted to colors and prints.
I haven’t heard of half of those “rules”. Thanks for a great laugh!
Flattering isn’t a bad word in my book – flattering means that the garment lets the real you shine through. In essence, flattering = happy making. If you feel good in something, then it’s flattering.
The only rule for curvy fashion should be no awful, nasty, rayon fabric. For some reason, many stores think that every item in the plus section should be made of the stuff.
What’s wrong with rayon? Cool, breathable, non-static, non-sticky, non-clingy; drapes beautifully, washes perfectly, far cheaper than cotton or linen and processed from renewables, not petrochemicals … what’s not to like? l love the stuff – I just wish it came in a non-iron version!
I love rayon, too. But the stuff used in some RTW is just gross. I don’t know if it’s poly rayon or what but to me it feels slimy. I can’t get past the feel of it to check the fabric content. I’m currently on a quest to find a good quality rayon challis (with large, cheery print, mind you) for summer tops. It’s harder than I thought it would be.
It’s probably the poly content. Can’t get past the dead dinosaur feel sometimes.
Just about every rayon I’ve encountered has had good hand feel.
I like it as an alternative to silk.
My mother was the queen of the polyester blouse. I remember having a discussion with her as to why I wouldn’t wear them. They felt icky. And, they made me sweat. The results of THAT were not pleasant for anyone. Mom said “Well, I don’t have that problem…” (insert superior motherly tone here). My reply was “Good for you. I DO! I’m not wearing those shirts”
One size fits NONE!
Glad you got a laugh out of it, Kristin!
I have to agree, though, that I love a nice rayon. Cool and breezy… it’s poly I can’t tolerate. Ick!
Hi Meg
Fellow westerner in Bkk here. I’ve been wondering how a meet-up would go if attempted here. Maybe too few hobby sewers. Would you be interested in meeting up over at BTS ASOK some Sunday afternoon?
Mary in Bangkok
Hi Mary! So nice to meet a sewing friend in Bangkok! Why don’t you email me through my blog and maybe we can plan a meet-up!
cookinandcraftin.blogspot.com
2 words: Hell Yes!!!
Ditto!
I am 53 – and if you combine those ‘rules’ with the ones suggested for older women, there really is nothing left to wear. im addition, I am not meant to have long hair any more, nor wear ‘too much’ make up.
So true- these rules are so limiting that if you followed them you’d end up wearing a garbage bag and staying home!
LOL! And if you’re over 50 and have the wear and tear which prevents you from wearing the stilts they call high heels today, then it’s ugly shoes for you, since attractive low heeled pumps and evening shoes are hard to find .
Aren’t all those silly rules…silly!? And what the heck is with that word “flattering” anyway? People act like it doesn’t mean what everyone knows it means.
And I also get annoyed by the one-size-fits-all approach to “rules” for plus sized dressing. Uhmm, plus-sized women range in body type and that probably dictates, much moreso than size, what silhouettes/prints/etc people like to wear. Blergh.
At any rate, when a woman puts on an article of clothing and it makes her feel good –she should wear it!
They are certainly silly! And I agree, “flattering” is such a backhanded compliment. I think you articulated exactly what I was trying to say: one-size fits all rules don’t make sense.
Wha??!?! You mean I’m NOT supposed to be wearing this navy/dark brown burlap sack??
*Throws it off & dons something RED*
I agree. If we listened to the fashion gurus, we would all be wearing tents and black or bdark blue (so slimming don’t you know) elastic waist polyester pants. By the way, I really love that black and green flower maxi dress! Is it a batik fabric? (As you can see, I gravitate to the neon for my fabric choices).
So true! All these “rules” are quite limiting.
You can read about the green maxi here!: https://smallseams.wordpress.com/2015/07/29/feeling-hot-hot-hot/
The lesson here for me is WEAR CLOTHES THAT FIT AND THAT YOU LOVE. All of the real ladies modeling their own creations look fabulous. I’m quite inspired. Off to the craft room for me!
Exactly! Glad you’re inspired- happy sewing!!
One of my big pet peeves is the myth that a curvy woman showing the same amount of skin as a smaller woman is somehow more indecent or less professional.
WORD. So much bias!
Ug, that is a frustrating one… a double standard.
Ahh and let’s not forget the biggest elephant in the room.
That the fashion industry thinks us curvy women should not exist at all…
Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable post.
Katja
So sad, but so true. That really is the root of all the rules, isn’t it?
Love this!! Made me giggle on a loooong Friday afternoon – thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it, Kristy!!
Boy oh boy. You sure shot down those ‘myths’ Your carefully selected photos showed some very attractively dressed curvy ladies wearing stripes, prints, lengths, etc. that more than prove the point. I never did believe those myths.
My challenge is getting it all together (fabric, pattern, details, fit, finish.etc) to achieve that big, bold, beautiful PROFESSIONAL look in your pix. A discount coupon for Spanx would also be helpful.
I think it’s true that finding what you like/what works best for you can be difficult, but think it should definitely not be limited by arbitrary “rules” imposed by someone else! Ha ha, Spanx can help, too.
Great post Meg! Love your examples and points given – women should absolutely wear what they love – feel comfortable and beautiful in themselves. Clothing expresses who we are – no one can dictate what is right or wrong for US. Thank you for a great post as always 🙂
I concur wholeheartedly, Kathleen!!
I love this article!! In all these photos the ladies looked happy to wear what they did. 23 years ago I was told by a photographer not to wear large prints. I have never worn one since then. Over the last few years I have been working on just feeling good about myself and that means wear the colors and prints that make me happy!!
Yes to all the prints, big or small, and all the colors!! Never let the naysayers rule your wardrobe choices!
Wear a big print or a small print, just don’t wear a bad print!
Or togs, heaven forbid a curvy woman wears a bathing suit! Best cover that beach ready bod with a huge kaftan……. as long as it doesn’t have horizontal stripes of course!
Ha ha, no, never horizontal stripes. Gasp, I’m sure the world would end if a curvy woman wore horizontal stripes!!
Target recently had an ad for swim leggings.
LEGGINGS.
In plus sizes only – of course.
I almost broke my face from rolling my eyes.
Swim leggings???????!!! Now THAT”S funny!!!!!
Makes sense for some women who cover up for religious reasons — they probably have “normal” (like that’s really a thing) sized women upset because they can’t find something similar in their size.
I think we’re safe…… they have either horizontal wavy stripes or whopping floral patterns and as we all know, we can’t wear either of those!!
Once upon a time I owned a dive skin, a full body lycra “swimsuit”. It had long sleeves and full length legs. It’s for snorkeling and scuba diving, but I loved that thing for regular swimming. I sunburn REALLY easily. It was blue and had huge, bright colored tropical fish all over it… so I guess I failed two ways. I wore something skin tight with a huge pattern on it.. Whoopsiedoodle!
This was so great! I struggle with these, and at times picking pattern and styles that don’t violate the many taboos is exhausting and so limiting that it chokes the creativity out of my sewing. Thanks for pointing out, that it is nonsense! My only guidelines should emerge from me and what makes me feel great to wear!
It’s definitely nonsense! Pay it no mind. If the fabric and pattern combination speaks to you, then it’s meant to be!
And we have very little choice in necklines. Low necklines show off too much, but we shouldn’t under any circumstances wear higher necklines because they make us “big”. And don’t forget that we should never wear strapless or narrow straps without some shoulder coverage.
Ha ha! It really is the contradictions that make it especially comical- neither deep nor high necklines? Really?
Don’t forget! At age 63 I now have the new “rule”. Fragile crepe like skin that shouldn’t be seen. Now I am supposed to be covering my neck with scarves! LOL
Meg, what a great post. I was reading it out loud to dh and he was happily exclaiming that I can ditch the wardrobe and run around naked as nothing suits haha! Not likely! I was pregnant and wearing a horizontally striped maxi dress in large and small print no less – and I was told I looked marvellous! Now I am embarking on trying to find the jeans pattern I own to make some close fitting clothing. I personally cannot stand the fact that most rtw shops that cater to us curvy girls in Australia, think that we can only wear tunics and capri pants with elasticated waists! How boring and rather freezing cold to wear in winter too. I think this is the reason why so many of us take an interest in sewing and altering patterns to make them fit us. Let’s not be defined by the myths lets have the myths be defined by us in the fact that curvy women can wear whatever, whenever and look wonderful in the process.
Yes, yes, and yes!! I think, especially with sewing skills, we can wear anything we want and look fabulous!
Don’t forget that curvy women shouldn’t wear sleeveless tops, skirts with gathers or pleating. Ha, ha, ha!!
Ah, yes, good ones, Doris! Ug.