30 Life Changing Plus Size Style Tips for Every Season

I’m sharing some amazing plus size style tips that will have you looking and feeling fabulous!

Wearing balloon sleeve wrap top from Banana Republic with peplum hem in XL.

I’ve always been a curvy girl. Though it took me some time I’ve learned to love my body and embrace every curve! If you haven’t learned how to dress your unique body, these tips will help you nail it down. I’ve also included some effortless fall looks to inspire your next wardrobe makeover. Having a great wardrobe with clothes you’re excited to wear is a great way to boost your body confidence. And let me tell you, these outfits will have you strutting down the halls of your workplace and even within the walls of your own home. Each of these high quality (yet affordable) fall wardrobe essentials will shape your body just right and enhance your best features.

What is considered Plus Size?

If you’re wondering how plus size style tips can really help you with your wardrobe, you may even be wondering exactly what is considered to be the “standard” for what is “plus size”. Typically, in the model world in the US, plus size can be anything from a size 8 or 10 and higher. In a department stores, it can begin in a size 18, or even be designated as Women’s sizes that typically have a “W” next to the number.

With more than half of American women wearing a size 14 or above, I guess numerically that would mean that more than half of American women are considered to fit into plus size styles of clothing. Nonetheless, I say don’t allow yourself to be defined by a label or even a size.

You don’t have to fit yourself inside of a box, your clothing size doesn’t define you, and no matter what anyone thinks you’re beautiful just the way you are!

Keep scrolling for the best plus size tips and amazing fall wardrobe essentials!

Pinterest graphic with text and image collage of outfits, demonstrating the best plus size style tips.

Shop the Looks!

Plus Size Style Tips that are Always in Fashion

Woman wears fall wardrobe essentials, styled using the best plus size fashion tips for women.

Embrace and Accept Your Body - Every body is beautiful! If you are living and breathing, you have so much to be grateful for. Your body does amazing things for you everyday. Learn to love it. Here are some affirmations to get you started if you need a little help!
Join Plus Size Communities on Social Media - There is nothing better than being able to share and interact with like-minded people. You can find great tips, uplifting messages and even friendships in these groups that will not only help you with your style and fashion but also with your personal life, too!
Get a Bra Fitting and Invest in High Quality Undergarments and Shapewear - No woman, regardless of size, can look and feel her best with ill-fitting underwear! Make it a point to get some undergarments that lift, support and hug you the right way. Some good shapewear is also a must!
Follow Plus Size Influencers - Follow people that look like you! Social media can become a toxic place if we’re constantly confronting content that kicks up our anxieties or makes us feel less than (even if that’s not the intent). It’s so beneficial to take a social media detox every now and then and make sure our feeds aren’t filled with too many idealized and unattainable images.
Don’t be Afraid to Show Some Skin and Hug Your Curves - Girl! It’s okay to show some skin! Let a shoulder out, give a little neck. Sexy and showy outfits are for us, too!
Use Wide Belts for Styling - A good wide belt can turn a ho hum dress or tunic into a flattering silhouette in a snap. These belts will cinch you in just in the right spot to show off your curves.
Know What Fabrics Work Best for Your Body - Some fabrics are more flattering than others. You may find that your body type needs more structured materials or that clingy and stretchy fabrics don’t work well for you. Pay attention to clothing descriptions when you order online so you can avoid fabrics you know don’t work for you.
Shop and Dress For Your Body Right Now - You may have lost or gained a few pounds, or are working towards a goal weight. Don’t put off purchasing clothing until you hit a particular target. Dress your body for right now, make smart choices for your shape in THIS moment! And then do it again when you hit your goals.
Understand Your Body Silhouette - Whether you have a curvy hourglass shape, curvy rectangle, curvy triangle shape or something in between, learn the best styles for each particular body shape so you can look your best.
Be Smart with your Accessories - Good accessories can make a big difference in an outfit ensemble. If you’re having an off week and want to cover up a little more or use more muted or dark tones, be sure to bling and pop out your clothing with some earrings, a good necklace or bracelet or good bag.
Wear Statement Jewelry - On that note, wear statement jewelry. The neck and shoulders are a beautiful feature on every woman’s body. Use that canvas to attract some attention to your collarbone and face.
Pencil Skirts are Your Friend - Skirts to-the-knee look flattering on everyone. Pencil skirts elongate your curves and provide balance to your body.
Include Some Wrap Dresses in Your Wardrobe Staples - Wrap dresses are another universally flattering garment. This silhouette looks especially good on those of us with more curves. Make sure you keep a few of these in your wardrobe for every season.
Stock up on Quality Basics - Other items to stock up on and keep on hand are some quality basics. These are go to items that you can layer under sweaters and structured jackets and dress up with your accessories.
Don’t Get Boxed In by the Sizes on Labels - When you’re trying on clothes, don’t be afraid to go up or down sizes. Those numbers aren’t hard and fast rules. If something looks like it would be a good fit for you, try it on!
Find a Good Tailor - Unfortunately, some plus size clothes come lacking in shape or you may find a great piece of clothing that’s just a little too long or wide in some places. A good tailor can nip and tuck to make your outfit just right!
Be Careful with Flimsy Fabrics - As I mentioned previously, not all fabrics are for everybody. Flimsy fabrics can do your body a disservice if worn the wrong way. Lighter fabrics generally work best under a structured jacket or with an oversized sweater. They can also work for certain skirts and empire waist dresses. Make sure you try on items with this fabric type to ensure they are flattering.
Don’t Shy Away from a Good Print - Print is a great way to express yourself. Don’t be afraid to use and mix patterns and textures. A plain silhouette can be made interesting with a good pattern. This goes for your accessories, too!
Cut is Key - Empire Waist, Peplum, Scoop Neck, V Neck, High Waist pants, these are your friends! Find the cuts that work best for your body and purchase them on repeat in different colors and patterns.
Use Color to Your Benefit - Color is another great way to express your emotions and show your personality. Find the colors that look best with your skin tone and speak to who you are and wear them proudly.
Know Your Measurements - This is so, so important, especially when shopping online. You can find a soft tape measure in the fabric section of a store or in craft stores. Get measurements for your bust, waist, hips and shoulders. If there are other specific measurements listed for a garment, have your measuring tape on hand to take those, too.
Understand Sizing Charts - Here’s a breakdown of the many numerical sizing conventions you may encounter when viewing sizing charts online or instore. Understanding these will help you make the right choices.
Make an Impact with Your Shoes - Even if you don’t always feel great about your current size or shape or maybe you’re a little bloated on a particular day, you can always throw on a great pair of shoes. Draw attention to your feet if you’re not feeling like bring attention anywhere else.
Don’t be Afraid to Try New Things that Are Outside of The Box - The rules of fashion are meant to be broken. Do what feels right for you.
Take Time for Self Care - Take care of your body and mind and you will have more confidence to wear what you want, to make the choices that create happiness in your life and to reach any goals you may have.
Find Well-Fitted Jeans - The same pair of jeans can look totally different from woman to woman, even for those that are technically the same size. Do yourself a favor and take some time to find well-fitted jeans that suit your frame. It make take some time and trial and error, but it will be worth it. Once you find a good cut and waistline, you can purchase similar items on repeat, knowing those options will always look good.
Get Some Pointed Toe Shoes - Pointy shoes are great for extending the leg and creating the appearance of being longer and leaner. Keep these in your wardrobe for every season in flats or with a heel!
Layer Tops with Structured Jackets - Structured jackets are a plus size wardrobe must. Structured blazers, trenches and denim jackets are great for cinching in your waist and accentuating your “best assets”. They can also hide your arms if you’re working on getting them in shape.
Mind Your Posture - Do you remember you mom telling you to stand up straight? Well, she was right. Good posture will make you look longer and leaner and help your clothes hang better on your frame. (Plus, you can avoid some serious neck and back pain!)
Be Confident! - Confidence is your greatest accessory. When you are beaming with strength and positive energy, you will always look good!

Woman wears fall plus size outfit with orange sweater, faux leather pants and boots.

Fashion Tips for Fall and Fall Wardrobe Essentials

Now that we’ve covered the best universal plus size style tips, let’s get into some particulars for fall. In most states, this is a transitional season so you may have some warmer days and some cooler days leading into winter. It can be hard to find the right balance with your fall wardrobe essentials. But, I’ve got some tips that will make this a great clothing season for you, year after year.

Plan to layer - In Georgia during the fall in can feel like winter in the morning and then be 90 degrees again by mid-day. Plan to wear layers so you can remove outerwear if it gets too hot. This is why good basics are so important. You want to still look cute even without your sweater or shrug or your structured jacket.
Find Sweaters with a little bit of relief. A good “cold shoulder” sweater or off the shoulder sweater is great for fall because you can get a little relief from warmer weather during the day by showing some skin. Winter is where you can really commit to your thicker sweaters that have you completely covered up.
Anchor your outfits with a great pair of jeans - Denim is a great fall staple. It looks great with fall colors and can be dressed up or down. You can see denim styled a few different ways in the images throughout this post. It will look good with boots for a particularly cool day, heels for a night out or flats for a more casual and warmer day.
Mix dark neutrals with pops of color or shine - Darker colors and neutrals are always on trend during the fall and winter, but that doesn’t mean your outfit has to be boring or monotone. Spice things up with a pop of color or shine. Mustard, oranges, reds and even purple are great colors for the fall. Be creative with different textures and add in chrome, gold and rose gold accents to elevate your looks.

What Did You Think of These Plus Size Style Tips?

I hope you enjoyed these plus size style tips and my favorite fall wardrobe essentials. Make yourself a priority and get you some great outfits for the season. Every woman feels confident in great clothes so you shouldn’t settle for anything less!

Let me know which looks were your favorite and the style tips you plan to use.

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