Fashion is much more than a trend – it is a platform to celebrate diversity and inclusivity. Body-positive fashion has long been an important and powerful statement in support of beauty at all sizes, shapes, and colors. With more and more brands embracing this movement, we are learning to love and appreciate ourselves just the way we are.
1. Fashion for Every Body: Celebrate Diversity and Inclusivity
Dressing for Your Body Type
When it comes to fashion, the possibilities are endless; however, with that comes the importance of finding styles that look the best on your body type. Whatever your size is, you can find a look that works for you. With a few simple rules of thumb, you can learn how to accentuate your natural assets and rock your own unique style.
How to Dress for Your Body Shape
- Pear-shaped: To dress the pear body type, it’s important to emphasize the upper body while simultaneously balancing it out with the lower half. A great way to do this is through pattern mixing and layering.
- Inverted Triangle: Tall, slim inverted triangle shapes should draw the eye down with wider necklines and bold designs or patterns.
- Rectangle: Rectangular body types should look for outfit combos that give the illusion of curves. Options such as V-neck tops and flared dresses can be great.
- Apple: As an apple-shaped body usually tends to be the widest at the midsection, the focus should be on pairing low-rise bottoms with fitted tops to help create symmetry.
Plus-size Fashion
Plus-size fashion is all about celebrating someone’s natural curves and frame. A trend that is becoming increasingly popular is the idea of fashion that is designed to fit everyone regardless of size. Not only is this about being body-positive and loving yourself, but it can be about understanding and ultimately embracing the idea that clothing should fit all bodies. This concept encourages clothing brands to create clothes for a wider audience and disregards the concept of “standard sizes” as one of the same.
Playing with color, pattern, and silhouettes can be another way to show affinity for body diversity. Be playful and take time to experiment with different pieces; you may be more daring than you realize.
2. Exploring Body-Positive Clothing Options
Making the switch to body-positive attire can make a great impact in terms of self-esteem and self-love. When choosing clothing for yourself, it is important to look for pieces that fit well and make you feel confident. Luckily, there is no shortage of body-positive apparel to choose from.
Curvy Clothing
One great option for curvy women is to look for clothing that is specifically designed for curvier body types. Many major retailers and online stores now offer plus-size fashion lines that provide flattering clothing for every body shape and size. These stylish pieces embrace your curves and can be found in a variety of shapes, colors, and prints.
Comfortable Clothes
Clothing does not need to be overly revealing or overly tight in order to look good. The majority of retailers now offer a wide selection of comfortable clothes that are still fashionable. Whether you opt for a fitted maxi dress or a pair of jeggings, it is important to choose something that feels good on the body, and fits correctly.
The Right Cut
The bottom line is that body-positive clothes are all about the right cut and fit for your shape. Whether you go for an A-line dress or a relaxed-fit top pairs of jeans, the trick is to find the cut that is flattering for your unique body silhouette. Some key elements to keep in mind when shopping for clothes are:
- Your body type
- The fabric and material used
- Length and fit of the garment
- Neckline and sleeve length
3. Tips for Uncovering a Body-Positive Wardrobe
Have you ever felt uncomfortable wearing certain styles of clothing, but can’t figure out why? Feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin is essential to cultivating a body-positive wardrobe. Here are some tips to get you on the right track.
- Think about colors that make you feel good and figure out what you particularly like. Try to pick out those pieces that will make you feel the most positive and confident.
- Opt for comfortable fabrics and fits. Avoid styles that are unnecessarily structured, stiff, or uncomfortable.
- Think about how the clothes make you move and how you interact with them. Find styles that will not inhibit movement or hinder creativity.
- If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wear it. There is no need to suffocate yourself in clothes that don’t make you feel good. Find something that makes you proud of your body.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your clothes. Use your body as an opportunity to learn and express what works best for you. Take the time to let fashion evolve as you stay true to your body-positive goals.
Push past the boundaries of conventional fashion and be the best version of yourself. Create something unique and beautiful, while also allowing yourself to be comfortable and happy. Try to focus on dressing for yourself and you might just discover a wardrobe you’ll enjoy for years to come.
4. Embrace Your True Self in Body-Positive Style
It’s one thing to tell yourself you’re attractive, it’s quite another to actually believe it. Achieving true body-positive style is a necessity if you want to make a real statement about loving yourself. Here are several tips to help you get there.
1. Wear Clothes That Fit
The first step to improving your style? Only buy items that fit and flatter your body correctly. Too-tight clothes show rolls and bulges; baggy clothes show unflattering lines. Instead, try something that fits close to the body and highlights your curves. This does not mean skin-tight clothes either! It just means clothes that consider the shape of your body instead of being one size fits all.
2. Dress for Your Body Type
Don’t try to squeeze your body into a certain style if it doesn’t fit your body type. Embrace your anatomical differences and flatter your unique body shape. For example, you might opt for a maxi dress if you have especially long legs, or A-line skirts to emphasize a small waist. Don’t try to be something you’re not. Instead, focus on accentuating the features you love the most.
3. Be Confident
Confidence can be a tricky thing to hold onto but it’s very important for body-positive style. Embrace fashion trends, colors, and shapes that make you happy. Make sure when you do wear something, no matter how conservative or wild, you do it with confidence and pride. Let your outfit show the world that you love and accept yourself.
4. Find Your Personal Style
Walk into any clothing store, and there’s seemingly endless choices of fashion. You don’t have to have the same style as everyone else. It’s all about finding your personal signature. To make this easier, consider what you like in others’ style:
- Do you like Maximalist dressers?
- Do you like minimalist dressers?
- Do you prefer preppy and classic?
- Is vintage more your jam?
Whatever the case, find your personal style and you’re one step closer to a more successful body-positive style.
At the end of the day, it’s up to everyone to embrace body-positive fashion and make it the norm instead of the exception. Let’s take a stand against the unrealistic standards of beauty that the industry has been feeding us for years and take pride in our natural shapes and sizes. Let’s honor and appreciate the beauty of diversity and promote inclusivity in fashion.
