Body Confidence whatever your Dress size

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When I was growing up, my weight fluctuated quite rapidly. In my early teens I was taunted and teased by school mates for being “too skinny” – I had very slender legs and arms, and very little in terms of bust, and I was always made to feel that this look was unattractive. I began to pay attention to the media, and everywhere I looked were these ‘perfect’ so called role models, with large busts and slender waists, and I found myself wishing I was like them.

As I got older and went through puberty, my body shape changed, my hips widened, my bust grew and then, guess what? The teasing changed and all of a sudden I was ‘fat’. I was made to feel that I was too big, had ‘puppy fat’ and told that my eating habits had ‘finally caught up with me’ – people can be very cruel. Now aged 35, and two children down the line, I have learned to accept my body for what it is, and focus less on it’s size and shape but more on how lucky I am to have it!

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Body confidence in the Noughties

Growing up for a girl can be a very challenging time, and whilst the rise of social media has bought with it an increased focus on body confidence (and not all of it positive), the one thing I love now about fashion in the noughties, is that celebrities and influencers have gone on to prove that you can be body confident and sexy whatever your dress size.

Gone are the days that you have to be a size 8 to be deemed attractive, and women are being told that if you have curves, you can flaunt them, and that you don’t to be restricted to wearing baggy and unappealing clothes just because you are above a size 14. In 2019, you can open a magazine and see real women, with real bodies (of ALL shapes and sizes) and it is such a refreshing change.

With the increase of brands such as Pink Clove widening our options and choices online, women with fuller figures can now choose curve flattering outfits to match all the latest trends, from evening to day wear in sizes 16-28.

My tips for plus size body confidence:

Ditch the black – quite often we are told that if you want to appear slimmer, wear black and as a result, many plus sized females tend to stick to darker drab colours that are more likely to ‘fade into the background’. Buy why? Don’t be afraid to bring out colours and prints and put a bit of personality back into your outfits.
Wear the RIGHT size – this may sound obvious but it’s amazing how many people don’t follow this very basic concept! It is very easy to become obsessed with the number, the clothes size and the label that this brings, especially if the number goes up or you have to buy a larger size. However, wearing the wrong size is NOT helpful, and wearing clothes that fit poorly or are a size too small is not going to do anything for your body confidence. Buy the right size and ensure the outfit flatters and supports your body shape, and you will look and feel much more comfortable as a result.
One of the biggest factors in choosing a new dress is deciding what length you want. For example, a mini dress may be appropriate for a date, but not for professional or formal engagements. One dress that can sometimes be suitable for all of those purposes is a midi dress. As the name suggests, it has a length between knee-length and ankle-length. That middle-of-the-road appearance allows a midi-dress to have multiple functions. All it takes us the ability to choose the right accessories to make it perfect to wear at any time. For example, a nice jacket can help it look more professional. On the other hand, a pair of high heels and some nice jewelry can help you use your midi dress to prepare for anything from a first date to an anniversary dinner with your spouse.
Work on your posture – The way that you stand can have a huge impact on the way your clothes hang and look to the outside world. Avoid slouching your shoulders or slumping, and stand tall with the confidence you deserve!
Invest in some good quality underwear – I recently learned after not being measured for quite some time that I was wearing completely the wrong bra size, and the impact of good fitting underwear can be huge! Not only does good quality underwear provide a high level of support and smooth your figure but can do wonders for your confidence.
Add in a staple pair of heels – A good pair of heels can make a huge difference to your overall body shape, adding length and shape to your legs. If you have larger or wider feet, look for wider shoe fittings to ensure that your feet remain comfortable throughout.
Highlight your best features – Instead of concealing your assets, if you want to flatter your figure, identify what are your best features and wear outfits that highlight them. For example, if you have an hourglass figure, look for dresses that cinch in at the waist, or to flatter a larger bust, avoid clothes that simply hang off you like a tent, but are tailored and shaped to accentuate your curves.
Finally, wear what makes you feel good. Don’t let anyone else dictate what you can and cannot wear. You are an individual, and whilst it’s great to embrace trends and be inspired by the outfits on the catwalk, if you don’t want to wear them, don’t let anyone make you feel like you should.