Fashion Mistakes That Make Your Curves Look Hefty: Fashion tips for the full figure woman.

By Coral Turner, Couture Fashion Designer

Naturally, you want to look beautiful. Looking hefty, however, means that you are not meeting your objective. The words, hefty, bulky, sturdy and solid best describe a powerful horse rather than an attractive woman.    As a couture designer, I work with models that are ‘model’ thin but I work with clients who are all shapes and sizes.  And, you don’t need to be ‘model’ thin to look beautiful in my couture fashions or someone’s designs.  I have written an article for tips for plus size women, this article is for the woman who is built like Kim Kardashian i.e. full figured.  

Clothing size 

Wearing clothes that are too large or small will result in you looking heavy and large. Tight clothing clings to every fold and crease of your body and baggy clothing hangs on you as though you are a lampshade. Clothes that fit you, however, make you look curvaceous and attractive.  I know I have talked about fit before but as a couture designer, I cannot tell you how it drives me crazy to see an ill-fitted garment on a woman, because it takes away from her beauty.

Colours 

A mishmash of colours will afford you the appearance of a patchwork quilt, which surely is not the look you are aiming for. Wise women know that wearing the same colour from tip to toe is slimming. Notice, I’m not saying to wear all black.  You can wear colour-bright and bold beautiful colours. To inject an accent colour to contrast the outfit use accessories rather than your main outfit. 

Stripes 

As a rule of thumb, wide horizontal stripes make you look wide, and thin horizontal stripes do not make you look either wide or slim. Vertical stripes can make you look tall and thin. However, use them sparingly, as they can be overwhelming especially if you are a petite woman. 

Skinny jeans and low-rise 

Skinny, low-rise jeans look fabulous on skinny women with short waists. Full figure  women, however, look hefty and chubby in them. If you want to look thin, wear boot-cut, medium-rise jeans, they also make your legs look shapely.

Waistbands 

Elastic waistbands are your enemy. If you want to create a slimmer look, avoid them at all costs. Thick waistbands that sit just above your hips but not around your actual middle are beneficial. 

Footwear 

Ankle boots suit women with delicate, small ankles. In addition, shoes and sandals with ankle straps only suit women with thin ankles. Long boots and peep-toe shoes with heels are comparatively favourable. 

Accessories 

As laughable as it might sound, carrying a small bag will make you appear large. Carrying a large bag will have the opposite effect. Additionally, the same applies with regard to belts and jewelry. Wear a large belt and a big, long necklace in order to look small. It is about ensuring that everything is proportional to your size.

It is actually the one thing that drives me crazy about the Duchess of Cambridge style.  She always carries these dainty little clutches and they are not proportioned to her size. For me, she looks like she is carrying a cell phone case not a purse.  Often, the clutches she carries are a stunning accessory but they are overshadowed by her and her outfit.

You do not have to look hefty when you can make your curves attractive by avoiding the pitfalls described above.  Of course, I am happy to design and create your ideal garment for your special occasion.  And I will even help give you suggestions on what undergarments will suit it best as well as accessories and footwear tips.