7 Timeless Style Tips For Curvy Women

Being curvy no longer has to mean looking like Marilyn Monroe with a perfect hourglass figure. But of course, we still all want to know how to be just as fashionable, no matter our size or shape. You may be wondering how to dress with style as a curvy woman, and you’ve come to the right place.

Whilst there’s still a way to go in making the fashion world as equally accessible to everyone as it can be, style comes from within, and with the right knowledge at your fingertips, you’ll be able to consistently put together outfits that look great on your body type and demonstrate an elevated understanding of how to dress well.

This article will show you how to dress fashionably with curves big or small, up top, down below, or all over, and help you feel as fabulous as you are.

We’ve written a list of 7 easy ways you can work with the clothes you already have, as well as what to look for in new items, to help your curves take centre stage and your confidence shine through.

1. Look for inclusive brands

As fashion houses are beginning to more openly embrace the plethora of shapes and sizes of women’s bodies, so too do their clothes encompass the need for variety. That said, not every company actively designs clothes with curvier figures in mind, and instead will simply print the same designs in more sizes to fit a larger group of people. Different clothes look good on different bodies – so buying from brands with an active interest in flattering all body shapes like Adrift clothing is a very good place to start.

You’re less likely to find yourself wearing something that fits but ultimately is meant for a narrower frame, and instead discover clothes that suit your body just the way it is. Clothes designed for curvier bodies are more likely to include draping, flowing elements, softer fabrics like cotton or linen, and less rigid structural lines, so look for those details the next time you’re updating your wardrobe.

2. Enhance your waist

Drawing attention to your waist, the narrowest part of your body, is not about creating a slimming effect. It will actually create a wider contrast between your hips and bust, allowing your sumptuous curves to take the spotlight. In stiff or completely unstructured fabrics, clothes may look baggy or overwhelming on you, so think about how to draw attention to your waist for the opposite impact.

You can do this by wearing a belt or corset and other curvy-friendly intimate apparel, which will also create a nice eye-catching detail to break up an outfit. You could look for A-line designs, which form the loose shape of an inverted triangle when worn, or flared silhouettes that cinch in at the waist and billow out at the hips. It’s all about enhancing your natural figure, rather than trying to change it.

3. Tailoring

Shopping for clothes made with fuller figures in mind is great, but remember that larger sizes, like any mass-produced design, can’t take into consideration the exact silhouette of your frame. Get to know your body shape. For example – if you have a wide bottom and hips you might be a ‘pear’, or if you have a fuller bust you could be a ‘strawberry.’ If your hips and your bust are wider than your waist, you may have an hourglass figure.

With this in mind, you want to accentuate the natural curves on your body. So if you’ve bought a piece of clothing that looks great and fits ok, but doesn’t draw attention to the right places, take it to the tailor. They’ll be able to take in, release, shorten or lengthen fabrics to your specific measurements. And guaranteed, when you’re wearing clothes that look like they’ve been made just for you, your confidence and sense of style will skyrocket.

4. Prints and Patterns

Incorporating colour and playfulness into your wardrobe is a great way to showcase your femininity, and having a curvier frame will make sure you don’t get lost in the patterns, especially if you opt for medium to large prints that aren’t too busy or intricate. Ruffles, wrap dresses, polka dots and frills are all soft elements that will honour the femininity of your curves, and highlight your personality.

But, wearing a maxi or midi dress that’s covered head to toe in florals or a geometric print might be a little too much for some. You can still have fun with prints without committing an entire look to it. Think about adding a patterned scarf to a simple shirt, or a funky belt or scrunchie to a plain dress, to jazz your style up without doing anything too out there.

5. Monochrome looks

Just as different body shapes suit different silhouettes, colour is also highly subjective to each individual. Factors like your skin tone, eyes and hair colour, and even the contrast between these natural features, will influence the hues that look best on you. Seasonal colour analysis is a theory put together that can help you work out what these shades are.

Once you’ve settled on your go-to colours, look for individual pieces you can mix and match to create a fun, but cohesive look for your outfit.

You could strike for authority by choosing the exact same colour head-to-toe, or go for a more modern, relaxed approach by playing around with shades, and adding texture to break up the rigidity of a monochrome look. Not only will this make your frame look more streamlined, it will effortlessly amp up your style. Darker tones such as black and navy blue will have a slimming effect too, if that’s your thing.

6. Invest in quality staples

Not a style tip exclusive to curvy women, but one which is ultra-important nonetheless. Here we’re talking about the items that you’ll be wearing regularly, which should be classic designs unimpacted by current trends, and in durable, quality fabrics you know will stand the test of time. Think white cotton shirts, neutral coats, a black dress and a great pair of jeans.

When you’re choosing your fashion staples, keep in mind as many of the above tips as possible when making those purchasing decisions. Of course, a patterned jacket might not be the best idea if it ends up clashing with most things in your wardrobe, but one that skims your body in a flattering colour will soon be a treasured asset. A dress that hugs your figure in all the right places is an effortless glam pick for a spontaneous date night, and a simple belt that goes with almost anything will add definition to your waist in every outfit.

7. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Whilst these pointers offer generalised, practical insight on getting the most out of your wardrobe with tried and tested tips on how to emphasise a fuller frame, they’re not hard and fast rules. Fashion is fluid, and style is a personal preference. Ultimately, nothing is off limits, and there’s so much scope for creative expression and having fun in how you put an outfit together.

Take Billie Eilish for example – an artist who’s made an iconic signature style from extremely baggy and historically ‘unflattering’ styles for a woman with a curvy figure, but has simultaneously experimented with clothing that honours her fuller bust in more traditional corseted styles. Allow yourself the freedom to adhere to conventional style tips sometimes whilst breaking out of it for others.

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And there you have it, seven classic ways to approach your ever-evolving fashion journey.
Remember that your personal style should above all else be a reflection of you. Every woman should feel equipped to tackle the world with a stellar wardrobe at her disposal, but what that looks like for you is completely individual. With our useful guidance, creating that wardrobe hopefully just got a little bit easier.