While many of these common mistakes are also relevant to a size 0 model, they’re especially dangerous when you’re shopping for plus size clothing. Others are specific to women who have a larger body, but still want to dress to feel both confident and comfortable.
Check out the worst plus size fashion mistakes, and make sure that you’re not making any of them if you want to come across as stylish and well-dressed.
1. Wearing Something Unflattering to Be Courageous
If you’re not really aware of your body shape or believe that ignoring it is perfectly alright, you might end up wearing outfits that simply suck. Whether it’s horizontal stripes or any other details that is unflattering on your body, just stay clear of it.
Of course you can make the occasional exception, but if most of your wardrobe is what you like, not what looks good on you, it’s time for a makeover.
photo: Aarti Olivia
2. Hiding Your Body Completely
One of the worst plus size fashion mistakes is using clothes to hide your body. Hiding every curve under baggy clothes won’t make you look slimmer, in fact it will make you look larger than you are. Embrace your curves and find clothes that skim the body instead of trying to hide all of it under oversized clothing.
photo: Nadia Aboulhosn
3. Focusing Too Much on Trends
Most trends are only flattering to a small group of people, whether or not size comes into play. If you love keeping your looks current to the latest runway trends, focus on accessories more than silhouettes that may be unflattering. Instead, choose your silhouettes based on what works for your body, not the latest trends.
photo: Vanoue Licious
4. Sticking to Black
Just because black is slimming doesn’t mean you should restrict yourself to it. Shying away from color is one of the worst plus size fashion mistakes you can make. Try other dark hues that are slimming, including browns and navys, but don’t be afraid to inject a little bit of bright colors in your outfits too, not just in your accessories.
See also: Plus Size Fashion Rules to Break
photo: Nadia Aboulhosn
5. Wearing Cap Sleeves On Large Arms
Paying attention to the shape of your body means picking out what works for you, regardless of what’s flattering on other plus size women. For example, wearing cap sleeves when you have thicker arms is not a flattering look, since the sleeves make them look even larger.
photo: Anais Penelope
6. Becoming a Slave to a Size
Size can be a powerful psychological obstacle, but you have to do your best to ignore it. Don’t label yourself a certain size then try to squeeze into a clothing item of that size no matter what. Just like shoes, plus size clothing can vary greatly between different manufacturers. One of the worst plus size fashion mistakes is just trying on a single size when you’re shopping, instead of trying to check if a larger or smaller one is more flattering on you.
photo: Audrey G.
7. Buying Exclusively Online
Sticking to online shopping is another mistake that can affect your style. The right fit is even more important for plus-size women, so buying online after you’ve actually tried the clothes on in a store is a much better idea in order to guarantee you’ll be pleased and not have to return half of your new clothes.
photo: Nina Flageul
8. Relying on Leggings
Wearing leggings regularly is also one of the worst plus size fashion mistakes. They don’t really slim down your legs, instead showing every little detail. A well tailored pair of pants that’s flattering on your figure always looks better than a pair of black leggings, and it also gives you a lot more options to express your unique style.
photo: Ashley Rose
9. Not Wearing Shapewear When You Shop
If you plan on wearing shapewear under your new purchases, then that’s absolutely the only right way to try them on. When you buy new clothes without wearing your regular underwear or shapewear under them, you won’t know how they really fit you in the end.
photo: Margot Meanie
10. Overaccessorizing
Compensating with a lot of colorful accessories added to a bland and dark look can also be one of the worst plus size fashion mistakes. When you’re looking to complete your look with the perfect accessories, make sure that they draw the eye towards your best assets, and don’t go overboard with them.
