Plus-Size Fashion Trends: What’s Worth Wearing Now
Fashion evolves so quickly, that obsessively following trends leaves a closet full of clothes that just end up being redundant. Unlike most trend articles, where lists become outdated, we offer a hub that catalogues trends worth following each season, alongside items that will be in style year after year. Seasonal posts will be linked here, and they will focus more in-depth on specific trends.
Which pieces are worth it?
For this section, we are going to focus first on what never really goes out of style. Things that are timeless help all the other clothes you buy to be more versatile. Some items that never really go out of style include: Dark Jeans that fit you well and are a style that you love (not what is in style and on display in the store), a Blazer, or a Jacket. Some classy pieces that help you elevate the style of an everyday outfit or even help jeans look formal and a dress look causal, are neutrals that you have in your wardrobe. Trend pieces that sit in your wardrobe and go unused truly make those pieces feel like a costume – unoriginal. Trend pieces can be part of your style.
What’s standing out this season
Usually, high street fashion looks similar to a more subtle iteration of a style that’s been seen on the runway, after having been previously exaggerated. Here’s a few things to keep in mind for the time being.
This season, vibrant saturated with color statement pieces, especially in outerwear, are trending. Look out for bright coats or jackets to throw over your otherwise simple, basics, and avoid the head to toe bursts of color to prevent looking like you’re in a costume.
The classics are becoming more relaxed, adding looseness to blazers and trousers, and switching to drapey fabrics instead of stiff tailoring. Because of this trend, dressing in larger sizes is easier since loose tailoring is more comfortable and can fit all sizes as opposed to the sharp stiff tailoring that was in style previously.
Color is being overshadowed by varying textures and prints instead. Interesting knits and jacquard prints are becoming more popular and having depth rather than busy patterns. Texture and prints are also more flattering and appealing to the eye, especially when compared to the high contrasting print patterns that can be too overwhelming.
Translating runway styles to everyday looks
Catwalk fashion is scale sized to samples meaning they are tricky to interpret for larger sized bodies. This is primarily because the proportions are made to scale for smaller bodies, not because the particular style is uncomplimentary.
A few things that generally help: for trends that include oversized or boxy shapes, find a version with some shape to it, like a little definition of the waist, or a longer version that has balanced proportions, instead of a boxy shape from shoulder to hem. For trends that are leaning towards some cropped lengths, pay attention to what’s underneath. A cropped jacket can go over a longer top and can be much better than the cropped piece alone.
You can also ignore trends that do not speak to you. There’s no reason to follow every trend. Some trends are just not for you and that is completely okay.
Trend + Heavy Lifting Accessories
Wanting to follow a trend but not wanting to change your entire wardrobe is very common. Great accessories can achieve both. A great bag, a fun scarf, or even a fun pair of shoes are great additions to an outfit that is based on a wardrobe full of basics.
This is perfect for a trend or accessory that is very “in” right now. This is adding things to your wardrobe that you may not like, or want to continue to wear, for a long time. Accessories that are fun, trendy, and new can achieve a lot with little to no effort.
Building a wardrobe, not chasing trends
It’s smart to start from the point of what you will actually wear often. It’s what will give you the best return on investment when you decide to purchase more wardrobe items. A piece that integrates into your wardrobe and works with 3 or 4 other items is worth more than a notable item that works with only 1 other piece of clothing.
This isn’t to say that trends should not be followed. Some trends are definitely worth purchasing. The goal here is to be selective and to think practically about your purchases based on what you will wear rather than what will look good when you think of pieces of clothing in isolation from the rest of your closet.
What’s coming up
It will give you links to articles that give you guides on what to shop for each season as well as guides based on dressing with a plus-size body, specific trends, and dressing for the season. If you want to learn more about a specific trend, feel free to check back here throughout the season or, better yet, check out the links below for the upcoming seasonal posts.
The takeaway
It is beneficial to be aware of what’s trending, but these items should not replace what is in your closet that you have built around what works well for you. Instead, focus on a few well-selected seasonal items that your wardrobe really needs to be built around in regard to strong, solid, and especially, frequent items. It is more intelligent to take this approach rather than try to keep up with every trend all at the same time.