“You CAN Wear That” Plus Size Edition

Hi Fly Friends! I’m here to talk about fake plus size fashion “rules” that we were taught growing up! I’m sure that you’ve all heard the phrase “you can’t wear…” whatever it may be. But that’s simply not true. Fashion has no rules. You can and should wear whatever brings you joy, makes you feel comfortable, and expresses your personal style. I’m here to prove the plus size fashion myths wrong and let you know how these taboo trends look on an unapologetic happy fat size 26 body!

Unlearning what systemic oppression has taught us, diet culture, and internalized fatphobia is hard. Fashion is a great way to break down some of those boundaries in a fun and exciting way. It is liberating, confidence-building, and a damn good time.

Remember this truth: YOU CAN WEAR WHATEVER YOU WANT!

Plus Size Bodycon Pieces

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This is one of the most common fashion fears for plus size people! We are always told to wear a-line or empire waist pieces, but the tea is that you can definitely rock a bodycon piece. I think that the main fear lies with the FUPA. The insecurities around our bellies can be some of the greatest we face and try to push past. Visible Belly Outline. VBO, is a fear for many. I am here to tell you that there is no need to fear the VBO. Your belly is soft and beautiful and full of the nourishment your body needs to keep it going. All bellies are beautiful, and I can tell you that with absolute certainty.

Pro Tip: If you are anxious about trying on and styling bodycon pieces, use this trick! Try a bodycon piece with a knot detail or some ruching. It can make your brain feel better to see the fabric pulling across your body to a specific styling point. It helps you know that the garment is indeed supposed to look like that. This isn’t to “hide” or “cover” anything, it’s just a styling element that you can use as a baby step to help you on your way to inevitably rocking bodycon looks!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Find the look on the left HERE and the look on the right HERE

Sleeveless/Arms Showing

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Are you uncomfortable with showing your arms? Lots of plus size babes are! I promise you that you do not need to wear a cardigan in 100 degree weather unless you absolutely love it and are living your fashion dreams! The truth is that your arms are fat! They are fat whether you cover them out or let them bask in the sun. & we all want that gorgeous tan, to feel the sun on our skin, and most importantly, to not worry about pin stains. You can wear sleeveless pieces. You can wear strapless pieces. Tube tops. Sweetheart necklines. Short sleeves. All of it!

Pro Tip: If you’re not comfortable with going right for the spaghetti straps, a great way to test the waters and ease yourself into sleeveless styles is to wear something off-the-shoulder, like this gorgeous all-black look I’m wearing here. Give yourself an idea of what it will feel like to have your arms free of sleeves by letting your shoulders see the sun first. Once that feels awesome, try a cold-shoulder look or a tank top! You’ll be rocking a strapless dress in no time!

PS – Check out these bodycon looks! While I love the gorgeous ruching on the other looks, these are also fire!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Find the butterfly set HERE and the black outfit HERE

Stripes

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Okay, whoever started this absolute nonsense about stripes needs to get a life. Apparently horizontal stripes “make you look wider.” Number one, what? & number two, who cares if they do? Looking wide is not a bad thing. This is all part of that wonderful process of unlearning fatphobia. Are you really going to let yourself be scared of a pattern? A couple of lil lines? Just because some most likely crusty man said a million years ago that stripes weren’t “flattering?” Oh no, not us babes.

Pro Tip: If stripes scare you, you are not alone! This is a widely known fashion fear for fat babes! Try wearing a chevron striped pattern like the blue dress I’m wearing on the right or verticle striped look first and see how you feel! There are always baby steps that we can take when introducing ourselves to new pieces and experiences.

PS – We don’t believe in “flattering” around here! It’s a yucky word that people started using to replace “slimming” so they felt better about saying something rude, and a made-up concept that doesn’t exist! If you want a great explanation of why “flattering” is a good word to throw in the garbage, watch this TikTok by @heyseantaylor.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Find the blue and orange look HERE and the blue chevron look HERE

Fun Cutouts

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Let’s get sexy, Fly Friends! Showing skin of any kind has always been something that society tells fat people not to do, but we’re not listening to those losers anymore. Side slits are some of my favorite sexy style details. It’s a great way to start showing some skin because you really don’t see much of that leg apart from elegant glimpses while walking or when you’re striking this classic pose I’ve got going here. It’s kind of a choose-your-own-adventure cutout.

Pro Tip: I’m also a big fan of showing off the cleavage! This is another sexy cutout that may ease you into showing some more skin. Wearing a top like this one with your favorite jeans or a fun skirt is the perfect night-out look.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Find the sparkly dress HERE and the black dress HERE

Plus Size Two Piece Bathingsuit

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Y’all knew it was coming! We can not talk about fake fashion “rules” without talking about swimwear. We all grew up wearing the Nike one-pieces even if we weren’t on the swim team and have rocked our fair share of sassy tankinis.

Please know that wearing whatever you want, finding body confidence, and loving yourself does NOT require you to show more skin if that’s not your vibe. Wearing a two-piece bathing suit can feel liberating and boundary-breaking for some, but it is the inside work that counts. We use fashion to help break down the mental and societal barriers in a fun way, but the goal is to eventually have fashion have nothing to do with how our bodies look and just be a form of self-expression. One-piece, tankini, two-piece, board shorts, thong, and string bikini wearers can all love themselves equally. There are no fashion requirements for loving yourself other than wearing whatever the hell you want.

Pro Tip: If you DO want to wear a two-piece and you’re looking for tips to build up your comfort levels, I recommend starting with a high-waisted swimsuit. You still get the support on the bottom and that really helps with feeling comfortable in the water. You can also snag a cute beach cover-up like the one I have here that you can take on and off whenever!

OUTFIT DETAILS: My favorite places to grab swimsuits are Eloquii, AdoreMe, Walmart, & Nordstrom

Plus Size Patterns

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Whoever made this one up is super lame. Of course, you can wear patterns! I don’t know who it was that decided plus size people should only wear solid colors, but I hope they stub their toe the next time they think they’re just about reached their limit for the day. Look at these outfits! *Chef’s kiss* You can mix, match, and clash whatever patterns you want! Patterns are so fun to play around with!

Pro Tip: You can always start with a classic pattern like the gingham I’m wearing on the right, and pair it with a solid-colored piece. That way the pattern is familiar to you and you’ve still got some solid elements going on. Don’t worry, you’ll be covered in patterns before you know it.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Find the black & white look HERE and the red gingham look HERE

Bright Colors

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Whether or not you like wearing a certain color has nothing to do with your body, skin tone, or gender! I have seen so many people say “that color doesn’t look good with my skin tone,” etc. You are allowed to just not like wearing a specific color, you don’t have to blame it on your body or how it looks! Not liking something isn’t a fault or flaw that you have! You can just not like it. Plus size people have been told for years to stick to dark colors. This is more fatphobic thinking. They’d like to hide us or have us blend in by only wearing dark hues. Dark colors are beautiful! But don’t just wear them because you think that you have to, wear them because you actually like them!

Pro Tip: It helps to choose a color that you really like and just wear a brighter hue. For example, if you love the color red and you usually wear burgundy or maroon, try wearing a brighter firetruck or lipstick red and see how you feel!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Find the yellow look HERE and the pastel striped look HERE

Crop Tops

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Crop tops started as a trend but quickly became a wardrobe staple! Just like wearing a two-piece bathing suit, it helps to ease yourself into the crop top life by pairing your crop top with a pair of high-waisted bottoms. I love wearing crop tops because it breaks up the wardrobe line and changes up your look visually.

Pro Tip: Start by wearing a top that you can style as a crop top but isn’t a traditional crop, like the button-down I’m wearing here. This will make it easy to switch it up throughout the day and you have the option to “un-crop” it whenever you want!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Find the black look HERE and the neutral look HERE

Plus Size Shorts

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Okay, I totally get some plus size babes being against the shorts game for the cub rub alone. But honestly, get yourself some Megababe thigh rescue and you’re good to go! If it’s about showing off your legs, no worries! You can totally rock shorts. If you find yourself wearing jeans all summer long and sweating your butt off while wanting to wear shorts, I’m here to tell you that you definitely can!

Pro Tip: you can always start out with a longer inseam style like Bermudas! Work your way up from jeans, to capris, to Bermudas, to above-the-thigh styles, and then pick whatever inseam is most comfortable for you!

OUTFIT DETAILS: find the look on the left HERE and the look on the right HERE

You CAN Wear That

I hope this blog post helps you feel comfortable trying out some new pieces and styles! Adding these elements into your wardrobe will help you create even more fun looks, and that’s what it’s all about. Making your way towards body confidence and your personal style should be fun and exciting.

Remember the only rule: YOU CAN WEAR WHATEVER YOU WANT!

Xo Victoria