Plus Size Summer Outfits

It’s time to pick out your summer dresses, ladies! If you’re a plus-size, you have lots to rejoice about.

Summer is upon us, and it’s time to dive to the back of our closets and bring out our collection of summer outfits. But if you’re a plus size woman, chances are that you have either been too shy about wearing a summer dress or you probably haven’t found the right size of clothes to fit you.

It’s a great time to be a plus size woman, because the fashion world is now slowly waking up to this largely untapped market and producing fits and designs to complement the ‘larger’ figure. Even reputed fashion houses are designing special lines for plus-size women, and these include dresses for summer and spring.

Pick the right fabric.Cotton is your best option in the heat; stay away from Lycra and silk, as these tend to cling to the skin and trap sweat and heat. If you’re travelling to the tropics, try jute-cotton dresses that will keep you cool and comfortable all day long. Denim is hot this season, but stay away from it as this fabric will chafe your skin and cause discomfort.

Strappy dresses are great for the summer. Don’t hide your shoulders; flaunt them in thin strapped dresses. However, make sure the strap does not cut into your shoulders and slow down your blood circulation. Also, the strap should be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the dress. There are a number of dresses in plus sizes made with special detailing on the shoulder straps, such as dainty bows or a flirty stick-on flower. If you’re not very comfortable showing off your shoulders and arms, drape a cotton shrug or stole over your shoulders.

Opt for light colours. Though fashion pundits urge plus-size women to wear clothes in a single dark colour or go the colour-blocking way to streamline the silhouette, dark colours are not very sensible choices for the heat. For one, they trap heat in the fabric and for another; they may cause excessive sweating and heat rashes. Forget what the fashionistas say – summer is a time for comfort. Choose floral prints over a pastel background, or simple invest in white, beige, cream or jade greentrousers. You can even echo the shades of the Sun with a bright yellow shirt and accessorize with nude or black pumps, a floppy hat and minimum makeup and jewellery.

Ensure your clothes don’t cling. You don’t want to look blocky or flabby in your summer outfit. The silhouette of your dress must be feminine and show off your best features. Choose dresses with a low neckline or an empire cut so that the fabric will flow smoothly over your frame. Do not choose dresses with belts that cinch at the waist or at the hips. An A-line dress ending just two inches above the knee will show off your legs in style. The trick is to dress simply with clean silhouettes and light fabrics.