Maxi dresses not only look great and feel good on; they are also very forgiving for us curvier girls. If you have a fuller figure or have been blessed with a slightly larger than average chest size then they are a great way of showing off and making the most of your best assets whilst disguising the bits that you’re not so keen on!

Here are 10 of my favourite maxi dresses that you can buy right now, ready for spring/summer and that range from a size 16 upwards.

Maxi Dresses from the Gemma Collins Collection

These two Gemma Collins dresses above are a great example of easy to wear, day time maxi dresses. Both are under £80 each and will make a great fashion buy to last all summer long. Whether you’re a fan of her on the TV show ‘TOWIE’ or not, there’s no denying that these dresses look great!

Blue Tee Maxi Dress from Dorothy Perkins

Bright, beautiful and yet cleverly casual, this Blue tee maxi dress from Dorothy Perkins is a must have summer essential and a real bargain for just £25.00 at the moment!

Batik Print Maxi Dress from Curvissa

This brightly tribal patterned dress from Curvissa is ideal for making you feel confident. The strikingly bold patterns just scream ‘summer!’ and it is ideal for wearing as an ever day dress or for a special occasion when you want to make a real statement. Air with simple shoes and accessories.

Boho Chic and Halter Neck Maxi Dresses from Simply Be

These two styles are both equally wearable, one brings a touch of Boho chic and the other brings a halterneck style that would be perfect for beachwear and holidays!

Ruby’s Closet Black Feather Print Embellished Maxi Dress from New Look

This dramatic maxi dress looks beautiful for evening wear. Floaty material and a touch of sparkle make it a wonderful dress for wearing on a warm spring or summer evening. You can afford to splash out on this one at a budget friendly £36.00

Red Knot Front Maxi Dress from Dorothy Perkins

Looking for a dramatic maxi dress? Go all out with this striking bright red dress with knot front detailing. Priced at a budget friendly £25.00

Maxi Dresses from Evans

Last but not least we have these two fab maxi dresses from Evans, One is a monochrome style floral maxi dress that is very on trend right now, priced at £49.50 and the other is a flattering graphic print maxi dress that is suitable for any occasion! Both would make great buys now, ready for when our warmer weather finally arrives, but be quick as stocks are running low on some sizes!

Happy bargain hunting, ladies! Hopefully you’ll spot loads more potential fashion picks throughout your search.

Don’t let society dictate to you what you should and shouldn’t wear, be proud of your curves and flaunt them in different ways. Perhaps you associate floral print with your grandma’s curtains? Or think stripes are only for skinny models? Well think again!

Take a look at these styles… how can you resist?

Plus Size Stripe Trend

Top from Debenhams

Stripes never go out of fashion because to put it simply… they’re fabulous. Nautical stripes look great teamed with navy and red and candy stripes can add a playful element to your look too. Don’t worry about the vertical stripe versus horizontal stripe rule either… just experiment and see what suits your body shape – simple!

This modern striped tunic is on-trend and flattering and would look great worn with a pair of skinny jeans or black leggings. Team with heels for added oomph!

Plus Size Floral Trend

Trousers from Evans

The floral trend doesn’t have to be frumpy or old fashioned. On the contrary, floral prints are totally in this season and should be embraced. You don’t have to go traditional either with a classic floral dress; floral prints this season have been seen on everything from handbags, tops, accessories and trousers.

These pansy print trousers encompass the look perfectly in a fun and flirty kind of way. Wear with a waist-cinching belt and a pair of ballet pumps.

Plus Size Faux Leather Trend

Skirt from New Look

Such a sexy trend and one that we will certainly be wearing! The faux leather trend has bags of attitude and provides the perfect antidote for those who dislike anything too ‘girly’. In fact we’re going to go so far as saying that you’d be able to get lots of wear out of a pair of faux-leather trousers or a faux-leather skirt.

This skater skirt is incredibly versatile and would look equally great with a colour-pop jumper or sheer floaty blouse – wear with winter boots or a pair of platform heels for an up-to-date look. Also, to keep things classy, wear with an opaque pair of simple or patterned black tights.

Plus Size White and Cream Trend

Top from ASOS

Ignore articles that tell you to avoid light colours if you’re no size zero – it’s rubbish! That’s what we say. White and beige is big this season and when worn the right way, it will add elegance to your style. This simple top hugs your curves in all the right places and would look very sexy worn with faux-leather trousers or skinny jeans.

Plus Size Ruffle Trend

Dress from New Look

Offering a little nod to the new romantic era, it’s time to experiment with the new trend for ruffles, yes you heard us right… ruffles! Don’t worry about them adding more bulk to your shape, the volume that they add will actually create a flattering shape. This rouched and ruffled dress has a classic style that is guaranteed to turn heads – wear with high heels and a tousled up-do for maximum impact.

Emerald Top

This emerald-polka-dot top is cropped and super cute. Plus-size girls can work the crop tops too. All you need to do is wear high-waisted trousers or skirt to cover up any areas you may feel insecure about. If you still feel a little uncomfortable, throw a sheer white long sleeved shirt over for extra cover. Your crop top will still shimmer through. It’s affordable, easy to mix-and-match and fun.

Emerald Top by TopShop

Emerald Cardigan

A good cardigan can do so many things for your wardrobe and offer versatility. This affordable and flattering cardigan is no exception. It can be worn in so many ways, and you won’t get bored of it.

Emerald Cardigan by H&M

A Cute Rope Bracelet

Rope bracelets are trendy on their own, but the emerald colour enhances the look, especially when paired with gold. To rock this trend, try the ONE by Jami Eselle wrap bracelet.

One wrap bracelet by Jami Estelle

Free People Modern Love Dress

This dress combines two great trends: emerald and beaded design. This feminine dress is breathtaking, and you won’t want to stop wearing it once you buy it. It’s worthy of being the focal piece for all of your spring and summer concerts.

Modern Love Dress by Free People

Emerald Heels

You can never go wrong with heels. Adding colourful heels to your wardrobe can instantly brighten an outfit. You can wear them with structured trousers, dresses, skirts and probably even sweatpants. These GWENDA pointed shoes are simply fabulous, and they are a total must.

Pointed Heels By TopShop

Peplum Emerald Top

This top is flattering and chic. The emerald colour is simple, but the peplum hem gives this top a special flair. Pair with a belt for an even more flattering look. This top is a great choice for women who want to accentuate their hips and tone down their bust or waist.

Peplum Top By ASOS Curve

An Emerald Satchel

An emerald satchel can be easier to coordinate than you think. This Milly satchel is the perfect choice. It’s large, structured and has trendy accents to give it personality. You will find space in this bag for all of your belongings and then some.

Milly Satchel Available At ShopBop

Skinny Trousers

Emerald skinny trousers would be a bold statement, but it looks so good it’s hard to pass up. Everyone can rock this trend. Plus-sized women can pair it with a solid, dark coloured blouse.

Emerald Skinny Trousers By ShopBop

An Emerald Designer Scarf

This We Are Owls scarf is super-soft, interesting and the perfect colour for spring. It will instantly add flair to your outfit, and it will also keep you a little warmer on those cool spring days.

We Are Owls Scarf By ShopBop

Peek-A-Boo Dress

This dress is a flattering choice for all shapes and sizes, and it will work throughout multiple seasons. The lace peek-a-boo detail reveals just enough skin.

Asos Peekaboo Dress By ASOS

Consider Your Height

Height plays a major role in what kind of boots you should wear. Shorter girls should stick to boots that hit the middle of the knee and below. This will produce an elongating and flattering effect. Taller women can easily wear boots that go above the knee and possibly to the thighs.

Leggings, Stockings or Leg Wear is a Must

You could wear this style of boot without leg wear, but it may look awkward and unflattering for most women. It’s best to wear leggings that flatter and coordinate with your outfit. Stockings that go above the knee for short girls and thigh high for tall girls is the most flattering solution. Stockings are a never fail option, especially when they are paired with garters. You can wear this style of boot with skinny trousers as well.

Heel Height Matters Too

The height of the heel on the boots can make your body elongated and slimmer. Wearing them too high isn’t always practical, but shorter girls can benefit from wearing a higher heel. Flats or short heels are great for everyone, but especially if you will be walking a lot around your college campus, work or just for shopping. There are tons of heel sizes to look out for. Try shoes on to see which ones will suit you the best.

Avoid Embellishments

Faux-fur trim on boots is a very common fashion trend, but it isn’t ideal for curvy women. The excess fur can make legs look larger than they are. It’s counter-productive to wear fur trim around the shoes. If you must, then go for shoes that just have a small amount peeking out of the tops of the boots. This will look so much better on you, and you will be more comfortable.

Flaunt Your Style

The most important thing to do is always stay true to your style. Don’t be afraid to flaunt what you have. Wear outfits that show off your curves. The boots are just an accentuating piece that looks fantastic when they are worn properly. You can try wearing high boots with skirts, trousers, frocks and a ton of other combinations. If your boots are more decorated, then you should keep your outfit simple and coordinating. If the boots are plain however, feel free to go crazy and create an outfit that stands out in crowds of people.

Keep in mind that cut and proper fit are going to be your best bet for getting a flattering look. Standard coat sizes are not suitable for petite-but-curvy women. There are petite plus sizes available that will help the coat fit you more properly.

Colours and textures are always a bonus. Don’t be afraid to rock a hot-pink coat if that is what you like. Teals, purples and blues are always striking to see on a woman with curves. Textures can have a slimming effect too that is quite pleasing. These coat styles are just a few of the best ones that will flatter your body in the best possible way!

The Peacoat Style

A peacoat is universally flattering, but it looks exceptionally good on plus-sized women. Peacoats come in numerous shapes, but a double-buttoned breast coat is recommended. It gives a slimming illusion to the body. Larger buttons can also be more slimming than smaller buttons. Peacoats are very warm, classic and always fashionable for the winter season.

The Trench Coat

Plus-size women look great in trench coats. They are designed to keep the full body warm. They can be a little too long for shorter women though. A good trench coat will last a decade if it is properly cared for. Burberry makes some of the most iconic trenches in the fashion world. This style usually has a tie waist that will allow you to accentuate the waist. This looks great on everyone!

The Blazer

A well-fitted blazer will work great for accentuating an outfit or making an outfit more business casual. Blazers are flexible and come in numerous styles. The menswear style is popular right now. Oversized blazers are flattering with fitted clothes and stylish accessories to glam it up some. The right blazer will also keep you warm when it’s cold.

The Moto  Jacket

Moto-jackets are the chicest choice, and they can look surprisingly good on plus-sized women. They come in tons of fun colours as well. Moto-jackets are a city-chic style that look tough and feminine at the same time. They will look best on women with a pear or hourglass shape. It tends to pull in the waist and define the bust area.

The Asymmetrical Jacket

This style is tricky to pull off. It can go very wrong quickly, but if you take the time to find the perfect one, it will look beautiful and very flattering. Women with large busts should not go for an asymmetrical coat. They don’t fit the breasts properly after a certain point. Other than that, all plus-sized women can wear this trendy-coat style without any hassle and while looking fantastic.

Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher is known for producing some of the best t-shirts in the world, but the designer brand also creates gorgeous frocks, structured trousers and much more. This brand is more affordable than you may think. Most pieces vary from 60 to 500, and they come in sizes 18 through 30UK. Eileen Fisher even creates organic cotton pieces. If you want an ultra-soft t-shirt, then go for an Eileen Fisher one.

James Jeans

A short time ago, plus-sized girls could only dream of owning a pair of designer trousers. James Jeans creates the perfectly structured trouser for the plus-size shape. They are around the 200 price point, and they go up to a size 28 UK. These trousers come in a variety of washes and styles, and you are sure to get a flattering fit. They can be a bit long on the inseam though, but it’s nothing a tailor couldn’t fix relatively easily.

Michael Kors

Michael Kors has dominated the designer market with his fantastic runway designs, handbags and even perfumes. The best part is that the plus-size Michael Kors pieces are accessible and stunning for the curvy figure. There are trousers, jeggings, sequined tops and dresses. There’s never a lack of styles to choose from with the Michael Kors Plus line. Women can rest assured that they will be getting a high-quality garment that not only looks fantastic on their body, but it’s also reasonably affordable.

White By Vera Wang

This is a wedding brand, but White by Vera Wang creates some of the most stunning and affordable wedding dresses for plus-size women. It’s a big issue for women that are looking to get married, and now a high-end designer has created something that is the best of both worlds. White is a lusted after brand, and it does provide a lot of gorgeous options for your money.

DKNY

DKNY is classic-designer wear, and this brand has been launching plus-size garments continuously over the last few years. They create stylish blouses, trousers and even workout clothes that are geared toward curvy frames. This line is often very affordable from retailers, and it is sure to flatter your body with whatever outfit you choose. DKNY+ produces clothing that is casual and sometimes more dressy. You should be able to nab at least one piece that will make you feel like a million bucks.

Brightly Coloured & Patterned Trousers

Bright trousers are a hot trend this autumn, and wearing them if you are above a size 6 gets tricky. If they are the wrong cut or too tight, then you risk looking like a colourful sausage. If they are the right cut and size, then you will look vibrant and trendy. Animal print trousers are in the same category. Solids and prints should be worn with a simple and flattering blouse.

The trick is finding the perfect cut. If you are petite, you absolutely must buy a petite size in colourful trousers. If you cannot find them in petites, then you may want to consider getting them tailored. Bagging and scrunching because they are too long looks sloppy, and it can make the body look bigger.

Plus Size Bright & Coloured Trousers from eloquii

Oversized Button Up Blouses

An over-sized blouse can quickly go from fab to drab and frumpy. To wear one properly you need to have colour, texture and accessories. A cute over-sized blouse should be paired with sleek jewelry and structured pants. Heels are a bonus. Never wear loose trousers and a baggy top. You are look for disaster if you do. Pink flambe and Olympian blue are beautiful colours to try this season.

These tops also look amazing half-tucked in. It looks chic and sexy without trying too hard. They are also very comfortable to wear this way.

When you are in doubt about how to wear your over-sized blouse, simply put on a skinny belt and be done with it. You can’t go wrong there.

DKNYC Sheer Big Shirt & Camisole from Nordstorm

Shiny Garments

The shine trend is back in full force, and the Style Bop director calls it one of the biggest trends to invest in this season. Too much shiny fabric can make an outfit look disastrous. To pull this look off, you must use shine in accents and not all over. The shoulders of a top, the side seams of trousers or even on your handbag.

Warehouse Metallic Tweed Biker Jacket via ASOS

Textured Pieces

No matter what you are choosing, texture can change everything and make your body look streamlined and breaks up monotony in your clothing. If you are wearing all solids, then you will likely look larger. Textures provide an illusion and something interesting to focus on. Plus-size girls can wear texture however they please, but there is one rule. Never wear all-over texture. Keep it to one piece, and that should be the only piece of texture you wear.

Textured Lampshade Skirt from ASOS

So what can you expect to see in the stores this autumn? I’m happy to say that the floral print trend is still going strong. But you won’t see the vast amount of colours that you’ve been wearing all spring and summer. Instead, there seems to be a trend toward dark colours and blacks and whites.  J. Crew has outdone themselves again in the trouser department with this gorgeous pair of wool and silk cafe capri botanical photography trousers.  They even carried this trend up top with a matching jumper.

And while I don’t suggest wearing the two together, both pieces would look simply stunning with another trouser trend, which is the deep rich burgundy colour seen in on the runway this past February.

Alexander Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger

ASOS also came out with a similar trouser to J. Crew for the autumn season. However, instead of floral photography, they went with an ombre fade design. Although the quality isn’t up to par with J. Crew’s floral trousers, you can get a similar look at a fraction of the cost. When I first saw the J. Crew trousers during New York fashion week, I knew I had to have them. They just became available on the J. Crew website and I haven’t seen them in stores yet. However, I just can’t justify the exorbitant price. We all know that in two months, they’ll probably be marked down to half the price they are now. So in the meantime, I purchased the ASOS ombre trousers in my usual UK Size 18. The fit is slim through the thighs and legs but has ample room in the waist, probably a little too much as I will need to belt them. The fabric is thin and made from ASOS’s go-to fabric – Polyester – which allows them to keep the costs down and make fashionable items affordable to the mainstream customer.

I also purchased these green spotted print trousers that caught my eye while shopping for the ombre trousers. Unfortunately the fit was very tailored and didn’t have the same roominess of their blue counterpart, so I had to return them.

If you like the blue ombre trousers but desire better quality, Titel makes a Ohne fantastic skirt with abstract print that from a distance resembles a flock of birds flying home for the winter. This skirt looks so polished when paired with the matching leather Ohne Titel tee, yet another autumn trend. The whole outfit is simply beautiful and sophisticated, much like the clothes you’ll be seeing a lot more of this autumn.

Let’s talk about hemlines first. The most universally flattering hemline for women is an inseam of 17-20 cm (7-8”). This length hits right before the natural inward curvature of your thigh, still covers any problem areas, isn’t so short that you have bunching in the crotch, and elongates your legs. But before we get ahead of ourselves, take a look at the groupings of shorts below. These shorts gradually increase in inseam length from a very short 6.5 cm (2.5”) to Bermuda length of 25 cm (10”).

The 6.5 cm or 7.2 cm shorts should really be reserved for women that are very physically fit with great muscle tone in their legs, or for women who are in their early 20s. Age and weight really do have an effect on short hemlines, be it in shorts or skirts. Besides, most women who have dimples in their thighs don’t want to show them and will opt for a longer hemline. Plus if you have a wider thigh, short shorts will only emphasize this issue. However, if you have great inner thigh clearance, these shorts will create sexy elongated leg, especially if worn with espadrilles or stilettos. 

Milly Floral Eyelet Beach Shorts | Karen Zambos Vintage Shorts

For those of you that may feel more self-conscious about your legs, let’s take a look at more universally flattering hemlines. I’m going to skip over shorts with an inseam of 10.2 cm (4”) because there’s not much difference in coverage from the 7.2 cm inseam. To really get better coverage, you need to move up to an inseam that is at least 12.7 cm (5”).

Above are two pairs of Marc Jacobs Shorts. The first pair has an 11.5 (4.5”) inseam and the second pair is a little longer with a 16 cm (6.3”) inseam. Some flattering aspects with both of these shorts are the colour, fabric, and details. When shorts are darker in colour and heavier in fabric, they can conceal more problem areas. Have you ever worn thin white trousers only to realise that you can see your cellulite through them? The darker the trousers, the less likely you are to see problem areas. Details such as a high waist, and accompanying belt to cinch the waist, as well as subtle red piping down the length of the longer shorts are great features to help create a more flattering look.

Last up are the universally flattering length of shorts, known as Bermuda shorts. Gap makes great cotton Bermuda shorts with longer hemlines that hit right above the knee and cover the length of the thigh. Especially flattering are Bermuda shorts that taper in toward the knee, which slim the rest of the leg. These Gap Boyfriend Shorts can be rolled up for a shorter look, or worn as is with a whopping 25.4 cm (10”) inseam.

]]> http://theimpossiblegirl.co.uk/shorts-and-how-to-wear-them/feed/ 0 http://theimpossiblegirl.co.uk/embellished-print-trousers/ http://theimpossiblegirl.co.uk/embellished-print-trousers/#comments Wed, 18 Jul 2012 12:18:09 +0000 Nichole Delehant http://theimpossiblegirl.co.uk/?p=1382 Printed/embellished trousers have been such a great trend for the last few seasons. It started with florals, but quickly diverged into scarf print and mirror image trousers. There are so many great options out there for all shapes that I just want to dive right into it and show you. Let’s start with these fabulous, [...]]]> Printed/embellished trousers have been such a great trend for the last few seasons. It started with florals, but quickly diverged into scarf print and mirror image trousers. There are so many great options out there for all shapes that I just want to dive right into it and show you.

Let’s start with these fabulous, but simple, green Skinny Leather Trousers with Panelled Embroidery from ASOS. These are just stunning statement trousers with a Tex Mex double tuxedo band running down the length of the legs. How great are these that they go up to a UK Size 18 and they are leather?! Sure you have your basic black leather pants, but green leather is such an unexpected and welcomed change. However, you may have to reserve these for fall weather as you might roast in them during the warmer summer months. Since these are ankle length, I’d pair them with pointed heels just like in the photo. However, I’d change up the top. You probably won’t want to pair this with a red blouse (Happy Christmas!). And while black certainly works, I’d take full advantage of this trouser and do a little pattern mixing. Break out of your comfort zone by finding a shirt that incorporates the green, but also the colours in the embellishment. Choose a lightweight fabric to offset the heaviness of the leather, such as this Bright Paisley Dial Top from Warehouse. This top works well because it contains the same colour scheme as the pants.

Let’s have a go at some printed trousers now. Scarf and abstract lightweight trousers are such a fun way to liven up an outfit. Here are three beautiful prints from Barney’s New York, Zara, and Warehouse. It’s important to note that if you are going to wear a printed trouser, such as the ones I’m featuring, that you make sure the trouser leg is wide and full. The full effect of a printed trouser is best achieved if you can see the repeating pattern all the way to the floor, rather than stopping at your calves or ankles.  Printed trousers are bold and will definitely attract attention. They are also usually constructed of a lightweight cotton, silk, viscose, or polyester material. They are designed to be flowy and roomy throughout the entire leg. Most likely you’ll need to some heels and possibly a tailor to hem the trousers to the appropriate length.

Can you pattern mix with printed trousers? Most certainly! Here are two possibilities from Warehouse that would work well with the Zara trousers.

The key is that you are sticking with the same colour theme and keeping the pattern small. Another reason why these blouses work is that they have a tuxedo band running down the front of the blouse. As you can see in the Zara trousers, a similar band continues down the length of the leg, stopping at the ankles. This trendy and knockout outfit elongates your frame and works well with any height.  I would even pair the first blouse with the green and white abstract printed trousers from Barneys for a similar, but classy and gorgeous look!

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