Curvy women are who I like to call: The victims of a ridiculously idealized idea of beauty. When clothes are though for a very plain, lean and slim figure it is automatically harder to be able to find things that fit properly, especially something that fits and that is modest.
The average curvy body has a very interesting and fun way of distributing measurements. Normally sizes variate, and fluctuate and you happen to be one size on tops and another in bottoms. All of the sudden you fin women, curvy women, having a hard time trying to find something that won't make us look frumpy or that may not be too revealing. It seems like it is either one thing or the other, it has to be modesty over frumpyness.
About two years ago I used to think it was impossible to look good in modest clothing and how wrong was I, there are ways and it is just a matter of thinking things through and knowing some key basics of what Your body needs in terms of clothing, here Style Modesta has put together some basic tips for dressing a curvy body:
Hello lycra!
Yes one of the best ways to deal with fit issues is to find clothes made in fabric that is naturally made to fit the body, and lycra is probably the best way. One thing to bear in mind is the fact that lycra won't look modest or flattering if it is too figure hugging. Try to find dresses and loose tops in this material, you'd be amazing how they can really be a curvy modest woman's best friend!
Two pieces are better than one:
Because curvy bodies are rarely the same size all over (as in top to bottom) the best way to go about dressing your curvy body is by buying separates. A full dress can be a difficult thing to fit, even long tops might be trick, they might be just ok to fit your hips but too big to fit your torso or vice-versa. Buying separates (as in a top an a max skirt, perhaps) ensures that you will look for the right size on top and the right size on the bottom, the only thing to be aware of in this case is that sometimes tight tops are annoying, so look for shirts to get a loose effect on top.
Belts as the best way to fight frumpiness:
You may not thing much of it but belts are magical when it comes to making clothes that are too big, look like they fit your body. If you found a dress that fits your chest area but it makes you look really big bellow the waist line, use a belt to solve the problem. Check the pictures bellow I have taken with the same dress, the one on the left makes the dress looks frumpy on me, because my chest area is large (like that of every other curvy girl) anything that fits it and falls from it is immediately going to make me look bigger and even pregnant, so by using a belt it does look like it fits me more appropriately, it doesn't add weight to mi figure but it still keeps everything loose and modest. Buy belts depending on the dress, it doesn't have to be a thick belt, sometimes a thin one will do, however be careful withe where you place the belt on your body, since too high or too low could create a different optical effect on your figure making you look shorter or bigger; exactly around the waist line should be fine.
Dealing with volume:
Having curves means you already have volume in the places you need, managing volume and choosing pieces of clothing with or without volume really comes down to the type of curvy body you have.
- For an hour glass figure: You want to avoid any volume of any sort, you have volume on top and on the bottom part of your life and your waste is an asset, adding volume to either top of bottom would only make it a lot more prominent and there is nothing modest about that, keep it simple, simple cuts, simple fabrics, little texture and you should be fine.
- For pear shaped figure: Having a pear shape figure means the top part of your body is smaller than the bottom part of your body, that means you need to take away attention from the fuller part by wearing pieces with volume on top. Shoulder parts are a good way to add volume in a discrete, elegant way and evening out proportions. Also, wearing a lot of texture like faux-fur, faux-feathers and even leather or thick wool will give you that desired volume.
- For wedge shaped figure: I your body is shaped like a triangle it means you are fuller oon top than at the bottom, for this like the pear shaped figure you are going to want to add volume from waist to bottom with flowy skirts, and wide-legged pants.
Source: randomhijabi.polyvore.com
While curvy girls may need more time to think and scout exactly what fit us, there are ways and every way is just as chic and modest as the next, don't get discouraged and learn to love your curvy body!
xo and style your life modest!
Kiki G
