Looking Great When You're A Size 14+

by Imogen Lamport
Your Essential Style Guide Ebook

It's a misnomer that only the thin look stylish, there are many ways the more voluptuous person can improve their image, it's just a matter of sticking to some basic rules.

What you have to remember, is that the thinner and younger you are, the more you can get away with, the older and larger you become, the harder it is to look as great as easily - but it's well away from impossible.

Why not try some of the following ideas.
1. Fit is all important - if clothes fit you well they look more expensive. Also, if you're clothes are too tight and you look squeezed into them, people will just think you've put on weight, you're not fooling anyone, and the reason size tags are on the inside of the clothing is so that no one need know what size you're wearing. Don't like the size? Cut the tag out. If something doesn't fit right, and can't be easily altered, just don't buy it.

2. Quality construction and fabric - better fabrics, closer stitching, not having threads hanging off your clothes and cheap looking patterns all ruin the effect of your clothes, and draw attention to them when you may not want this to happen.

3. Think vertical - Avoid horizontal lines, try to include multiple vertical lines, from a centre row of buttons, to front creases in your trousers, princess seams or a jacket left undone, vertical lines lengthen and slim the body, horizontal lines shorten and widen.

4. Fabric makes all the difference - a soft, drapable fabric that skims (not clings) will make the world of difference. Any fabric that looks like it could stand up on it's own will only make you look bigger. Also, the more textured or bulky a fabric, the bulkier you will look.

5. Colour - the right colours draw attention away from your perceived flaws - find out your colour direction with a colour analysis, and draw attention to your face and features and away from your body parts that you dislike. The right colours will make you glow and look fabulous, and nobody will be looking at your body because they won't be able to help staring into your bright eyes.

6. Accessorise - great jewellery - necklaces and earrings in particular - will draw attention away from your body and up to your face - use them to distract and highlight.

7. Great Shoes - often comfort becomes the all important feature of shoes, but consider how different shoes can make an outfilt look - are yours helping you look stylish or dowdy?

8. Proportion is key - the mistake many manufacturers of clothing for the larger lady make is that along with being a bit wider, you've also grown 7 foot tall, and suddenly all tops are very long - this can actually make you look shorter and wider as you loose leg length, and leg length makes you look taller and slimmer.

Imogen Lamport is a trained image consultant. Her website and ebook offer valuable personal image and style tips.