5 full-figured fashion dilemmas and how to solve them

No matter her size, every woman has body parts she struggles with when buying clothes. However, buying clothes as a plus-sized woman is a much different experience than it is for more petite ladies.

There are several fashion dilemmas most full-figured women have in common when trying to find clothes that fit correctly. Take a look at these five plus-sized fashion dilemmas and how you can get around them as a curvy woman:

1. Gaping button-up shirts

One of the most common complaints women with large busts have when buying clothes is that button-up blouses that otherwise fit well gape open around their chests. There are a few ways to get around this issue. One important rule to remember, no matter what piece of clothing you’re shopping for,  it’s easier for tailors to take clothes in than let them out at the seams. For this particular dilemma, try looking for button-up shirts that fit well around the shoulders and bust, then find a trusted tailor to take it in around the waist and hips for a better fit overall. You may also want to invest in some fashion tape or black and white safety pins that can keep the gap closed without drawing the eye to a bright silver pin.

2. Too-long pants

Again, finding a trusted tailor will help with many of these fashion dilemmas. Hemming pants is quick, cheap and easy. There are also plenty of do-it-yourself hemming tutorials for ladies who are adept with a needle and thread. For slimmer pants styles, even just a few folds at the bottom of the legs can look casual and chic for running errands.

3. Jeans that don’t fit around the waist

Many women struggle to find jeans and trousers that fit well over their rear and thighs without gaping open at the waist. Find jeans that are the right size around your curves, then have your tailor take them in at the waist. You may also want to consider looking for fabric blends that include a small amount of spandex. These fabrics have much more give and elasticity, making them easier for stretching around curves while fitting smaller body parts.

4. Strapless bras don’t fit right

Keeping your breasts in the right position can shave several pounds of weight from your appearance and help you define a small waistline. But for many women, this means wearing bras with wide and supportive straps and a thicker band around the back. However, this makes it hard for curvy women to wear cute strapless or backless blouse and dress styles to more formal occasions. The solution here is to do some research. Many brands have strapless bras made specifically for women with large breasts that use elastic and structured material to keep the bra in place.

5. Styles that look more revealing on you

There’s nothing wrong with showing a little skin when going out in the evening, but wearing a revealing blouse at the office may not feel appropriate. There are a few solutions: First, layer camisoles under your tops to cover up some cleavage. For wrap dresses or blouses, consider stitching them together a little higher up than they naturally fit.

If you wish to show off a little of your curvy hourglass figure, consider a sheath or contouring dress style, guaranteed to accentuate your full-figured body type.

Also, look for bras that have a built-in camisole-style cover over the breasts.