Plus-Size Dresses and Sizing: The Breakthrough

Gone are the days of squeezing into jeans two sizes too small. Or opt for a style we did not want for the sake of a better fit. Today, women celebrate each others’ different shapes and sizes. That’s what makes us beautiful. Women empowering women is not a trend, it’s a statement and we are all in.

There was a time where an introduction to a Plus Size line was a huge deal. This meant a line with different designs and for a limited time. But can we stop for a minute and discuss why this was not a justifiable solution for women who don’t fall under a size 8.

When you think about being different, there is really not much but a desire to want to fit in. You know, society does a really good job at highlighting our insecurities and discouraging us from showing what makes us unique. So while an additional line may seem like a step in the right direction, it actually is a step in exclusion and othering. By forcing women with fuller figures to shop at stores that are different from their friends with different body shapes, you are taking away their love and passion for trends and fashion. With all the advancements we have made in textiles and fashion, we can totally do better than this.

Something brands have learned to do recently is starting their designs and tailoring them to bigger body sizes. Instead of introducing new products for these body types, companies have learned to include all women right from the start. That means from the design process.

How does one alter lingerie to support women with a bigger chest while still holding the same design as the one in the smaller size? By adding additional support and structure to the established designs. At the end of the day, two girls with different body types can have the same taste in bras. Fashion is for ALL women.

This is something Savage x Fenty has done a great job at accomplishing. That is: including all women from the beginning of the process. Not only can women feel included, but they can also feel at ease when thinking about a perfect fit. At the end of the day, these designers are thinking about ways to adjust designs so they are made to fit women of different sizes and shapes.

Not only that, Savage x Fenty has done a great job at finding influencers that send that message of body positivity. While we were used to seeing size 0 models, we can now find women that more accurately represent our society. Plus-size and mid-size.

What we love so much about her is the fact that she isn’t afraid to wear the styles that were once considered taboo for women considered plus size. She picks styles that accentuate the parts of her figure she is proud of and puts them on display. She wore a gorgeous black velvet long sleeve dress to the People’s Choice Awards and it was killer. The outer corset framework accentuated her cinched waist and the sheer sleeve drew attention to her arms, but the black sheer fabric had a slimming effect so she looked toned and absolutely gorge. Seriously, we want to be her best friend!

Another trend that is here to stay is the recognition of social media influencers with different bodies. There are definitely a few we favor.

Remi Bader is everything great with plus-size influencers. She pokes fun at the styles she tries that don’t work for her, and that is something women of all sizes do so it’s very relatable and honest and shows you how to be confident in your style choices.

@inmyseams is another who focuses on styling tips for women with a larger chest. She is fun, funny, and knows what she’s talking about. Janette Ok (her real name, we promise) is a style icon in her own right, and you would be amazed by some of her styling tips. Seriously, there are many styles she finds that give the illusion of a small bust and makes it look effortlessly cool.

We have stalked her social media and seen her love of patterned pants and button-downs tucked in and they look amazing. It’s a great style for a fuller figured woman; the patterns, when used appropriately, slim the hips and waist, and the button down tucks in finishes off the cinched look. She keeps the tops open to expose a little cleavage and it keeps her look sexy and sleek every time.

We can’t talk about plus-size influencers changing the game without adding Nabela Noor to the conversation. She is an Indian plus-size influencer that is changing the game for women of diverse backgrounds as well as fuller figures. She creates inclusive clothing designs and uses sizes that are positive adjectives for women. Instead of wearing a S/M/L, you wear a passionate, brave, or worthy. We couldn’t love this anymore if we tried!

Her social media content is all about showing women that it’s ok to wear what you want regardless of your size and if it makes you happy then you should buy that bikini! So many women are afraid to wear some of the trends and styles they see out of fear and that is never, we repeat, never ok. Everyone should be able to wear what they want when they want it and Nabela proves this by doing it herself every day.

Next on our list is Kristina Zias, a plus-size influencer and model who has at the very core of her content to love your body and self completely. Her family posts are adorable and funny, but her style posts are off the charts. She posts on ways to style your body and how to wear styles that slimmer women wear every day. She takes risks and they always, always pay off. Her style is unparalleled regardless of body type and her confidence is what body positivity dreams are made of.

To further this point, she created a podcast, with another plus-size influencer no less, all about helping women find their inner self-confidence. It’s not always the easiest thing to find but she makes it her mission to help women everywhere love themselves more than they ever thought possible. Amazing!

Their latest post features a shorts and sweater combination in an all-black style that is to die for. They add sheer lace tights to slim their legs and a cute white button down, just a pop of color peeking through the sweater, to elongate their torso which is a great slimming effect for all women.

These women are contributing to the growing fashion industry that promises inclusions and diversity. By making their voices loud and proud, they are sure to make waves and get noticed by designers to ensure that more and more labels heed the call and extend their sizes to include women of all shapes. The more we demand inclusivity, the more we rally for our sisters and ensure that everyone can feel good about their bodies.

The formalwear industry has also taken large steps towards inclusivity. Emma Loney, Miss Wisconsin Earth made history when she placed top 12 at Miss Earth USA. Regardless of size, her style is unmatched. She has the ability to pick styles and designs that hug her figure and have all eyes on her whenever she walks into a room. Emma takes style and makes it work for her, taking styles that traditionally would be off-limits for a plus-size woman and showing you how it can be done (and done very well!).

Confidence and style exude from this model and we can’t help but stare. She gives tips and tricks for beauty and fashion on her social media and you should definitely get in on the fun. In addition to being an amazing model, she also advocates for our Earth and all the people on it; how does she find the time?? If you want to hear more about her journey, check out her Tea Talk with Queenly.

Not only that, gown designers have taken steps to produce gowns tailored to all women. At Queenly, you can find dresses from sizes 00 to 32! Make sure to take a look at one of our featured Queenly Partners, Mac Duggal, and their line of plus-size dresses!

We are so excited for you to find these women and their social media for your future use and entertainment. Here at Queenly, our goal is first and foremost to always promote women supporting other women and we want to live that as well as promote women who do the same. Regardless of size or shape, we all deserve representation and connection and we hope you found some today!