Pretty party

February 10, 1:34 PMPlus-Size Fashion ExaminerBabe Hope

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Plus-Size Fashion Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Plus size lingerie has come a long way, baby! It’s beautiful inside and out. Indulge the double entendre.

First, it transforms the plus size woman, beautiful on the inside and the outside. Second, much of today’s plus size lingerie is beautiful to look at, rich with flattering detail on the outside, but also rich with figure support and helpful fabrication in terms of its very construction, on the inside.

To select wonderful, flattering lingerie that sizzles too, recall steps one, two and three: camouflage, flaunt, and play. Camouflage or conceal what you choose to the end of comfort, flaunt the good stuff and play with garments that reflect your style using detail and color.

Camouflage

Okay, remember you are talking with a big sister, what do you need to conceal to feel unencumbered, open and playful? If it’s your legs, choose a long gown made of sheer, beautiful fabric with great embellishments at the bust. If it’s your thighs, choose long line baby dolls or bi-level skirts with moving hems. Tummy? Select a blouson chemise, flapper style, which has lots of tummy coverage but narrows at the hip with a jaunty, flaunty skirt. Need to manufacture a waist? Corsets are not for everyone but for those who are willing to experiment, big time payoffs await. Think about an Old West saloon corset or a Victorian inspired beautiful floral tapestry or jacquard. Derriere? Choose longer, sheer, scarf-like hems, gypsy-style or tap pants.

Many of today’s garments have wonderful support built in. Underwire bras, demi and full cup, molded, or sheer lace bra support cups, with traditional and adjustable eye and hook closure abound. In addition, criss-cross back straps and double straps do double duty; they look great and add support to the bust.

Here’s why these supports are so important. Yes, they make your boobs more attractive. OK, isn’t that enough? Sure, but here’s the value added, when your bust is firmly defined, it creates a more flattering drape for the rest of the garment and manufactures and indentation in the bodice for a shapely figure.

Flaunt

It pains me that this part doesn’t come easy to many big sisters, but the media and culture in general have taken its toll on us. So here’s a remedy. Take a private moment, no, treat yourself to a full ten minutes, not a second less, set a timer if you need to, and look at yourself in the mirror, lovingly. Here’s the important part, pretend you are seeing your best girlfriend in the mirror, you want to build her confidence. Which features are her loveliest, which would you suggest she emphasize? Those are the features you must flaunt when it comes to lingerie.
Play

The playground should be of your own choosing. Open your mind but be true to yourself. There are many types of lingerie to choose from, ranging from sensual to statement, your statement. The styles you can select from include, baby dolls, chemises, gowns, bras, corsets, panties and tap pants.

Play with rich details that flatter and are strategically placed, front and side slits, moving hems, shape defining side panels, deep v necks, pleats that cover and tease.

Choose sophisticated detailing or embellishments that draw attention to the areas you want to flaunt, using ruffles, jewels, charms, bows, ribbon, lace, sequin trim. Select fabrics that are figure flattering such as micro fibers, stretch laces, support stretch satins, jacquard mesh, and other soft sheer synthetics. No collection of lingerie is complete without something made of silk, which has enough weight to drape well and feel sumptuous and rich on your skin.

The days of starving to fit in are over. The time has come to be our own best friend. The lingerie department, may I suggest online, is a great place to begin.