While we are not all blessed with a model’s figure, it’s not the end of the world for full-figured women when it comes to dressing.
Knowing and embracing your body can free you from insecurities and allow you to be grateful for what you have. This confidence becomes the key to feeling and looking great at all times.
Use clothes to your advantage, as a beautifying tool. Think of clothes as creating a visual illusion. You can easily highlight assets, lengthen silhouettes, and hide trouble spots. With fashion, you can always inject your own personality, or even assert your power or womanhood.
In an article published on Jan. 17, 2011 at Curvylist.com, style guru of “Project Runway” Tim Gunn provides words of empowerment for curvy women who see fashion as a challenge. “If getting fashion right were easy, everyone would look fabulous, but it can be challenging… Providing helpful styling tips is great because it helps people celebrate their new look and recalibrate their thinking about style, while finding an enhanced self-confidence,” he stated.
In the same article, Gunn provides helpful fashion tips curvy women should follow. He mentions harmonizing the three fashion fundamentals: silhouette, proportion and fit. He says to invest in essentials, and to shop smartly.
And most important, Gunn advocates embracing one’s shape. “Embrace your own shape—it’s beautiful—and adopt the trends that accentuate your best features,” he concludes.
Cai Cortes, actress
On curvy women and her body
Curvy women are sexy! I grew up with sexy, big, beautiful women around me, so it was never a problem. I love my curves, and it is a misconception that you won’t have a love life. As long as you are confident about yourself, people will perceive you that way. My body was never a hindrance to whatever I wanted to achieve.
I get inspired by women like Bituin Escalante. When you meet her, automatically, you can see she loves her curves and you can see she knows how to use them to her advantage. I love people like that!
On clothes and dressing
It’s not about the size when I shop for clothes. I’m not the type who only goes to the big section. I go for the daring and fun clothes. I like one-pieces because they’re sexy, but some chubby women are afraid to wear them. One-pieces are really comfortable, as long as you know how to carry it.
I’m not the type who insists on wearing mini skirts that shows everything. Of course, you have to choose those sexy dresses that will fit you.
I don’t have fashion rules. If you can carry your clothes well and it’s appropriate for the occasion, why not? People should try to step out of their fashion comfort zone. There are big, beautiful women out there who are scared to try. It won’t hurt for you to try.
I need to have sexy underwear. That’s the most important and basic thing. Before you leave the house, you have to look at yourself in the mirror in your underwear, and you should feel sexy about yourself so that whatever you wear, you’ll feel confident.
Flaunt your assets and hide your flaws. You have to accept who you are. If you don’t like your tummy, do something about it. Either exercise, or if you are lazy, choose the right clothes 
to flatter your body. For example, I hide my tummy but show my bust or highlight my legs. If you are not the normal body type—but there isn’t any normal body type anyway—whatever your body type, you should love it and work with what you have.
Melanie Raymundo, businesswoman
Highlighting assets
Men look at women more if they have bigger hips. I consider myself curvy. I’m proud of my hips and butt. Those are my assets, and I highlight them.
I invest on a good pair of jeans that accentuate my butt. Skinny jeans are nicer when worn with heels, or wide-leg trousers with platform heels. Blouses that are well-fitting and good shoes. Stilettos make me feel sexy! They elongate my body and slim me down. They are paramount, as they can make an outfit.
Rules on dressing
I don’t like Bermuda shorts because they make me look shorter. I go for straight-cut or A-line dresses with a bias cut to shape you. I wear straight-cut dresses with a belt on my natural waistline to accentuate my hourglass shape, or sometimes wear the belt on my hips to hide my tummy.
I’ve learned to love my body and my flaws. I learned you can’t be perfect. There are styles that don’t fit your body type, so don’t wear them. Rule of thumb: accentuate your assets and hide your flaws.
It’s not about the color; full-figured women should stop wearing black. Neither should they wear loose items that can only make one so much bigger. Know your body type, so you know what fits you well. Window shop first to know what clothing is right for you.
Anne Hizon, chef
On her body and finding the right clothes
I consider myself curvy, people say that a lot about me. I consider this a complement and I’m proud of it. I consider my chest area as my asset. I highlight it by wearing shirts and necklaces. I choose clothes that are comfortable, because if it isn’t comfy, it shows. It won’t work.
For tops, I go for loose-collared tops. The one with the asymmetrical neckline; I feel I’m thin wearing it because the shoulders and collarbone show. I also like wearing shorts and flats and loose shirts, shorts because I want to show my legs. Dress according to your body type, and go from there.
On clothing misconceptions
Normally, if you are full-figured, they tell you not to show a lot of skin or not to wear sleeveless. For as long as you feel good about yourself and it is appropriate, wear it.
Bea Abalajon, merchandiser
On dressing
I normally highlight my best features, like my shoulders and hips. I look for comfort when I choose clothing. My only rule for dressing: be yourself. It’s okay to be over the top or to go minimalist, as long as you don’t pretend to be someone else.
My must-haves are skirts and shoes. I feel very girly and sexy in dresses that fit well. I have great legs, so I wear skirts to work. I really depend on nice (well-heeled) shoes, and it lengthens you and your proportion.
Highlight one part of your body and balance it out. Some girls wear dresses that expose too much. You can show some skin, but not too much. You can cover a part, but don’t cover the entire body. For example, I cover my arms but I expose my legs, so there is a balance. I wear a nice dress that accentuates my curves, and I also wear accessories.
Style inspiration
Style-wise I like Kim Kardashian, Christina Hendricks of “Mad Men,” and Scarlett Johansson. They are not afraid to show their curves. They are voluptuous; they embrace it. When you see these women embracing it, you’ll feel proud of the curves you have. It is so empowering.
On clothing misconceptions
I don’t believe in wearing black all the time, it’s not as fun. You have the right to be adventurous with colors because a curvy woman has a lot to showcase, more than thin women. Wear good-fitting clothes and not a size larger, because it makes so much difference.
