By R. Harding 

So now you are thinking: just buy it in your size, right? I am going to go out on a limb here and say if that thought ran though your head you are in fact, tall and thin. Alas, if it were only that easy. No, in fact it can take a bit more. Buying your size does one thing only - it ensures a fit. This leads me nicely to my first tip.

1. A fit is not always a fit
The ability to get a garment on the body does not mean that that body should wear it. Size doesn't take into measure a person's unique body shape, individual preference, and personal style. Due to this fact I recommend that when it comes to purchasing new fashions, do not just buy based on what you know to be your size. Sometimes, depending on the style of the piece, your size is not the size you should be wearing. Ladies, don't be embarrassed if you have to buy a size or two over what you expected. Look at it this way: its better to have an XL on the inside of the garment and look fabulous, than to walk around looking not so hot just so you can have a M on a label no one will ever see. If push comes to shove, cut out the XL label and tell people you bought an S!

2. Little black lie
I know that the most commonly-known fashion tip, when it comes to dressing larger bodies, is that black is slimming and can hide flaws. However, though true in many instances, this is not an absolute fact. Truth is some fabrics, though solid black, can highlight things we wish to conceal worse than any other fabric. When black material is more sheer, light-weight and stretchy, bulges and bumps thin the fabric. This makes skin tones show through, so high pressure areas can look a lighter colour, and this is a striking contrast to black (especially for those with light complexions). My advice: when buying black in order to look thinner,
stick to thicker, better quality fabrics.

3. Stripes tell tales
Another long-lived fashion cliché is that vertical stripes are slimming. This is true because they, especially in bold contrast stripes, draw the eye up and down. The problem is that in fabrics with any give at all, the rigid straight line of stripes can curve or wobble over wider body areas. This irregularity in the pattern is practically a neon sign pointing at any flaws. A good trick to avoid this is to choose uneven striped patterns. A vertical thin zebra stripe print can look very elegant in a silk top, for instance. But if it's a straight strip you want to choose loose fitting garments, or non-stretch fabrics.

4. Support the cause
Let's admit it, we all have our flaws and for those of us whose are weight-involved, always have the choice of helpful supporting undergarments. Look into purchasing corsets or a full body slimmer to get a little hidden help. Also, for the ladies the correct underwear is essential to looking well put together. The correct bra has a magical ability to help with not only breast placement, but surprisingly also your posture. This applies more for the bustier ladies. Bra choice can truly take a huge weight off your back, and once this happens you find it's easier to stand more upright. Correct posture and no visible panty lines are essential finishing touches to the hottest outfits.

5. A Stitch in time…
….saves a sexy look! Find a Tailor! Simple fact is because of the vast combinations of body types in a given clothing labels customer market, they resort to using standardized sizing for making their collections. The result is, things may fit the hips but won't fit the waist, or though it may fit the waist the legs are too long, etc. The term "Ready-to-Wear" is in fact a fashion lie. The solution is trying on the piece in different sizes and then buying the one that is closest to a fit but just a little to big (not too small). Then make haste to your tailor and get the item resized or taken in to fit your body perfectly. The flip-side is that around Christmas we can always get them let out just slightly, if need be.

6. Beware of Prints
Though I would never say one should totally avoid prints all together, I will say that larger persons should avoid big and bold prints. Huge roses, for example, can make an otherwise sexy plus-sized dress look like a drape or the slip cover for a couch - both self-images we do not want. Small subtle prints are fine though, and the right print can bring sophistication and elegance to a garment.

7. Don't get too ruffled
Ruffles are truly a very smart visual trick, which when properly placed can add much needed volume to the body. One case is that ruffles from the neckline over the bust on a lady who is not overly blessed in that area can give the illusion of there being more of her there. So, of course, the same rule applies on any part of the body. If in any area you are trying to slim (or are not in need of volume), stay away from ruffles.

8. Accessorize!
Most plus-sized fashion problems are solved simply by doing something that draws the eye away from the issue. Like a good magician who dazzles you on the left while slipping a card up his right sleeve, use interesting necklaces, bracelets, earrings, makeup, belts and shoes to take the eye away from any visible problems. I personally love the look of a long, beaded necklace or a few chunky wooden bracelets. A funky belt on the waist over a loose-fitting blouse is a sexy option and very trendy style right now. The second bonus to accessorizing is that one outfit can look very different with a change of accessories, thus cheaply expanding any wardrobe.

9. Honesty, The best fashion policy

One of the first steps to finding the right outfit for your body type is being honest with yourself. Lying to oneself about one's true size doesn't help in living with it or taking steps to change it. I say take a minute and look at yourself in a full length mirror. Try and figure out your body type. Also spend some time learning what your personal assets are. Learn what should be highlighted, or what needs correcting, or concealing until correction is possible. Also don't just swallow society's standards, not even mine. Figure out how you want to look. Also, we all need to accept that there will always be some new trend no matter how hot, which will never be for our body type.

10. Pride and Confidence
The sexiest person can put on the hottest trends, made by the biggest labels, with the best fit and still not look good without inner pride and self-confidence. Love for yourself is one of the hottest accessories anyone can wear and it goes with EVERYTHING. Pick pieces that show without question your self-respect. So, after figuring out the right fit style and jewelry, you have to absolutely love the garment you have chosen to wear and love your body in it!

I began this piece with helping plus-size bodies find ways to make themselves fashion-capable, but I know most of these tips could be used by anyone, regardless of size. I also realize that though I intended this article to be relevant to both sexes, I have been female heavy in many of the tips. I will try to revisit this topic again, and focus only on the guys.

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