July 13, 2021
NewsIf you’re plus sized, then summer might be a time of year that you dread. Between the fear of thigh chub and anxiety about wearing a swimsuit, it’s easy to see why body confidence can become an issue during the summer months. We’re here to tell you that your dress size is only a number. This summer, we want you to look and feel amazing in your body.
Summer is a time of garden parties, trips to the beach, road trips, afternoon tea, and al fresco dining. It’s probably the one time of year where you will end up doing multiple outfit changes during the day – and that’s before you even think of the heat! Getting your closet ready for the summer months can be tricky, but trust us, your Instagram feed will thank you!
You should be enjoying summer and the all the fun that comes with it just as much as everyone else. Our guide gives you tips and tricks on some of the best plus size summer looks for 2021. We’re taking some style inspiration from our favourite influencers to show you the pieces that you’ll want to add to your closet.
Remember: if you love something and it makes you smile, then wear it!
Depending on where you live, your summer season might not be all sunshine and rainbows. We love this look by Mikayla that incorporates a mini dress with an oversized leather jacket. You can show off your summer tan while staying warm against the summer breeze. Accessorising your shoes to match the leather jacket helps tie the look together.
Even if you live in a tropical climate, it’s worth keeping a leather jacket at the front of your summer closet to throw over your shoulder on night’s out or if you’re not sure how the day will pan out. You can wear this outfit from day to night, just by adding the leather jacket on top.
You can guarantee that you’ll end up on at least one dance floor this summer. A figure-hugging dress is something that every woman should own. Choose one in your favourite colour and pick a silhouette that works with your body shape and silhouette. Midi dresses and slip dresses are a go-to choice for summer, but don’t be afraid to go with a shorter figure-hugging dress.
You can choose your dress in one of the trending colours of the season – magenta pink, acid green, mellow yellow, or bubblegum pink.
You might think that knitwear is a winter-only staple, but you can rock this closet staple all year long. Nothing is cuter than a matching knitwear set, which can keep an outfit casual if you’re heading out for drinks with friends or splurging on some al fresco dining.
You can make your matching knitwear set summer appropriate by choosing a crop top style like the one Julia is wearing in our inspiration picture. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for cotton and other breathable fabrics that will keep you cool throughout the summer.
Summer is a time of garden parties, trips to hotels, and more than a few meals out with friends. You can never go wrong with a tonal look during the summer. We love this neutral look that Thamarr is wearing, with different hues of beige and white playing off each other for an elevated look. The straw hat gives her look a summery twist, along with the open-toe strappy sandals.
One of our favourite pro-tips for wearing dresses during the summer is to wear bicycle shorts underneath to stop your thighs rubbing against each other. This tip works best if you have a longer skirt and a shorter pair of bicycle shorts to hide them under the skirt. If not, you can add a coat of baby powder to your legs to help stop the friction between your skin.
If you’re looking for plus size fashion inspiration, Ashley Graham will be your new style muse. She’s our go-to choice for outfit inspo, and her body positivity is infectious. We love this sporty chic look that is perfect for a BBQ, day out with friends, or a trip to the beach.
Ashley’s outfit features pieces from the Hugo Boss x Russell Athletic collection, but you are almost guaranteed to have similar pieces already in your closet. It’s worth taking a tip from Ashley Graham and shopping in the men’s section for pieces like these as you’ll often get a nicer fit and may even be able to grab them on sale.
Who said we couldn’t make preppy chic?
Speaking of activewear, we’re not ready to give up our comfortable sports bras and bicycle shorts just yet. If you’ve got a business casual event or if you’re heading to a restaurant that requires a jacket, this is the perfect solution. We love how Carla Ortiz has kept the classic activewear look of a sports bra with knitted cycling shorts, while elevating her look by throwing a blazer on top.
You can finish off your look with your favourite white sneakers and add a small mini bag to elevate your look. Make the outfit even more summer appropriate by throwing your hair back into a high ponytail or a bun to keep it out of your face. Don’t forget to layer up your jewellery to add a feminine feel.
Even though we’re going back into the real world, it’s not time to say goodbye to our activewear just yet. During the summer, you want to be comfortable in your clothes – meaning that activewear is your BFF. Does anyone want to wear a wired bra when the temperatures start to rise? We’ll stick with a sports bra.
If there’s one thing that we all love, it’s a romantic dress. The summer season naturally has a romantic feeling in the air, between weddings, engagements, and the bloom of new flowers. Embrace the season by treating yourself to a regency inspired full-length smock dress. We love this white and blue floral dress that Ana Rivera is wearing. It gives us serious Belle vibes and would be perfect for any event in your social calendar.
The beauty of these midi-dresses is that you can do anything in them; whether it’s having a quick nap or going for a walk on the beach. You can take your dress from day to night by swapping your sandals for open-toe mules or your favourite stilettoes. If you want to keep it casual, you can wear flip flops or sneakers.
When you’re choosing a fuller dress, it’s a good idea to choose one that covers your shoulder. The last thing you want to worry about is your shoulders getting sunburnt while you’re relaxing outside.
Summer is the time of year when we tend to have a fully-packed social calendar. Between weddings, engagement parties, birthdays, and ‘just because’ events. You can guarantee that you’ll need at least one special occasion outfit to see you through the summer. We love that Nicole Campbell went outside the box with a monochromatic look in one of the trending colours of the season.
Don’t be afraid to take centre stage with a bold colour to make a statement. Nicole’s two piece outfit also incorporates an illusion of the on-trend cut-out silhouette.
Other colours that you want to consider for summer 2021 include sage green, acid green, pastel pink, mellow yellow, and magenta purple.
Whether you’ve got a date night or are going out for drinks with friends, one of our favourite summer looks is a casual jean and crop top combo. This outfit is casual and chic, making it perfect to wear throughout the summer. If you’re looking to recreate this style, it’s best to choose a shirt in a silk fabric to keep your cool and give your outfit an elevated feel.
For the summer, you want to avoid wearing darker colours of denim as it will attract the sun and make it difficult to keep yourself cool. White denim is your BFF if you want to wear your favourite jeans during the summer months. They’re also perfect for wearing with a crop top that has a pop of colour to shake up your look.
When it comes to jeans, it’s a good idea to stay away from skinny jeans as that can make you feel warmer and make it harder to keep your temperature cool. Straight legged and boyfriend-fit jeans are the perfect choice for summer. You can finish this outfit off with any shoes of your choice – whether you prefer mules or leather flats.
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to remember that you can wear whatever you want. Regardless of what your dress size is, you can wear a crop top or a bikini. Trust us. You’ll look amazing!
Which of these plus size looks is your favourite? What will you be wearing this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
There’s a common misconception that if you’re plus size, your fashion choices are limited. The only rules that exist in fashion are that you should be able to wear clothing that makes you feel as good as you look. It’s important that we touch on body positivity before we jump into our guide of plus size outfit ideas. No matter what size your body is, you deserve to wear clothes that make you feel beautiful.
Spring and summer are the perfect time to refresh your closet. With the world starting to open up again after the pandemic, it’s a great opportunity to try out some new trends and treat yourself to new pieces. The trends are still pointing towards a comfort-first approach, with athleisure and minimalism sticking around the biggest influences on the season. At the same time, there’s a little rebellion against loungewear, with over-the-top dresses and sparkles.
The countdown is officially on for summer. It’s the summer staple that every woman has in their closet. Whether you’re a fan of a one-piece, or if you prefer a bikini, you want to treat yourself to a new swimsuit. Generally, swimsuit trends don’t change too much – making them the perfect investment for anyone, whether you go swimming once a week at your local gym, or if you save it for when you’re travelling.
Summer is right around the corner. Once the temperatures start to rise, we put our jeans firmly to the back of our closet and rediscover our love for dresses. During summer, there’s nothing else that we can wear other than dresses. Whether you’re working on your summer tan or want to stay cool, then a dress is your BFF for the summer season.
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