Dress for success: Our top 4 style secrets!

You don’t have to be a size 2 sexpot wearing a Herve Leger bandage dress to ooze super-sex appeal. In fact, for fashion-savvy, plus-sized divas looking to unleash their inner Marilyn Monroe, dressing sexy is all in the details. From learning how to conceal your trouble spots to finding clothes that skim over your curves in all the right ways, unleashing your inner sexy is all about amplifying your assets and celebrating your curves with these four must-know tips!

Tip #1 – Conceal and reveal!

No matter what your size, when it comes to dressing, it’s all about the art of illusion. Highlighting your best assets and concealing the parts of your physique you like less is the first place to start when channeling your inner goddess!

If your midsection is your problem area, consider empire waist tops and dresses. The higher waistline gives the illusion of a longer, sleeker frame by drawing attention to your face and gorgeous gams. If you’re like Michelle Obama and consider your shoulders and neck to be your winning features, highlight your beautiful décolletage with U and V-necks. This open neckline option lengthens your upper body by creating a long, unobstructed visual line at the top of your body. If your body is more Botticelli-esque play up the smallest part of your figure by cinching everything you wear with bold belt tightly at the waist. There is nothing like a pop of color or embellishment to draw your attention!

Tip #2 – Say “bye bye” to baggy duds

There is literally nothing in your closet that will stifle your inner goddess faster than an overly over-sized sweater or sweat pant. Why? Because baggy, ill-fitting clothing makes curvy, plus-size figures seem larger than they really are. The key to a balance of fit between skin-tight and too-big is finding pieces that are snug but that don’t cling to your body. And for most of us, that means finding an amazing tailor and making them your best friend. Whether it’s raising the hem of a pant or dress or adding darts to highlight your hourglass shape, you will be amazed at what shaving off a few inches of fabric can do!

Tip #3 – It’s all about the wrap!

There is a reason that Diane Von Furstenberg’s iconic dress was a fashion revolution and is also considered to be a key style staple… the lines and cut of this type of dress work wonders by minimizing trouble spots, elongating your neck, and whittling your waist. We all know that looking chic starts with feeling comfortable and this dress is about as easy to wear as it gets! Pair this fashion staple with a denim jacket for the perfect casual ensemb or throw on a pair of sassy heels and glitzy jewels for a night on the town with your girlfriends.

Tip #4 – Feeling sexy starts with a good foundation

There is no article of clothing that will work harder for your shape than properly fitting bras, undies, and body shapers. Look for undergarments made from nylon spandex and Lycra, they will shape and smooth your figure without cutting off your circulation or making you feel like an over- stuffed sausage. It’s also a great idea to be fitted for a bra at least once a year. Bras weren’t made to last forever and your body is constantly changing, so use those semi-annual bra sales as a reminder to have your measurements checked. Also, having a properly fitted brassiere can be harder than you think, so be willing to try on lots of different styles!

Highlighting your curves with these plus size tips are sure to result in look that is seriously show stopping! Shop for these fab looks and more at: http://www.DivaWomensWear.com

Have a great tip that we missed? Share it below!

Diva’s Plus-Size Coat Guide

Despite the unseasonably warm weather sweeping across the U.S., it’s November – and with that comes the need for a cold weather dressing strategy. Sounds easy, but for those of us not looking to sacrifice our figures for the sake of a cozy coverup, the idea of coat shopping can be nothing less than daunting. So, before you get lost in an endless sea of outerwear or are relegated to endure another year of schlumpy, puffy parkas, take your sartorial destiny into our own hands by way of a few shape-flattering shopping guidelines. From military-inspired to car coats, we have rounded up the best outerwear styles to complement each and every frame; and lucky for us this season’s best trends happen to be some of the most figure-flattering.

Hourglass Shape

The trick to finding the perfect coat for you is selecting a cut that flatters, not flattens, your best assets. Choose single-breasted options with skirted bottoms and a thick belt to tie it all together while showing off your tapered waistline.

 

Pear-Shaped

Choose a big, dramatic collar to draw the eyes up toward your shoulders and décolletage. The straight shape of this car coat will also help perfectly balance your awesome below-the-waistline curves.

Busty

Steer clear of the billowy or double-breasted options. Instead, opt for linear shapes with a V-neck that will streamline your look and keep you warm without hiding your figure.

Short Torso

Blazer coats are not only on-trend, they also happen to flatter a range of body types. This shape, with its long lapel, will help elongate a short torso. Just remember to pick a hem that’s not too far past your hips, so you can show off the length of your legs as well.

Apple-Shaped

When choosing a coat, in general, it’s best to avoid shapes that cling to your largest measurement. This wrapped number with an all-over pattern creates an A-line shape that will flatter without drawing any unwanted attention to your midsection.

Boyish

Create instant curves with this military-meets-peplum number. While the strong shoulders and double-breasted details will flatter your top, the belted-peplum middle will work the same magic on your lower half. Ta da!

Short Legs

Maybe we don’t all think about our legs when it comes to coats, but if yours tend to be on the short side, there is a trick to lengthening those gams with a smart coat choice. Choose a piece that’s covers your hips and has a belt that ties above your natural waist. Voilà! An instantly higher waist begets instantly longer legs.

Now that you’ve conquered the hard part, here are a few more coat buying tips from our staff of shopping pros! Before shopping: It’s a great idea to really narrow down when and where you’ll be wearing the coat. Your needs in an outerwear piece will be totally different for dressy occasions vs. an everyday coverup, so make sure that you are looking for the right ingredients!

For ultimate warmth: Look for wool or down or go for a double whammy with a combination of the two (when it comes to down, look for a fill power of 500 or more — what’s that mean? Basically, the higher the number, the denser the insulation) Depending on the climate where you live, you also may want to consider an exterior fabric that’s water-resistant and washable, like nylon or polyester.

Details: Check for nifty design details that will keep out cool drafts, such as drawstrings, built in hand covers, and flaps over any exposed zippers.

Removable lining: If you’re like us, and live where the weather fluctuates, look for coat options with zip-out linings.This is also great for budget-savvy shoppers because the shell and lining can generally be worn separately in addition to being worn together.

No matter what the temps are like in your neck of the woods, when it comes to toppers, the desired outcome is simple: Stay warm, look chic! Old Man Winter, bring it on. Check out our website for fashionable must-have plus-size coat options at: www.DivaWomensWear.com!

Do you have a favorite? Let us know!