Look, the 1990s and 2000s are behind us. Thankfully, so too is the narrow perspective on beauty telling us that if you're not tall and thin, you're not hot as hell. Because you are. Still, this isn't to say everything looks good on everyone. Tall, short, curvy, or slim — there are styling tips to flatter us all. And by that, we mean following simple rules to highlight your favorite assets while working through what still makes us uncomfortable. After all, a lifetime of body shaming doesn’t just disappear overnight.

So, here are our top tips to support curvy babes step out with confidence every day of the week. Let's start with the basics: Invest in good shapewear and bra: A good shapewear can help you smooth out your curves. A well-fitted bra can also help you look more put together. You also need to know which fabric suits you best: Different fabrics drape differently on different body types. Experiment with different fabrics to find out which ones suit you best and which make you feel comfortable.

aka. Apply the ‘Rule of Thirds’

Your silhouette makes all the difference. To apply the rule of thirds, we mean wearing shirts or blouses representing the top third of your body and pants or a skirt representing the bottom two-thirds. In other words — define your waist and accentuate those beautiful curves! 

This can easily be achieved by tucking tops into your bottoms, wearing cropped shirts or jackets, knotting your blouses, or wearing wrapped tops. All while rocking high-waisted jeans, pants, or skirts.

Wear clothes that hug your frame but aren’t too clingy: Clothes that are too tight can make you feel uncomfortable and less self-conscious. Instead, opt for clothes that fit you well but aren’t too clingy. Stay away from clothes that draw peering eyes to the hips and shoulders: Clothes with embellishments or patterns around the hips and shoulders can make them look wider than they actually are. Instead, choose clothes that draw attention to your waistline.

Avoid untucking your tops over the curves: Tucking in your tops can help define your waistline and create a more flattering silhouette. Also avoid using boxy silhouettes to hide your natural curves: Boxy silhouettes can make you look shapeless and hide your natural curves. Instead, choose clothes that flatter your curves. Instead, use belts, high-waisted pants, and dresses with cinched waists can help define your waistline and create a more flattering silhouette.

Remember, even within the curvy community, body shapes can significantly vary. You may identify as an apple, pear, hourglass, or any other body type. Let's briefly explore how to highlight these specific body types.

For apple-shaped bodies, where weight is typically distributed around the midsection, you might want to focus on highlighting your legs and decolletage. Opt for A-line dresses or tunics that flow away from the waist and don't cling to the midsection. V-neck tops can create an elongating effect, drawing attention upwards.

Pear-shaped women, with their broader hips and narrower shoulders, can balance their silhouette by adding volume to the upper body. Try styles like boat-neck tops or statement sleeves. A-line skirts that gently drape over the hips can be particularly flattering.

Hourglass figures, characterized by a balanced bust and hip ratio with a defined waist, are well-suited to fitted or wrap-around styles that highlight the waist. High-waisted skirts and pants, as well as belts at the waist, can further emphasize this body type's natural curves.

Each body is unique, and these are just starting points. Experiment and find out what makes you feel fantastic!

There’s nothing sexier than seeing a little bit of what's underneath, and this is all the more true for those with more to show. Showing some leg elongates shorter bodies while wearing skirts with slits and short dresses accentuate your waist. 

Look even taller by using vertical patterns: Vertical patterns can help elongate your body and make you look taller. Take a shot at knee-highs and thigh-highs: Knee-highs and thigh-highs can help elongate your legs and make them look slimmer. Avoid full sleeves or extremely thin straps if you’re heavy on the arms: Full sleeves or extremely thin straps can make your arms look bigger than they actually are. Instead, choose sleeves that end at the elbow or 3/4 length sleeves – and show some skin!

⭐️ Three-quarter sleeves highlight petite features.

⭐️ Dramatic V necklines draw attention away from your shoulders to your waistline. 

⭐️ Off-the-shoulder blouses look great with an ample bust, drawing attention to your finer decolletage and neck.

⭐️ Try a bun or a ponytail to draw attention to your face and accentuate your neck and decolletage, making you look longer.

⭐️ Crop tops accentuate your waist too. 

⚠️ Tight wool dresses. They might add some unnecessary pounds.

⚠️ Short skirts with sneaker, boots or other flats unless you're looking to shorten your look. Flat shoes will do the same. 

When it comes to patterns that flatter plus size styles best, there are a few things to keep in mind. Vertical lines can help you appear thinner and taller, while angled lines that meet in the middle will accentuate your waist. This can be particularly flattering if you have an hourglass figure.

Floral patterns are also beautiful and very flattering. They can add a feminine touch to your outfit and draw attention to your curves in all the right ways. Just remember to choose patterns that fit well and complement your body type. You can also try mixing and matching different patterns to create a unique look that’s all your own.

While pattern selection is vital, so too is your color choice. The colors you choose to wear can significantly impact your appearance. Dark colors, such as black, navy blue, and deep reds, are known to have a slimming effect. They are excellent for creating a streamlined silhouette, making them a great choice for areas of your body you want to downplay.

Light colors and bright shades tend to draw attention and can make areas appear larger. Use them strategically to emphasize your best features. For example, if you want to draw attention to your waist, consider wearing a dark-colored outfit with a light or brightly colored belt.

Don't forget about the power of monochromatic dressing. Wearing the same color head-to-toe can create an uninterrupted vertical line, making you look taller and leaner. It doesn't have to be all black - you could try other colors like dark blue, green, or even red for a bold statement.

If you’re looking for the perfect pair of jeans or trousers that flatter your curves, then you’re in luck! High-waisted jeans, bootcut jeans, straight-leg jeans, wide-leg pants, and flared pants are the best fits for curvy women. They can balance out your curves, elongate your legs and create a flattering silhouette. Dark wash jeans and jeans with stretch material can also help smooth out your curves and make you look taller. However, skinny jeans, low-rise jeans and baggy pants should be avoided as they can make your legs look shorter, accentuate your hips, cause muffin top and make you look shapeless.

Instead, stick to straight-legged or flared trousers to balance your hips. You can take control of the shape of your legs by keeping things loose, too. It's never too flattering for anyone to wear slim-fit pants or jeans that are too tight. Instead, look out for slimming jeans that come with a mix of stretch materials. And don't forget, high-waisted is always best!

It’s obvious. Heels give shorter bodies those extra inches. Heeled shoes, especially nudes or those in the same color as the bottoms, also help put the waist visually upwards and lengthen the body. To have comfortable and supportive shoes, choose footwear that fits well with a wider toe box and thicker heel – therefore, prefer block heels over stilettos.