The skies might still be periodically grey and the possibility of snow still lingering, but if you want to get ahead with the latest looks then it’s time to turn your mind to the new SS13 trends.For the plus size fashionista it’s not always that easy to make the latest trends work straight from the catwalk.However, this season there’s plenty to get excited about.
Stripes – this was one of the biggest trends from the SS13 catwalks, with everyone from Oscar de la Renta to Louis Vuitton including them in their collections.Since then stripes have begun to filter down into the high street, on straight cut dresses, jersey skirts, vest frocks and jeans.Stripes are a useful tool for a plus sized figures as when used in the right way they can be really slimming.Vertical stripes are still the most flattering way to wear stripes and will make you look taller and subtly elongated.
1960s – the vintage 60s look is going to be big for this year and provides a lot of opportunity for making the best of a fuller figure.Little A-line mini dresses are going to be everywhere and this is a style that will flatter most shapes as it doesn’t cling in all the wrong places.There are plenty of fit options too so you can go for ¾ or long sleeves, mid or shorter length and nipped waist or not, depending on where your body confidence lies.For inspiration on how to wear this take a look at Adele’s 2013 Grammys Valentino dress.Adele’s frock is also a great demonstration of how to make 1960s prints work for you – go for bold prints, rather than ditzy, and use a darker under layer to define your figure.
Zoe Karssen’s palm tree-print track pants
Sports luxe – if you find some of the standard tailoring quite restrictive for a fuller figure then sports luxe is an easy way to do comfort in style.Luxe joggers are the most comfortable and cool way to nail this trend – buy them in a lightweight fabric and wear with some towering heels and a tailored jacket a la Kim Kardashian.Neoprene is a fabric that has made quite a mark at successive fashion weeks, thanks to the sports trend – look out for slim fitting neoprene dresses with slimming contrast colour contour panels.
P.A.R.O.S.H mint dress
Minimalism – the polar opposite of the 1960s and stripes trend is that of Minimalism, as showcased by designers like Celine and Calvin Klein.Simple shapes, almost full body coverage and a lack of inch-adding frou frou or embellishment make this a great trend for plus sized fashionistas who want to achieve an unfussy look. A super flattering incarnation of this trend is head to toe colour minimalism, where your entire outfit is a single shade – choose a dark colour like oxblood or something stunning like cobalt blue to really make an impact.
These are some of the most exciting trends for plus sized fashion fans in 2013.Remember that fashion is all about stamping your own identity on a trend so if you’re feeling inspired by something then run with it!
Amy is a fashion writer from Style in View – a UK fashion search engine and blog.