5 Plus-Size Style Tips for Wearing Leggings

Leggings are essential for every woman’s wardrobe. They are quite easy to style, comfortable, and perfect for everyday activities. However, some plus-size women may shy away from wearing this article of clothing. They may feel that tight and figure-hugging pants are best reserved for skinny bodies, but the idea that leggings are only for thin people is not true.

Plus-size or full-figured women can definitely wear leggings and feel beautiful in them. If you have a big body and want to enjoy the comfort of leggings without worrying about how you look, here are 5 tips to help you look and feel great when wearing your leggings.

Pick a Pair That Fits You Well

Leggings are known for hugging the wearer’s figure, making people think that for them to work, they should be worn tight by a thin body. But “tighter” clothes aren’t just for thin people. Leggings can flatter a wide range of body types, including plus-size ones. The compression they give can actually give a nicer shape to full-figured women, allowing them to enjoy their curves even more.

When buying leggings, make sure that they fit your body correctly. And don’t use the stretchy fabric as a reason to get a smaller size. A poor fit can ruin the material of your leggings, in addition to making you feel very uncomfortable when you wear them. If you feel like the band is squeezing your waist a little too much, then that would mean that your leggings are too tight. It should also be able to fit properly so you don’t look like you have a muffin top or end up with unnecessary emphasis on your crotch. The right size should be able to support your body properly and actually feel comfortable to wear, which is the whole point of wearing leggings in the first place.

The length must also be just right for you. When wearing leggings, you shouldn’t have to tug them into your boots or fold the ends just so they don’t cover your feet. The hem should also properly fit where the leggings are supposed to end. If your leggings end up being too long or too loose, it can make your outfit look ill-fitting. To avoid this fashion faux pas, check the sizes available and make sure that the measurements would fit you before making your purchase.

Get The Right Materials

The material of your leggings should be of good quality, regardless if it’s plus size or not. Poor quality leggings can stretch out within the first wash and result in the garment becoming baggy. Of course, these poor quality leggings would not be able to retain the clothing’s form-fitting feature. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll only get a couple of wears out of these leggings since the fabric will be too stretched out after each usage.

For this reason, make sure to consider the quality of the material itself when purchasing leggings. You should double-check the type of fabric, which could usually be found on the product’s tag or the information provided when shopping online.  Good quality leggings should be stretchy but the fabric should fall back into place after you’ve taken them off. It should also be dense enough so the coverage remains opaque even when they are stretched so that they can be worn with confidence that your underwear won’t show through the fabric. You should also be able to easily smooth out the lumps and bumps that could form when you put them on.

Before you buy your cotton leggings today, make sure to check the components used. A higher cotton to elastics ratio is ideal for ensuring that your leggings are sturdy with just the right amount of stretch. However, you can also opt for more daring pieces made of heavy fabrics like faux leather for bolder looks. Thick and heavy fabrics like cotton and faux leather create a smoother finish on your outfit, are more comfortable to wear during the cool weather, and will help with the overall shape of your leggings.

Wear The Right Underwear

Given how leggings fit the body, it’s important to be aware of what you’re wearing underneath as well. Make sure that your underwear provides great support, especially towards the backside. You may also want to choose a seamless design so that it doesn’t show through the material of your leggings. Some women opt to wear thongs or skip wearing underwear altogether. Go with whatever feels most comfortable for you. Although it’s a little detail under the whole outfit, wearing the wrong kind of underwear can make your fashion faux pas visible for everyone to see.

Build Your Look Right

When choosing what to wear with your leggings, it’s important to take into account how the colors and designs would play out. Bright colors and designs normally pair well with simple ones but you also have to consider the placement. Leggings with really loud designs tend to give off a heavy look, which can be unflattering if you have a wide bottom. Keep this in mind when going bold with your matches. If you want to have a streamlined silhouette, the easy way to go is to use leggings in dark colors like black, charcoal gray, and dark brown. A monochromatic pairing also makes the whole look more classy and chic. Just make sure to wear colors depending on what body part you want to accentuate as colors do tend to draw attention.

It’s common to pair leggings with longer tops, which usually end at the hip. Short and cropped tops are okay to wear at the gym but not when you’re out and about as this would leave your crotch too exposed. Leggings are more flattering to wear with sweaters, tunics, and long shirts. Besides looking classy, long tops also help to hide any bunching at the groin area whenever that does occur. For a more formal look, you can even wear dark leggings under a dress. Add a coat or a jacket to give your outfit more structure and make it look more pulled together. However, take care that your tops are not too baggy and stick to wearing thin layers. When your clothes are too loose or have too many layers, it could make you look bulky. It’s better to show your curves instead of trying to hide your figure with unflattering pieces.

Your shoes should also help build your outfit and be appropriate for the occasion you are dressing for. Leggings usually go well with ballet flats, boots, or stylish heels. Sneakers would also be great for the comfy athleisure look. Clunky footwear can make you look a bit shabby, so try to not wear those with leggings. Following the advice on colors, if your top or leggings already have loud colours or designs, you can opt for darker-colored shoes to keep your outfit balanced.

Own That Look

Confidence is probably one of the best accessories you can have when dressing up, especially with something as fitting as a pair of leggings. It’s important to keep your head high when you choose to wear them. Choosing to buy a pair of proper fitting and comfortable leggings should be able to help you be more confident in wearing them. Remember that leggings are versatile and can easily work with any look for any occasion. So don’t be afraid to express your creativity when styling them as being able to express yourself through fashion can help you build up your confidence.

This is your chance to show that curvy is beautiful. Show those curves in comfort and style!