Dressing When You're In Between Plus Sizes
Posted by Jen Anderson on
When you're in between sizes, it can feel like you're never going to find something that fits. But your Auntie Jen can help you there.
Every time I write about sizing, I'm tempted to go into a long, tedious rant about the history of the subject. As someone who's not going to start sewing her own clothes, or having them custom made, I need to stop whining and start working with what we've got. Which is actually pretty good.
The annoying thing about off the rack clothing sizes is that they rarely match our bodies' measurements. Which is why so much womens clothing is made from knit fabric. That stretch and drape goes a long way towards creating a good fit.
With knit fabric, you can focus on fit in one area, and the rest will follow. The tricky part is that you've been giving priority to the wrong area.
The Most Important Body Part For Fit
Shoulders.
Yes, really. Not your boobs, not your tummy, and not your hips. Every stylist who focuses on these alleged problem areas aren't helping anyone.
If a garment fits you well across the shoulders, then it'll look fine. It may be a little looser or closer fitting on you than it is on the model, but that's fine. Our goal is to not to look like anyone else, but to look fabulous in our own right.
How To Select The Right Size For You
The bust, waist, and hip measurements on sizing charts do a good job of pointing you towards the right size for you. When you're in between sizes, in most cases you're better off going with the smaller size. If you have an inverted triangle body shape thanks to your shoulders, then the larger size might work better on you. (If your chest gives you an inverted triangle shape, then go with the smaller size to accommodate your shoulders. Knit fabric will stretch over your chest without looking tight.)
Those tops where the neckline is so wide that it doesn't even cover your bra? Those tops are too big for your shoulders.
Which Styles Are Best For You?
That depends largely on your specific body type, so I'm going to refer you to my magnum opus on the subject. But some styles give you a little more wiggle room than others, which is especially useful when you're in between sizes. Most of your clothes have a few inches of ease, meaning they're larger than your body. The styles I'm going to discuss can look good with a little more or less ease than usual. So they're unlikely to be too baggy or too tight in spots.
Let's get specific.
Kimono Jackets are designed to drape elegantly from your shoulders, so as long as they fit your shoulders, the jacket won't look (or be) too loose or too tight.
A-line tops and dresses give you a lot of leeway when it comes to ease. So look for Vikki Vi 2 Pocket Swing Tunics, T-Shirt Style Dresses, and our Jersey Black Maxi Tunic Tank.
Vikki Vi Cardigans and Camp Shirts are also good here because they can be worn partially or completely unbuttoned, allowing you to adjust the fit.
Never Fear
You may be hesitant to go with the smaller size, thinking back to experiences trying on clothes that were just plain too small for you. But with the right fabrics and styles, the smaller size won't be too tight.