Q&A for How to Be Big and Beautiful

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  • Question
    How can you flatter your body shape when you're a plus-sized woman?
    Elle Monus
    Image Consultant
    Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked.
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    Size doesn’t matter nearly as much as shape. After all, you are dressing to create an overall shape, not size. Finding your body shape is key. If you’re an hourglass, create a balanced look by finding items that nip in at the smallest part of your natural waist and add volume or width to the smaller half of your body. If you’re an inverted triangle body shape (widest in your top third), create volume in your bottom third in order to balance your body with A-line skirts and wide-leg pants. Apple shapes (widest in your tummy with smaller arms and legs) do well in empire waist tops and jeggings to prevent excess fabric in the hips and thighs while also fitting your tummy. Rectangles (very little curvature in the bust and hips) can wear almost anything! My favorite look is the classic shift dress, which also has very little curve built in so you can create a gorgeous retro-inspired look that most other body shapes have a tough time recreating. Pears (widest in your hips) do well with a solid bottom and a bold top. Pair a statement necklace or earrings to draw attention upwards creating the illusion of balance.
  • Question
    What types of clothes do you recommend for someone with broad shoulders?
    Elle Monus
    Image Consultant
    Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked.
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    Men’s clothing is often cut for broad shoulders, but if you’re having trouble finding the right fit, size up and tailor at your waist. You could also consider a brand that starts with custom measurements. Women's clothing is not always cut for broad shoulders, otherwise known as the inverted triangle body shape. A great casual option is a dolman sleeve, where the shoulder seam falls further down the shoulder. This gives you extra room in order to avoid any pulling in the fabric at your shoulders or bust. To balance your shape, create width in your bottom half by opting for a wide leg, bootcut or flare leg pant. If skirts are more your thing, try a a-line cut that skims your curves and provides a bit of outward structure.
  • Question
    How can you flatter your body shape when you're a plus-sized man?
    Elle Monus
    Image Consultant
    Elle Monus is an Image Consultant and the Co-Founder of True Image Group. With over 11 years of fashion industry experience, she specializes in holistic approaches to branding, size-inclusive image consulting, and personal styling. Additionally, Elle has had the opportunity to work on several New York Fashion Week shows and has been featured in multiple media outlets, such as Racked.
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer
    Men's big & tall fashion is still a bit underdeveloped, so picking classics in structured fabrics like thick, cable knit cardigans, investing in a quality pair of jeans and having one tailored blazer for semi-casual wear will get you through most anything.
  • Question
    I'm not allowed to wear make up to school, what will I do?
    Community Answer
    Embrace your natural beauty! ''Big'' is an odd word to describe someone, anyone can be pretty, any weight, any gender, height, culture! Work it! You're beautiful!
  • Question
    When do I take a shower?
    Community Answer
    You may wash your body every day, but for hair, you can go two or three days without washing it. Washing your hair every day can make it unhealthy.
  • Question
    What should I do if people call me fat?
    Community Answer
    You can answer with a comeback or a joke to seem lighthearted or uncaring, or you can simply choose to ignore it. It might make you feel bad or less attractive, but just remind yourself that those kind of people's opinion doesn't matter and there are people who love you regardless.
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