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7 Petite Plus Fashion Rules to Break NOW

Editorial Staff by Editorial Staff
11 years ago
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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As a petite and curvy woman who has been interested in fashion all of my life, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time poring over fashion magazines.  If you’ve ever read a fashion magazine or even watched “What Not to Wear,” then you know that “rules” abound for creating the most flattering looks for different body types.  Generally, the word flattering is used as code to mean taller and thinner. So we talk 7 Petite Plus Fashion Rules to Break NOW!

Whether considered “plus” or not, I’ve always been more on the curvy side.  Certainly, I’ve always been petite.  I spent years dutifully trying to follow fashion rules, but somewhere over the years, I have realized just how limiting these rules are.  What’s more, I realized that if you are petite AND curvy/plus, the rules are often contradictory, providing even fewer “legal” clothing options.

If you’re a fashion lover, then the idea of wearing one type of skirt, hem length, jacket cut, etc. for the rest of your life is a positively dreadful notion.  So, while these “rules” are great as guidelines for flattering your beautiful physiques, they really should just be taken as suggestions and nothing more.  There are no real world fashion police coming to arrest you – so wear what you want!

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Ultimately, great style and looking fabulous comes down to how you feel about yourself in your clothes.  Do your clothes make you walk taller and move with increased confidence?  If they do, then they are doing more than just their basic job of preserving modesty.

Rules built on absolutes and prejudice towards a certain ideal are begging to be broken!  So, with that, here’s what a little rule breaking looks like:

7 Petite Plus Fashion Rules to Break NOW

RULE 1:  Mini-skirts

7 Petite Plus Size Rules to Break

Well, a petite, plus girl can’t both avoid and wear mini-skirts, so wear what you want!  Love showing off those gorgeous gams?  Do it!!!

RULE 2:  Horizontal stripes

7 Petite Plus Size Rules to Break

Here’s my take on the “Avoid Horizontal Stripes” rule.  No one is ever going to mistake me for being tall, nor for being a waif.  Our bodies are what they are – own them.  As women, we’re often told me shouldn’t take up too much space (physically, culturally, politically, etc.).  Horizontal stripes send an unapologetic message.  We’re here – take notice!

RULE 3:  Head-to-toe Black

7 Petite Plus Size Rules to Break

We’ve probably all heard that black is slimming and that head-to-toe black is lengthening to the figure.  Now, don’t get me wrong – I love me some black, my favorite neutral by far, but too much black can simply be boring.  A rainbow-inspired palette projects confidence.  When you want to get noticed, color is definitely the way to go!

RULE 4:  Cropped/Ankle pants

7 Petite Plus Size Rules to Break

Cropped and ankle pants add variety to a pants collection.  If you like to let your ankles breathe or just enjoy the silhouette, then go for it!  Tapered or slim legs are almost just as flattering in the conventional sense as full-length pants but have a little less formality making them perfect for casual and evening looks.

RULE 5:  Oversized or voluminous clothing

7 Petite Plus Size Rules to Break

Yes, there was once a time (in the not too distant past) where plus-size fashion meant shopping at Muumuus R’ Us, but fashion rules have changed and now the general rule is that plus size women should avoid oversized or voluminous clothing.  Now, I’m not advocating muumuus (unless that’s what you’re in to), but playing with volume adds interest to a look, and petite plus-size girls need not be afraid of it.

RULE 6: Midi- and Maxi-length hemlines

7 Petite Plus Size Rules to Break

For years, I’ve heard that petites should avoid midi and maxi-length hems – that they make petites look even shorter.  Plus ladies are told to avoid midi and maxi-lengths and encouraged to show off one of their “best” assets by flaunting their calves.  So, if miniskirts are out and midi and maxi skirts are out, that essentially leaves petite plus girls the option of knee-length skirts.  Knee-length is great, but too much of a good thing can still get stale.  Besides, we can decide for ourselves what our best assets are!!!!

RULE 7:  Large prints, accessories, and handbags

7 Petite Plus Size Rules to Break

Another contradictory “rule”!  You could compromise and stay trapped in medium size everything (generally considered to be universally flattering), but where’s the fun in that?

Ultimately, what you wear should be your own decision – based off of what makes you feel great and not what you’ve been taught you should wear.  Fashion “rules” can be great guidelines, but one should never feel bound by them.  For petite curvy/plus gals, finding a great fit can be difficult enough – you should at least get to wear what you love!

What do you think?  Do you tow the style line or are you a fashion rebel?

Tags: fashion how tofashion tipsHow to Wearpetite plus size
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Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff

The Curvy Fashionista editorial team is a collective of passionate writers, editors, and content creators who live and breathe all things plus size fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. With a mission to inform, inspire, and empower our community, our staff is made up of style-savvy experts who are deeply committed to celebrating size inclusivity and championing representation in fashion and media.

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Comments 28

  1. Ashley ZionsMama Staples says:
    11 years ago

    I love all your choices!:

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      11 years ago

      She is too cute huh! I love her style too!

      Reply
  2. Ieshia Starr-Trina Taylor says:
    11 years ago

    I love your blog and style

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      11 years ago

      LOL Mine or Cass’s??? Cass is quite cute!

      Reply
      • Ieshia Starr-Trina Taylor says:
        11 years ago

        Both Im loving the styles you guys display

        Reply
  3. Johanna Jackson says:
    11 years ago

    Great! I loved it all! I’m. Only 5″1 and followed a lot of those rules. Going to break some rules!

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      11 years ago

      WOOT! Please report back!!!

      Reply
  4. Black Heart Creatives says:
    11 years ago

    Those neon pointy shoes are utterly fab! We do have the opposite problem though, being plus size and over 6″1 tall! Very much enjoying your blog <3

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      11 years ago

      Ohhhh definitely!

      Reply
  5. Whitney 'Nic' James says:
    11 years ago

    You look great! I love the stripes and the tutu – so cute!

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      11 years ago

      Aint she cute!!!

      Reply
    • Cassandra Westfall says:
      11 years ago

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Capricious Feline says:
    11 years ago

    I’ve 5’6″, but my body type and short legs definitely reads on the shorter side. I’m an unabashed breaker of the maxi rule for both skirts and dresses!! Also, I think people with larger bodies look amazing wearing larger prints – there is more surface area to show off the fabulous!

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      11 years ago

      Here here!!! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Ginny says:
    11 years ago

    OMG, please be my personal shopper! I’m 5’2″ and a size 20. I absolutely adore everything you are wearing above. Be my style guru! LOL

    Reply
    • Cassandra Westfall says:
      11 years ago

      Thanks so much Ginny! 😀
      I’m in the St. Louis area. If you’re ever in the neighborhood…

      Reply
  8. Amy Sandusky says:
    11 years ago

    I’ve often pointed out to people (Mom!) that nobody is EVER going to mistake me for a tall girl, let alone a tall thin girl. I do bright, I do fitted (knowing how to sew comes in handy here) and gorgeous prints are always a go. Maxi dresses are my favorite spring/summer look. Now however, I must have the tutu I’ve wanted for so long. I’m inspired!

    Reply
    • Marie Denee says:
      11 years ago

      Right!!! She has me thinking twice about this trend too!

      Reply
  9. cece says:
    11 years ago

    i NNNEED that tutu

    Reply
  10. Jill Firns says:
    11 years ago

    Oh my gosh! #5’s tutu outfit is TO DIE FOR!!! Love it!

    Reply
    • Cassandra Westfall says:
      11 years ago

      Thanks so much Jill!

      Reply
  11. Barbie Doll says:
    11 years ago

    Where did you get that gorgeous blue moto jacket? I’ve been looking for one! Love your style! I’m 5’2″ and a size 20/22 and have a tough time getting garments with the right proportions for me. I often have things tailored. You look fabulous Dahling!!!

    Reply
    • Cassandra Westfall says:
      11 years ago

      Thank you Barbie Doll! The moto jacket is from The Limited. I’m an in-between size, usually 14-16 on top/ 12 on bottom, so I can wear both straight and plus sizes depending on the item. Like everything else though, this one was altered to fit!

      Reply
  12. vatrask says:
    11 years ago

    I am so glad t find more petite-plus girls out there. I find it so hard to find clothes I like that don’t require major amounts of custom tailoring. Now, of course I’m curious about all these outfits you showed us and where I can get my hands on them. Please share?

    Reply
    • Cassandra Westfall says:
      11 years ago

      I’ve worn all of these outfits on my blog, Style Cassentials. You can find details on all of these outfits and others over there! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Tara Banks says:
    11 years ago

    I need a Tutu in my life ASAP!!!

    Reply
  14. Beebee says:
    11 years ago

    I love you ladies,im so addicted to being sassy and beautiful and loving my curves to the fullest,i my problem is finding all the great looks along with a great price lol…Does anyone know where i can find a plus size corset?

    Reply
    • Cassandra Westfall says:
      11 years ago

      Frederick’s of Hollywood, Hips & Curves, and Bare Necessities all carry plus-size corsets!

      Reply

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