Our dear friend Johanna coined a phrase that has stuck with us (we love it!), and now we think of our plus size friends as ‘elegantly curved’! We have many beautiful, elegantly-curved friends created by God, each wonderfully and fearfully made.
As I get older and undergo the inevitable changes in my body and shape, I find it is harder to find beautifully-fitting, classy, but modest clothes for less. Still, I desire to make modesty and femininity attractive instead of frumpy, so I persevere. At whatever age we are, we must still discover for ourselves what it means to represent the Lord as His ambassadors to the world.
Modest, Feminine Dressing for the Plus Size Woman
I keep my eye out for clothing I feel is tasteful in a variety of circumstances. Below is my compilation of many femininely beautiful (and modest) REAL plus size WOMEN from all walks of life in no particular order at all:
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Put together and gorgeous:
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My daughter has discovered the company eShakti, a company that was designed especially for the plus size woman.
Not only do they stock sizes up to 6X or 36W, but they will also take your measurements and create a dress specifically for you. As if that’s not enough, you can also customize the dress by adding sleeves, changing hem length or neckline!
The few eShakti dresses above serve to illustrate how a dress emphasizing the following traits should be visually slimming:
- Black and darker hues (white enlarges; black shrinks)
- A-line skirts and waist lines without gathers and defined waists
- Skirts with fullness, ruffles, or details along the hem (see a few examples above)
- Patterns like polka dots, small prints, and diagonal stripes (chevron, plaid, etc.)
- Vertical color blocking, not horizontal, like the black dress just above with the dark green stripe down the middle of the front (second row, second from the left)
Plus-size dressing doesn’t have to make you feel stuck and sad. Comparing your beautiful self to someone else NOT yourself can be paralyzing and is a lie from the evil one to make us focus on self instead of the many blessings around us! These are for IDEA purposes only!
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I think her disposition must be as sunny as the bright colors she wears.
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(source) Personally, I’d like to see a beige colored slip instead of black.
This is my lovely friend Ellyn. She uses colors effectively and does not try to be overly trendy in her fashion, but the vital assets that draw others to her are her others-focused joy in the Lord and her warm personality and genuine smile…just like her dear mother, I might add!
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I love this simple understated style for versatility! She can wear it almost anywhere and look and feel put-together!
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Isn’t this just like the gown Kate Middleton wore?
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This pink and grey combo in plus size separates is super cute. Lots of color and pretty, eye catching details.
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You can also follow my Feminine & Modest Fashion Pinterest Board. It is my most followed board!
Ah, I LOVE this quote:
“What is beauty?
“Some say beauty fits in a size 0. Some say beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Some say beauty is only skin deep. Some say beauty is only a quality of the heart. Some say beauty is truth. Some say beauty is a lie. Some say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some say beauty is as beauty does. Some say Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly are beautiful. Some say everyone is beautiful. Some say beauty is divine. Some say beauty is corrupting.
“From all this confusion, one idea emerges clearly: The world knows beauty matters…
“It’s time to take beauty back. When faced with an industry that runs on Photoshop airbrushing, plastic surgery, starvation diets, grotesque catwalk styles, and billions of squandered dollars, … it’s time for our response to be, “Get your flag out of our ground.” It’s time for us to be a light in a culture that uses beauty as a weapon against God. It’s time for God’s ambassadors to make His principles – such as modesty and femininity – look as beautiful as they really are.” ~Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin
You are beautiful! Let your light shine!!
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Thanks for reading!
Jessica says
Hi Jacqueline
I love this series so dearly! Thank you!
Will you consider ( perhaps in time for fall) running a post on outerwear?
I live in Minnesota and I do a lot of plowing and trampling through snow. I would love some ideas on attractive cold-weather wear.
Blessings!
Jessica
Annalisa says
Hi Jacquline,
My name is Annalisa & I have been searching for some outerwear that’s cute for my plus size girls and found some for them in Florida of all places, from the Visitors Flea Market. The business card number is 321-431-3515 Jackets and skirts/skorts etc. Ebay seller adeview sells modest plus size girls clothes really affordable
Jamie Chandler says
You can also check out modcloth.com. They have TONS of cute dresses and shirts in plus sizes!!! Very retro 🙂
Abby says
Thanks so much Jacqueline for the time you put into this post. I certainly have ample elegant curves – – it’s so nice to see a post targeted for the plus size woman. I’ll check out the place you recommended. It’s so hard to find clothes that not only fit good, but that I feel feminine in.
Abby says
Jaqueline, you mentioned in a comment to me, you were working on an ebook cover. If you want me to help you, email me at: littlebirdieblessings@gmail.com
Angela says
THANK YOU!!
Every time I look at posts about dressing modestly, they show only beautiful young slender women. Thank you for showing some beautiful young curvy women. Thank you.
Erin says
At your prompting, I started following your pinterest board…you are making contentment with what I have very hard ;). What fun-I want almost every outfit you’ve pinned. While not plus sized, I’ve always had a rather thick waist and being 40 with six children my tummy is not exactly tight so I so appreciate your advice. Thanks!
Tracy @ Our Simple Life says
This was a wonderful post and you reminded me how I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” more than I want to hear the question “Have you lost weight?”
Jacqueline says
Ooh! That is spot on, and it is the Correct Desire of the Christian woman (and not just in weight or how we parent, if we are the perfect Proverbs 31 wife, or the perfection of our homes, etc.)!!! Praise God He is able to see us through!
Thank you for this, Tracy! I needed that today 🙂
Lee Rollett says
I just found your website via Pinterest! Thank you! I love it! 🙂
Jacqueline says
Thank you, Lee!
Blessings 🙂
Trinidad Anderson says
Lovely post. Beautiful women in beautiful dress. All the dresses are very stylish and decent to fulfill the demand of ladies plus size. The sleeveless maxi plus size dress in white and black print is really amazing.
Confidence is an evident in how the ladies show up their style and beauty.
Munmun Nishi says
Awesome Post!
You added many types of information and new models design.Your style is very excellent that you make.
Thanks a lot for sharing this article.
Munmun Nishi.
Jacqueline says
You are very welcome, Minmun! Thank you 🙂
brandi says
This is a beautiful post!! I just launched an online boutique all about being modest and stylish no matter what size you are! Feel free to check us out! http://www.ShopCrownWear.com Isaiah 62:3
Use promo code: STVSOP for a special discount!
Cate says
This post came up in my pinterest feed today, and I appreciate the read. I am not “curvy”, just plain fat, and all attempts at changing that have failed since I was 10… In fact, I think they resulted in my huge-ness of now. Nevermind, It led me to do much “innercise”, and I have finally discovered that a few bodily imbalances are needing fixing, and hopefully that will help. At least the weight isn’t going on anymore! 🙂
I love your focus on modesty – it has been a soapbox of mine for 20 years, and I spend a lot of time teaching my 15 year old twins about its importance. Gets tricky living in a hot, humid environment like Queensland.. Everything is shoestring tops and short skirts! I have always had a “covered shoulders and legs to the knee” policy for outside the home, and it is a challenge! Especially when other girls, even at church, don’t always cover up.
It would love to look elegant, but I just have a battle to look basically attractive! 🙂 I have started to teach myself how to sew, so that I can have nice clothes, in my colours, my shape and nice fabrics. It seems they are not available unless custom made! And seeing as I have not yet a sufficient bank account to pay a better seamstress to make them, I’m it! 🙂 hopefully they will look ok!
Jacqueline says
Oh, Cate! I love your heart, new friend! I know so many gorgeous plus sized women who ROCK, and it does my heart good to know it has been a positive journey with healthy discoveries along the way! I’m praying for your wise communication with your daughters and that they will embrace being culture changers without legalism. May all of your attitudes make you relate-able and winsome to a hurting world~
So glad it was helpful! Maybe ideas will come for sewing 🙂
Angie says
Im trying to find where to buy the grey wrap dip hem skirt in picture number 6…any help would be really appreciated, I love your ideas!
Jacqueline says
Dear Angie,
I sure wish I could help you out, but I am just sharing these photos and have not much knowledge of their manufacturers. I hope you can find it or something close! 🙂
April fuentes says
love the clothing I see for plus size..
Jacqueline says
That is awesome! I had such fun finding them 🙂
Blessings to you today 🙂
Jennifer says
I found your site while looking at modest clothing for plus sized women. I am so glad I did. I then linked into a clothing site I had never been to before, and now I have found a beautiful dress to wear on the day of my vow renewals. Thank you so much for sharing!
Jacqueline says
I am so glad, Jennifer! I am working on a new summer Into Fall post just because these posts have been so popular!
I am praying your renewal of vows will be a beautiful time of re-covenanting before God, your husband, and all who witness them!
Blessings~
Penny says
I am very late to the party, but this is a much appreciated article! For almost my entire life I have struggled with a lack of confidence in my body shape and size. I never thought of myself as very feminine, regardless of current weight or preferred pastimes. About a year ago I decided to be more mindful of the amount of skin revealed, as well as the fit of a top or skirt. I also wanted to wear only distinctly feminine clothes. I fell in love with helpful camisoles and graceful palazzo pants, flowing skirts and dresses. These changes in how I dress have given me a great boost in confidence. I feel good dressing in a way that is pleasing to God. And I feel the great suggestions and photos in this article will inspire plus size women. I love the variety of beautifully dressed women, and their look of happiness. It may sometimes be a challenge to find modest feminine clothing in upper sizes, but it’s well worth it!
Jacqueline says
Oh, your words and heart make me so happy! Thank you, Penny! I am sure your words are also an encouragement to other women who struggle with the same thing! to God be the glory, friend!
a10 says
I am happy to visit on your site. Thanks to share it.
Nancy Gerega says
Hi
I am so glad to have come across your site. In my culture, women (small or large sizes) have to dress modestly. Thank you :))
God bless!!
Erin Carter says
This is so helpful! I am a fifteen-year-old and it is so hard to find plus sized, modest clothing. This is so refreshing! Thank you so much, and God bless!
Katheryn Gallant says
A tardy thanks for this very helpful post, which I found when I Googled the words “modest vintage plus size fashion”. Because of you, I discovered eShakti and Igigi. I have bought three dresses from eShakti in the past two months. I am quite satisfied with the way they make their dresses (even though the dresses are sewn quickly and delivered to me, usually in a bit less than two weeks) and how they look on my pear-shaped figure. It’s so nice to have customized made-to-measure clothes at reasonable prices! It is easy to lengthen the skirt and sleeves, and alter the neckline for modesty. I have not yet bought anything from Igigi — it is rather too expensive for my budget — but the revamped version of the site looks quite promising. Again, many thanks, Jacqueline! 🙂
Jacqueline says
You are so welcome, Katheryn! It is my pleasure! 😀
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