Plus Size Body Shapes: Complete Styling Guide for Curvy Women
Your size doesn't determine your body shape—your proportions do. Learn to identify your plus size body type and discover styling strategies that celebrate your curves.
Understanding Plus Size Body Shapes
Body shape is about proportions, not size. A size 6 and a size 26 can both be hourglasses if their bust, waist, and hip measurements follow the same ratios. This is why understanding your body shape matters at every size.
The Truth About Plus Size Shapes:
Plus size women come in ALL body shapes—apple, pear, hourglass, rectangle, and inverted triangle. The key to great style isn't hiding your body, it's understanding your unique proportions and dressing to highlight what you love.
The fashion industry is finally recognizing that curvy women deserve stylish options. More brands than ever offer plus size ranges with the same trendy styles as straight sizes.
The 5 Plus Size Body Shapes
Plus Size Apple Shape
Fuller midsection and bust with slimmer legs. Waist is the widest point. Very common among plus size women.
Celebrity examples: Queen Latifah, Rebel Wilson, Melissa McCarthy
Plus Size Pear Shape
Narrower shoulders and bust with wider hips and thighs. Weight carried in lower body. Often has a defined waist.
Celebrity examples: Ashley Graham, Lizzo (also hourglass traits)
Plus Size Hourglass Shape
Balanced bust and hips with a dramatically smaller waist. Curvy all over with defined proportions.
Celebrity examples: Ashley Graham, Christina Hendricks, Kate Winslet
Plus Size Rectangle Shape
Similar measurements throughout with minimal waist definition. Weight distributed evenly across the body.
Styling focus: Create waist definition with belts, peplums, and wrap styles
Plus Size Inverted Triangle Shape
Broader shoulders and fuller bust with narrower hips. Often has athletic background. Less common but beautiful.
Styling focus: Balance with full skirts and wide-leg pants
Plus Size Apple Shape: Styling Guide
The goal is to create vertical flow, show off your great legs, and draw attention to your upper body and face.
Best Choices
- • Empire waist dresses and tops
- • V-necks and wrap styles
- • A-line dresses that skim the body
- • Structured jackets
- • High-waisted pants with flow
- • Vertical details and seaming
- • Statement necklaces
- • Show off those legs!
Avoid
- • Clingy fabrics around midsection
- • Belts at the widest part of waist
- • Tucked-in shirts (unless empire)
- • Horizontal stripes across middle
- • Boxy, shapeless tops
- • High, tight necklines
- • Gathered waistbands
Pro Tip for Plus Size Apples:
Invest in good shapewear if you want smoothing under dresses. But remember— you don't need to "fix" anything. The right clothes will drape beautifully without squeezing you.
Plus Size Pear Shape: Styling Guide
Balance your silhouette by adding visual interest to your upper body while choosing bottoms that skim rather than cling.
Best Choices
- • Boat necks and wide necklines
- • Detailed, embellished tops
- • Bright colors on top
- • Statement earrings and necklaces
- • A-line skirts and dresses
- • Bootcut and wide-leg pants
- • Dark colors on bottom
- • Fit-and-flare dresses
Avoid
- • Skinny jeans (creates imbalance)
- • Tapered pants
- • Pencil skirts (unless A-line)
- • Horizontal patterns on bottom
- • Hip pockets and details
- • Tight, clingy fabrics below waist
- • Plain, dark tops with bright bottoms
Plus Size Hourglass Shape: Styling Guide
Celebrate your curves! The key is defining your waist and choosing clothes that follow your natural silhouette.
Best Choices
- • Wrap dresses and tops
- • Belted everything
- • Fitted (not tight) silhouettes
- • V-necks and sweetheart necklines
- • High-waisted bottoms
- • Pencil skirts
- • Bodycon dresses (if comfortable)
- • Tailored pieces
Avoid
- • Boxy, shapeless clothes
- • Empire waists (hides your waist)
- • Shift dresses without belt
- • Oversized tops
- • Low-rise pants
- • Anything that hides your curves
- • Stiff, unstructured fabrics
Pro Tip for Plus Size Hourglasses:
A great supportive bra is your secret weapon. It lifts and separates, creating a clean line and making your waist look even more defined.
Plus Size Rectangle Shape: Styling Guide
Create the illusion of curves by adding definition at the waist and visual interest at the bust and hips.
Best Choices
- • Belts at the natural waist
- • Peplum tops and dresses
- • Wrap styles
- • Ruching and gathering
- • Layered outfits
- • Color blocking
- • Full skirts
- • Ruffles at bust or hips
Avoid
- • Shapeless shift dresses
- • Straight, boxy tunics
- • Drop-waist styles
- • Column dresses without belt
- • Matching separates head-to-toe
- • Minimalist, plain outfits
Foundation Garments Matter
The right undergarments can transform how your clothes fit and look:
The Right Bra
80% of women wear the wrong bra size. Get professionally fitted. A supportive bra lifts the bust, creating a longer torso and better proportions.
Shapewear (Optional)
Shapewear is a personal choice, not a requirement. If you choose to wear it, look for comfortable options that smooth rather than squeeze. Your organs need room!
Seamless Underwear
No-show underwear eliminates visible panty lines under fitted clothes. Laser-cut or seamless styles work best.
Find Your Plus Size Body Shape
Ready to discover your body shape? Our free calculator works for all sizes and gives you personalized styling recommendations based on your measurements.
Plus Size Style Icons
These women prove that style has no size limit:
Ashley Graham
Hourglass - Embraces fitted, curve-hugging styles
Lizzo
Hourglass/Pear - Bold, confident, rule-breaking fashion
Melissa McCarthy
Apple - Masters structured jackets and vertical flow
Queen Latifah
Apple - Always polished with great V-necks
Rebel Wilson
Apple - Fun, fashion-forward choices
Gabourey Sidibe
Bold prints and confident color choices
Where to Shop Plus Size Fashion
More brands than ever offer stylish plus size options:
Budget-Friendly
- • ASOS Curve
- • Target (Ava & Viv)
- • Old Navy
- • H&M+
- • Shein Curve
Mid-Range
- • Eloquii
- • Torrid
- • Lane Bryant
- • Universal Standard
- • Good American
Key Takeaways
- ✓Body shape is about proportions, not size—plus size women have all 5 shapes
- ✓Understanding YOUR shape helps you choose the most flattering styles
- ✓Fit matters more than size numbers—find what fits YOUR body
- ✓Good foundation garments can transform how clothes look
- ✓Style has no size limit—dress to feel confident and beautiful
Frequently Asked Questions
Do plus size women have different body shapes?
Plus size women have the same body shapes as all women: apple, pear, hourglass, rectangle, and inverted triangle. Body shape is determined by proportions (how your bust, waist, and hips compare to each other), not by size or weight.
What is the most common plus size body shape?
The apple body shape is more common among plus size women because weight often accumulates around the midsection. However, plus size women can have any body shape. Many plus size women are hourglass or pear shaped with beautiful curves.
How do I find flattering clothes as a plus size woman?
Focus on fit over size numbers. Look for clothes that define your waist (if hourglass/pear), create vertical lines (if apple), or add curves (if rectangle). Proper undergarments, good fabric quality, and strategic use of color and pattern also make a huge difference.
Should plus size women avoid certain styles?
There are no hard rules! However, well-fitting clothes always look better than too-tight or too-loose items. Focus on what makes YOU feel confident. That said, understanding your body shape helps you choose styles that naturally flatter your proportions.
What is the best body shape for plus size?
Every body shape is beautiful at every size. The "best" shape is simply the one you have! The key is learning to dress for YOUR specific shape. Plus size hourglasses, apples, pears, rectangles, and inverted triangles all look stunning when they wear clothes that fit their proportions.