Fashion Faux Pas Of "Big Girls"

Truth be told, I am a "big girl": A woman that is well into the "plus-sized" clothing. I'm no stranger to having a difficult time finding cute clothes that are fashion-forward but also fit my frame.
My body measurements are (yes, honestly) 50 - 37 - 49 (bust, waist, booty).
I remember vividly the summer before seventh grade and dreading going shopping for school supplies: book bag, notebooks, pens, a few new outfits, and shoes, etc. I always hated school because I developed very young: I had to wear training bras at age seven, ahem, first/second grade. By the time I was in sixth grade I was a full 38 C cup... and I've honestly been growing ever since.
When I graduated, high school I was 18/19, 5'1", 190lbs, a size 16 jean, and a 38 HH bra.
Right now I'm 23, 5'1", 245lbs, a size 20 jean, and a ridiculous (yes, honestly) 38 KKK (or 38 RR depending on what brand and if they count "triples" or not.)
I do have hormonal problems that has lead to a steady weight gain since I was young, hence the enormous bust. I admit I do like to snack sometimes which has added to me being overweight, but my eating habits are generally very healthy (but that's another hub on dieting!).
As I've very well pointed out, my size makes it hard to find clothes. I have shorter legs, a long torso, and a very large bust! I'm awkward! I have the hardest time finding anything to fit me that is cute! I hate that when I buy jeans I need to cut four to eight inches off the bottom to make them fit the length of my legs! I also don't like that the only shirts I'm comfortable in are my boyfriend's L/XL t-shirts because they don't squeeze my chest in.

Given all my years of problems in finding cute clothes, I have become quite the innovator of ways to wear old, unflattering clothes and give them a new, fresh spin so they look amazing!

This is big girl fashions, 101!

I know how hard it is to be a big girl in a society where being bigger than a size 8 is criticized. It's awful and it hurts often times... but by wearing clothes that are too small for you, you're just adding fuel to the fire. You can't wear a small shirt if a large is truly your size. The only thing you are doing by wearing clothing that's too small is making yourself delusional (and look bad/tacky) but also just making the people that already ostracise you have more to pick on. (Comments like "Really fatty?", "Can't you see that shirt belongs to a baby and not a whale?" or "That shirt must've been sized wrong and you're too dumb to see the difference." even "You might eat a lot of muffins, but when you have a muffin top, it's time to stop.")

Coming to terms with your real size isn't easy, but you have to do it. Dressing in clothes that are too small gives all the wrong impressions about you. There's nothing sexy about seeing an exposed tummy hanging out over extremely tight jeans. (It's also unhealthy as tight jeans can and do cause yeast infections as well as urinary tract infections (UTIs), aka bladder infections, all of which require a medication to cure so they don't spread and make worse issues. A UTI can "go up" and cause a kidney infection which are extremely painful and can cause to kidney failure and possibly death should it be ignored.)
TOO TIGHT OF CLOTHING IS NOT SEXY ON ANYONE!
I don't care if you are a size 0, if you are trying to fit into a kids size 10, it's gross! They make many sizes for a reason: So people of all sizes can wear one that best fits them!
(A perfect fit is one that you don't have to struggle to put on, doesn't cling to skin, doesn't limit movement, doesn't create "rolls" on your sides or tummy, and also covers your sides, tummy, and tush.)

If you're about 150lbs and 5'4", there is no way you are a size 6. Realistically, you are probably a size 10. Don't fuss and say "ew", go try on a pair and save yourself some problems. Dress appropriately! (Same with a girl that's 5'8" and about 180lbs: Probably a size 14/16.)

If you don't like the size of your clothing, change the size of your body with diet and exercise.

Over the years I have had a hard time losing weight even when I ate perfect and exercised daily. (I have several health issues that combined, make it insanely difficult to lose weight. Though with lots of effort I can maintain it.) Given that I have slowly gained weight over time, I was able to adjust my fashion and cover myself and be dressed appropriately at all times. (Except at home, where I am 100% guilty of running around bra-less, in my panties with one of Kyle's shirts on... though that's usually just before bed!)

Since colder weather is on the horizon here in the mid-west and northern east coast... I'm feeling inclined to talk about "warmer" clothing options. (I will also talk about clothing options for the southern and west coast areas that don't generally see a temperature drop.)
Let's talk about sweaters. Yes, even your grandmother's. You know the long, bulky, knit sweaters that are heavy that come past your tush and just hang? Yep. I want to talk about them! I took one from my Gram (or Mom, who knows! but I was allowed) and It's easily one of my favorite cold weather pieces. I throw on a bodyshaper ($15 from NY&Co. they're like a more practical camisole) and then the sweater and leggings! It comes to the bottom of my tush and all that so all you see are upper thighs down. If I want to add shape to the sweater I could grab a wide belt and put it around my waist. (This is a great trick for you larger ladies that still have a bit of a figure to make you look thinner... See my photo above! Speaking of the photo above, I was wearing leggings and Christmas knee-high socks, and a long-sleeved, tunic top with a wide belt at my waist. Completely appropriate though it looks tight: It wasn't!)
Along the lines of sweaters, let's drag out those old sweater dresses! Pair them with leggings and a wide belt for your waist and you'll have an old outfit reborn!
Remember: A long sweater, wide belt, and leggings and you have a great "big girl" ensemble that's perfect for any occasion. (You can dress it up nicely with the longer, beaded necklaces, too.)
If you think back about seven years ago you'll remember those "dusters": The long sleeved, knee-length, open faced cardigan/sweaters (that sometimes just tied at the chest or had buttons all the way down.). Those are great for a big girl! A longer length shirt, well-fitting jeans, and a duster over. It'll hide all the lumps and bumps you don't want seen.
(Now for anyone of any climate!)
When wearing a longer sweater or something bulky, stay away from skirts! They will give you a bigger, bulky, bell shape. I know it goes against what I said above, but when you are wearing a skirt, you should pair it with a tighter shirt. I do not mean skin tight! Just something form fitting that's still kind of loose. Also do that form fitted, but loose shirt with jeans.
When buying new jeans, be smart. If you are trying them on and they obviously are cutting into your skin/fat, get the next size up until you don't have any rolls from the top of your jeans. It doesn't matter if that size that doesn't cut in hurts your ego: it's what won't hurt your social image! Don't try to wear the same thing as the thin girls because you are not one. Also, if you have trouble finding the size jean you need, ask a store associate to help you. If they don't have it try another store... Remember, Lane Bryant always has plus sizes for all your clothing needs! New York & Co. also has some larger sizes in forgiving fabrics.
Short-shorts are totally out for big girls! I know that hurts but it's only right to cover yourself. Get the knee-length shorts, they are comfortable and still keep you nice and cool on those terrible hot days!
Nylons can be a girl's best friend when wearing anything, really. I don't recommend them on crazy hot days because they can make you sweat when you layer them. Also, a nice little trick to thin the tummy is get a few tight camisoles to wear under your shirts (I recommend still wearing a bra with them.). I personally like "Body by Nancy Ganz"... (You might have to do an Internet search on them, but I like the spandex tank tops.)
With bras, be realistic. Find a cup size that fits your "girls" and get a band that doesn't cut into your sides. Asking a lady at the store if she could measure you, or knows where you could be: That'll help you find your correct bra size. Again, Lane Bryant has up to a 46" band (you can also buy hook extenders) and cup sizes up to an H (most woman aren't even above a D so this is plenty giving!)

Just because you are a big girl does not mean you can't wear nice clothes! There are definitely sizes out there made just for you! I urge you to search for and buy them! You don't have to look lumpy just because your body is. I am not perfect but I don't look bad because I dress myself well. The trick is knowing how to dress yourself. I know some people are lost causes, but to those that just truly don't know any better, this might help!