In the world of fashion, there are no shortages of ideas about do's and don'ts when it comes to what clothes to purchase. The specialized world of plus size fashion is no different. While some of these tips are genuinely useful, others are little more than myths and misconceptions. Lets debunk a few of these myths commonly associated with plus size fashion.



Plus size women should not display any bare skin. This seems less like a real fashion tip than an admonition for larger women to cover themselves up as much as possible. No woman should have to hide herself within "fat clothes." You owe it to yourself to flaunt your best features. So wear short skirts if you have great legs, or a V-neck to display a swelling bosom, and don't worry about this "fashion tip."

One piece of fashion advice for plus sized women is to never bare your arms. Although it has long been thought that sleeveless tops are not for larger ladies, this is completely untrue. It can be very flattering and sexy to bare a little skin yet if you feel uncomfortable doing so there are many things you can do to avoid this. A cute shawl or shrug draped over your shoulders, or a lace- or chiffon-sleeved shirt will cover your upper arms. So there are ways in which you can show your arms yet not bare too much flesh!

Plus size women should not wear horizontal stripes. This is just silly. Stripes, in any direction, vertical, diagonal and, yes, horizontal, can be flattering. There are a few rules, such as, placement of the stripes. If your hips are the widest point on your body then the horizontal bands or color should be placed on the upper part of your body, near your head, and around your legs instead of around your waist area.

Plus girls should stay away from bold prints. Actually, prints that are big and expressive can be flattering to a larger frame. This is, however, dependant upon the print because it is usually the space that is between the print that causes problems. Prints with edges that overlap are a better choice than prints that are spread out with lots of space in between.

Plus size girls should not wear clothes that are form fitting. If you want to send out the message that you are hiding your body from the world, this is the myth to follow. However, it is bunk. Plus size girls should not be sentenced to a life of big, baggy clothes. Clothes that are body conscious, hinting at your curves can be very flattering. The "tight-loose" method of fashion works well here. A fitted cami under a jacket that is unstructured or relaxed is an example. You don't want clingy fabrics that hug the wrong places, but don't be shy about letting your clothes hug and accentuate the right curves!

Myth: Plus size women should avoid white clothes. Truth: Dark neutrals like navy, grey and black are slimming, but you can include other colors in your wardrobe too. Pair a dark color with white or a lighter color to focus attention on your assets. If you're pear-shaped, wear dark trousers with a sparkling white top or a pretty pastel blouse. Plus sizes are not doomed to a closet full of darks. Let in the light! Wear pastels, bold primary colors and, yes, white too.