20 Easy Style Tips To Dress When You Are Overweight

You can effortlessly look and feel your best when you are overweight with the right fashion advice. So many men and women ignore these helpful style tips and miss out on easy techniques to improve the way they dress.

Follow this ultimate fashion guide to look stylish and maintain your confidence without breaking the bank. What's currently popular isn't necessarily what's best for you.

Instead, dress well according to your body type with these simple pointers. Develop your fashion style with these well-curated tips that will help you look chic and classy when you are overweight.

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1. Pick the right colors

Wearing the right colors can instantly improve your look. If you choose the perfect combination of colors for your outfits, you'll easily dress better regardless of your body shape.

Don't wear colors that are too bold but don't shy away from colors completely. Prefer neutral colors that you can mix and match easily, especially when you are overweight.

Neutral colors make pieces very versatile and timeless and they can work with any outfit. Choose a few colorful pieces once you feel comfortable to add a twist to your wardrobe.

You can wear classic colors all year-round effortlessly. They improve your look by giving a particular nuance to your outfits, whether they're on casual wear or formal wear.

While neutral colors make your outfits chic and classy, bright colors make you stand out and appear confident but might draw attention where you don't necessarily want to.

2. Wear well-fitting clothes

If you want to dress stylishly when you are overweight, wear clothes that fit you properly. If your clothes are too big or too small, let go of them. Don't put them on at all or your risk losing style and elegance.

Avoid large tops, wide tent dresses, and baggy pants that hide your shape and make your body appear larger than it is.

Covering your body shape and trying to hide behind your clothes doesn't help your look at all. On the contrary, it makes everyone aware of the fact that you aren't comfortable with your body.

Avoid clothes that are too tight as well, especially around your midsection, as they are uncomfortable and unaesthetic.

What you should do is wear clothing with the perfect fit that skims your figure, emphasizes your waist, and makes you look fabulous.

The right size of clothes for your body type makes your best features look proportionate and even stand out.

3. Figure out your style

Figure out your fashion style before crafting your outfits. Experiment to find out what you like if you don't know yet what your best style is. Try out different clothing combinations until you find the perfect match for your preferences and body type.

Knowing your fashion style helps you decide what kind of clothes suit you best when you are overweight. Ultimately, if you wear the pieces you like the most and that suit you best, you'll easily look stylish and stand out from the crowd.

Don't hesitate to be a little creative with your outfits and push yourself out of your comfort zone. There are so many different fashion styles to try out there.

Use your creativity and express yourself and find a style that is all about you, showing your personality and showcasing your best features through originality, confidence, and uniqueness.

To help you find your style and dress well without compromise according to your body type, use my ultimate list of different fashion styles for inspiration.

4. Elongate your legs

The bottom part of your outfit is crucial to dress well when you are overweight. Wear quality, well-fitting pants, trousers, leggings, or tights to accentuate your legs and make them appear longer.

Put on a classic pair of pants like slim jeans and make sure you wear them according to your shoe height, with the right fit and length. Tightly fitting pants emphasize your legs and make a fashionable addition to every wardrobe.

Pick a well-fitting, chic, and sustainable pair of pants from an affordable and ethical plus-size clothing brand.

You should replace any baggy pants you have with a more fitting piece. One of the best ways to enhance your style is to showcase your unique assets. Wear clothes that accentuate your legs to look chic and classy instantly.

5. Wear layered outfits

Don't opt for bulky clothes with heavy fabrics, especially when you are overweight. Instead, add layers to your outfits to dress stylishly and enhance the way you look.

Pick a handful of attractive layers that you can throw on to craft unique, original outfits and look fabulous in no time.

A long, well-fitting trench coat or a classic bomber jacket can improve your dressing style drastically. Overcoats, blazers, gilets, puffers, vests, liners, and denim jackets help you stand out.

Layers instantly make any casual outfit more stylish and elegant. Read my list of affordable and sustainable denim jackets for some of the best options you can find out there.

6. Buy great footwear

Get stylish shoes that match your skin tone and the outfits you plan to wear as footwear is crucial to look and feel your best. Make sure your shoes complement your colors and complete the rest of your clothes.

Prefer shoes that visually make your legs look longer like high heels or tall boots. They are a must-have in every wardrobe, even when you are overweight.

A high-quality pair of shoes is essential to look stylish regardless of your body type. But buy from footwear brands that follow high social and environmental standards.

Ethically produced, quality footwear is an essential addition to your wardrobe. It's one of the best investments you can make to improve your look when you are overweight.

7. Add one luxury accessory

Add one luxury accessory to your outfits to dress chic and classy. You can choose a sophisticated watch, sunglasses, a long scarf, a wide hat, a wide belt, or a designer handbag.

But don't overdo it as one accessory is plenty enough. Dress well when you are overweight by adding one elegant, unique, luxury item to your outfits.

You can find affordable bags, belts, and other accessories from Gucci, Hermès Birkin, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Christian Dior, Michael Kors, and more on designer resale sites.

8. Wear timeless clothes

Wear versatile and timeless clothes over trendy and bold outfits. Highly creative cuts and patterns are difficult to style and combine into different fashionable outfits that stand the test of time.

Fast-fashion chains mass-produce cheap, trendy clothing with little care for quality. So avoid them at all costs. You'll quickly realize you have nothing to wear if you follow fashion trends.

Instead, pick clothes that you can easily put together into chic and classy outfits and wear for a long time. Prefer essential, high-quality, and elegant pieces that are also uncomplicated and stylish.

Simple fashion aesthetics are good for the eye, the planet, and your budget. Invest in classic and timeless pieces to dress well when you are overweight.

Avoid excessive patterns like horizontal stripes at all costs as they make you seem bulkier. Wear solid colors instead to appear slimmer and add a tasteful, luxurious touch to any outfit.

Colorful, rich clothes are attention-grabbing but don't look elegant or refined. Instead, buy classic clothes that you can easily combine and wear for a long time.

Classic clothing pieces don't easily go out of style, are very versatile, and you can wear them for every occasion. They are not only more sustainable but also save you money and improve your fashion style in the long run.

Classic clothes can last several seasons up to many years. They are an effective way to create modern, timeless, and elegant outfits when you are overweight.

9. Put simplicity first

If you want to look stylish instantly, don't overcomplicate things. Keep your outfits simple by picking the right combination of effortless clothes that go well together.

When buying new clothes and building your wardrobe, put simplicity first. Remove unneeded extras to enhance your overall style and you'll look sexy effortlessly, even when you are overweight.

You can easily improve the way you dress if you don't make things difficult. Keep a simple wardrobe with modest shapes, clean cuts, and easy silhouettes.

Simple clothes and basic designs don't necessarily have to be boring. You can make every piece you own a winner by simply choosing the right collection of clothes that go well together.

With some time and practice, you'll develop the skills to make the most out of your closet and the clothes you already own.

10. Plan your outfits

It's much easier to dress well when you are overweight if you plan your outfits. List the pieces you already have and what you need to complete your outfits before going out shopping.

Know the best seasons to buy new clothes and keep in mind your budget before you make any addition to your wardrobe. Don't let ongoing sales or the current trends dictate what you should wear.

Make good plans if you want to dress well according to your body type and not feel overwhelmed instead. Create a note of the best outfits that you like to wear, and list your style essentials.

Think about your fashion style and taste in clothes to set some guidelines for yourself. What's currently popular isn't necessarily the right outfit choice for you.

11. Buy from ethical brands

The best ethical and sustainable fashion labels help you dress well and sustainably to improve your look and protect the planet. Buy clothing from brands that implement sustainable practices to dress well with a good conscience.

It's very encouraging to see more fashion companies add ethical, vegan, and affordable options to their collections. Look for the most transparent, accountable, and sustainable brands.

Try to make more mindful purchasing decisions and build an eco-conscious wardrobe to look fabulous and feel great about yourself. Make consistent efforts to opt for ethical and sustainable alternatives.

It's important now more than ever to choose environmentally friendly fashion options. Follow my definitive guide on how to make conscious wardrobe choices.

12. Try on before buying

Don't skip trying on clothes before buying to make sure they complement your body shape. If you wear well-fitting clothes, you are well on your way to dress well in no time, even when you are overweight.

So try on every item when shopping for new clothes as often as possible. Only keep clothes that fit you perfectly and make room in your closet for better items.

13. Buy high-quality clothes

Make sure to check the quality of each clothing piece before buying. It's easy to look chic and classy when you are overweight if you wear high-quality clothes.

Pay attention to details and garment construction the next time you go shopping. Simply follow my best tips to buy higher quality clothes, especially if you shop online.

14. Declutter your wardrobe

Get rid of the clothes you don't wear or need anymore. Just make sure to do it responsibly by donating them, selling them, or recycling them.

Keep only the best items in your wardrobe to boost your confidence and drastically improve the way you look when you are overweight.

The best clothing pieces are the ones you wear all the time, that look amazing on you and make you feel your best.

Clean up your wardrobe to save space, improve your fashion style, and have an easier time getting dressed in the morning.

To help you declutter your wardrobe, use my best tips to clean your closet in under 15 minutes.

15. Take care of your clothes

Take good care of the garments you already own to make sure you can enjoy the pieces you like and wear the most for a long time.

If you keep them in great shape, you'll also drastically improve the way you look, protect the environment, and save money.

Do you know which fabrics are delicate and need extra care? What can you wash together, and what should you hand-wash separately?

You can wear the best pieces in your wardrobe for a longer time and keep them looking fresh and new by taking good care of them. This is especially important when you are overweight as great clothes are harder to come by.

Simply try to avoid simple mistakes while washing your clothes. Follow my ultimate guide on how to do your laundry properly.

16. Ask your friends

If you want to dress well when you are overweight, surround yourself with people who already look stylish. One of the best ways to improve the way you look is to ask your friends.

Get together with people who already dress well between your friends and family. Spend more time with people you can learn from, those that have a good influence on you.

It's worth it to ask stylish people for advice and draw inspiration from them. Surround yourself with those who give the best fashion tips and have the same style as you.

It's one of the fastest ways to progress. People with already great styles can have a positive influence on your look. You'll begin to notice a difference if you hang around them long enough.

17. Follow the dress codes

Wear beachwear to the beach, office wear to work, and formal wear to evening diners. Follow the dress codes that fit in the setting to look stylish best when overweight.

But don't sacrifice your comfort to dress well. Make sure you feel great regardless of what you should wear at the time.

Pick the right combination of clothes depending on the occasion but don't hesitate to stand out by breaking the rules.

With experience, you will eventually get a feeling for when you need to conform and when you can ignore the dress codes.

18. Stay positive

A big step toward looking and feeling your best when you are overweight is to stay positive. Understand that dressing well is a skill you can improve over time.

It's normal if you feel overwhelmed in the beginning. You can get better at styling yourself with some practice. Adopt a positive mindset to grow as a person and start looking your best. Over time, you will refine your fashion style if you persevere.

Start building your confidence up with the right attitude. Stay confident and adopt a positive mindset while avoiding negative thinking at all costs. This mindset shift alone is sure to improve your look and make you more attractive in no time.

Being overweight is hard at times but try to remain self-confident with a positive outlook about it. Love yourself as much as you can and let your body positivity shine towards others.

19. Let your personality shine

Fashion is the ultimate form of self-expression. Don't hesitate to let your personality shine through your outfits. Simply focus on what feels right for you, especially when you are overweight.

You'll look and feel much better if you avoid any clothing that makes you uncomfortable.

Whether you like contemporary styles, easygoing, classic pieces, or want to break away from the norm and set new rules, make every outfit you wear your own.

You can take inspiration from others but craft each outfit just for you according to your fashion style, your personality, and your preferences.

20. Remember to have fun

Last but not least, make sure to have fun. Try to have as much fun as possible with your outfits. Don't take dressing well or your fashion style too seriously.

You can improve the way you look while enjoying the process. Treat it like a hobby to enjoy every moment of the journey.

Dressing well is a skill that you can improve with time. You just have to keep practicing but don't make it a second job.

Even when you are overweight, you can style yourself to positively transform all aspects of your life, making you more confident, social, attractive, unforgettable, and charismatic. Just focus on being happy while crushing it.

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Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.