Portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette of France, 1775. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Remember when women were told to add big, bulky shoulder pads to create a “slimmer line” on our silhouette? Remember how that worked, and not all that well, for exactly one body type, and the rest of us were stuck feeling like linebackers and occasionally falling asleep on our own shoulders? Ultimately it probably came down to straight-size women coming to their senses by 1989, and retailers needing to pawn the stuffing off on someone. That may also be why so much padding makes its way into bras that need no stuffing – it’s a conspiracy, constructed on leftover shoulder pads.
It’s 2012, and for good or ill, more dubious designs are showing up in straight size and may filter through some awkward interpretations in plus-sizes. Among the looks that work for a few, but not for the many, be wary.
2012 Fall Trends for Plus Sizes to Wear with Caution
Brocades
These can be gorgeously awesome. They are also made literally of prints originally designed for furniture. If you have some triggers relating to couches, you do not want to wear brocade anything. On the other hand, if you want to pretend you’re Marie Antoinette, it’s a perfect place to start.
Peplums
More than one blogger has billed the peplum the “perfect way to disguise a tummy.” I find this perspective flawed. There are MANY types of peplums out there, but a typical peplum actually frames a belly. The very concept of one is “LOOK AT MAH BELLEH!” If you are part of the belly-embracing fat positive movement, a peplum may be exactly what you want. I’ve certainly stopped torturing myself by trying to pretend I don’t have one. If, however, you fall on the side of clothing that reduces your sense of self-consciousness every day, a peplum is likely not a great choice for you.
Baggy
Baggy has never worked well on plus-size women. There is actually an “honor our sisters gone before” aspect to this. You’ve heard about how it just makes you look bigger, like you don’t have a shape, and in fact does not make you invisible despite your attempts to hide in baggy clothing. It’s also not a way of honoring the large women who went before us whose ONLY off-the-rack option was baggy clothing. The situation works across all sizes: the Olsen twins are notorious for their high-end baggy hobo clothes. They’re also famous for having very serious body issues. Like women on both sides of the size spectrum, they’re doing an admirable job of claiming control over their body issues by making fashion something that they contribute and decide.
Wigs
Wigs have some sad, people I loved and lost associations, so it’s unlikely I would ever wear one. However, more women of all walks are choosing to wear wigs for fun. I can see the appeal. At the same time, wig wearing is NOT an amateur proposition. If you want to play with wigs, sock back a little cash first because the good ones are expensive. Also, read a few blogs from women that wear wigs, weaves, and other extensions because there’s both art and science to it.
Harem pants
Harem pants are back. Really, they’re a bit challenging for women of any size – puffy proportions at the ankle throws the silhouette into weirdness, and despite so many women wearing them with ridiculously spindly high heels, it’s still hard not to picture them with curling-toe shoes. The waistline height is also a bit odd. Maybe I’ve read way too much science fiction and fantasy, but it seems like harem pants a centaur masquerading as human might wear. I can’t imagine a centaur would not whether to go with a blouse or a fitted tee, either.
Related articles
