Fashion
8 Plus-Size Celebrities We're Stealing Confidence-Boosting Fashion Tips From
I remember watching Gilmore Girls years ago and looking up to Melissa McCarthy (Sookie St. James!) as one of the only fuller-figured role models in the spotlight. Today, there are quite a few more curvaceous celebs out there, and it's a boost of confidence to watch them rule. Women like Adele, Gabourey Sidibe, Amber Riley, and Lena Dunham have made names for themselves based on incredible talent, but also inspirational poise.
Having a fuller-figure figure in today's culture isn't easy, let alone in Hollywood when everyone is looking at your every move — and, subsequently, your every pound. But women like these have been bold. They've showed off their shapes and highlighted that women with these bodies are sexy, gorgeous, and can rock any of the plus-size fashion no-nos loads of fashion writers have decried. These 8 celebs make fashion statements, and aren't afraid to show off the shapes that we're often told should be a source of shame. And we can all take a tip or two from them in both the style and the confidence departments.
Gabourey Sidibe
Gabourey Sidibe is unapologetic about her body. When Twitter trolls her, she stands up for herself with aplomb — and makes us laugh. Here, she rocks horizontal stripes and tight, leather pants: two things fashion experts often say plus-size women should avoid like the plague. There’s something edgy about her look, but juxtaposed with that bow in her hair, she nails it.
Rebel Wilson
Rebel Wilson has always been straightforward about showing off her body, even in her role on Bridesmaids where she rocks a a tight t-shirt and jeans. This dress is gorgeous. It’s a deep V-neck, and super-formfitting. Wilson isn’t hiding behind anything in this silhouette.
Melissa McCarthy
Let’s get personal: I have been enamored with this woman since I was 9 years old. She’s stayed strong (and stayed true to her body!) in the thick of Hollywood for more than a decade. This dress works because it’s full-length and not body hugging, which gives McCarthy the illusion of length for miles. But mostly, because McCarthy glows in it. Plus-size women struggle with the full-length dress for a lot of reasons — proportions can get crazy, and there are so many “rules” — but the lesson here is choose a dress because you love it, not because it necessarily makes you look bigger or smaller.
Amber Riley
If you were a “Gleek” just for Mercedes, Amber Riley’s sweet, funny character, hop into my boat. Her style has never seemed dependent on choices that slim her down or hide her shape. Here, for instance, she shows off some leg and looks incredible for it. Plus-size ladies can sometimes shy from showing off their thighs, but as Riley proves, that fear should be shoved out the window.
Nikki Blonsky
White is supposedly meant for thin girls alone. Why should plus-size girls wear anything other than “slimming” black, right? Nikki Blonsky murders that ridiculous rule with this nearly fully white suit. She has a proud, happy smile on her face like she doesn’t give a damn that the ensemble reveals the fact that yeah, she’s got a full-figure.
Adele
Adele: Always the picture of glamour. This dress is elegant without being boring, noticeable without being boisterous. Adele has always stood up for her figure. In this dress, she highlights her waist while letting the bottom half of the dress flow out. Fashion critics are mixed on this look for curvier women. Some think it makes a lady’s hips look wider. La, la, la, Adele can’t hear you.
Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer radiates. This dress is one of my favorite things I have ever seen her in, and it’s a super-bright green. You know the drill, bright colors supposedly aren’t “flattering” on bigger bodies, but this dress makes Spencer look breathtaking.
Kelly Clarkson
Lately, Kelly Clarkson has had a fuller-figure, and has showed a lot of confidence in her shape. Here, she rocks the bodycon dress — something that can be scary if you’re not stick-thin. But her figure looks amazing, and damn, does she look happy. Her silhouette highlighted, and she’s the mastering the balance between of alluring and playful.
