I cannot begin to express how excited I am for the winter to end, primarily because the upcoming season is promising to be one of the best in plus size spring fashion. Issues of body positivism hit the mainstream more than ever before throughout 2015, and — at the risk of jumping the gun — it does seem like all the chatter is beginning to influence the fashion industry.
In terms of options for women above a size 12, plus size indie brands continue to be some of the most inclusive out there, with size ranges extending to 6XL and beyond, and selections that cater to every fatshionable nerd, prep, punk, minimalist, kitschy queen, or rebel. And slowly but surely, some of the bigger retailers are widening their ranges and broadening their minds, too.
Spring style used to be one of my least favorite things to shop for. When everyone else was breaking out the pastels, floral prints, mini skirts, and bold patterns, I was hiding beneath T-shirt dresses and boot cut jeans because that's just about all that the fashion industry thought I and other fat women deserved. But no more, guys. This season is going to be killer, and these 57 items are proof.
Dresses
1. The Cape Dress
Miley Cape Dress, $128, monifc.com
How incredible? How magnificent? How essential?
2. The Trendy Dress
Jasmine Neoprene Dress, $118, monifc.com
This is almost too of-the-moment, but in the best of ways.
3. The Glammiest Dress
The Birthday Dress, $125, zelieforshe.com
For all those springtime occasions when you need to be at your most glam.
4. Black On Black
The Color Of My Heart Dress, $37, shoptunnelvision.com
For those who can't give up an all-black look, no matter the season.
5. Vintage Flowers
Bernie Dexter Plus Size 1950s Style Daisy Meadow Paris Cotton Swing Dress, $182, unique-vintage.com
In this dress, you'll probably feel like the star of your own movie.
6. Field Of Flowers
Boohoo Plus Embroidered Smock Dress, $42.77, asos.com
See-through sleeves? Beautiful embroidery? Loose and free-flowing cut? That's springtime perfection.
7. Minimalist
New Look Inspire Stripe Shirt Dress, $30.78, asos.com
This one's ideal for all those days when you just want something easy.
8. Slip Dress
Nicolette Mason The Janet Bodycon Dress, $170, additionelle.com
When boudoir style and street-style combine, you get this glorious dress.
9. Proud Femme
Nicolette Mason The Gabi Cape Dress, $170, additionelle.com
Celebrate your femininity in this delicate rose masterpiece.
10. Bodycon Beauty
Plus Size Stripe Cami Dress, $15.90, forever21.com
Easy, breezy, and fabulous.
Skirts
1. I-Heart-You
Iconic By UV Plus Size Navy & White Hearts Jitterbug Suspender Skirts, $88, unique-vintage.com
Wear your heart on your sleeve all spring.
2. Watermelon Time
Plus Size 1950s High Waist Watermelon Circle Swing Skirt, $72, unique-vintage.com
There is nothing cuter than this skirt.
3. Pretty Plaid
Smitten By The Same Ladybug Skirt, $59.99, modcloth.com
Get picnic-ready in this precious piece.
4. Suede Dreams
Plus Size Button-Front Faux Suede Skirt, $22.90, forever21.com
Keep the '70s trend alive in this adorable skirt.
5. Cupcake Skirt
Red Convertible Cupcake Dress & Maxi Skirt, $135, readytostare.com
Make an entrance in a gorgeous full-length skirt that can also double as a dress.
6. Carrie Bradshaw
Studio Tulle Midi Skirt, $99.90, eloquii.com
If you still love Sex And The City, you'll adore this tulle skirt.
Co-Ords
1. So Retro
The Rose Ruffle Pencil Skirt, $50, smartglamour.com; Daphne Ruffle Crop Top, $35, smartglamour.com
This SmartGlamour original looks like something out of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. In other words, perfection.
2. Streetstyle Chic
Moyra Crop Top, $78, monifc.com; Moyra Midi Skirt, $98, monifc.com
Mesh detailing is going to be everything this spring, and this incredible look is fuel for the fire.
3. Cute As A Button
The "I Got A Crush Top," $55, zelieforshe.com; The "I Got A Crush Midi Skirt," $75, zelieforshe.com
The knit fabric should keep you warm on cooler seasonal days, but still oh-so-precious.
4. Roosters
Eleanor Rooster Skirt, $46, rue107.com; Blossom Bikini Top, $74, rue107.com
This print is everything.
5. Fashion Person
Rebdolls "Levels" Two-Piece Turtleneck Set, $36.50, rebdolls.com
This feels like the kind of thing a very important fashion person would wear on a night out.
Trousers
1. The Palazzos
The Mae Chiffon Palazzo Pants, $60, smartglamour.com
These pants make me want to go to Mykonos and delight in lounging.
2. Mermaid Leggings
Mermaid Leggings, $49, chubbycartwheels.com
Become the fat mermaid of your dreams this season.
3. Sailor Girl
Plus Size 1940s Navy High Waist Party On Stretch Sailor Pants, $58, unique-vintage.com
I challenge you not to embrace all the vintage flight attendant vibes when wearing these pants.
4. That '70s Show
Vintage '90s Lace-Up High-Waist Jean, $64, shoptunnelvision.com
Donna Pinciotti would have worn the hell out of these.
5. Flower Power
Printed Soft Flare Pant, $89.90, eloquii.com
Hippie chic meets working girl in New York circa 2016.
Shorts
1. High Waisted Cuteness
Gloria High Waist Short, $40, smartglamour.com
Vintage vixen-ness at its finest.
2. Polka Dot Magic
Dapper On Deck Shorts In Navy Dots, $44.99, modcloth.com
These are simple statement-making incarnate.
3. Essential Culottes
Floral Print Crinkle Culottes, $36.49, simplybe.com
Culottes are the perfect shorts for spring. The extra length is ideal for breezy evenings, but the cut is just so festive and seasonal-appropriate.
4. '70s Glory
Plus Size Faux Suede Shorts, $22.90, forever21.com
There is no material as snuggly as suede.
5. '80s TV Presenter Shorts
Striped Sadie Shorts, $69.90, eloquii.com
Someone please use these shorts to make the '80s cool again.
Light Jackets
1. Light Fur
Sequin Biker, $320, isolatedheroes.com
This one's definitely a splurge, but for a cropped sequin fur jacket that screams "spring," I might just cave. For any where the model isn't visibly plus size, might be worth mentioning the size ranges available!
2. Flower Power
Fleur Love & Honey Trench, $99.99, modcloth.com
There was never a grander trench.
3. Elegant Trench
Scarlett & Jo Trenchcoat, $149.99, simplybe.com
What is this magic?!
4. Festival Style
Cocoon Festival Jacket, $57.50, simplybe.com
I'm pretty sure this is Coachella in a jacket.
5. Varsity Style
Rebdolls "Varsity" Jacket, $42.99, rebdolls.com
This is high school chic at its best.
6. Classic Denim
Young Americans Jacket, $245, bethditto.com
A classic denim jacket plus gorgeous embroidering is basically heaven.
Tops
1. Statement Tee
Diet Industry Dropout Tee, $25, chubbycartwheels.com
Wear your politics on a crop top this spring, because why not?
2. Sequin Crop
Cupid Crop Top, $78, isolatedheroes.com
This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
3. See-Through Polkas
ASOS Curve Longline T-Shirt In Spot Print Mesh, $34.21, asos.com
Make a statement and show off your tummy love in this see-through top.
4. Basic Florals
Willow The Wisp Top, $69.99, modcloth.com
Channel Zooey Deschanel in this floral, collared shirt.
5. The Beatles
Style You Can Laugh About Tee, $44.99, modcloth.com
Celebrate your love for Paul and John in a feel-good tee.
6. '90s Charm
Plus Size Floral Print Top, $8.90, forever21.com
Nothing says '90s like a floral, cropped tank.
7. Lace-Up
Plus Size Lace-Up Top, $14.90, forever21.com
The lace-up trend is all the rage, and so is this top.
Jumpsuits & Bodysuits
1. Mary Jane
Mary Jane Bodysuit, $50, chubbycartwheels.com
Show off your love for cannabis and its transformative properties in this delightful bodysuit.
2. The Perfect Romper
ASOS Curve Bright Embroidery Playsuit, $65.01, asos.com
Wear it to the park, to the beach, on a walk, to the movies. There's nowhere this romper can't go.
3. Mediterranean Vibes
Boohoo Plus Floral Culotte Jumpsuit, $37.64, asos.com
If this isn't an excuse to go on a Mediterranean vacation, I don't know what is.
4. Loud & Proud
Print Strappy Wrap-Neck Jumpsuit, $57.50, simplybe.com
Psychedelic florals? I can dig it.
5. Bodycon Babe
Lace Sleeveless Playsuit, $74.99, simplybe.com
Wear this for a night on the town, and show off your beautiful VBO in style.
6. The Boldest
"Miss Rose" Bodysuit — Midnight Nude, $148, rue107.com
This is sick, and that is all.
7. Spotty
Studio Printed Wrap Jumpsuit, $119.90, eloquii.com
Polka dots at their finest.
Swimwear
1. Oversized Floral
Vintage Drive Me Crazy Swimsuit, $18, shoptunnelvision.com
Dear Millennials: Please stay true to your '90s kid roots.
2. Pretty In Pink, Revamped
Plus Size Bikini Bottoms, $15.90, forever21.com; Plus Size Textured Bikini Top, $17.90, forever21.com
Your fatkini game will be strong.
3. Dessert-Obsessed
Ice Cream Shop Bow Tie Bottom, $58, blackcatbikinis.com; Ice Cream Shop Retro Halter Top, $65, blackcatbikinis.com
Yes, plus size women can wear bikinis. And this Black Cat Bikinis one, like all of the retailer's options, is available up to a 6XL on the bottom and an H cup on top.
4. Kitschy Queen
Bedrock Betty High Waist Swimsuit Bottom, $48, blackcatbikinis.com; Bedrock Betty Underwire Swimsuit Top, $75, blackcatbikinis.com
This one's also available up to a size 6XL (bottom) and H cup (top). Get ready to kitsch it up.
5. Zipper Time
GabiFresh For Swim Sexy The Baroness, $68.60, swimsuitsforall.com
Those cut-outs, though.
6. All Mesh Always
GabiFresh For Swim Sexy The Marchioness, $68.60, swimsuitsforall.com
Sometimes it's all about the small details.
See what I mean about this season being killer? The OTT-style-lover in me is dancing right now.
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Images: Courtesy Brands
