Fashion
25 Plus-Size Winterwear Pieces to Get You Through the Season
Are you starting to crave hot chocolate and evenings by the fire? Well, I definitely am — and that can only mean one thing: Winter is here (groans). I know that's not something we usually want to hear, but with the changing of the seasons comes more than just snow and gingerbread lattes (not complaining about the lattes). It's finally time for cozy sweaters, thermal socks, boots and... more boots.
I love dressing in layers and playing around with winter patterns and colors, so when November comes around every year, I can't help but get a little excited (despite that I am dreading the below 30-degree temperatures). And as more and more brands and e-commerce sites incorporate sizes 12+, we plus-size women get more and more options for staying warm and cute during the chilly months ahead.
What follows are a handpicked selection of winter essentials that you'll want to crawl into now — and stay in all season. You've got all your boxes checked from outer layers to the coziest dresses to form-hugging leggings, all in styles made just for the silhouettes that flatter us, thank you very much. The pieces are a little bit trendy, a little bit timeless, and a whole lot affordable. Tell your Pinterest board and your wallet I say "You're very welcome."
The Patterned Pant
I love a good quirky-patterned pant, especially in the winter. Something about adding a fun, bold textile to an outfit in the grim weather lifts my spirits. It's what's needed to make an otherwise freezing, cloudy day a bit more bearable.
Style tip: Always a fan of pattern mixing, I definitely suggest experimenting with non-solid sweaters or tops. If you're going for a unique patterned pant, you just have to go all the way and add an equally striking top, right?
The Festive Sweater
Reindeer, penguins, pine trees, you name it — the holiday-themed sweater reigns for a reason. These guys give you comfort, cuteness, and coziness all wrapped into one, making them the ultimate winter staple piece.
Some people may refer to these as the kind of "grandma sweater" you'd get in the mail from your nana out in Florida. But my vote is that they're awesome (even if—especially if—your grandma did send you yours).
The Velvet Everything
There's no ready-to-wear, easily-accessible fabric that keeps you as warm as velvet. I am absolutely enamored with velvet — from dresses to leggings to pants to shoes.
The leggings I am wearing here are a size large from American Apparel, but they're so stretchy that a size 14-18 could fit in 'em comfortably. Leggings are a staple in my wardrobe because of the comfort and style they provide, and adding velvet to the equation takes them up a notch.
The 3/4-Full-Sleeve Dress
Sure, I love a strapless or tank dress as much as any other girl. But something about the three-quarter/full-sleeve dress ups the class-factor. If you're like me and refuse to stop wearing dresses just because the temperature drops, this is the way to go.
I definitely recommend a tight-fitted/bodycon style dress for the winter — it's probably your best bet for staying warm (plus, you get to show off the curves!). Paired with some wooly tights (H&M does great plus ones in stores), you'll be ready to tackle any inclement weather.
The Contrast-Sleeve Jacket
Since last year, the contrast-sleeve jacket has been totally in, but it's mostly applied to light, autumnal jackets. Now, we're seeing the trend transition to winterwear, with heavier, better-quality fabrics.
I've been wearing this ASOS Curve jacket nonstop since last fall, and it's proven to be of amazing quality and endurance. Though this particular piece is no longer available, a lot of equally (if not more) beautiful coats have hit the plus-size shoposphere this season.
The Contrast-Sleeve Jacket
Calvin Klein Plus Metallic Tweed and Faux-Leather Jacket, $111, lordandtaylor.com
