How To Stun In Plus-Size Fashion Like These Celebrity Style Icons

I remember reading Kayla Boyd’s article for Cafe Mom on “20 Plus-Size Celebrity Looks” in 2018 and thinking the ‘Slay’ Doesn’t Have a Size – tagline was magical! I thought if only stylish plus-size girls who stun could get the recognition they deserve. It helps that our plus-size fashion celebrities show us their style.

Plus-Size Fashion

Five years later, I’m happy to say that things have moved forward! Is the recognition of plus-size fashion where it needs to be? Definitely not! But it’s certainly come farther than even I expected, with brands like Mara Hoffman, Anthropologie, Reformation, Veronica Beard, JCrew and even Victoria’s Secret adding sizes that go up to 24, XXL, 5X and more. 

And we can’t forget the brands that cater to curvy women like Good American, Torrid, Tanya Taylor, Lane Bryant and Yitty. 

Plus-Size Celebrity Style Icons

Celebrities are style icons in their own right, but when you’re a plus-size woman and you’re looking at something worn by the petite Helen Mirren  or Cate Blanchett (gorgeous as they are) it can be difficult to envision how that ensemble would look on you. This is what Ms. Boyd wrote all those years ago and it still rings true. That’s why I’m glad that every year there are more and more celebs every year that prove you can look good at any age and any size. 

Here are just a few of them:

Kelly Clarkson 

There are both pluses and minuses to what Kelly Clarkson likes to wear. Sometimes she can come off frumpy or look like she’s covering up, with her boho maxi dresses. But I like that she’s trying different styles – even the overdone floral or the rocker chic Barbiecore – and still keeping it age appropriate. She knows that she’s not a size 0 and usually she dresses her figure with tailored silhouettes and trends that flatter her figure, including V-necks and metallics.  

She wears way too many whimsical prints for my taste, but I like that she’s not opposed to color or leather. She’s worn some of the best designers, including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Carolina Herrera and more. 

Lizzo 

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard of this body positivity queen who also writes strong, self-loving lyrics with powerful messages. From sparkly embellished leotards to hot pink catsuits to lime green ruffles, Lizzo isn’t afraid to take fashion risks and she won’t let her own size get in the way. It’s no wonder her revolutionary shapewear brand Yitty is selling out everywhere. And she’s not afraid to be extravagant or wear color. 

 

Melissa McCarthy 

I would say that Melissa McCarthy has gone through a fashion evolution of sorts and it’s not because she lost weight over time. Her style started off very frumpy – like she didn’t know how to dress her fuller figure. Something changed along the way and she started to embrace her curves and stop hiding them, even when she wears black. A few months ago, she wore blue to the Little Mermaid premiere and a drop dead red Christian Siriano with special sleeves and a voluptuous skirt to the Oscars. She’s certainly not afraid to make a statement in this silver gown.

Barbie Ferreira 

This body-positive Barbie has proven that she’s more than just the fast best friend in Euphoria. Her style off the set is edgy and voluptuous whether it’s a floaty Fendi number or a sexy corset. She is daring and eclectic, even in a midi dress. And according to Russh, she’s all about supporting emerging designers. With a new Havaianas collaboration in the works and fashion forward mindset to boot, Barbie Ferreira has proven the perfect outfit doesn’t need to be size SMALL. 

Ashley Graham 

In 2018, Ashley Graham told an SXSW panel that the term plus-size “is totally outdated…It shouldn’t be about labels. I don’t want to be called a label, I want to be called a model.” Meanwhile Ms. Graham remains the poster child of plus-size modeling, whether she likes it or not. And she continues to promote body diversity, even while wearing the most sculpted haute couture looks. In May, she took over the red carpet at the Met Gala where she wore a body-hugging ballet pink gown designed by Harris Reed for Nina Ricci. It had drama, structure, and sexiness – all the things that define Ashley Graham. And she told Vogue the reason she chose the number was because Reed “is making a point to say, ‘I want more curves on the runway,'” and “for me, that’s a big deal.”

There’s a reason Grazia Daily named Ashley their 2023 Style Muse and the breakout style star of the year. And it doesn’t have to do with hiding her figure. 

Do yoyu hava e favorite plus-size fashion celeb?

– Simona Shemer 

Photos: @barbieferreira, Footwear News, Harper’s Bazaar, People.com, Vogue 

You may like to read more of Simona’s celebrity style posts like Grammy Awards 2023 Fashion: The Standouts and The Over-The-Top and How To Wear Black With A Splash Of Color Like These 5 Celebrities.

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