What Should Heavy Women Wear to Work?

Don't wear clothing that's too tight -- you won't look thinner.

You're a buxom gal, and you need to look appropriate at the office -- but you don't want to sacrifice style to find clothes that complement your frame. There's no need to despair, as plenty of options exist for heavier women when it comes to dressing for the workplace. The most important thing to take into consideration is the standard for dress in the office where you work.

Fitted Clothing

Many heavy woman wear loose, baggy or boxy outfits to work in the hopes of hiding their true shape. This is a mistake. Curves are beautiful and must be emphasized to be appreciated (but don't be overly revealing at work). Also, oversize clothing makes a large woman appear larger. Wear fitted clothing, such as a pencil skirt and jacket, that cinches in at the waist. If you are afraid of unsightly bulges, foundation garments can help solve this problem.

The Right Bra

Many women walk around wearing the wrong size bra, which is especially detrimental if you are a heavy woman who carries a lot of weight in her chest. Wearing the wrong bra at a full-time job, where you spend eight or more hours a day, is a recipe for back problems and tightened chest muscles. Also, it can give you a hunched over appearance -- not the confident look you want to show others. Invest in a professional bra fitting to resolve these issues.

Colored Hose

Many heavy women eschew wearing white pantyhose, and for good reason -- it makes thick calves and thighs look even bigger. However, any light-colored hose -- including nude shades -- draws attention to larger legs, especially if the rest of your outfit is darker. Choose hose that closely match your skin tone or patterned ones, if you office allows. When it comes to dark-colored hose, venture outside the typical black to other dark colors such as brown and forest green.

Color

Heavy women should not be afraid to wear color. Often, they fall into the habit of wearing only black because it's considered slimming. This can be a detriment to your career if you work in a creative field. Clients want to see evidence of your creativity in your clothing choices. Any monochrome color scheme will make you appear slimmer, so don't be afraid to try new ones. Also patterned clothing can work for you -- just wear the patterns on your most flattering features, as it will draw attention there.

References

• "How to Never Look Fat Again: Over 1,000 Ways to Dress Thinner -- Without Dieting!"; Charla Krupp; 2011