How to Dress when You Are Fat

Co-authored by Ashley Kahn

Last Updated: November 29, 2024 Fact Checked

Learning to dress for your body type is an important skill to develop. Even if you are overweight, this is possible to do. Learn how to accentuate your positive features and feel more confident with what you’re wearing.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making Good Clothing Choices

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1
Know what designs work best. Avoid horizontal stripes and excessive patterns. These will draw unwanted attention to your body that you may be trying to avoid. Solid colors are a safer choice if you want to appear slimmer.
- The tried and true rule is that black is generally very slimming and flattering. Sticking with darker colors are a safe bet because brighter/lighter colors draw attention to your body and are less effective at camouflaging certain trouble areas.
- If you do choose a pattern, think vertical.^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kathi Burns, CPO®
  Fashion Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} Any vertical stripes or patterns that flow vertically will follow the length of your body and elongate it rather than cutting it off like horizontal patterns would.
2
Wear a bra that is the right size. Statistics show that many women wear the incorrect bra size on a daily basis. Go to a store and get professionally fitted for a bra. The store clerk will make sure you figure out the exact right size for you. If your bra is too small, it can make you look top-heavy; if your bra is too big, it will make you look frumpy. ^{[2]
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- A well-fitting bra can also have a minimizing effect for women who feel they are too top-heavy.
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Wearing shapewear garments under your clothing will help slim your figure, smooth out lines, and give you better posture. All of these are good things that will help your clothes look more flattering.
A wide belt (not a skinny belt) will help hide your tummy if that is a problem area for you. Sparkly earrings or exciting headbands can draw attention away from your body and direct people to look elsewhere.
Pick flattering shoes. In general, shoes that stop at your ankle or have ankle straps will make your legs look shorter and cut off the smooth lines of your body. Instead, go with some tall boots or ballet flats.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} And of course, heels make everyone’s legs look great.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Showing Your Shape

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1
Avoid big fabrics and tent dresses. It is a common practice to think that wearing oversized clothing hides your figure. In reality, though, it only accentuates the features you are trying to hide.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} Wearing clothes that are too big just draws attention to the fact that you are trying to hide behind your clothes and makes your silhouette less distinct. This will make you look bigger in the long run.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Ashley Kahn
Wardrobe Stylist

Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
- Avoid clothing that's too tight, also—your clothes should skim your figure, especially around your waist.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
2
Choose pants that fit. It is easy to think that wearing pants that are too big are more flattering than pants that are too small (we all want to avoid the dreaded muffin top!). But the fact of the matter is that both options are equally unflattering.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} Pants that are too big hide your shape and make you seem bulky. Get a pair of nice fitting jeans – or if you can’t find one, have a tailor create a pair just for you from some you already own. A perfectly fitting pair of pants will go a long way.
- Additionally, aim for boot-cut pants. This style is slightly wider at the bottom and will make your hips and thighs look more proportionate.^{[8]
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Pencil skirts are great for curvier girls because they go with the natural curvature of your body. They hug you in all the right places and help your hips/thighs look more balanced, much like boot-cut jeans.^{[9]
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These styles will accentuate your curves, while still camouflaging your tummy, thighs, or butt. The flowy lower half of the dress is much more flattering than a fitted type that will show every bulge or imperfection.^{[10]
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5
Emphasize your waist. No matter what size you are, it is better to show your figure than to not. Choose clothes that emphasize your waist. Even larger ladies have hourglass figures and it is important to show them off. This means wearing clothes that fit properly and accentuate your features, rather than trying to simply hide them or cover them up. Use colors and patterns to your advantage to draw attention to your waistline with vertical stripes or an interesting belt.^{[11]
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- Look for tops that skim the sides of your waist, as well as your front—they shouldn't be too tight or too baggy.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Dressing For Men

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1
Get the right fit. Larger men tend to think that hiding underneath baggy clothing will camouflage their size; however, this is not true.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} Fitted clothes are simply more flattering (and more comfortable!) than clothes that are too big. Baggy clothing looks sloppy and unappealing.^{[14]
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- Similarly, clothes that are too small will only highlight your extra weight. Wearing clothes that fit right is important.
The heavier the material, the more it adds to the bulk of your body. Thick sweaters and shirts can make you look bigger than you actually are. Plus they can contribute to more sweating, which is a common problem for larger men.^{[15]
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Most casual clothing is less attractive on larger men. Baggy clothes and thin t-shirts won’t do any favors for a heavy man. The fact is that fitted trousers with a blazer will look better on a larger man than jeans and a t-shirt will. Try dressing up your everyday wardrobe a bit to find things that are more flattering and make you feel more comfortable.^{[16]
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Clothing that has too much going on pattern-wise will only accentuate your body and draw more attention to your frame. Try sticking with solid prints or minimally patterned items. This will help flatter the shape of your body, rather than bringing the eye directly to it.
5
Maintain normal body proportions. Make clothing decisions that keep your body proportions intact. For example, if you have a larger belly, don’t wear your pants underneath your gut. This will make your paunch more noticeable and pronounced. Instead, wear your pants at the normal level around the naval. This will mask your extra belly fat somewhat and maintain the normal proportions for your body.^{[17]
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- If you have trouble keeping your pants up wearing them at this level, try suspenders instead of a belt. They are stylish and will fix this problem for you!^{[18]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I dress confidently as an overweight man?

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University.

Kathi Burns, CPO®

Board Certified Professional Organizer

Expert Answer

Don't wear clothes that are too big. Instead, wear clothes that make your body appear slim and don't cling. Consider seeing a tailor so that your clothes are cut specifically for your body. Wearing clothes with vertical themes will also help you appear slimmer. This can include skinnier lapels, ties, and anything that keeps the eye going vertical.

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Question

What style advice would you give to someone who's larger?

Ashley Kahn
Wardrobe Stylist
Ashley Kahn is a Wardrobe Stylist based in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Ashley styles women both in-person and virtually and is passionate about empowering women through the art of personal style. She believes every woman deserves to feel comfortable, classy, and confident every single day. Ashley holds a business degree from Sam Houston State University. She has been featured on KPRC's Channel 2 Houston Life and ABC 13's Check This Out Houston and in the Houstonia magazine. Ashley has also hosted Macy’s “The Wardrobe Edit” and the “It List” fashion shows.

Ashley Kahn

Wardrobe Stylist

Expert Answer

Do not wear baggy clothing to try to hide your weight—that will actually make you look larger. Also, avoid clothing that's too tight, especially around your midsection. Instead, wear clothing that loosely skims your figure and while defining your waist.

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Question

I want to wear some shorts but my legs are fat so I don't know what to do?

Community Answer

Buy a looser pair of shorts that feel comfortable. And don't worry about it, shorts are for everyone, there is no need to hide.

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