Size does matter! It’s commonly known that the sale of plus sized clothing has been rising year on year. The average woman now wears a size 14, and even the catwalk is now paying attention with the recent plus size model appearances at New York Fashion Week.

At long last, full-figured women have finally come into their own. They can celebrate their shape with more clothing options now than ever before, and lingerie is no different. Although no two bodies are the same, the basic rules are the same and there is an art to choosing the perfect lingerie. Knowing the secrets to a great fit will enable you to look spectacular and feel great about yourself!

Play to your strengths

No body is perfect. We all have our flaws, but part of playing up your assets will involve downplaying the parts of your body you are least comfortable with.

If you like, take a good look in the mirror and identify what you love and don’t love about your body. If you dislike your hips or waistline, you will want to draw attention to the upper part of your body. Indulge in bras designed to produce cleavage and accentuate your curves.

If you feel like your breasts are too full but you’ve got shapely legs, then they should become your focal point. A babydoll nightie will provide support for your top while letting you flaunt what’s below.

If you haven’t yet found a comfort zone, indulge in a full-length satin chemise with an a-line cut and perhaps a flirty slit on the side. If you do not like your upper arms, look for a sheer or color-coordinated short robe.

The key is to draw attention away from what you do not like about your body, and place it where you feel like being noticed.

Everyone Needs a Little Support

There are a wide range of products which can help keep even the most problematic physiques in check. Support garments, or ‘shapewear‘ from brands such as Spanx, Flexees, or Trinny & Sussanah minimise stomach bulge, lift and separate, and produce a smooth contour under your clothes.

Innovations in fabric and design mean that the painful confinement of girdles (and other instruments of torture) are a thing of the past. Look for camisoles with built-in bra support and high-cut briefs that offer hidden tummy panels. Women with fuller, heavier breasts should make sure to look for bras that feature wide shoulder straps. Of course making sure that you’re wearing the correct bra size not only makes you more comfortable, but it can instantly change your silhouette.

If you have a belly, choose high-waited briefs over bikini cuts. Not only will they fit more comfortably, but they are great at covering any stretch marks or other flaws and will flatter your shape.

Less is More

When it comes to colour, keep it simple. A monochromatic look will do wonders to help elongate the bodyline and slim your proportions. In other words, keep the pieces that you wear at any one time as close to the same color as possible. Dark tones such as navy, burgundy, brown or black will give you a more slender appearance. Another great rule of thumb, regardless of size, is to choose colors that flatter your complexion.

It is wise to be cautious of patterns. Some smaller, more discreet prints may add to an outfit, but larger designs have a tendency to distort when they drape over problem areas you may be want to conceal. This has the unfortunate result of drawing the eye exactly where you do not want it! If you must express yourself with colors , a great way to spice up your wardrobe can come from a couple of flashy, attention-getting accessories.

Bigger isn’t Always Better

One of the biggest misconceptions that many full-figured women have is the notion that choosing larger sizes will hide unsightly bulges and ultimately make them look slimmer. In reality, a shapeless, ill-fitting piece will not define anything, either good or bad, and will make your body appear much less attractive than you would look in clothes more suited to your accurate size. It’s fine to shy away from body conscious items. Lingerie pieces should be a natural reflection of your personality. If you have a conservative personality, wearing longer gowns or adding layers to your look will allow you to feel confident and therefore sexy without having to bare all. Should you have a more playful, flirty nature, the sky is the limit! Plus size lingerie includes stunning camisoles with delicate embroidery, frilly boyshorts that provide excellent coverage while exuding a youthful, sexy vibe, and soft satin chemises that feel utterly luxurious against the skin.

Shop around

Did you know that many retailers who do not display clothing over size 12 or 14 often have the exact same styles in larger sizes on their websites? If you spot a piece of lingerie that you just like but it isn’t in stock, try to find it online. The internet is such a good resource for plus sized women that several businesses such as Beau Dame and Marisota have opened online stores specialising in plus size lingerie. With a click of the mouse, you can delight in finding an elegant slip or searching anonymously for something more risqué. Many of these websites offer a multitude of styles for every mood or occasion, and most provide detailed size charts so that you can feel confident in ordering the correct sized garment. Not only do you not have to cope with impossibly thin sales associates, but you can have the freedom to shop from your home, purchase in privacy and even, in many cases, have your items shipped in generic brown boxes so the postman will be none the wiser.

Touch lingerie allows you to quickly scan through our Plus Size Lingerie section in the knowledge that we’ve found the reputable merchants and filtered the products down to the best sexy and tasteful lingerie, saving you the time of wading through pages and pages on countless sites.

What you wear closest to your skin should delight and comfort you, and deliver a knockout punch to those worthy enough to witness such unmentionables. The secrets to looking great in lingerie serve to enhance not only your outer curves, but allow your self confidence show through as well.