Fashion Rules We’re Leaving Behind as We Head Into the “ber” Months
- Missy
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
September is here, which means pumpkin everything, cozy layers, boots, changing leaves and apparently, according to some very outdated fashion rules, a whole list of things curvy women are supposed to stop wearing.
Well…we’re not doing that.
For way too long, plus-size women have been handed a never-ending list of fashion “rules” supposedly designed to tell us what we can and cannot wear. Wear black. Avoid stripes. Cover your arms. Don't wear anything too loose. Don't wear anything too tight. Don't wear anything too short.
Basically, wear beige, disappear into the background, and whatever you do, don't have too much fun with your clothes. (insert the eye roll here)
No thanks.
As we head into the “ber” months (September, October, November, and December) we're leaving those rules behind and wearing what makes us feel fabulous.
Here are a few fashion rules we’re officially retiring.
1. “Stick to wearing black because it is slimming”
Black is chic. Black is classic. Black goes with approximately 93% of the things already hanging in your closet.
But black is not a requirement.
Somehow, “wear black” became the universal advice given to curvy women who wanted to look good. While we absolutely love a good black outfit, sometimes we want to wear emerald green, hot pink, cobalt blue, leopard print, burgundy, cream, or literally whatever color makes us happy.
Color isn't something you have to earn by changing your body.
Want to wear head-to-toe red this fall? Do it.
Want a bright floral dress in October? Do it.
Want to wear an all black outfit? Also do it.
Wear black because you love black, not because someone told you it's the only color you're “allowed” to look good in.
2. “Curvy Girls Can't Wear Horizontal Stripes.”
Oh, this one has been around FOREVER.
The idea that horizontal stripes are somehow off-limits to curvy women is based on the belief that clothing's only job is to make your body appear smaller.
We're here to suggest a radical alternative:
What if your clothes just made you look like you?
Stripes can be playful, classic, preppy, nautical, funky, colorful, or incredibly chic.
And guess what? You don't need to pass a body-size test before you're allowed to wear them.
If you see a striped sweater and think, “Oh, that's cute”, that's enough of a reason to put it on.
3. “You Have to Hide Your Arms.”
This one needs to go directly into the fashion-history trash can.
Your arms are not a problem that needs to be solved.
If you love a sleeveless top, wear the sleeveless top. If you prefer a long sleeve, wear the long sleeve. If you want to throw on a cardigan, denim jacket, blazer, or shacket over it, great!
But the decision should come down to what you like and what feels comfortable…not what parts of your body you think you're supposed to hide.
And yes, this applies to holiday dresses, too. You do not need sleeves to be “appropriately dressed.” You need an outfit you feel good wearing.
4. “You Can't Wear Oversized Pieces.”
We're calling this one out because oversized sweaters, jackets, button-downs, and coats are about to be EVERYWHERE…and we are here for it.
There is a difference between oversized and poorly fitted.
An oversized piece can be intentional. It can add shape, movement, texture, and personality to an outfit.
Try pairing an oversized sweater with fitted denim.
Throw an oversized blazer over a dress.
Wear a dramatic coat with your favorite boots.
Layer a relaxed button-down over a tank and jeans.
Fashion isn't about making every single thing hug your body.
Sometimes the drama is the outfit.
5. “You Should Always Wear Clothes That Make You Look Smaller.”
We're going to say this one louder: Your goal doesn't always have to be looking smaller.
Seriously.
What if your goal is looking amazing?
What if your goal is feeling comfortable?
What if your goal is expressing your personality?
What if your goal is wearing the outfit you've been thinking about for three weeks?
Your body doesn't need to visually shrink for your outfit to be successful.
We'd much rather help you build a wardrobe that makes you excited to get dressed than one that is constantly trying to make you look like you take up less space.
6. “Plus-Size Women Should Avoid Prints.”
Apparently, we're supposed to live exclusively in solid colors.
Again: No.
Florals? Yes.
Animal print? Absolutely.
Plaid? Bring it on.
Geometric prints? Yep.
Big, bold patterns? Even better.
The right print isn't determined by the number on your clothing tag.
If you love it, try it.
And if you're not sure about prints, start small. Try a patterned blouse, handbag, scarf, or pair of shoes and build from there.
7. “You Can't Wear Something Just Because You Like It.”
This may be the biggest rule we want to leave behind.
Somewhere along the way, curvy women were taught that liking an outfit wasn't enough.
We were supposed to ask:
Does this make me look smaller?
Does this hide my stomach?
Does this cover my arms?
Does this make my hips look bigger?
Will someone think I'm trying too hard?
Meanwhile, straight-size women were just out there saying, “This dress is cute. I'm buying it.”
We say it's time for curvy women to adopt that energy.
“I like it” is a complete sentence.
8. “You Have to Dress Your Age.”
Fashion advice loves putting people into boxes.
Too young.
Too old.
Too trendy.
Too basic.
Too much.
Here's a better rule:
Dress like yourself.
If you love a trendy piece, wear it.
If you're a jeans-and-sweater person, embrace it.
If you're all about sequins, sparkle away.
If your personal style changes every Tuesday, that's okay too.
Your style doesn't have an expiration date.
9. “You Can't Mix Prints, Textures, or Styles.”
Fall is basically the perfect season to break this rule.
Plaid with denim.
Leather with knits.
Florals with boots.
Animal print with stripes.
Sequins with a cozy cardigan.
Feminine dress with a chunky boot.
Oversized jacket with a fitted outfit.
Fashion gets a whole lot more interesting when you stop trying to make everything match perfectly.
The “rules” say these things shouldn't work.
Your closet says, “Watch me.”
So What Are We Wearing This Fall? Whatever the heck we want.
We're wearing color.
We're wearing prints.
We're wearing stripes.
We're wearing sleeveless tops.
We're wearing oversized sweaters.
We're wearing fitted jeans AND wide-leg jeans.
We're wearing boots.
We're layering.
We're experimenting.
We're repeating outfits.
We're taking up space.
And we're definitely not spending the next four months wondering whether our bodies are “allowed” to wear something.
Because here's the truth:
There are no special fashion rules for curvy women.
There are just clothes and you get to decide which ones belong in your closet.
So as we head into September and the rest of the “ber” months, consider this your official permission slip to break a few fashion rules.
Actually… You don't need our permission either. You already had it.
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