There is no other group of people that is as visible as models are. This, of course, lies in the nature of being a model as you will find their pictures on the covers of countless magazines or see them whenever you turn on the tv. It is impossible to imagine fashion shows without them on the catwalks or events without them on the red carpet. Paparazzi even like to snap pictures of them when they, often dressed more casually, saunter the streets of Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, Milan or other fashionable cities enjoying a cup of coffee. So, it is no surprise that many women look up to models as make up and fashion ideals and try to imitate them to look stylish, chic and trendy, just like them.
Models and modelling agencies are certainly aware of their function as role models. So, naturally they do everything they can to always appear in the best possible light and only ever show their very best side. And this is true for all models, whether fitness, size zero, tattoo or curvy models. Especially the latter are gaining popularity due to a new movement in the fashion industry that features more diverse body types. Curvy models may be a little heavier, but they embody a more realistic female figure with sexy curves.
Therefore, it is becoming more and more important to highlight the right body parts, so curvy models are in no way inferior to their slimmer colleagues in terms of physique and fashion. Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks to conceal certain parts and accentuate others. If you want to get started as a curvy model and fashionista, we have some interesting, valuable and helpful Dos and Don’ts regarding the styling, fashion and lifestyle of curvy models for you:
1. Be proud of your body and become comfortable in your own skin
First things first: If you are not proud of your own body and dislike and criticise what you look like, others will do the same. If on the other hand, you proudly show off your body with all its curves as if you were at home on all the catwalks in the world, people around you won’t even notice whether you are wearing a size S or L. The more self-confident your appearance, the more attractive you become to others. It is important to get to know your own body and body shape. After all, bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and body types range from triangular to hourglass-shaped, oval and rectangular. Once you have identified your body shape, you can fill your closet with clothes that flatter your figure and flaunt your curves.
When you get started in the modelling industry, you should be aware that you won’t be on big international screens right from the start. Everyone needs to start small. But even if your shootings are initially only for smaller campaigns or ads, they still help you become more established in the industry. This means, the more assignments you can get, the better. An additional benefit is that you learn with every single assignment and casting and become more experienced.
2. Invest in fitting and high-quality underwear
You can’t overestimate the importance of wearing the right underwear. This is especially true for curvy women who often have a larger bust size. Ill-fitting bras can not only cause medical problems and pain, they will hinder you from showing off your feminine side as well as they should. So, always seek advice from trained staff who are experts in this field. In addition to that, lingerie stores today offer a huge variety of shapewear that can make all the difference when it comes to emphasising your gorgeous, curvy silhouette. Be aware that for underwear that fits perfectly, you will have to dig a little deeper into your pockets. It is worth the investment though, as the right underwear is the best way to shape your body without anyone noticing your little tricks.
3. Order custom-made clothes from a tailor
It can be rather difficult nowadays to find the right size as different countries work with different standard body sizes and size scales. As a result, sizes from one brand are often smaller or larger than the same size from another brand in a different country. This is why it is not uncommon to have clothes in two or even three different sizes in your closet. Especially for stocky women the experience of trying on pants or dresses in their size and not being able to close the button or zipper can be discouraging. This not only leads to frustration, but also makes them doubt their own body. Finding a tailor who will measure your body down to the centimeter and design pieces that are specifically tailored for your body will solve this problem. This allows you to perfectly show off your sexy curves, which will also make you look more glamorous and confident. And let’s face it − how many pieces in your wardrobe are from cheap clothing brands that don’t really fit you anyways? Having fewer, but tailor-made clothes is not only good for your looks, but also beneficial for the environment.
4. Leggings are not your best friend
Whoever made it a trend to wear leggings with crop tops should be imprisoned. Sure, they are super comfortable and very convenient to wear at home, but avoid wearing them in public. Especially when combined with crop tops, they can make your back side look huge and offer a view that often reveals too much personal information. Only wear leggings with tunic style tops that completely cover your butt. Put your sexy, round peach bum in skinny jeans and you’ll see that you will draw a lot of attention to yourself.
5. Pay attention to your diet and fitness routine
Curvy models have to take care of their bodies too, and make sure they look healthy and firm, because this is how they earn their money. That’s why it’s important to keep a few essentials in mind:
- Drink a lot of water
There are several studies showing that being well hydrated improves your skin and gives it a beautiful, more even look.
- Maintain a healthy diet
A healthy diet is very important for curvy models, they can’t just eat whatever they want either. Well-known curvy models like Ashley Graham might have some valuable nutritional tips for you.
- Exercise
Even as a curvy model you will have to make sure that your body is in perfect shape and looks firm. This requires regular workout sessions - either home workouts, going for a run through nature, or a workout at the gym on a treadmill or on other kinds of workout machines.
6. A few general fashion tips
In the world of fashion, there are certain unwritten, but nevertheless recognised and universally accepted guidelines. You should follow these rules if you want to be successful in this industry. Here are some rules or tips on which clothing items, fabrics and accessories work best for curvy models to show off their curves and present themselves in the best light:
- Soft fabrics like jersey, cotton, flannel or cashmere
- Items with a narrow V-shaped neckline
- Wide, straight-cut pants
- High-waisted pencil skirts
- Layered dresses and dresses with asymmetrical cuts
- Avoid shiny fabrics like satin
- Avoid playful details like ruffles or flounces in the chest area
- Avoid horizontal stripes and neckholder tops
- Avoid patterns with small prints
As you can see, despite many expectations even curvy women have countless possibilities to emphasise the right parts of their body and attract everyone’s attention. So don’t worry − if you follow our tips and advice, nothing can stop you from becoming the next curvy supermodel.