11 Curve Pieces Everyone's Wearing on Instagram
Whatever you want to call it, there's no denying that curve fashion is (finally) better than ever. However, that doesn't mean it's easy to find the brands and influencers who can inspire you the most. Many high-street stores now have plus-sized offerings, and there are many startup and new-gen brands that have been created to cater to this powerful market, but it can still be hard to figure out which has the best selection on offer because, in comparison to what's out there for "straight" sizes, things feel limited.
Model Philomena Kwao wearing a dress from Monki.
Trawling through the hashtags that abound in this community's social-media presence is a lengthy job if you're looking for tangible intel (#PSblogger, #moreplusplease and #celebratemysize are just a few). So we took it upon ourselves to edit a selection of the hippest girls who know not only how to style their clothes to the max, but also where to shop for them.
Keep reading to see the best high-street stores for curve clothing (and steal some outfit ideas along the way).
ASOS Curve
Shop our pick:
The e-commerce giant's vast edit of curve fashion is particularly impressive (it's great that it does some wider-fit shoes, fishnets and jewellery, for example), but right now, my money is on the amazing leopard suit ASOS ambassador Sophia wore just a few days ago.The jacket goes up to a size 16 and the trousers to a 30, but I've seen that there are many other ASOS Curve sui ts that are just as good if you need more variation on the top-half sizing.
V by Very Curve
When Lauren Nicole stated on her Instagram that this dress "hushed" her insecurities and made her feel "fire," one pays attention. We have to admit that this wasn't one of the first places we'd always look for standout curve pieces, but Lauren's confidence in what the brand has offer has put the British catalogue on this list, and I've since seen that there are plenty of party dresses to choose from.
Navabi
Shop our pick:
You may have heard of Navabi already. This is a site that stocks a multitude of plus-sized friendly brands and claims to house more of these names than any other competitor. Much of it is luxury, but there are also some cute and more reasonably priced pieces like this wrap skirt. It was Belgian influencer Aglae that first put us onto the site.
Marks and Spencer
Shop our pick:
Many of Marks and Spencer's greatest hits go up to a size 22 and 24, so you can pick up the very same trend-ticking items as the rest of the brand's high-street fans. I'd say it's particularly worthwhile for the top-quality outerwear, printed midi dresses, knitwear and wide-fit leather shoes.
Marina Rinaldi
Shop our pick:
Italian brand Marina Rinaldi continues to impress me, and it's launched what could well be one of the coolest Curve collabs to date: a range with designer Fausto Puglisi.The designer is known for his molto-sexy, slit-to-there, embellished-up-to-your-eyeballs creations, and he has brought that kind of attitude to this new range: MR by Fausto Puglisi. It's amazing, but it will cost you closer to contemporary designer prices.
Evans
I've spotted this amazing vintage-looking shirt dress on quite a few influencers recently, which led me to look into Evans—a brand I admit I had forgotten a while ago.Although the website's layout and still-life photography leaves a lot to be desired, there are some really great gems to be found, with a range of printed shirtdresses proving to be particularly strong. I've seen a leopard version and a snake-print option that are both worth snapping up for work.
Collusion
Brand-new London-based label Collusion is designed by a collective and not only goes up to a size XL but is also unisex. Add that to the fact its street style-inspired pieces are ticking just about every microtrend going and you have a very brilliant (and overdue) addition to the plus-sized marketplace.
Monki
Scandi brand Monki doesn't have an officially plus-sized offering, but what we do find with the line is that many great pieces go up to a size 18, 20 and 22. Plus the label's aesthetic errs on oversized and baggy most of the time, so you've got options. Who doesn't like that?
Elvi
For grown-up workwear pieces or chic evening options, I've noticed that plus-sized brand Elvi really steps up to the bar. Expect the price points (and therefore quality) to be a little higher than your average high-street competitor.
Pretty Little Thing
Ashley Graham's Pretty Little Thing edit really put this online Manchester-based brand's plus-sized range on the map for us. If you like your clothes sassy with a capital S, then this label has the kind of wares you need to check out for those big party moments and night-out outfits. But it was also great to discover through influencers like Anjali that you can track down some handy daywear items too.
Violeta by Mango
Mango's Violeta range is a source of greatness when it comes to classics. This is where you'll find some good office trousers, a simple black dress or perfect-fit blazer. Where the range falls down slightly is that is doesn't match up to the trend-driven pieces that you'd find in straight sizing. It's definitely improving season by season, but I reckon there's potential for even more to come.Next up, the trainer trends of 2019.This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.
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