by claire coshan

Created on: October 20, 2010

If you are plus sized then going to a hot country can be incredibly daunting.If you are self conscious about your size then worrying about baring all can cast a negative cloud over your whole trip.

But there are so many stylish and flattering things that you can wear that can make you feel as confident as you should feel.

Tops.

Finding summer tops can be tricky if you are plus sized. It seems that all holiday clothes are geared towards the slimmer end of the market. But there are lots of tops styles that can make you look stylish and fabulous.

Instead of wearing spaghetti strap tops that will only emphasise the bulk of your arms. Try strappy tops that have thicker straps. Tops with straps about an inch to an inch and a half wide will be a lot more flattering because the straps will not seem so thin which will make your arms and shoulders look thinner.

Wearing cap sleeves is a great way to make your arms look thinner. Just make sure that the cap is not too tight around the arm. If necessary the cap should be too big. This creates the optical illusion that your arm is too small to fill the sleeve. This makes the arm look significantly thinner.

Shorts.

If you have bigger legs then you can wear shorts with style. Stick to slightly longer denim shorts in dark colours.

Skirts.

Flared skirts in a lightweight material will be incredibly comfortable and flattering. They will help to balance out your proportions and make you look slimmer. Opt for skirts that are knee length and wear them with heels for an evening look or sandals or flip flops for a daytime look. Steer clear of skirts that are too tight. These will not be very flattering and they will make you uncomfortable because they will make you too hot.

Swimsuits.

Stick to dark, black colours in swimsuits or bikinis. This will help to slim your silhouette. Many companies now offer swimsuits with a built in "control top" This will help to make you look slimmer and more toned. If you have a larger belly then one piece swimsuits will be more flattering than bikinis.

 Kaftans.

Instead of using an old T shirt to cover up, why not use a kaftan. They are a lot more stylish and much more flattering. Choose one in a dark or vibrant colour with fluted sleeves. These will balance out the proportions of your arms and make you look slimmer.

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