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I am a plus size myself and my pet hate is stores that have "special" plus size ranges. When will the stores realize that what plus sizes want are the same clothes and choices as everyone else but in their size?

It can be a nightmare trying to find a pair of well fitting walking shorts or a plain black swimsuit to actually swim in. Some stores think that plus sizes automatically want garish prints and loud colours.

The best advice I can give is to love your plus size and embrace your good points. Many plus sizes have fantastic shoulders, beautiful cleavage and small waists; others have great legs or a fashionably shapely bottom. Once you have worked out your good points then dress to emphasize it.

So no more shapeless sack dresses, horizontal stripes or material better suited to curtains and drapes. Leggings may well be fashionable at the moment, but if wearing them makes you look hippy try boot cut trousers or the new flare cut to balance out your shape.

Remember normally light colours make an area appear larger and dark colours appear smaller. However dressing from head to toe in black just gives a solid area to look at so contrasting accessories will help to break it up.

Shapeless clothes will not make you look shapelier or slimmer they will just make you look shapeless. Try to find good fitting clothes. Take a friend with you when shopping, someone whose opinion you respect, and who will tell you the truth. Clothing sizes vary from store to store, so don't worry about what size the label says buy the one that fits best. It is a good idea to take several sizes of the same item into the fitting room to try on. If an outfit comes in several colours try them all on - what looks good in one colour can look horrible in another one and somethimes colours you wouldnt automatically pick can be very good with your skin tone.

Underwear, underwear, underwear! The best investment you can make is a professionally fitted bra, it will give good structure and provide a great outline, it will also stop the double boob syndrome and stop rolls of fat showing on your back and round your middle. It is estimated that 3 out of 5 women are wearing the wrong size bra at any time.

I shop at Marks and Spencer's, Evans, Anne Harvey, Elvi and Next on the high street. I also use the internet brands Simply Be and Spirito D'Artiganio. Some of these are specialist plus size retailers, others do all size ranges. What they all have in common is that the clothes are well made and fashionable and generally fit well.

Another idea is to have a "capsule" wardrobe - that is have a limited set of colours so it is easier to mix and match the pieces you have. To do this it is best to buy a couple of investment pieces a good business suit, a casual jacket, a dress in one colour - say black, navy blue, plum etc and then add pieces as you go along that you can wear with several of the main items in your wardrobe. It's something that takes time to achieve but you could start bu thining out your current set of clothes, keeping the good, well fitting favourite items and getting rid of the impulse buys, the bargain you never wore etc.

Many years ago a family friend said "if you have it flaunt it", so I make the most of my cleavage and small waist. I also make an extra effort with my grooming, I make sure my hair and makeup are the best I can do, that my nail varnish isn't chipped and that my accessories compliment what I am wearing. That extra effort turns heads and I feel comfortable and confident.

But the best accessory for anyone is a dazzling smile! Just go out there and wow the world - if I can do it so can you.

Learn more about this author, Suzie Blu.
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