Plus Size Guide to Wearing Booties

Hello ladies!

I'm assuming you're a lady if you're reading this but if not, welcome gentlemen.

First of all, let me say that I in no way consider myself a fashion blogger. Shoot, I don't even consider myself a blogger period. But I do take a little, teeny tiny bit of pride in thinking that over the last 24 years I've learned what looks best for my body type, which is plus size. I know that for plus size women it is a daily struggle to decide whether to dress trendy and wear what's "in", or to wear "what flatters us" and risk looking like we shopped at The Gap....ten years ago. But who says we have to choose?? A coworker recently told me that booties were only for skinny girls, and while I think skinny girls wear them very well, I think that there are certain ways we can style them to look good for our body shapes. Who says we can't get in on the fun, too?

Before I talk about the 3 looks I've put together, I want to talk about the number one rule to wearing booties, or really anything if you want to make sure you're flattering your body type: Silhouette. When trying on outfits, I always try to ask myself "what area of my body is this outfit bringing attention to?". If it's bringing attention to a body part I'm not particularly comfortable with, I either try to style the item a different way, or I pass on it, because it's not giving me a flattering silhouette. Booties are so tricky because many of them stop either at the ankle or above, and when you create lines at a thicker part of your body, which for many of us is the calf, it can make that part of your body look even larger. So the trick is to create a silhouette that takes the attention away from the part of your body that you don't like.

Another thing before we jump in. I realize none of these outfits are exactly groundbreaking. I like simple and classic. I've just taken outfits that I would wear or that I think would flatter any body shape (I would wear all of these, tbh). This post is mostly for the women who are unsure if they can be a part of the bootie party, too. There are probably so many of you who have already learned how to style these for yourself and I'd love to hear your suggestions! 

This first look is probably the most un-fussy, if that's a word. We know that utility jackets are always in for fall/winter and they look especially cute when paired with a bootie. What I think is unsettling for many plus size girls are the skinny jeans turned up at the hem. But this look is all about this particular jacket.  It's hitting at the thigh and takes in slightly at the waist. This creates the illusion of a longer torso and an hourglass figure, leaving us with a flattering silhouette. If the jacket was shorter and stopped right at the hips, it would create a line right through the middle, which is often one of the widest points on our body. The jacket, paired with booties that have a nice size heel on them and dark jeans, are going to make us look taller and slimmer. When I wear a slouchy jacket or a seemingly relaxed outfit, I like to pair it with a structured bag to balance it out. As for jewelry, I'm a hoops girl, but just about any earrings with this look will do. And as usual, I love a good bracelet stack. I think that smaller bracelets paired together are sometimes a little more flattering than one large cuff.

This second look is something I'd wear to a holiday party or Christmas service at church. The key to this one is that the tights are the same color as the booties. This is going to make your legs look like they are miiiiles long. The swing dress can hide your tummy if that's a problem area for you and the sleeves are long enough to cover your arms. Sometimes swing dresses can seem unflattering, but if it's the right length (just above the knee) and paired with shoes with a little lift, you'll look great. I'm loving the plaids this year so I'd pair this with a plaid wrap to keep warm and some jewel toned accessories. I actually have the bag pictured and it doubles as a cross-body or you can use the handles on top.

 

This third look is surprisingly my favorite I think. This is something I'd wear any day. We all know there's nothing more flattering than a good pair of flare or boot cut jeans that fit just right and lift that booty. While the sweater is crew neck, which can be intimidating to busty girls, it flares a little at the bottom, almost like a relaxed empire waist fit, and I think that would flatter anyone. These leather booties just look so classic to me. Great height and would give your legs and torso a gorgeous silhouette (there's that word again). If you want to keep it classy, you can always go with pearl accessories, or if you want to make it a little modern you can do rose gold. I didn't include a bag with this one because I truly think just about anything would work.

 

I hear many women say they'd like to wear booties but they can't walk in heels. Now that the chunky heel is in, these or a pair of wedge booties will be just fine. The most comfortable pair of shoes I have are a pair of booties with a nice chunky heel I got from H&M a year ago. They give me just enough height to make my legs look longer, and they're very easy to walk in.

 

I hope any of you reading have gotten at least a few good tips from these outfits and if not, maybe just the courage to try out that pair of booties you've been too scared to wear. No matter what body shape, big or small, just remember that you're all so beautiful, inside and out.

 

Girl power!