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Let’s face it- leggings are too comfortable not to be a fashion option for plus size bodies, plus they are incredibly cute!
So, when it comes to how to wear leggings when you are plus size, what are some quick tips?
Start by choosing thicker fabrics that smooth fat better, especially if you’re worried about cellulite. This also stops the fabric from being see-through when it stretches. Pairing your leggings with a cute, longer top that covers your FUPA and being sure to choose the right size also helps leggings look great!
Below, we’ll take a closer look at how you can wear leggings and look great as a plus-size person!
How to Wear Leggings When You Are Plus Size
Wearing leggings when you are plus size really comes down to choosing the right pair of leggings and pairing them with a top that works well. Let’s jump into some tips that will help you look fabulous next time you leave the house in leggings.
Tip 1: Start With Leggings That Fit
When it comes to leggings (or any piece of clothing for that matter), it’s really important that clothes fit well. This is especially important when you’re plus size.
Clothes that are too tight often roll down at the top, which is pretty common with ill-fitting leggings, pants, and garments like underwear.
Leggings that are too tight are also going to squeeze your body in all the wrong ways, creating bulges where there weren’t any before. Plus, the fabric might stretch more to accommodate your body and in some cases, even become see-through.
That being said, you should always opt for leggings that fit rather than sizing up or sizing down. Leggings are meant to be form-fitting to an extent, but they shouldn’t be so form-fitting they are overstretched, uncomfortable, or roll down when you wear them.
Tip 2: Opt for a Thicker Material
I’ll be the first to admit that I do own a few pairs of thinner leggings, many of them leggings that wore down with wear but are still too comfortable to actually get rid of. That being said, when it comes to leaving the house, there are certain standards when you don’t want your goods on display to the world.
The best way to prevent fashion faux pas and showing off more than you’d like is to opt for thicker fabrics. Additionally, while you want leggings to have some stretch, be sure that the fabric doesn’t become opaque when it’s stretched. After all, you want your leggings to look like leggings, not like sheer tights.
For out of the house, I find that I really like athletic leggings. These are generally thick and firm. In fact, I’d say that my athletic leggings have probably held up better than any other brand, especially in the thigh area.
Plus, most of them offer some level of compression. If you’re worried about how everything moves in leggings or struggle with cellulite (even though it’s completely normal), athletic leggings help with that, too. They kind of smooth cellulite and make your body look a little more toned.
That being said, be wary of leggings that are so thick they aren’t breathable. Poor airflow will make you sweat more, which can be uncomfortable. Look for something that is moisture-wicking if you choose athletic fabrics, too.
Tip 3: Wear Them Around the House
Going for a thicker material brings me to my next point- you should always check how transparent (or hopefully, opaque) your leggings are before leaving the house.
This generally applies to the first time you are wearing your leggings, but you might want to test leggings after they’ve been washed and worn several times, too. Many of the leggings I own have gotten a little thinner with time and wear, whether they were the cheap ones from Walmart or expensive ones from LaLaRoe.
The best way to see how leggings are going to look once they’re on your body is to put them on. Then, stand in front of a mirror or have someone like your partner or best friend help you check.
This is one of those times when lighting matters. It’s best if you check transparency in a well-lit area, but even better if it’s natural lighting. I’ve had a couple of pairs of plain black pants that looked fine in the house, but became a little transparent out in the sunlight.
For most people, the areas of the leggings that stretch the most are the thigh and butt. So, look in this area for skin showing through your leggings. You should also bend over and make sure they don’t become transparent when stretched, too.
Tip 4: Pair Plus Size Leggings With a Top That Covers Your FUPA
Okay, so this advice is for the girls out there who don’t necessarily love their FUPA making an appearance in public. Don’t get me wrong- I love seeing a full-figured body in a crop top and leggings. It screams confidence, it just isn’t my personal preference for my own body.
If you don’t want your tummy making an appearance, then I highly recommend pairing your leggings with a top that’s going to come down over your waist and hide your FUPA. You can see some examples in this article on how to hide belly fat in jeans.
For those ladies who want to look their best, keep in mind when I say flowy that I don’t mean something that’s big and bulky. Often, when we wear a size bigger than we need as plus size ladies, the result is shapeless and boxy. It doesn’t give you the opportunity to show off your favorite assets and it actually makes you look bigger than you are.
If you are wearing a flowy top, I highly recommend a waist belt or something like that. It gives the top shape but still lets it flow over areas like your FUPA that you might not want to be the focal point when you’re wearing leggings.
Tip 5: Draw Attention to Your Top Half or Your Bottom Half
When it comes to fashion, wearing contrasting patterns can really make you take up a lot of space visually.
And, while there’s nothing wrong with taking up space, for people worried about how they look in leggings, it can be best to opt for either vibrant leggings or a vibrant top- not both. If neutrals are your thing, that’s okay, too!
I’m not really going to tell you to stay away from any patterns. There are people out there that say things like “fat people shouldn’t wear stripes” or “plus size women shouldn’t wear polka dots” but honestly, it’s less about the pattern and more about how the garment is designed. Plus, even how big the polka dots are and whether the stripes are horizontal or vertical make a big difference.
By choosing a neutral tone for one half of your body, though, you also get to choose where you are drawing people’s eyes. Something that has done a lot for my personal confidence is wearing clothing that accentuates those features I feel the best about while minimizing the ones that I’m still learning to love.
Can Plus Size People Wear Leggings?
Yes, plus size people absolutely can (and absolutely should) wear leggings. You should wear whatever you want, especially if you feel as confident and comfortable in the right pair of leggings as I do.
I do understand the controversy. There are plenty of people out there that say plus size people don’t belong in leggings. That being said, these are generally the same people that have some problem with fat people just existing.
Honestly, nobody asked for their (wrong) opinion and this is a pretty close-minded way of thinking. Plus, if you look at the majority, there are plenty of curvier women out there not only wearing but rocking leggings with all sorts of fashion looks.
It can be easy to get in that mindset of thinking that you have to avoid them because everything wiggles or you have a little cellulite. That being said, rock the leggings anyway!
Should Chubby Girls Wear Leggings?
Yes, whether you consider yourself fat or just chubby, you can (and should) wear leggings, even if you’re worried about a belly pooch!
How Do You Wear Leggings With Big Legs?
A lot of the tips that I’ve mentioned already will help with wearing leggings for people who have big legs, too. When you’re choosing leggings, be aware of how much they stretch and opt for thicker fabric.
Thinner fabric means you’re more likely to see through the leggings, especially if you bend over. It also means that over time, you’re likely to see the damage and eventually small holes in the area between your thighs. You know, that area that’s so prone to thigh chafing and that has more than likely ripped holes in some of your favorite pants over time.
I’ve also found that leggings with a little shaping or designed for athletic wear work well for my thighs, too. Usually, they are made of thicker, firmer fabric that isn’t just going to give way with my thighs pressing against them.
They are usually a little more expensive, but in my opinion, it’s worth it because my thighs aren’t wearing a hole through them after a few months of wear.
Final Word
Wearing leggings as a big girl really doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it seems. Even if you’re worried about things moving around, there are leggings out there that help hold everything in place.
Plus, pairing your leggings with the right top can help you find the perfect outfit that’s both fashionable and comfy. Wearing leggings that are sized well and made from thicker fabrics will also help you look great!
Hopefully, this guide on how to wear leggings when you’re plus size has been helpful!