

30 Closet Staples Every Curvy Woman Needs In Their Wardrobe
The best thing a woman can have is options, and thanks to online shopping, curvy women now have a sense of freedom when it comes to fashion. Each day, brands are finding ways to become more inclusive to sizes beyond XL because of the advocacy of curvy fashionistas who refuse to not take up space, who demand attention, and admiration...because why the hell not?
No matter what size, every woman needs foolproof pieces that will embrace and flatter each curve on her body while being multipurpose. Shopping for the right fit can be a daunting task for any woman, let alone curvier women who do not have the option of having their sizes in store to try on. But fear not sis, we got you!
We gathered up the expertise of 29 curvy fashionistas of all different shapes and sizes to sound-off on what they thought were essential pieces that every curvy girl needs in their wardrobe. Representation matters the most, and after seeing these beautiful women work it, it's time for you to make sure you are equipped with the wardrobe that will have you feeling confident enough to overdress for one occasion and shake a 'lil something the next!
1. A fashionable sneaker.
"I love that sneaker brands are taking women seriously. The styles have come a long way. I love that sneakers are not only comfortable but stylish and functional. I love wearing sneakers with a dress or a nice pair of denim or even a suit." - Essie Golden
2. A bustier or lace bra.
"Every girl needs lingerie. Lingerie is not only for when you want to serve up sexy for bae, it is perfect for when you want to feel good about yourself by yourself. Lingerie is the beginning of a great look because it complements what you are wearing. Lingerie can also be worn as a top in some cases. A suit with a bustier or lacy bra is the perfect look and it screams bold and sexy." - Maui Bigelow
3. A bold statement top.
"A statement top that says something dramatic and shows off a great deal of personality." - Idorenyin
4. A sexy yet breathable dress.
"A sexy dress you can wear without Spanx or girdle because after 30, don't nobody want to be hooked up at every occasion (laughs)." - Kamari Richardson
5. A luxurious faux fur jacket.
"A luxurious faux fur jacket because it can really change your life if you let it."- Chardline Chanel
6. A block heel/booties.
"Block heels and/or booties if it is cold, preferably cream or black because they are way more comfortable than stiletto heels and they look good with almost any outfit. They also elevate the look. You could wear a tee and jeans throw them on and bam! Your outfit is fire."- Brenda S
7. A good pair of jeans.
"A good pair of jeans is a staple piece that when they are fitted correctly on a curvy girl and they are also comfortable. You can always switch it up on them! From a fresh pair of kicks to a stunning pair of heels!" - Shawna V
8. A dress that screams "the dress".
"'The dress' is that one that makes you feel the most beautiful or the sexiest or the most confident. It can be your go-to for a girls' night out or dinner with your love. Everyone deserves a garment that makes you appreciate yourself just a little bit more." - Yanique Holder
9. A statement coat/jacket.
"A statement coat/jacket because on days where you are feeling plain. A good statement coat/jacket will make any outfit." - Bianca Gale
10. A combat/utility boot.
"Every curvy girl needs a pair of combat/utility boots! Truly a staple in my wardrobe, I can rock them with a slip dress, jacket, and wide-brimmed hat, or ripped jeans with a white tee and moto jacket. I love a great pair of lace-up or studded combat boots."- Laudie J
11. A bodycon dress.
"Every curvy girl should own at least one bodycon dress that flatters their shape." - Alissa S. Wilson
12. A black blazer.
"A black blazer. It's essential because it is versatile. You can use it to dress up an outfit, but can also be used casually. You can wear it with a cute top, jeans, and heels for a night out on the town, or you can roll the sleeves up and wear it with a t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of Chucks (or J's)."- Sasha Renee
13. An oversized denim jacket.
"Oversized cropped denim jacket (it accentuates curves and the waist)!" - Aspen
14. A polka-dot ensemble.
"Polka dots because fashion should be fun and what's more fun than polka dots?"- Faith Lasha
15. A chic jacket.
"Moto jackets are my favorite. It adds a little edge to your outfit but still can be modest."- Chante Burkett
16. A duster jacket.
"Dusters are a big girl's best friend. They can help dress up or dress down any outfit. Extremely versatile and can be worn year-round. It's like a cardigan on steroids (laughs)!"- Courtney Arlett
17. A flowy maxi-dress.
"A flowy maxi dress: A maxi is an effortless way to create sophisticated drama with just one piece. I absolutely love them." - Thamarr
18. The perfect peplum top.
"Inherently chic, the peplum is a plus girls' best clothing item when she wants to minimize her stomach area and accentuate the hips. And they are back on trend again. Find one with an asymmetrical hem for an edgy take on this nostalgic style that is here to stay." - Nikki Free
19. A convertible dress.
"A convertible dress A dress that you can tie and wear in a variety of ways. It doesn't matter the silhouette (flowy or form-fitting) but why have curves and not show them off a bit? Confidence is the best thing when dressing up. It always elevates ANY and EVERYONE outfit." - Jen Jeanpierre
20. Thigh-high boots.
"Thigh-high boots - sorry but I think every woman should have at least one pair. Nothing turns heads quicker when strutting in with good boots." - Yasmine
21. The perfect black belt.
"The perfect black waist belt! So crucial for cinching the waist and emphasizing the hips. It's great to have in a bunch of colors but you can do so much with a simple black belt." - Nzinga Imani
23. A well-made trench coat.
"A well-made trench coat (I've launched two that I designed with Tamara Malas)."- Kelly Augustine
24. A classic jumpsuit.
"The perfect jumpsuits allow you to transition from season to season as a wardrobe piece. Layer up with a jacket, blazer, duster, or not at all if the weather is on your side. Jumpsuits flatter almost every shape, define the waist and hug all the right curves." - Marinda Diane
25. A midi wrap dress.
"The wrap dress is flirty and fun. It hugs your curves at the right places and can easily be layered with a turtleneck and a knee-high boot for a chic look in fall or with a sneaker and denim jacket for a cute date look in spring." - Taelor Pawnell
26. A track suit.
"A track suit - yes anyone can wear them, but they hit different on our bodies! Plus, you can dress them up or down." - Nastasiaa Guy
27. A luxe bag.
"A signature designer bag. Nothing says fashion like a luxe bag. If you're not a girl who does a monthly splurge on bags and shoes, try investing in one luxe bag. My favorite is the Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag." - Ty Alexander
28. A faux leather top.
"Let's face it, leather and curves are a sexy yet sinful mix. By combining with softer textures, you are able to pull off an elegant look, but at the same time give off the hint that you have a sexy little secret." - Zaniah Boykin
29. Dependable shapewear.
"Shapewear is important for curvy girls (and other women) because it smooths things out. Shapewear also pull things together for me. As a plus-size woman who loves her curves, I am not afraid of form-fitting pieces but I want to assure that I eliminate or smooth things out as much as possible." - Maui Bigelow"
30. A sexy bathing suit.
It's all about comfort because once you are comfortable that helps you be as confident as you need to be inorder to enjoy your time near the water. Bikini, two-piece, fat-kini, one piece, you name it. Just rock it!" - Zaniah Boykin
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Featured image by Shutterstock
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New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
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Ciara, Rihanna, And 6 Other Celebrities Who Announced Pregnancies In 2023
Congratulations are in order for Ciara and her husband, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. The couple recently announced they were expecting their third child on social media days after the singer released her new track "How We Roll" featuring Chris Brown. Ciara and Russell share a daughter Sienna Wilson,6, and a three-year-old son Win Wilson. The "Level Up" vocalist also has a 9-year-old son, Future Zahir Wilburn, with rapper Future.
In the pair's respective posts, Ciara is seen posing in what appears to be a form-fitting bodysuit, displaying her baby bump, and dancing to one of the verses in "How We Roll. The verse said, "You look at me like that again, we make another kid. You my heart, I'm your rib."
Since then, Ciara and Russell's loved ones and fans have been celebrating the exciting news by sending well wishes to the happy couple.
But the Wilsons aren’t the only ones who are expecting. Here’s a list of other celebrities that have announced their pregnancies and or welcomed their little ones this year
Sanya Richards-Ross
Real Housewives of Atlanta star and Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross and her husband, former football player Aaron Ross, announced they were expecting their second child together last month after uploading various images from their People magazine photoshoot.
In the post, the 38-year-old opened up about the struggles she and Ross faced before her second pregnancy and how excited everyone is for the new addition's arrival in December, including the couple's son Aaron Ross Jr.
"Some things happen in our lives to remind us that there are no guarantees. To go from not being sure if I wanted to have another baby, to deciding that I was ready and suffering a miscarriage, which was one of the toughest experiences in my life,” she wrote.
"God knew my heart, and I feel blessed to have another opportunity to be a Mommi. This gift is for all of us… but I'm most excited to make Deucey a big brother. He prays for his sister/brother every night. My heart and belly are so full. Thanks for all the love today. Ross party of 4 loading….. I'm taking you all on the journey, so hang on for the ride!"
Uzo Aduba
Next on the list is actress Uzo Aduba. In June, the Orange is the New Black star revealed that she and her husband of almost three years, director Robert Sweeting were expecting their first child together in an Instagram post that featured a video and a touching caption.
In the clip, Aduba is holding up a miniature onesie and saying "tada" as the camera pans to her face. In addition to the video, the 42-year-old disclosed how happy the pair were to "enter this new chapter."
"What a blessing," she said. "My husband Robert and I are so happy to enter this next chapter together as parents. I am beyond excited. I get to be someone's Mommy! I know as the three of us continue to grow, our only, ONLY goal will be to love you, little one. My goodness. Look what God has done."
Chanel Iman
Model and actress Chanel Iman and her fiancé NFL star Davon Godchaux announced that their blended family of five was expanding in May by sharing intimate moments from the couple's photoshoot on Instagram, which included the star's growing belly.
Alongside the images, the 32-year-old wrote the caption, "Our family is growing, and we are so excited to meet our new little one." Weeks following the announcement, the pair shared during their gender reveal that they were expecting a baby girl.
This latest addition will be Iman's third daughter while Godchaux's first—the Dope star shares two daughters, Cali and Cassie Shepard, with her ex-husband Sterling Shepard. At the same time, Godchaux has a son from a previous relationship.
Serena Williams
Tennis legend Serena Williams and her husband, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, stole the show during the 2023 Met Gala in May after the couple arrived with the 41-year-old’s baby bump on display.
In addition to Williams' red carpet appearance, the star confirmed the news on her Instagram page by including other images from the night.
"Was so excited when Anna Wintour invited the 3 of us to the Met Gala," she said.
Months later, Williams and Ohanian shared at their gender reveal party that they are expecting a second daughter. The couple shares a 5-year-old daughter Alexis Ohanian Jr.
Da Brat
Rapper and reality television star Da Brat announced that she and her wife, Jessica Harris-Dupart, were expecting their first child together in February during an interview with People Magazine.
Prior to Da Brat's pregnancy, which occurred with an anonymous sperm donor that the couple selected, she had a miscarriage. At the same time, Harris-Dupart, who has three children from a previous relationship, experienced health complications, including blood clots during an "egg retrieval procedure" for the in vitro fertilization process.
According to Cleveland Clinic, the purpose of the egg retrieval procedure is to manually combine them with the sperm and place the fertilized egg in the embryo in hopes it "implants itself into the uterine wall" so that a pregnancy can occur.
On July 6, Da Brat and the Kaleidoscope Hair Care CEO would become the proud parents of a healthy baby boy named True Legend Harris-Dupart.
Rihanna
The sixth person on the list is singer and mogul Rihanna.
The 35-year-old, who shares a one-year-old son Rza Mayers with longtime boyfriend Rakim "A$AP Rocky" Mayers, stunned the world during her highly-anticipated Super Bowl performance in February, where she flaunted her growing belly in a red jumpsuit and sang a melody of her hits.
Since the jaw-dropping announcement, Rihanna has showcased her baby bump in various appearances and modeling projects.
Naomi Osaka
Tennis star Naomi Osaka revealed that she and her boyfriend, rapper Cordae Dunston were expecting their first child at the top of the year after taking a break from the sport.
The 25-year-old shared the news on various social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter, alongside a photo of her ultrasound. In addition to her official statement, which listed her pregnancy as one reason for her tennis absence, Osaka shared how excited she was to become a mother.
"The past few years have been interesting, to say the least, but I find that it's the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun. These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game l've dedicated my life to. I realize that life is so short and I don't take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure," she wrote.
"I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing l'm looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, 'that's my mom' haha. 2023 will be a year that'll be full of lessons for me and I hope I'll see you guys in the start of the next one cause l'll be at Aus 2024. Love you all infinitely."
Fast forward to July 11, Osaka and Dunston welcomed a baby girl.
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Feature image by Rob Kim/Getty Images