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 blackwaist 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 pulls 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 ensure 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 in order to enjoy your time near the water. Bikini, two-piece, fat-kini, one-piece, you name it. Just rock it!" - Zaniah Boykin
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
This Black Woman-Owned Creative Agency Shows Us The Art Of Rebranding
Rebranding is an intricate process and very important to the success of businesses that want to change. However, before a business owner makes this decision, they should determine whether it's a rebrand or an evolution.
That's where people like Lola Adewuya come in. Lola is the founder and CEO of The Brand Doula, a brand development studio with a multidisciplinary approach to branding, social media, marketing, and design.
While an evolution is a natural progression that happens as businesses grow, a rebrand is a total change. Lola tells xoNecole, "A total rebrand is necessary when a business’s current reputation/what it’s known for is at odds with the business’s vision or direction.
"For example, if you’ve fundamentally changed what your product is and does, it’s likely that your brand is out of alignment with the business. Or, if you find your company is developing a reputation that doesn’t serve it, it might be time to pump the brakes and figure out what needs to change.
She continues, "Sometimes you’ll see companies (especially startups) announce a name change that comes with updated messaging, visuals, etc. That usually means their vision has changed or expanded, and their previous branding was too narrow/couldn’t encompass everything they planned to do."
Feature image courtesy
The Brand Doula was born in 2019, and its focus is on putting "the experiences, goals, and needs of women of color founders first," as well as brands with "culture-shifting missions."
According to Lola, culture-shifting is "the act of influencing dominant behavior, beliefs, or experiences in a community or group (ideally, for the better)."
"At The Brand Doula, we work with companies and leaders that set out to challenge the status quo in their industries and communities. They’re here to make an impact that sends ripples across the market," she says.
"We help the problem solvers of the world — the ones who aren't satisfied with 'this is how it's always been' and instead ask 'how could this be better?' Our clients build for impact, reimagining tools, systems, and ways of living to move cultures forward."
The Brand Doula has worked with many brands, including Too Collective, to assist with their collaboration with Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty and Balanced Black Girl for a "refresh," aka rebrand. For businesses looking to rebrand, Lola shares four essential steps.
1. Do an audit of your current brand experience — what’s still relevant and what needs to change? Reflect on why you’re doing the rebrand in the first place and what success would look like after relaunching.
2. Tackle the overall strategy first — before you start redesigning logos and websites, align on a new vision for your brand. How do you want your company to be positioned moving forward? Has your audience changed at all? Will your company have a fresh personality and voice?
3. Bring your audience along the journey — there’s no need to move in secret. Inviting your current audience into the journey can actually help them feel more connected to and invested in your story, enough to stick around as changes are being made.
4. Keep business moving — one of my biggest pet peeves is when companies take down their websites as soon as they have the idea to rebrand, then have a Coming Soon page up for months! You lose a lot of momentum and interest by doing that. If you’re still in business and generating income, continue to operate while you work on your rebrand behind the scenes. You don’t want to cut existing customers off out of the blue, and you also don’t want so much downtime that folks forget your business exists or start looking for other solutions.
While determining whether the rebrand was successful may take a few months, Lola says a clear sign that it is unsuccessful is negative feedback from your target audience. "Customers are typically more vocal about what they don’t like more than what they do like," she says.
But some good signs to look out for are improvements in engagement with your marketing, positive reviews, press and increase in retention, and overall feeling aligned with the new branding.
For more information about Lola and The Brand Doula, visit her website, thebranddoula.com.
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What To Know About The Love Compatibility Of A Virgo Woman And A Pisces Man
A Virgo woman and a Pisces man in a relationship is what occurs when opposites attract. It’s often a rarity, but when developed properly, this couple can run off into the sunset together. They both bring a very different energy to the table, but love works in mysterious ways, and this is a connection designed in the stars.
Virgo Woman And Pisces Man Love Compatibility
The Virgo woman lives in reality, and the Pisces man lives in fantasy, but what happens when the Virgo woman wants to indulge in a little romanticism and let her mind take a break for once? She meets a Pisces man.
What attracts a Virgo woman and a Pisces man to each other?
The Virgo woman is instantly attracted to the Pisces man’s sweet, attentive, and stylish character. The Pisces man is instantly attracted to the Virgo woman's confidence, kindness, and intuitive energy. These are two people that get along right away and form an immediate bond, or it’s a slow burn that takes time to develop if it does at all.
The Virgo woman is attracted to the person she knows could benefit from her being in their life. She sees the Pisces man as someone who can learn a lot from her and whom she can learn a lot in return.
The Virgo woman is sophisticated, sure of herself, and grounded, and the Pisces man is more emotional and timid than Virgo. However, their complexities complement each other well because they show each other another perspective and way of being that they both often need to see.
What is the relationship like between a Virgo woman and a Pisces man?
The relationship between a Virgo woman and a Pisces man is either harmonious and compatible or disruptive and incompatible. Because these two signs oppose each other, this is a relationship of extremes. It’s either a great and beautiful relationship or a disharmonious and challenging one for individuals. Virgo is the halfway point of the zodiac and Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and they both function and need very different things in life.
Virgo wants to plan, and Pisces wants to dream. It can be difficult to even do the everyday mundane things together because they will both want to go about it in very different ways. They almost see the world in two completely different realities.
For the Virgo woman and Pisces man who make this relationship work and don’t experience the discord that some can here, it’s because they have faced their own shadows and reflection in the mirror. The Pisces man will reflect any insecurities the Virgo woman feels within and vice versa.
This is a couple that can trigger each other intentionally and unintentionally, and when this relationship works, it’s because they have both done the work and aren’t projecting onto each other. The compatibility between these two when they are on the same page is similar to best friends and lovers, and they have a fun, loyal, and thoughtful relationship. This is a couple you see spending a lot of time together, laughing, doing creative things, and enjoying their life with one another.
Are a Virgo woman and a Pisces man sexually compatible?
The sexual compatibility between a Virgo woman and a Pisces man is one of the better ones. The miscommunication problems they can have in their relationship don’t necessarily apply to the bedroom, and they understand each other’s language better here. This is also a part of life. Virgo brings out her more fun and wild side, and the Pisces man likes to see the Virgo woman in all her multitudes.
This is an area of life where the Virgo woman doesn’t have to think so much, and the Pisces man appreciates her attentiveness and presence here. The sex between the two is more romantic than anything, and this is a memorable connection for the both of them.
What makes a relationship between a Virgo woman and a Pisces man work?
What makes this relationship work is their respect and love for each other. There is a genuine fondness and admiration that these two have for one another and that connection and respect for each other is often unbreakable. There is a bit of magic that should be noted when these two fall in love. Fairytales can be made based on the Virgo woman and Pisces man love pairing. This is a man who will go out of his way to sweep Virgo off her feet and make her feel special, and she feels seen in this relationship. These two are also both mutable signs, so they can be flexible, communicative, and attentive in the relationship, which will be appreciated.
Another gift for the relationship between a Virgo woman and a Pisces man is that they are both good listeners. They both want to hear what each other has to say, and there is an undeniable compatibility between the two when they get to know each other. They complement each other well and are the type of couple who will always try to uplift and support one another, always. They often put each other, and the relationship on a pedestal and deeply admire the connection they form with one another. They say your opposite sign is your soulmate because this is the sign that resides in your 7th house of love, and this applies to Virgo and Pisces.
What may cause a Virgo woman and a Pisces man to break up?
The Virgo woman and Pisces man pairing can come to a head when they feel like they don’t have anything else to learn or experience together than they already have. A strength in the relationship is that they are both mutable signs, but this can also be their downfall. They both have an energy that fluctuates, and you can never really guess what the other person is going to do, say, or feel next, and that can be disruptive for a relationship in the long term. The Virgo woman will get tired of having to guess where the Pisces man stands, and the Pisces man will get tired of trying to live up to the Virgo woman's expectations.
Challenges also may begin to arise when it comes to daily habits and rituals. The Virgo woman is a doer, and the Pisces is a dreamer. She can become frustrated by the Pisces man's lack of urgency when he needs more time to feel things through and determine his next steps. The Pisces man can also become disheartened with the Virgo woman overanalyzing him when she tries to understand his emotions better and will begin to doubt his own voice or feelings within the relationship.
If they are not hearing each other out and considering each other's perspectives, then this relationship can end as quickly as it began.
Summary: What is a Virgo woman and Pisces man's love compatibility?
This is a relationship of extremes, however, if they can both work on being less critical of one another then this can be a relationship that goes extremely well. They have a lot to learn from each other and this is a more karmic pairing, as they are often destined to meet. The Virgo woman finds a partner in this relationship that she can adore, be inspired by, and build a life with, and the Pisces man finds a partner in this relationship he can appreciate, respect, and enjoy his time with.
Overall, this is a relationship that when it works, it really works, and when it doesn’t, it really doesn't.
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