How to style your curves

International style influencer and beauty blogger, Nikki Frenney-Wiggins, better known as Nikki Free, visited our shores recently for the inaugural staging of the Curvy Caribbean Conference.

In her presentation, she addressed 'fluffy fashion', and gave her audience a few tips on how to style their curves.

1. Invest in shape wear

Spanks, she says, are her best friend. There are many types to choose from, like the underwear and short to full bodysuit spanks. “It's not that you want to hide your curves," she explained. "It's just that you want to smooth them out just a little bit to fit different styles you may want to wear.”

2. Invest in good bras

She loves T-shirt bras from companies like Lane Bryant​ which add a lift.

3. Dress for your shape

All curvy women, she says, are not created equal. So wear breathable clothing.

4. Say no to chub rub (rubbing of the legs)

She notes that this is a real problem for women with curves. Products like Monistat chafing cream solve that problem.

5. Show your belly

“When you embrace those parts of the body, you free up the stereotypes,” she said. The best way to show a little skin is by wearing a crop top and pairing it with a high-waisted pants or skirt. That part of your tummy below your breasts is the smallest part, so don't be afraid of showing it off.
Show your arms, too. “Just love who you are. Love yourselves and own who you are,” she asserted.

6. Don't dress the size, dress the body.

Frenney-Wiggins said that we should not be too focused on size. European designers' dresses are smaller than American, so try on a bunch of different sizes and find what fits your body.

7. Invest in a seamstress

They work wonders in getting you what you want at the right fit.

8. Invest in a wide high-waisted belt

A high-waisted belt gives your body curves in the right places.

9. Fit and flare dresses

Fit and flare dresses are perfect for the curvy woman in highlighting assets and disguising flaws.