How to Flatter Your Curves with Column Dressing: A Complete Guide

Payal Shah

How to Flatter Your Curves with Column Dressing A Complete Guide

Have you never heard of a color column? Every plus size woman is probably doing it! Column dressing consists of a single colored base ensemble paired with a bold or contrasting third piece. 

A coat, cardigan, or even striking accessories for a splash of color could be the third item. By matching the shoes and hose to the skirt or pants, you can further extend the column.  

Add a scarf or hat to extend it upward. Choose a nude color if you are unable to coordinate your shoe selection.

How to Flatter Your Curves with Column Dressing A Complete Guide

We curvaceous girls adore this look in clothing! Why? 

Investing in your personal style can be overwhelming at times, with keeping up with the latest trends and incorporating all of the new styles into your seasonal wardrobe, but we’re here to debunk that myth, thanks to a little trick we call column dressing. 

Column dressing provides a refreshingly minimalist approach to style that can dramatically simplify your life. 

Column dressing can help you create a closet full of options that are incredibly simple to put together by focusing on a few key basics and building outfits around them.

The goal is to build an outfit around a single color palette. Today, we’re featuring an all white and all navy base outfit using the Duchess Tank and Button Fly Straight. 

Complete with top and barrister trousers. Once you've mastered that, all you need to do is add a topper and accessories, and you'll be able to create a variety of looks with the snap of a finger
Image Source – Pinterest.com

Complete with top and barrister trousers. Once you’ve mastered that, all you need to do is add a topper and accessories, and you’ll be able to create a variety of looks with the snap of a finger.

The beauty of column dressing is that it eliminates the guesswork involved in getting dressed. When you have a few matching basics that you know go well together, you’ll never have to ask yourself, “What should I wear?”

You can create a taller, thinner silhouette by dressing in one shade from head to toe. 

Think about how different a white top with a black duster on top looks from a white top over black pants. 

Your look is elongated by the column of color created by the addition of the black duster.

Oftentimes, plus size women hide behind dark neutrals. They believe that the colors that best suit their curves are brown, black, burgundy, eggplant, and navy. 

No issue, but column dressing looks equally good if you feel at ease in paler hues or in trendy hues like lilac, sage, cream, or taupe.

Think about how different a white top with a black duster on top looks from a white top over black pants
Image Source – Pinterest.com

How Plus Size Women Can Add Color to a Column

1. A monochromatic base with a contrasting topper color is known as the inner line of color. We are utilizing a single shade from head to toe as your base results in the column dressing. 

Black is a popular choice for base color among curvaceous women

We went with black to highlight the variety of looks you can pull off with just one pair of black basics, which are wide leg pants and a tank. 

But you can use any color you adore in the same way.

2. Wearing the same color on your outside top piece and your bottom is known as the outer line of color. For the inside column, you can add a different color, like the red shirt in this example.

Black is a popular choice for base color among curvaceous women
Image Source – Pinterest.com

3. A monochromatic ensemble with unique statement pieces is complete with colorful accessories.

How To Create A Column

Both traditional and minimalist capsule wardrobes can benefit from column dressing. 

Select a base of two or three neutral hues. Next, utilize a variety of colored cardigans, jackets, sweaters, shawls, and other items as your layering pieces. 

You can mix and match to create a variety of styles. To highlight your unique style, choose statement jewelry, scarves, belts, purses, and boots as essential accessories.

Consider wearing a single shade monotonous? Then give your clothes some texture! Mix and match silky smooth pieces with textured ones, such as crochet or linen. 

Think about incorporating some patterns!  It’s an additional way to give a plus size outfit intrigue and refinement. 

Look at the textured topper and the other black and grey toned ensemble featuring the animal print jean jacket.

Consider wearing a single shade monotonous. Then give your clothes some texture. Mix and match silky smooth pieces with textured ones, such as crochet or linen
Image Source – Pinterest.com

Create Variety in Your Plus Size Column Outfits

A monochromatic foundation allows you to create any kind of mood you want. These are a few instances of column dressing that have a colored base column that is black.

Elevate your artistic style by utilizing bold hues such as this lime jacket by Lousje and Bean, a turquoise bag by Aldo, an Italian lime and turquoise scarf, and a Zsiska necklace. Not for the weak of heart, I know! But a ton of fun!

Try this Frank Ideas felt rubber necklace and the Luukaa black and white crinkle shirt for a playful casual look.

In search of something a little more subdued? When paired with a Twoa necklace and a Marla Wynn structured jacket, the Forever Classic look is always a good choice, whether you’re going out to dinner or working.

Something to wear on a special someone’s date night, or are you trying to find that someone? Wear a Toni Plus charcoal or chartreuse kimono and the matching vintage beaded necklace from Maska to look romantic.

When paired with a Twoa necklace and a Marla Wynn structured jacket, the Forever Classic look is always a good choice, whether you're going out to dinner or working
Image Source – Pinterest.com

Navy Outfit

For a column outfit, navy is another typical base color. An array of navy pants, a navy cap sleeve tank, and blue booties complete this ensemble. A turquoise velvet jacket was worn over it.

Although wearing turquoise and navy together is a great combination, there is still room for improvement.  

A printed scarf that not only complements the colors in the ensemble but also adds some extra color is added to the outfit on the right.  

It’s possible to introduce more colors thanks to this scarf. A pink purse and multicolored earrings are all it takes to create the wow factor.  

These earrings make this simple outfit look better, even without the handbag and scarf.

A printed scarf that not only complements the colors in the ensemble but also adds some extra color is added to the outfit on the right
Image Source – Pinterest.com

Burgundy Pants

The scarf in this column, which is worn with burgundy pants, a burgundy top, burgundy suede boots, and a cobalt cardigan, adds interest and color to the ensemble.  

We used a light blue bag and these light pink earrings to complete the ensemble. With these tonal touches, the outfit no longer looks flat; rather, it now has greater dimension and interest.

Grey Outfit

With this grey sheath dress, grey tights, and boots, we’re creating a column effect.  

This red jacket over the dress gives the ensemble a touch of stylish sophistication. Consider adding one more color if you feel like this is insufficient.  

Although it’s not a typical pairing, yellow and burgundy look stunning together. 

The outfit gains interest even without the yellow bag when these yellow earrings are worn as a pop.  

Once more, incorporating small details can make a big difference when it comes to bringing interest to column dressing. Don’t overcomplicate the looks.

With this grey sheath dress, grey tights, and boots, we're creating a column effect
Image Source – Pinterest.com

Ivory Outfit

Although we don’t think this ensemble qualifies as a column because the topper isn’t a sweater or jacket, we still wanted to discuss it because wearing a sweater like this ivory V neck over a monochromatic base is a common practice.  

The left hand ensemble, which includes olive booties and a pair of olive jeans by Jones, is neutral and works well as a base to highlight any color.  

If orange isn’t your thing, you can add any pop shade you like, as we did with the necklace, orange bangles, and crossbody bag in the outfit on the right.  

The best thing about dressing in neutral colors is that you can accessorize with anything to complete the look.

When putting together column outfits, don’t just think about the base and topper; consider what else could be added to these looks to give them that little something extra.  

By doing so, you will not only benefit from the simplicity that this type of dressing provides, but you will also look stylish by taking it that extra step.  Stylish and convenient!  It’s a complete win!

The best thing about dressing in neutral colors is that you can accessorize with anything to complete the look
Image Source – Pinterest.com

Cardigan Outfit

To achieve a monochromatic look, swap out the long length cardigan for the cropped Admiral Jacket. Pearly accessories will stand out against this midnight background.

Column dressing can open up a world of outfit possibilities in your closet and reduce the stress of getting dressed. 

By investing in versatile basics that match, you can lay the groundwork for an endless number of looks. 

Turn to your accessories, jackets, and shoes for the finishing touch, transforming your look from casual to formal, edgy to classic in an instant.

Have fun experimenting with this minimalist dressing style and discovering your wardrobe’s limitless potential.

Conclusion

We hope you are motivated to design your own looks that highlight your best features and give the impression that you are taller and more trim. Knowing that you look your best makes you feel lovely and assured.

Remember to visit the website and read our latest blogs for additional inspiration on how to live your best life as a plus size woman!

Accessorise to Personalise

Going monochrome from head to toe allows you to accentuate your accessories. 

The Romance Scarf adds a splash of color, while the Utility Belt breaks up the look and flatters your figure.

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