The 8 Closet Essentials That Changed My Life As A Curvy, 45 Year Old Lady
by Audie Metcalf
Oh, hi.
Since you clicked into this article you likely are also curvy and likely also have a hard time with certain clothes. Like jeans for example. Jeans are truly my nightmare. If I close my eyes I can feel the dreaded waist gap right now and it makes me so sad.
Oh, also.
Let’s be clear on the word “curvy.” That word doesn’t automatically imply a size. You can be a size 2 and be curvy. Or you can be plus size and be curvy. Or you can be midsize (like me) and be curvy. Curves just seem to be harder to fit, in my vast of experience of bringing 17 pairs of jeans into the dressing room, only to find that not a single one was designed for my extreme hip-to-waist ratio.
I’ve spent an almost obscene amount of time buying and trying and returning with the goal of finding a few, life-changing pieces that work for my body type, are comfortable as all get out, and look like a million bucks.
If even ONE of these pieces will work for you too, I feel like my endless hunting and spending will have all been worth it.
Let’s begin.
1. THE BLAZER
The blazer. Just thinking about how they constrict my arms and make me feel like the Michelin man is giving me hives. But I’ve unlocked the secret: EXTREME stretch.
I love THIS ONE from J. Crew because it’s sooooo stretchy I never feel like I’m in a straight jacket. Yes, it’s a bit pricey. But I feel like a classic blazer is something I’ll have forever. I love it in white to jthuthjz (?) up outfits like the one above that are basically one step up from pajamas. Because that’s really where I am now.
Get it HERE. For a similar style, because the one I’m wearing regularly sells out, I like THIS ONE.
Sneakers found HERE, but since this article came out I’ve discovered THESE sneakers and have literally not worn a single other pair of shoes.
My favorite tank top on earth found HERE.
2. THE LEGGINGS
I am very pleased to inform you that I have found the best leggings for curves on planet earth. Isn’t that exciting news? Wouldn’t you pay nearly any amount of money for this discovery?
But.
You don’t have to.
Because they are UNDER FORTY DOLLARS.
Oh yes. They’re cheap. They’re gloriously high-waisted. They never bunch or ride up or fall down. They come in a million colors and patterns. And they changed my life.
Try them HERE.
Now, for leggings that are more on the buttery soft side of things and that are so flattering we decided to write a whole tribute to them, look HERE.
Oh and just as a sidebar, this is the most amazing T-shirt I’ve ever worn. Hits the arms in a flattering place, perfectly cropped for anything high waisted, great price.
Sneakers found HERE.
3. THE JEANS
So. Jeans. WHY ARE JEANS SO HARD? I think the photo above is extra flattering but I have a 14 inch difference between my waist and my hips and finding jeans that slide over my butt in the dressing room is such a rare occurrence than when these actually did, I honestly got emotional for a minute.
See them HERE.
Oh, and here they are two sizes up than what I would normally get to create that “boyfriend” slouch situation for when the idea of a tight jean makes you want to die but you also want to look cute. I also find that this kind of fit looks much better with a flip or a flat or any kind of totally flat shoe:
They’re literally designed for curves. Also you will be SHOCKED to see what brand these jeans are. Shocked. Try them HERE.
If you’re a stretch-queen, THESE jeans are so unbelievably cheap and insanely comfortable and I love that they come in tall and petite.
The perfect cropped cardigan found HERE.
For an amazing everyday belt, go HERE.
Yes, THESE are the insane furry slides that are shockingly kind of cute with everything.
4. THE SHIRT
I know this looks supremely simple. Almost basic, as the kids say. But this three-quarter shirt is a revelation. I wear it with long skirts like this (which is basically the dressiest I will ever possibly be apart from a dreaded wedding) and as you can see, this sleeve-length is some kind of witchcraft. If you hate your upper arms (like me) but you want to give yourself some shape, this is your new favorite shirt. I have it in every color, oops.
See it HERE.
This skirt is from Cos and very old but I recently found/ love THIS similar style from Anthropologie. And if you’re a skirt person in general, you can see a whole list of skirts that look great on curves HERE.
These sandals are also ancient and were from Target but THESE and THESE are both similar and very comf.
And THIS is my “everyday” necklace I don’t ever take off. It feels like nothing, makes all outfits look slightly more put together, and people constantly ask me where I got it.
5. THE JEAN JACKET
Not dissimilar to my woes regarding blazers, jean jackets can also be a mystifying minefield of tight-armness. They’re suuuuuch an easy, fun, youthful but not in a desperate way piece to throw on over dresses, skirts, anything, yet so many of them have the single tightest arm holes known to man. What if I want to wear a light sweater under it? Or, god forbid, a SWEATSHIRT!? Most jean jackets just don’t give me this option.
Except….THIS ONE does.
The arms are almost BAGGY on me, despite sizing down. And they have sizes up to a 4XL. They always sell out so if you see your size, get it. I will also be buying one in black because it just makes sense. Get it HERE.
If the above is sold out, I highly recommend THIS ONE, which I love and am actually modeling HERE. Not quite as stretchy, but goes up to a 3X and you can size up if you prefer an oversized look.
I can’t find my exact shoes in the photo but you must know about THIS BRAND if you want cute heels/sandals/wedges but also refuse to have foot pain for even a moment of your life.
THIS FANNY PACK is pricey but it fits keys, mask, wallet, phone, lip balm, and I use it over a lot of outfits that are blah or tent-dresses to give them a belted shape so I justify the price that way.
The dress is old but THIS is a close dupe (and so cheap!), and HERE is a great plus-size option. HERE is another super chic, striped midi dress I wear all the time.
6. THE WEIRD PIECE
THIS is basically the piece of clothing I use to fling on top of any jumpsuit or skirt or pants that I love but which maybe are too tight in spots or show my ass too much or whatever it is. It also comes in white and blue and it’s shocking to me how useful it’s become in my wardrobe. Also, compliments galore.
Try it HERE.
My jumpsuit is ancient Madewell but I love all of THESE jumpsuits.
THOSE sandals literally get me hate DMs but I stand by them.
7. THE WIDE LEG PANTS
Have you been searching for the perfect high waisted, wide-leg pants for what feels like your entire life on planet earth? Because, same. But. Hear me now. I. Have. Found. Them. And here they are, in all their glory. Here are some of these magic pants’ highlights:
—High waisted enough to wear button-down shirts tucked in.
—Such a flat front that you can also easily wear a tank over them with zero bulk.
—They come in (deep breath) 26 different colors and patterns.
—Especially incredible for curves, especially if you feel like you have a hard time finding pants that fit your waist AND your butt AND your thighs.
And now for the pièce de résistance. These pants are under $40.
Get them HERE.
8. THE BATHING SUIT
It doesn’t matter what time of year it is. You always need a good bathing suit. YES! THIS IS A BATHING SUIT! It’s so chic that I can wear it with skirts. And I do. It comes in long torso sizes (me!), and goes up to a size 24. Ruching skims your midriff. Perfectly wide leg holes. Full coverage bottom so your entire bare ass isn’t hanging out for your in-laws to see at your family pool party. It’s the most flattering strapless suit you will ever wear.
However, to see a suit with straps that (no-joke) changed my life go HERE. It’s perfect. Truly.
THIS hat is what I wear with braids when I don’t want to “do” my hair which is basically daily. But I also love THIS ONE because it’s entirely packable.
I’ve had the belt forever, but you can find a similar one HERE.
Thanks for joining me on this slog wherein I reveal my crippling body insecurities in service of you finding a few things that might help you with yours.
If you want to see any more angles or get more info about sizing and fit, I’m only a DM away at @thecandidly. Anytime, day or night. I don’t sleep anymore.
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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