Karoline Vitto's Guide to Styling Plus Sizes

Words: Lauren O’Neill

Womenswear designer Karoline Vitto is well known for her embrace of the natural shapes and curves of the body, and her SS26 collection, recently launched at London Fashion Week, was no exception. “I am drawn to the ultra feminine, and there’s nothing that feels more feminine and womanly than an outfit that hugs you in all the right places,” Karoline says. “Sometimes the clothes are revealing some skin, sometimes just flowing beautifully around you, but always making you feel amazing.”

“The variation in body shapes, proportions and sizes makes designing and styling a much more fun exercise, because the canvas is never the same,” she continues. “There are designers who use padding, wadding, and boning to recreate curves and shapes that are already present in a curve body, and I prefer to work with women as they are.”

To tap into more of Karoline’s wisdom, we hit her up for her best plus size style advice – from how to refresh old items to getting into your fashion persona in its fullness.

Embrace the Full Extent of Your Style Spectrum

I am loving long body hugging dresses that make you feel like a sculpture and baggy trousers with pants showing, which are complete opposite ends of my dressing spectrum, but each have a perfect moment of their own.

Ignore Plus Size Styling Myths

The biggest plus size style myth is to avoid showing skin, wearing cropped lengths, and body hugging pieces. I couldn’t disagree more! Hips and stomachs are always highlighted in my collections, and these styles tend to be the ones the customers resonate with the most. I think there’s something powerful about subverting what society told us to hide unless we are a certain size, and so many of our customers agree with that.

Work with What You’ve Already Got!

Don’t be afraid to take items you already have to your local tailor or seamstress and have it properly adjusted for you, or ask for custom alterations. The investment will be worth it!

Sexy is Whatever Makes You Feel Good

For me, sexy can be anything from a silhouette, a fabric, a cut, a glimpse of skin. It is less daunting to start with one element that you find sexy and explore that in a look, keeping the other elements in a more balanced territory rather than going for a full look immediately. As you grow confidence in what you like, amp it up. And most importantly shop and support brands that understand your body shape and that work with models that look like you!

There’s No Reason Why Comfort and Looking Great Shouldn’t Mix.

I love the mix of a baggy piece with something bodycon and sexy, and I also like dressing something up or down depending on the shoes and hair and makeup, keeping a contrast point in the look. Deciding the right type of bra and underwear to go with the outfit is so underestimated, and that can make or break comfort for me! 

Grab These Three Staple Pieces and Three Staple Accessories 

OK, pieces: A pair of trousers with an interesting shape, that fit you like a glove, a chic skirt that you can wear multiple times for dinners, events, and that you can dress up or down, a flattering, form fitting jersey top that makes you feel confident and that you’ll never get rid of.

And accessories: A barely there heeled sandal, a black tall boot, silver hoop earrings, anywhere from 1 to 3 inches in diameter.

Bonus if any of these have sentimental value or are rare finds from an emerging brand!