Spring 2011 Fashion Trends: 5 Must-Have Plus-Size Styles

Spring 2011 fashion trends are quickly becoming the talk of the town, and designers have already unveiled some surprising must-have styles for the coming spring-but will those be flattering as plus size garments? Few designers would recommend bold, all-over patterns and harem pants for plus size fashionistas, but there are plenty of other hot pieces to choose from! You can read more about spring 2011 fashion trends fresh off the runway at Harper's Bazaar.

The following Top 5 must-have styles are especially flattering for curvy ladies, and are also among the hottest upcoming spring 2011 fashion trends.

The Maxi Dress - This blast from the past is straight out of the 70s, and much of the spring 2011 fashion trends reflect vintage or retro styles from that era. Typically featuring a flattering empire waist, the comfortable, flowing quality of the Maxi Dress is perfect for plus size ladies who want to emphasize their favorite curves while concealing problem areas. The Printed Tie Dye Maxi Dress by Avenue is a perfect example of this must-have style, with its Boho charm and colorful spring hues. It is sleeveless with a V-neck, and a ruffled hemline is flirty and eye-catching. You can purchase it online for $69.90 in sizes 14/16-26/28.

Minimal White - Every plus size fashionista should have an outfit built around a minimal white garment-ideally, a flirty, casual dress which makes you feel confident. Tunic dresses, retro 70s styles and all-white pantsuits are very popular, but Jessica London's Gathered Sundress combines the minimal white appeal and the flattering empire waist for a killer plus size style. The dress is available online for $89.99 in sizes 12-28. Pair it with a bold print sweater or shawl in the evenings to capitalize on the print-frenzy happening in spring 2011, or keep it chic with a few vintage jewelry pieces and a megawatt smile.

Flared Pants - Whether its jeans, dress pants or beach slacks, spring 2011 is full of flared pants, many nearly to the point of bell-bottoms. Plus size ladies with curvy figures benefit from the balancing effect flares create, which accentuates the curve of your waist and minimizes the appearance of very wide hips by drawing the eye to the flare at the feet. Although incredibly flared pants and jeans can be difficult to pull-off for most figures, an exaggerated bootleg is a great way to enjoy this style with little concern. TheReal Woman Bootcut Jeans from Jessica London are a versatile choice, which are available in four color options from white to indigo. You can purchase a pair online for $39.99, in sizes 12-28.

Skirt Hems Below The Knee - This is a fantastic style choice for plus size ladies who don't care to show off their thighs, but who still want to flash some shapely leg and accentuate a cute pair of sky-high sandals (another spring 2011 trend gaining momentum!). The Tribal print A-line skirtis a great example of how to capitalize on the difficult pattern-frenzy trend without overwhelming a curvy figure. The monochromatic black and white is stylish without adding bulk, and can be paired nicely with a solid white blouse or sweater to include the minimal white trend. This skirt is available online for $49.95, in sizes 14-28.

Cat Eye Sunglasses - This spring 2011 trend is quickly becoming so popular that it must be mentioned as a top accessory for plus size gals-and anyone else, for that matter! For five great examples of this style, check out my Fashion Trends for Spring 2011: Cat Eye Sunglasses Under $100 article. The Mod Cat's-Eye Wayfarer Rectangle Sunglasses by SO are another excellent choice for spring 2011, as they feature bold, bright colors choices. While pastels are super common for the coming season, vivid hues straight out of the 70s are holding their own in the trends! Super affordable, these cat eye sunglasses are available online for $16 in orange, yellow and neon pink, and offer UV protection.

Sources:
Harper's Bazaar, "BAZAAR Report Blog - Latest Fashion News and Fashion Week Coverage"