Dressing for Your Body, Which Happens to be Awesome: Big Booty Edition
This new CF column focuses on dressing for your body shape while truly embracing – and loving – said body.
While there are ways to “hide” whatever you consider your “flaws” to be, we reject the notion that your body is anything but flawless. This column is about picking out your favorite body parts, and highlighting them with appropriate enthusiasm. (For more, see past posts on dressing a small chest and dressing a large chest.)
I would be remiss in not starting this post with the following:
Now that that’s out of the way, today we’re talking about how to dress an awesome butt (the kind Sir Mix-A-Lot would appreciate). Butts have somewhat come into style of late, although society has yet to truly embrace body diversity. Tina Fey puts it best in her book, Bossypants:
“But I think the first real change in women’s body image came when JLo turned it butt-style. That was the first time that having a large-scale situation in the back was part of mainstream American beauty. Girls wanted butts now. Men were free to admit that they had always enjoyed them. And then, what felt like moments later, boom—Beyoncé brought the leg meat. A back porch and thick muscular legs were now widely admired. And from that day forward, women embraced their diversity and realized that all shapes and sizes are beautiful. Ah ha ha. No. I’m totally messing with you.”
Unfortunately, she is indeed messing with us. We still don’t fully embrace every body type, but we should. If Kate Moss is attractive and Beyoncé is also attractive, and Adele is also attractive, can’t we all just be okay with the fact that there are a wide variety of ways to have a great body? Society really needs to get it together on this one.
Regardless, even in society’s generally narrow-minded idea of the ideal body type, having a big butt is definitely an asset (no pun intended). Embracing it is all about knowing the best ways to show it off, without letting it completely dominate your look. Own it.
Tips for Dressing Your Big Butt
1. Show it off.
Really, guys, what’s the point in having an awesome backside if no one else knows about it? Well-fitting jeans and pencil skirts are going to emphasize your assets in a very flattering way. Go for it. Don’t be shy.
2. Insta-tone
Hopefully we all know this by now, but if anyone missed the memo: heels make you walk funny. Walking funny, in this instance, means you’re clenching your butt and leg muscles, which makes your butt look even more awesome. Heels pretty much make it look like you work out a lot, without actually having to work out a lot. Score.
3. Balance it out.
You want the rest of your outfit to complement your butt – while showing off your other assets too. If all people see when they look at you is butt, you’ve got a problem. Add interest on top with a printed top, scarf, or bold necklace. Moderation in all things. (Terence the Roman playwright said this, and I always trust Roman playwrights, especially when it comes to my butt.)
Outfit 1: Keeping it Casual
Jeans — American Eagle, Shirt — Amazon, Shoes — Modcloth, Belt — House of Fraser, Necklace — She Knows
This casual outfit is great for days when you are feeling lazy but still want to look awesome. “But Clara!“ you may say, “This is a very basic outfit! I obviously know that one can wear jeans and shirts at the same time!” Well, dear reader, I would never underestimate you so severely. Each item in this outfit serves a very specific purpose to flatter, highlight, or complement your butt.
The jeans shown above are a skinny flare, with fading on the thighs and butt. The flare at the bottom keeps your butt from looking disproportionately large compared to the rest of your body. A belt draws attention to your hips, which are awesome, and this sandal with a small heel keeps your butt and legs looking toned without being hard to walk in. The t-shirt and bold necklace both add visual interest to your top half, balancing the outfit somewhat. The shirt also conveys your affection for One Direction. You’ll be turning heads when you walk through the doo-o-or.
Outfit 2: Class it up
Shirt — J. Crew, Skirt — Miss Selfridge, Tights — Pret-a-beaute, Shoes — DSW, Bag — River Island, Scarf — H&M
This outfit follows the same basic principles as the outfit above, but comes to a much more put-together conclusion. A circle scarf, worn over this patterned top, keeps the outfit balanced, a pencil skirt has obvious benefits, and a heeled boot will always be flattering. This outfit also embraces mixed neutrals, which I am loving this season. Whoever said you can’t wear black, brown, and grey all at the same time was severely limited in imagination. Sheer tights pull the look together and make it more appropriate for fall (which is rapidly approaching!).
What do you think?
Do you like big butts? Can you lie? How do you highlight your awesome butt? Did you ever feel like that “Big Booty” game was about your life? Which awesome body part should I tackle next? Tell us all of this and more in the comments!
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Posted on on August 12, 2012 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Big Butt, Body Image, Booty, Butts, Clothing, dress for your body, Fashion Inspiration, flattering, Inspiration, Mixed Neutrals, Neutrals, Outfits, Pear Shaped, Self confidence, Tips, Trends
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Hannah
You should do a big hips or long legs!
alicia
big chest edition imo
Sukanya Chakraborty
Awesome! It will help me a lot because i also have big butt!! :)
Emily Williams
I have to say I really love these outfits! I’ve always had a thinner build, but I felt like my butt was slightly disproportionate to the rest of me, and, due to a sweet little 7 lb 5 oz addition to my family 4 months ago, my hips and butt are even bigger than they were before! These outfits are super cute and would definitely accentuate without drawing too much attention.
Jasmine
Great post! Petite Hourglass should be next.
anna
thank you so much! I have a smaller, petite build except when it comes to my backside area– I’ve always been known as the little girl with the big butt. I love these dressing for your body posts, they’re awesome!
Grace
I really enjoy this series of posts, they’re funny and helpful! In the future, I would love to see you do a post for dressing for your height. I know that as a tall girl, it’s a challenge to find pieces that are long enough that aren’t also enormous/unflattering. And I’m sure that short girls have trouble finding things that aren’t meant for children.
Bailey
That was wonderfully hilarious, not to mention good advice.
Curvy hourglass or wide hips next?
Nancy
Haha I love your writing style…and one direction!
Josie
Love your articles they are humorous and informative. Always look forward to reading the next one
Moni
Can you do an article about Apple Shaped girls geared toward the upcoming Fall Trends? I’ve found articles online but there geared to older women. I am forever trying to be fashionable for my shape but it can be difficult at times.
Lenu
these articles are really great! :D
Kellan
been waiting for this post for forever! i indeed suffer from the large bootay issue… not that its actually an issue. i was super self conscious about it in high school and i thought it was just because I was fat. when i got to college I finally realized that having a big butt is pretty awesome! It sets me apart from the crowd, and while i definitely still have my moments of insecurity (as we all do) I’m definitely much more confident now. I’m really glad that you used this post to highlight and emphasize our assets instead of trying to minimize or cover them up. basically what i’m trying to say is THANKS!
Florence
I really like this series! A big thighs article would be awesome.
Kira
Thanks for this post! I always was frustrated with how clothes fit my body. I have a big butt and small waist so what ever fits my butt will always be loose on my waist. What brands do you recommend that I should try for jeans/shorts. Speaking of shorts, WHERE can i find a pair that will be long enough to cover my butt (not bermudas) and still short enough that they can be worn with anything. Let me know!
Elle
Broad shoulders please!! I have the lovely combo of moderately big butt and big shoulders :D
Rebecca
@Kira You should try curvy ID from Levis, I bought a great pair of dark denim capris and they fit perfectly
Nessa
@Kira I feel your pain !! i have a big ole backside and a teeny tiny waist so finding jeans has always been a problem in that the waist will be too big and slide too far down my butt and show off my underwear. Ariya jeans sold at Macys for less than $40 are great because they’re made specifically for curvy shaped girls in all sizes! loveeee this post Clara, all of us bootylicious girls are fist pumping right now !
Kira
@Kira – first off, awesome name! Second off, for pants and jeans I love Merona at Target. They have curvy-fit jeans with extra space through the hip, butt, and thigh. They’re also on the cheaper end – $20 a pair – and come in a huge variety of sizes. Definitely a plus for us bootylicious girls! When you find awesome shorts, let me know. I need that resource!
AEA
I usually really love these posts, but I didn’t find this one very helpful. My butt is literally the only big thing on me… I have zero hips or waist or boobs. My butt just sticks straight out behind me. I feel like this is geared more toward bootilicious girls with curves. Wouldn’t adding volume on top simply make me look like I’m both coming and going??
I love your writing style! just didn’t get much help from this post :(
Sam
Can you do petite next? Maybe something that is helpful to short waisted girls both thin and more curvy shaped.
niki
on this note- does anyone with a big booty have suggestions for underwear?? thongs are the only way to avoid vpl for me but i cant even find thongs that fit me well! and every single pair of non-thong underwear rides up in 5 seconds since i have a large butt and small waist. please helppppppp me find underwear that doesnt annoy the crap out of me!
ps love these posts!
Katie
I love these posts! Can you maybe do one for legs? Not long legs like the first post, just nice legs, because my legs are my favourite body part but I get stuck for ways to show them off that aren’t just simply ‘gettin em out’ with a short skirt/shorts etc.. and balancing an outfit like that is a challenge for me :(
Randi Y.
Haha I love Clara’s posts! and love this one most because I know more about dressing my booty.
I like fingertip-length, dark-wash high-waisted denim and chino shorts with vertical side pockets (no accents on the back). They’re really flattering, and I wear them with bright or light-colored cardigans, and nude pointy loafers with insoles. :)
ClaraK
Big booty babes unite! lol no really, after struggling for years with the same kind of fit issues ( I used to just buy cheap jeans and have to tailor them myself to fit) I’ve learned some things. Levis Curve ID jeans were the first jeans I’ve ever bought off the rack that fit me perfectly without any tampering. I fall into their “bold curve” category, but they also have 3 other levels of bootylisciousness: slight, moderate and supreme. You just have to be careful and try them on in the store before you order online, because some styles are made from slightly different materials with different amounts of stretch.
@Kira, other than levi’s for jeans, Mossimo from target has done well for me with shorts, but if you really want control over the length, buy a pair of cheap pants that fit in the waist and cut them off and roll into small cuffs. I’d recommend going to a big thrift store like the goodwill because they usually have hundreds of jeans in all shapes and sizes, and all you need to worry about is color and fit in the waist.
What I still haven’t found in a good bikini that covers up the back (no crack peaking out the top) but its too big and diaper-looking in the front (because I’ve been blessed to carry all my weight in my butt and legs)
Kitty
I kind of might have screamed when I saw the shirt in the first look – I’m a bit of a fan ;)
Thanks for the article, it’s just what I’ve been needing!
Sarah
Woot woot, fun post!
Julia
This. Post. Is. Brilliant.
I love the outfits, but the awesome writing and Tina Fey quote had me giggling uncontrollably. Good show.
Pauline
Thank you so much for doing this post. I now know how to take advantage of my body shape. The trick of wearing flared or bootcut jeans is mastered by Kim Kardashian, so i followed her example of every day style.
Can you do a post on petites? Nice post and thank you! :D
Giannna
@Elle & @Florence… I would also love to see a broad shoulder and big thigh edition. I have an athletic build and always have to buy clothes too big for the rest of my body to comfortably fit my thighs and shoulders…
Kenzie
Can you do a post an boy-types? The kind with no hips, boobs, or figure, straight up-and-down? Thanks! Also, a post on petites would be awesome. Thanks!
By the way, I love this series and your writing style. Keep it up!
Em
First, these posts are supercool! I like how they’re always positive about girl’s bodies. As a request, I’m with Kenzie, always feel like I’m drowning in my clothes! Tips for the petite and/ not-so-curvy girls would be much appreciated!
MyTwoCents
I love this series and I hope you guys will do a ‘plus size’ edition for it!
jenny
@niki: Try hi-cut panties by Hanes or Fruit of the Loom, they do a great job of coverage!!!
this article is fabulous!
jenny
ONE MORE THING
Target’s Merona (Fit 4!) jeans are perfect for women who identify with this article. they’re my new favorite pair of jeans!!!
April
i think as a women, we should “not” really show our big booty asset. Let’s say that asset will make us really confident and all eyes will be on us. But what if that also make some bad people especially men wants “more”? don’t give those bad people a reason to hurt us.