Five style tips for plus-size women, courtesy of size 26 supermodel Tess Holliday

Tess Holliday is one of the most-followed plus-size women in the world, and has made it her mission to spread her ‘eff your beauty standards’ message to the fashion industry- and beyond.

Now, she is taking it to the next level with her new book ‘The Not So Subtle Art of Being A Fat Girl’ which charts her personal story and aims to inspire women to accept and enjoy their bodies, no matter what their shape or size. “I would write it nude in my bed because I had just had [my second son] Bowie and I was still nursing and he would sleep on me most of the time,” she says of the writing process, with characteristic say-it-how-it-is honesty. “So it was me in my bed with Bowie, surrounded by some kind of assortment of snacks! No one prepares you for how hard it is to write a book.”

Of course, one of the finest arts of being a fat girl is finding a look which makes you feel confident. With her bold and experimental approach to getting dressed, Holliday is brilliantly equipped to give us a few pointers on plus-size style…

Try a vintage kaftan for easy opulence

One wardrobe staple which Holliday swears by is vintage kaftans, and she has amassed quite a selection over the years. “I collect vintage kaftans. My favourite is a Seventies one with mushrooms on it and big slits up the side which I found at a thrift store in Long Beach where I live in LA,” she says.

Holliday adds that her penchant for kaftans is an example of not being constricted by arbitrary style diktats. “I feel like there's a whole thing that plus size women feel they can't wear things that are flowy and don't show their shape, but I feel like kaftans are regal as heck. I love Mama Cass and that's what my vintage kaftan reminds me of.”

Everyone needs a ‘no-brainer’ outfit

“My go-to outfit for days where I wake up and don’t know what to wear is usually leggings and a crop top because I live in L.A where it’s always hot,” she says. Admitedly, crop tops might not be a practical choice for many of us but Holliday’s easygoing attitude is nevertheless inspiring. “I wear it with a pair of slides from Rihanna’s Fenty collection- I have almost every colour! I feel like such a mom but that’s my day-to-day look because I still want to feel cute while I'm going around town.”

Don’t limit yourself to being inspired by plus-size women

Holliday counts Rihanna and Marlene Dietrich among her personal style icons and is passionate that plus-size woman shouldn’t feel that anyone is off limit for inspiration.

“I always stalk Rihanna’s Instagram but if I could dress like Marlene Dietrich every day of my life I would,” she says, acknowledging that she wishes there were more tailoring options available for  plus-size women to help her achieve the look. “I feel like it’s a stretch to find suits in plus-sizes that look amazing- it’s definitely the one wardrobe staple that I don't have enough of.”

In terms of her fellow plus-size models, she rates Nicolette Mason- founder of plus-size label Premme- as a favourite. “She's my friend, and I always appreciate her mix of femme edge with the leather jacket. I'm into menswear and dresses and I like her mixture of feminine but also a little masculine.”

Don’t be obsessed by make-up

Holliday may be known for her Hollywood glamour-inspired look but she states that looking after her skin is alway a priority. “I would always choose skincare over makeup! I'm obsessed with moisturiser,” she says. “I use Tatcha's Indigo moisturiser, because it's healing so it's perfect for people who have rosacea. I sound like I'm selling it, but I'm obsessed with it!”

Tess says her make-up must-have is Kat Von D’s liquid lipsticks in the shades in the wearable nude shades Magick and Lovecraft.

You can dream of designer dresses

We spoke to Holliday in the middle of fashion season when it is clearer than ever that there is some way to go before plus-size reaches the mainstream. But that doesn’t means that she has no interest in high-end designers. “I would love to wear Iris Van Herpen,” she says. “I cry every time her stuff comes up and it's not in my size! It's incredible. She has a whole design process where she shows how she makes it on YouTube videos and it's mind-blowing. I would die to have something like that.”

Tess’ book, The Not So Subtle Art of Being A Fat Girl, is published by Blink in the UK and is available to buy now.

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