9 Plus Size Fashion Rules Celebrities Broke

With any body shape comes an unnecessary set of so-called fashion rules full of shaming commentary meant to help "best flatter your figure," and when you're plus size, the list seems never-ending. Disregarding plus size fashion rules is not only fun, but liberating. Because so what if this outfit makes my belly more prominent? God forbid I actually like seeing my tummy in that way.

When it comes to breaking fat fashion rules, many of us might think we're one of the first fat babes to dare to wear a bodycon skirt, but I can promise you that we're not. History is full of women eschewing expectations in the sartorial kingdom, and the women who paved the way for us fatshionistas deserve recognition. In terms of the plus size movement, many fat women who break the rules publicly are actually celebrities.

Artists like Beth Ditto and Queen Latifah were among the first to present us Millennials with plus size bodies that weren't adhering to the so-called rules we'd been forced to accept for so long. They were celebrities who we could see online and in magazines openly breaking boundaries and helping us love our bodies as they were and how they appear in all clothing, not just shapeless black tunics.

This is a thank you to the amazing people who are publicly flighting the fight for inclusive fat fashions. Here are the rules they taught us to break.

1. Hide The VBO

Velvet D'amour changed the game for fat beauty in 2007 by walking the runways for John Galliano and Jean Paul Gaultier. In the time since, she's worked tirelessly on her size inclusive magazine Volup2. So it should come as no shock that this woman helped lead the way for proudly presenting your VBO (visible belly outline) to the world.

2. Don't Wear Anything Too Revealing

Beth Ditto is my ultimate fat fashion icon. Although plus size rules may urge you to cover up, Ditto's comfortable demeanor when it comes to revealing as much of her body she wants is incredibly liberating to watch.

3. Avoid Bright Colors

IMO, plus size people can rock a bold, bright color anytime, anywhere. And Queen Latifah only proves my point.

4. And Definitely No Bold Patterns

Plus size model Whitney Thompson broke boundaries by winning America's Next Top Model in 2008 and proves that plus sizers can pull off bold patterns as well as anybody else.

5. Don't Ever Wear Bodycons

Jill Scott is evidence that plus size fashion doesn't have to equate to shapeless clothing.

6. You Must Always Wear Tights

Of course Beth Ditto was going to appear in this list twice, since nobody else embraces their bare, cellulite-toting legs in quite the same way. Sometimes plus size women opt for tights simply to avoid chafing, but I'm willing to bet that the "rule" is rooted in hiding our legs. Invest in some anti-chafing products and you'll be set to rock this look.

7. Crop Tops Are Not For Fat Bellies

No matter who you are or how you look, you can totally rock a crop top. I just can't guarantee you'll look as angelic as Rebel Wilson.

8. A Bolero Or Shrug Over Chunky Arms Is Essential

Amber Riley looks undoubtedly beautiful in this sleeveless look, proving that plus size women can totally bare their glorious arms.

9. Never Be Seen In Minimalism

There exist two seemingly opposing plus size fashion "rules" in this world. 1. Don't wear anything too tight unless you want people to know how fat you are. 2. Don't wear anything too slouchy, unless you want people to think you're lazy. I love that Gabourey Sidibe disregards them both.

Hopefully these babes have given you some inspiration to break those make-believe fatshion rules and experiment with your wardrobe more. After all, rules were made to be broken.

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