It can be tough to navigate through the different cuts and fabrics of the regular clothing boutique. And for a curvy woman, things can be even more complicated. You might see a piece of clothing on the racks that catches your eye—only to find out that it doesn’t seem to look flattering on you once you try it out in the dressing room. Or you might buy a top that looks great on the model online and realize when it arrives on your doorstep that you’ve made a huge mistake. There’s good news, though: there are a lot of fashion tips you can find to help you find the most flattering silhouettes for your unique shape.

Know your body type.

Dressing according to your body type is probably one of the most frequently mentioned tips when it comes to curvy fashion, and for good reason. Everyone has their own shape. It’s only right to try and fit the clothes you buy for the way you’re built instead of the other way around. But how exactly would you be able to tell which shape you have? If it isn’t too obvious when you look at yourself in the mirror, try to take note of what pieces look best on you, as well as the ones that just don’t seem to fit right. You’ll notice a certain pattern that can help you figure out which cuts and styles look best on you.

Look for curvy fashion stores.

Unfortunately, not all stores are made the same. Some sell limited sizes or styles that don’t exactly include the needs of curvy women. It can be frustrating when you find a store that seems to almost fit your style to a T, only to find out that their cuts and sizes don’t fit you as well as you thought it would. You could try to scour the internet—or simply walk around your area—to see which stores either cater specifically to curvy women or have a diverse collection of pieces. And once you find ones that match your style, you’d be able to shop without worrying too much about whether or not a certain piece could look flattering.

Aim for comfort.

In your journey towards better style, you might feel the need to dress a certain way, regardless of whether or not you actually feel good in what you’re wearing. Remember, fashion was always meant to be fun—and if you’re uncomfortable in what you’re wearing, that’s a definite no. Make it a point to put comfort as a priority when dressing up. Being comfortable in what you wear adds a certain glow from within that elevates even the simplest of outfits. You could be wearing a regular white t-shirt and jeans, but if that’s what you feel best in, then that’s really the whole point.

Trust your tailor.

What happens when you can’t find the right pieces you want in a regular store? Having your own trusted tailor may just be your best bet, especially if you’re the type who happens to be picky about details in clothing pieces. They would be able to create pieces specially for your body type that may not appear in the usual sample sizes at different boutiques. You would need to find a tailor who is able to turn your ideas into reality, someone who understands your needs as a curvy woman. It may seem expensive to have something tailored, although you might be able to find a tailor who matches your budget. Otherwise, you could always try to take up sewing as a brand new hobby.

Be confident.

At the end of the day, amidst all the style rules or the hoards of do’s and don’ts, the right kind of confidence is ultimately strong enough to carry any outfit. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others who may have a completely different body type. Still, learning to accept your natural self really is the key to being able to present yourself in the best possible way. The more you learn about the different ways and styles you can try out to dress yourself, the more you get the chance to be comfortable in your own skin and therefore more confident.

The Fun of Fashion

Trying to find outfits should never be a cause for worry or anxiety. There’s a special sort of fun that happens when you finally find the right clothing pieces after not seemingly being able to look right in anything. Learning about fashion and gathering tips means that you get to experiment with a variety of different styles. You get to find out more about your tastes and preferences—and really, yourself in general. There’s definitely a space for curvy women in the world of fashion, whether we easily realize it or not, and you should be able to take your own spot in it with utter confidence.