Getting dressed in the morning is often thought of as a simple, everyday act. But for many women, there’s a small daily negotiation happening beneath the surface. That push and pull between what we like, what fits, and what feels acceptable can be especially obvious for those of us who fall somewhere in between conventional size categories. Midsize dressing exists in that in-between space: not quite represented in straight-size fashion, yet sometimes overlooked in extended sizing conversations.
Oftentimes, midsize dressing feels less like a set of rules and more like figuring things out as you go. Some things fit, some almost do, and others just don’t work the way you hoped. There’s the frustration of inconsistent sizing, the changing room pile of “almosts”, and sometimes, even the negative emotions that stem from ill-fitting garments. But over time, that process of trial and error turns into something else. We become more instinctive about what feels right, more willing to try things on our own terms, and, ultimately, become less concerned with whether it follows what we’ve been told we “should” wear.
View this post on Instagram
Today, a growing number of creatives all around the world are reshaping how midsize bodies are seen and styled. Through thoughtful outfit choices, candid conversations, and an openness about the realities of getting dressed, they are carving out space for a more expansive understanding of fashion made for real bodies.
Here, Vogue Singapore speaks to four creatives across the region and beyond about their relationship with midsize dressing. From Singapore-based content creator Thea Sin, whose polished yet approachable style reflects a deep understanding of proportion, to Bianca Lipana in the Philippines, known for her playful body-embracing looks. In Vietnam, art director and stylist Chi Lemon brings a directional, fashion-forward lens to midsize styling, while Imane Laanani—content creator and founder of Full Bloom Thrift Store—offers a perspective rooted in individuality and conscious consumption.
1 / 4
Imane Laanani, content creator and founder of Full Bloom Thrift Store
Tell us a little more about your personal style. Was finding your personal style a challenge or a joy?
I would say my personal style is very feminine, a little nostalgic and quite intuitive—I’m drawn to soft silhouettes. It’s not overly polished though; I like when things feel a bit effortless and lived-in.
Finding my style has honestly been both a challenge and a joy. For a long time, I tried to dress in a way that felt “correct” for my body rather than what I actually loved. Once I let go of that and started dressing based on feeling instead of rules, it became so much more fun and natural.
As a midsize woman, are there different considerations when picking out clothing or styling yourself?
Definitely, but I don’t see them as limitations anymore. It’s more about understanding what works for my body and what makes me feel my best.
Fit is a big one. I pay close attention to fabrics, stretch and how something sits on the body. I also love pieces that highlight shape without feeling restrictive. It’s less about “flattering rules” and more about balance and comfort. I want to feel like myself in what I’m wearing.
What is one piece of practical advice you have for other midsize women who are looking to improve their sense of style?
Stop dressing for the idea of your body and start dressing for the body you have right now. Let go of “rules” or what’s considered “flattering”—I think that mindset can be really limiting. Style should feel expressive, not restrictive. Be bold, try new looks, wear the piece you’re drawn to even if it doesn’t tick all the “right” boxes.
I’d also really recommend exploring vintage or secondhand shopping. You’d be surprised what you can find and it helps you step outside of what everyone else is wearing. Sometimes the most interesting pieces come from places you wouldn’t normally look.
I think finding your style is really about experimenting and thinking outside the box—not just shopping at the same stores or following the same trends, but figuring out what actually feels like you. When you stop waiting to change your body and, instead, focus on finding pieces that make you feel good today, your style becomes so much more personal.
Do you think confidence comes before great style, or can style help to build self-confidence?
I think it goes both ways. Confidence influences how you wear something, but style can also be a tool to build that confidence. Sometimes putting on an outfit that feels really “you” can shift your entire mood. It’s not about perfection, it’s about alignment. When what you’re wearing feels right, it shows.
2 / 4
Chi Lemon, art director and stylist
Tell us a little more about your personal style. Was finding your personal style a challenge or a joy?
Honestly? Pure joy. My parents’ careers meant home was always somewhere new so I grew up moving constantly—China, Canada, Japan, Italy, the UK, Singapore, and the US. Looking back, I think that’s where my experimentation with personal style really started. When everything around you keeps changing, the way you dress becomes one of the few things that’s entirely yours. It’s identity that travels with you.
I’ve been working in fashion since 2012 as an art director and stylist, so I’ve spent over a decade professionally obsessing over how clothes communicate. But my own style? That was never one big lightbulb moment. It’s still evolving and I love that. Living in Vietnam now after graduating from Lasalle and building a creative practice here, I feel like I’m in one of the most exciting chapters of that conversation with myself. My personal style is all about simple clean lines, often veering towards preppy—I love a Ralph Laurent men’s shirt—but in colourful combinations. I like clothes that are sporty and easy to move in.
How has your relationship with your body shaped the way you approach style today?
It made me honest, and much more creative. I have a larger bust and a short torso—two things that fashion was simply not designed for. Some of the clothes I love, like the Dior New Look blazer with those beautiful rounded shoulders and a cinched waist, can look completely wrong on me in practice. The proportions fight each other. A chest that breaks the button line, a torso too short for the intended waist placement. I used to try to make it work. Now, I see it as a difference in construction, and not a body problem.
It taught me that “fitted” isn’t always the answer, even though that’s the advice you always hear. For me, clothes that skim cleanly against the body are almost always more elegant than anything that is overly tight. I stopped chasing silhouettes that weren’t built for my architecture and started working with what I actually have. If you’ve worked hard for your shoulders or your legs, let them be part of the conversation.
What are some of your favourite brands to shop from?
For simple basic, I like Cos. I also love Lemaire and Chanel—their use of colours and textures!—as well as Prada, for that chic librarian look.
As for Vietnamese brands on the rise, I love Fancì Club, Gia Studios, Huong Boutique and Lespoir.
What is one piece of practical advice you have for other midsize women looking to improve their sense of style?
Find a tailor you trust, or get comfortable with a needle and thread, and safety pins. Fit is everything, It’s the difference between a $50 dress that looks intentional and a $500 one that doesn’t. Alterations are not a last resort; they are part of dressing well at every level. On every single editorial I’ve worked on, we are pinning, clipping, adjusting on the most flawless model and celebrity bodies. The perfect fit doesn’t come ready-made. Give yourself the same treatment.
3 / 4
Thea Sin, content creator
How has your relationship with your body shaped the way you approach style today?
Just a few years ago, I was constantly putting myself in clothing that was either too revealing or did not resonate with me at all. I was someone that relied on trends and public validation. But ever since I started this journey with myself and my body, I realised that there are so many ways to dress up without needing to feel like your body had to look a certain way in order to fit in.
My journey with fashion has only allowed me to feel better and more confident in myself and my body. I understand—and I hope more people will too—that there is no fixed blueprint to dress just because you have a certain body shape or see a certain number on the scale. Approaching my own style has always been all about balance, and I think that it is a skill that takes time to learn and develop.
As a midsize woman, are there different considerations when picking out clothing or styling yourself?
Finding clothes that I genuinely resonate with and not just simply because I can fit into them. Since it can already be so difficult to find well-fitting clothes, I often have moments where I buy clothes simply because I can fit into them but completely disregard whether or not I will actually wear those pieces in the long run.
Where do you think brands are still falling short when it comes to midsize consumers? What are some of your favourite brands to shop from?
Personally, I feel that more brands can study ‘real’ humans. The midsize community is more curvaceous than the average person, and getting sizing right is requires more than just increasing the amount of fabric by a few inches. It calls for more care and attention, as well as a genuine desire to listen to the community.
In the local fashion industry, I feel that brands can improve on diversity and inclusivity. There are brands that have a wide range of sizes for mid and plus-size women but fail to showcase that in their branding and marketing, which is such a shame. The local brands I do love are Arcade Clothing and The Mad Theories.
How can other midsize women learn to embrace their bodies with confidence?
Surrounding oneself with loved ones is very important—being with people who want to see you happy and grow is a confidence booster on its own. There are going to be times where we want to stop trying and cave into our insecurities and it is moments like these that safe spaces with people you trust are vital.
Personally, giving myself the time and putting in the effort to create a healthy lifestyle for myself also gives me confidence. Taking care of my body gives me a clearer mental state and allows me to dismiss or disregard toxic standards or mindsets that can cut down my confidence.
4 / 4
Bianca Lipana, content creator
Tell us a little more about your personal style. Was finding your personal style a challenge or a joy?
Growing up as a morena (brown-skinned) midsize woman in the Philippines, where the country favours petite frames and fair skin made the journey of finding my own style challenging. But that challenge has been so fulfilling to overcome. At times, it admittedly felt like I didn’t even deserve to dress my body the way I wanted. Instances of body-shaming and lack of representation made me feel clothes were meant to suppress, not express. I forced myself to fit into clothes and sizes that did not flatter my body just so I could feel like I belonged.
After years of adhering to this harmful mindset, I realised that life truly is too short to allow anyone to dictate how I should live it. From only wearing black to create a slimmer figure, to wearing the brightest yellows and pastels. From avoiding patterns to not overwhelm my frame, to rocking colourful paisley and animal prints. From wearing pieces with the intention of covering my body, to wearing garments that allow me to feel good. It took a long time, and I still experience periods of doubt, but I make sure to show up for the version of myself that was always told no.
What are some of your favourite brands to shop from?
Personally, I thrift a lot of my clothes because I love having pieces that are one-of-a-kind. My style inspiration also heavily comes from iconic ‘90s media, including Sex and the City, Clueless, and the Spice Girls. Brands I love to thrift are vintage Kenzo Jungle, Roberto Cavalli, BCBGMaxazria, Ralph Lauren, and even vintage Marks & Spencer.
Some of my most prized vintage possessions have come from online vintage stores. Some of my favourites are @wearclassica, @nami__vintage and @honeyed.hues. Since a lot of vintage clothes run in smaller sizes, I’ve found a seamstress, Pia, who beautifully repurposes my vintage finds to fit me perfectly. When I do shop new, I like Miss June Paris for their bohemian dresses, Zarah Juan, a local brand that sells the cutest beaded sandals, and Aritzia, Levi’s, or Zara for basics.
What is one piece of practical advice you have for other midsize women who are looking to improve their sense of style?
Take inspiration from women who look like you. With the rise of social media, there’s an abundance of midsize creators who showcase their personal styles confidently. Looking for inspiration from women who don’t share the same figure as you can sometimes create more negative feelings, as opposed to feeling a sense of empowerment through clothing, so it’s important to find a community where you feel seen.
Do you think confidence comes before great style, or can style help to build self-confidence?
Style and fashion for me were definitely my pillars to building my self-confidence and I hope more people realise that. There are a lot of women who wait to be confident or have a certain body type before wearing what they’ve always wanted to wear, but life really is too short to wait. I hope that they can eventually come to a point where they choose to love every version of themselves and dress the way they want to.
