In need of some fresh sartorial inspiration? One of the best ways to get motivated about stepping into new looks is to see them on body types like your own.
If you’re looking for inspiration from famous plus-size models, there are plenty of style icons to admire. From Ashley Graham to Tess Holliday, these models are breaking barriers and redefining beauty standards in the fashion industry. These ladies are also known for rocking impeccable style, while exhibiting the kind of body-confident attitude anyone can appreciate.
Ashley Graham
Graham became a household name in 2016 when she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Since then, she’s used her fame to promote confidence, “real beauty,” and the descriptor of curvy vs. plus-size. Her memoir is aptly named, A New Model: What Confidence, Beauty, and Power Really Look Like.
Iskra Lawrence
As the first global #AerieREAL Role Model, Iskra Lawrence knows a thing or two about keeping it real and championing women of all shapes and sizes. She pulls it off no matter what she’s wearing, from sexy cold-shoulder jumpsuits to ethereal princess gowns to chic and sleek pantsuits.
As for that whole keeping-it-real thing, she’s not one to hide from the faux reality that heavily glossed over, highly edited and well-lit images depict. It’s precisely why she shared an image of herself from two angles in two different lights — sans airbrushing. “I love my real skin, lumps, bumps, scars, squish, fat, muscle, pigmentation,” Lawrence posted proudly. Love!
Tabria Majors
If you’ve ever perused Forever 21 or Fashion Nova online, odds are you’ve come across Tabria Majors before. She’s only the second plus size black model to appear in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and she’s the epitome of a modern-day overnight success story.
It wasn’t until a talent agent spotted her on Instagram — back when she had less than 2,000 followers, no less — that things started to change. At the time, she worked as a cleaner and held high hopes of making it in the modeling industry.
In addition to Majors’ fashion success, she also co-hosts The Thick Podcast with Mindy J.
Veronica Pome’e
If you don’t know Veronica Pome’e, you will soon. In the summer of 2018, Veronica decided — on a whim — to enter the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model search. When she got the life-changing call that she was chosen as one of the top six finalists, she was thrilled.
Pome’e is the first Polynesian woman to pose for the prestigious magazine. She’s also someone who recognizes the value of empowering others through her unique position.
Chrissy Metz
Over the past couple of years, few actresses have had as significant an impact on the small screen as Chrissy Metz. The This Is Us star has been candid about her struggles with self-doubt and insecurity, a point that makes her rise to fame even more meaningful.
Metz has used her spotlight to cast a bright light on what it means to feel left behind in life.
On her IG feed, you’ll find amazing style inspo, from a repurposed Tanya Taylor gown to a brilliant floral print.
Tinder Badhesha
As a self-proclaimed “international curve model,” Tinder Badhesha is one of the few Indian plus-size models in the industry. She’s walked the runways at New York Fashion Week and campaigned for Kohl’s and JCPenney, among others.
The Punjabi Sikh’s feed is basically a study in how to pull off anything with complete confidence. Whether she’s rocking a black bikini, jeans and a plaid shirt, a gorgeous halter maxi dress, or a chic pink jumpsuit, Badhesha proves it’s easy to make anything work with the right attitude.
Tess Holliday
Tess Holliday was the first size 22 model to win a contract with U.K.’s Milk Management. Holliday is the originator of the Eff Your Beauty Standards body-positive movement that went viral in back in the 2010s. She landed a People cover in 2015 and a Cosmo cover in 2018. In 2023, Holliday partnered with H&M to expand the fast-fashion chain’s plus-size offering. Go get ’em Tess!
Curvy icons
These curvy ladies are inspiring on two fronts. Sure, they’re stylish and graceful. But they’re also fighting the good fight against narrow-minded definitions of beauty. And that’s a look we should all strive for.