Sexy, Sophisticated Plus Size Clothing in sizes 12-32

Summer is upon us again. Fun times including vacations, walking, swimming, sandals, thigh rashes and gallons upon gallons of sweat. The extra padding that allows us to wear light jackets in fall (where our thin friends are wearing 17 layers) makes us sweat buckets in the summer. So here are some new tips for surviving summer. With some exceptions most of these suggestions can come from household items or are easy to find.

Wear breathable fabrics
Cotton is your best friend. So buy clothes that are 100% cotton (organic if possible). It's really hard to find anything natural today and the general state of plus size clothes makes it even harder. However cotton breathes very well and you are less likely to sweat while wearing it. Be sure to wear lighter colors so they reflect the sun. Hats are great as well as they shade your face and reduce the chance to get sunburn; get some chic ones (At stores that have plus sizes. Remember to NEVER give your money to any place that doesn't have your size.)

Dry and nice
Although it's not entirely natural, I use anti-bacterial soap on the areas that I sweat. It really helps control odors. To keep dry during to day I use corn starch (you can also use talc but never use it on your vaginal area). For a person of any size if you want to keep your shoes from getting stinky don't wear them two days in a row. (Hence I have two pairs of sandals and two pairs of sneakers and I rotate them regularly.) To reiterate some of the things I wrote last year, bike shorts are great to wear underneath skirts if you don't want to wear pantyhose but don't want your thighs chirping like a cricket. If you think the bike shorts will be too hot, try runner's gel.

Go naked and sexy
Promise yourself you'll try swimming naked at least once this summer. Once you go naked it's hard to go back. Of course, you can't go naked everywhere (except Brattleboro, Vermont), so look into sexy bathing suits. I know that it's difficult for plus sizes, but you can find good suits at all places Target and online at Junonia. Bear it all, arms, legs, back, shoulders. Don't allow society to dictate what is sexy. As long as you feel sexy, you are sexy. If anyone makes fun of you, remember that they are nobody.

Seek Shelter
Due to our extra padding we often overheat. Regardless of any size, you must remember to hydrate by drinking water every day, and preferably several times a day. If you begin to feel sick or faint, find a place to cool down or take a cold shower. On very hot days do activities in the early morning or evening, when it's considerably cooler than it will be when the sun is strongest. (If the sickness doesn't go away or you faint, see a doctor!)

Lara Frater