Here, we know a little something about the best ways to wear various tunic tops and leggings combinations, so if you come to us with any questions, we will do our best to assist you. Our plus size tunics are designed to provide a fit that is floaty and curve-flattering, and they can be dressed up or down for any occasion, whether you’re looking for a night out look or just want to stay comfortable in your everyday attire.

Are you curious about how long tunic tops can be worn with leggings? We’ve put together the ultimate guide and compiled a list of the best tunics to wear with leggings, including styles that are appropriate for everyday wear as well as dressy tunics with a glam twist.

What precisely is a tunic?
Tunic tops are characterized by their longline length, which ranges from about 85 to 95 centimeters, as well as their relaxed structure.
The longline length of a tunic top provides additional coverage to your bottom half and allows you to choose from a variety of hem styles. Tunic tops are shorter than dresses and are traditionally worn over leggings and jeans.

Shopping for plus size shirts to wear with leggings is a little tricky. You want to look stylish, but you also want to be comfortable. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect shirt for your body:

-Make sure the fabric is breathable and stretchy, like cotton or modal. You don’t want it to be too restrictive on your body.

-Consider tucking in your shirt if it’s long enough, and wearing leggings over them. This will give you an extra layer of protection from the cold without having to sacrifice style or comfort!

Plus Size Tops to Wear with Leggings

Finding the best plus-size top to wear with leggings boils down to one simple thing – your body type. Not all styles of tops work for all shapes. Subtle details in the top you choose can make all the difference between looking o.k. or awesome.

Here’s how to determine your body type and choose the best plus-size tops and tunics to wear with leggings.

plus size tops hourglass shape

Tops to Wear If you are an Hourglass

1. Plus Size Hourglass

If your shoulders and bust are about the same width and your waist is a lot smaller, then you have a pin-up girl hourglass figure. When dressing in this shape, the goal is to show off, not hide the waist for the most flattering look.

  • Choose long tops and tunics that skim your body and gently nip in at the waist. Any kind of top with a belt, sash, or drawstring is also ideal for playing up your curves.
  • Avoid loose baggy tops at all costs since they add bulk and will make you look much larger than you are.
  • Necklines can make a difference too. The hourglass has a great bust, so show it off with a flattering V-neck, scoop neck, or button-down shirt.
plus size tunics pear shape

2. Plus Size Pear

Plus-size gals with a pear-shaped figures carry the majority of their weight on their hips and thighs. They have small shoulders compared to their bottom half, but the upside is they also have a defined waist.

Dressing this body type to balance out the heavy lower half by drawing attention upwards and visually widening the bust and shoulders. To do this:

  • wear long tops and tunics with strong shoulders, wide necklines (boat neckline is good ), or new shoulder detail (i.e., flutter or puff sleeve). Any embellishment or detail, such as beading or embroidery at the neck, also helps balance things out.
  • A brightly colored plus-size top with black leggings will also turn the attention upward and away from the heavy bottom half. 
  • Asymmetrical hemlines and cuts on an angle also help to curve inches off the hips visually. Final note: Be sure your top is not tight across the hips. Your tops need to gently flow over your hips and fall softly at the hem.
plus size tops inverted triangle

3. Plus Size Inverted Triangle

The inverted triangle body type is the opposite of the pear. If you have this body shape, your shoulders are much wider in comparison to your hips. This is the swimmer’s body. Many plus-size glasses has large busts to go along with their large shoulders. In this case, the goal is to balance out the narrow bottom half to be more proportional to the shoulders.

  • Go for long plus-size tops with an open V-neck to visually narrow the shoulders ( showing more skin here will make shoulders look less wide).
  • Keep any embellishment away from the neckline/shoulder, as it will only emphasize your wide top half.
  • Also, the inverted triangle can handle long plus-size tops for leggings with a lot of volume at the bottom to fill in the hips. If you have embellishment on the sleeve cuffs or the hem of your top, that’s great too to draw the eye downwards and balance things out.
plus size tops rectangle shape

4. Plus Size Rectangle

Gals with a plus-size rectangula body don’t have much of a waist and are pretty much straight up and down. Their shape is known as a banana or a brick shape. The goal here is to find a top that creates a waist or breaks up these vertical lines and adds curves.

  • A wrap or a peplum-style long top for leggings that cinches at the waist will help create more of an hourglass shape.
  • A top with ruffles or some movement at the bust will also make your bust look bigger and give you the appearance of a more defined waist.

Tops to wear if you are an Apple

5. Plus Size Apple

The apple bdy shape is heavily weighted in the middle. While your bust is usually average to large, you have smaller hips, no waist, and a protruding belly. This makes it hard to find tops that don’t feel tight. The goal with this body shape is to balance the top and bottom and take the eye off the waist.

  • The best type of long tops for leggings for this shape are tops that accentuate the bust, drawing the eye up from the midsection. This includes V-necks, scoop necks, sweetheart necks, and drape necks.
  • Even though you probably have a flat bottom, your stomach protrudes, so you need tops for leggings that are a little looser and that flow. Stay away from anything that is tight and pulls across the tummy.
  • Also, avoid any detail at the waist whatsoever, such as a tie belt or buttons. They only draw attention to where you don’t want it.

Other Things to Think About When Choosing Plus Size tops to Wear with Leggings

plus size top leggings

Make Sure Your Top is Long Enough

The best length for a long plus-size top to wear with leggings is one that covers your crotch at a minimum and above the knee a couple of inches maximum. Your top should never end at the widest part of your body – a little above or below the widest point is better.

Petite gals on the fence are better off going a bit shorter, in general, to avoid drowning in lots of fabric and looking short and heavy.

Wear a Good Bra

Hike the girls up in a good bra that is smooth and doesn’t show through your long top. Perky is youthful and can make you look slimmer. This is especially true when you have a large bust. You don’t want it to look like your bust and belly are all one. Pulling the girls up gives you that separation and a proper waist.

All one Color is Slimming.

Head-to-toe color, especially dark, is always slimming, so go ahead and try a  black, navy, or brown top with matching color leggings.  Just make sure your top has some texture so your outfit doesn’t look boring.

Another slimming color trick is to wear all one color head- to- toe, light or dark, and then wear a contrasting color over the top in the way of a long open jacket. For example, an all-white outfit with a long red open jacket over the top. This column of color ( white) under your open red jacket can create a very flattering look. Scale is Important with Print Tops

Scale is Important with Prints

If you are going to wear a print top with your leggings, make sure you consider scale. A tiny print on a plus-size woman will get lost and will emphasize your size. Likewise, an oversize print can overwhelm. Middle-size to large prints work better.  Whatever colors suit you are fine.

Finding the perfect plus-size top for leggings is really no different if you are size 2 or 2X. It’s all about knowing your body type and balancing it out with the perfect style.

Plus Size Tops for Women

While the fashion industry still has a ways to go on and off the runway when it comes to size inclusivity, we have seen major steps in the right direction over the last couple of years. For instance, brands such as Mango and ASOS cater to curvier bodies on a larger scale, and there are a growing number of incredible plus-size brands that were built with inclusivity in mind from their inception, such as Good American and the small brand Karoline Vitto.

Still, plus-size options can feel few and far between compared to the offering for straight sizes, especially when you’re looking for something specific. (Is it just us, or should brands start offering all of their styles in extended sizes, and not just some?) Building up your wardrobe for a new season can feel daunting enough for anyone, but even more so if you wear anything above a size 12. So we turned to the holy grail of inspiration—Instagram—to swipe a few outfit ideas we think will lessen the load for you.

The key to building a thriving wardrobe, in any case, is mixing basic and trendy items, and these outfits are proof the formula works for any size.

Long sleeve midi dress curvy outfit

PHOTO: @ALI_TATE_CUTLER

Flowy midi dresses remain an easygoing outfit that lends the feeling of effortlessness and put-togetherness no matter the weather. A button-up style with a collar brings the garment even further into daytime territory, while gathering details at its buttons will create that cinched effect we all love.

Who What Wear Collection Aly Gathered Collared Dress

Aly Gathered Collared Dress

$155

OP NOWFavorite

Bonus points for these chic, ultra-long sleeves.

Plaid jacket and khaki pants curvy outfit

PHOTO: @TYLAUREN

When in doubt, marry two of fashion’s favorite mega trends of the season together, such as a checkered print and a green hue. Then, instead of blue jeans, lean into your preppy side with a khaki-colored pair.

Tna Polar Shirt Jacket

Polar Shirt Jacket

All greens should be as vibrant as this one.

Warp + Weft Amanda High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans in Tan

WARP + WEFT

Amanda High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans in Tan

$98

SHOP NOWFavorite

These jeans are so refined and polished.

Knit sweater skirt set curvy outfit idea

PHOTO: @ERICA_DAVIES

When the weather isn’t fully forcing you to wear pants, keep warm yet relaxed with a sweater-skirt set. You can definitely mix and match similar-looking tops and bottoms if you have trouble finding an actual set (who hates more options, anyway?), and keep a blazer handy for any in-person meetings you might have that day.

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