I’d love to think that fashion had finally sat down and got its head around some Susie Orbach at last. The sceptic in me wonders if the arrival of the big-girl style icon may simply be about fashion’s urge to be extreme, but whatever the truth, when you live in a country where the average dress size is a 16 — and when you are a size 16, as I am — it’s inspiring to see women of the same size stylishly attired. Adele at the Grammys, for example, wearing a beautiful chartreuse-green satin duster coat, looked wonderful.

Like her, I ignore all the patronising style edicts directed at size 16s and refuse to wear boring black tailoring in the vain, ridiculous hope that I might “look slim”. The bare fact of the matter is that, if you are a 16, you are never going to “look slim”, whatever you wear. My ethos is to enjoy fashion.

I take my cue from larger African women, who not only swathe themselves in a complicated origami of colour and pattern, but comport themselves like queens.

“You can follow fashion trends, but it’s just about finding the right look for your size and shape,” says the stylista Claire Nash, who works for the make-up brand Shu Uemura. “The prom-dress look was great for me — having dresses nipped in at the waist, which is my smallest area, and flowing loosely over my hips.” Nash shops predominantly on the high street: at Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, H&M and Asos.

“M&S rocks,” says Emma Elliot, co-director of a PR company and a stylish size 16. “I just bought a fantastically flattering pair of wide-leg jersey trousers from Autograph that I will pair with an unusual top, so I don’t look too high-street.”

Over the past six years, I’ve made some wonderful purchases from Marni — its size 44 and 46 and the largest sizes in McQ, See by Chloé, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Peter Jensen have all fitted, just. So things are improving — 20 years ago, it was Evans or nothing. Now, there’s a lot more choice out there for size 14s and upwards. And when there isn’t, we need to make a noise about it. We’re in the majority, after all.

What I have learnt

- Be convinced of your own intrinsic fabulousness and stylishness, whatever size you are.

- Never wear saggy old tracksuits — apart from when you are going to the gym.

- Take pleasure in colour and pattern — dress yourself like an art exhibit, not to be slim or invisible.

- Pay attention to your hair and make-up — I get my hair done once a week and I never leave the house without interesting make-up. Aim for the look of Adele at the Grammys, with gorgeously coiffed hair and red lipstick.

- Shoes will always fit, so invest in one or two nice pairs a year to show off. Heels are great for glamour and elongating the leg.

- Sweater dresses and knitwear are comfortable, warm and forgiving — cinch them in at the waist with a belt to add definition.

Designers who do a size 16

- Anna Sui

- By Malene Birger

- Celine

- Chloé

- David Szeto

- Day Birger et Mikkelsen

- DKNY

- Diane von Furstenberg

- Dolce & Gabanna

- Issa

- Marc by Marc Jacobs

- Missoni

- Miu Miu

- Moschino Cheap & Chic

- Prada

- Rick Owens

- See by Chloé

- Sonia Rykiel

- Vivienne Westwood Anglomania

Dresses

- Mad Men-style shifts that cinch in your waist and emphasise your cleavage are every curvy girl’s staple.

- Keep to the demure side of sexy in knee-length hemlines.

- Don’t be afraid to stand out. This season’s brights will make sure your shift looks not the least bit sensible.

- Patterns are tricky to pull off. If you’re going to attempt them, stick to a print featuring only a couple of colours.

- For extra coverage, take a tip from Nigella and wear your shift with a cropped cardigan.

Accessories

- Curves look great dressed in block colour. And block colour looks great when made to pop with statement accessories. If you’re keeping it simple with the dress, then go for broke and brights with your bags and shoes.

- Heels are key for any fitted dress, lengthening and slimming the legs along the way. Draw attention to them with jewel tones and platform soles.

BODY BEAUTIFUL

You don't have to be a waif to look fabulous, as these stylish ladies show

Beyonce

- Work your black magic like Beyoncé by keeping the dress simple and skintight — then let your assets do the talking.

- Make a statement with accessories. Big like Ms Knowles, or bright like these. It doesn’t really matter. Just make sure they stand out.

Eva Mendes

- A perfect example of the jewel-tone shift, Miss Mendes works a classic Mad Men look.

- Contrasting waistbands emphasise a curvy shape. Just make sure they sit high, and team with slimming stiletto heels for long, lean calves.

Adele

- For a more relaxed evening look, try a statement coat like the one Adele wore to the Grammys. Keep your dress simple.

- Tap into this season’s granny chic with a vintage-style scarf or brooch.

Mariah Carey

- For a dolce vita look, a halterneck summer dress like Mariah’s is ideal. Wear with wedges for daytime.

- Avoid showing too much skin with a summery cardie. Sweet and still sexy.

Salma Hayek

- La Hayek works her power curves, showing that the business look needn’t be boring. Wear a jacket with a defined waist.

- Big belts are key. Go for monochrome colours and then add bright shoes for a dramatic contrast.

J Lo

- Who said curvy girls can’t wear jeans? High-waisted denim like J.Lo’s can do just as much for your bottom as a pencil skirt.

- Wear with heels for a leg-lengthening look. And, as usual, cinch the waist in .

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