Padma Lakshmi quits weight loss regimen: sweet reason 'Top Chef' nixed dieting

 After confessing to weight gain, "Top Chef" star Padma Lakshmi announced that she has stopped dieting. Or at least she's not chasing the perfect size 0 dress anymore. The reality television host has had it with anorexic diets that are more eating disorder than a meal plan. And her reason for doing so will surprise and endear you. But is the celebrity chef advocating obesity as healthier than weight loss?  Padma Lakshmi quits weight loss regimen: sweet reason 'Top Chef' nixed dieting

Back to school clothes shopping for overweight girls: how to dress your plus-size teen

If you think buying clothes is difficult for an overweight adult, try shopping for a plus-size teen. Helping overweight teens shop for back to school clothes can be a nightmare for both of you. Kids struggle with body image and kids who are obese even more so. Some care too much about fashion and it affects their school performance, worrying about how they look. Some kids don't care enough. Their wardrobe is early dumpster. Teach kids to take pride in their looks no matter what they weigh. Here are style advice tips for plus-size girls' fall fashions, the fab and fail. Overweight women should follow these tips too.

Avoid too-small clothing. She may ask, "does this make me look fat?" Yes, it does, if it's too tight. Nobody sees clothing size. They see fit. You may not be overweight or you may only have 10 pounds to lose. Packed into too-tight clothes, all the bulges show. This goes for bras, underwear and jeans, too. Save the muffin top for the bakery!

Nix the saggy, baggy look. Wearing too-big clothes makes you look bigger not smaller. Now oversized shirts cinched and belted at the waist can work. Done right, it's a flattering look on plus-size women. But the rest of the ensemble--leggings, slacks, jeans--should fit properly.

Choose a lightweight, linen suit. Wear baggier, lightweight pants with stretch or drawstring waist. Wear a long, lightweight blouse over it. Or wear a strapless cami with shell jacket over it. Just make sure it fits.

Avoid shapeless or A-line dresses. They accentuate the belly and make you look pregnant. Belt skirts or fitted dresses to highlight smaller waist compared to larger bust and hips. Avoid mini skirts. Opt for full maxi dresses or skirts or those that just above the knee or a smidge higher.

Flare leg pants rock. This style trends in and out. But flare leg pants should stay in the plus-size gal's (and guy's) wardrobe. Whether long-legged or short, narrow-thigh flared jeans accentuate positive and disguise negative. Straight-leg jeans make legs look bigger.

Wear shoes with heels. Under pants or dresses, high-heeled boots, wedge sandals, pumps and stilettos put the focus on height. Opt for shaped, form-fitting heels, not clumpy flats. If you like lower heels, choose Gladiator sandals or open-toed flip-flops with a little lift. Tall boots look great on just
about everyone, with or without heels.

Choose long fitted T-shirts and blouses with larger collars, darts and side gathers. Wear flowing tops with empire waists or cinched with a wide belt with cute buckle. Avoid full gathered tops. Choose for chest size so buttons don't gap. Avoid cap sleeves, tank tops, spaghetti straps and strapless blouses alone. You can wear them under sweaters and suit coats. Look for long-sleeved, mid-arm or three quarter length. Choose halter tops for summer. They create a flattering neckline and upper body. Cover big arms with a light cardigan sweater.

Accentuate the decolletage. One plus to being plus-sized is a more generous chest. Celebrate cleavage, but don't advertise. Sport a peek, don't display the continental divide. Scoop, V, crew and square necks flatter big-busted girls.

Keep an eye on patterns. Look for vertical pin-stripe slacks. Wear large paisley, jacquard, plaid prints where you want minimize and small prints where you want to maximize. If you wear floral, choose tasteful designs. Stick to vertical, diagonal, hounds-tooth check patterns or solids. Avoid logos, pictures and lettered clothing. Choose professional patterns, not cutesy or childish designs. Be careful with animal prints.

Wear breathable fabric. Knit and polyester-cotton blends give room to move and prevent chafing. Choose stretch jeans and dress pants with Lycra or Spandex blended in but avoid wearing those alone. Good fabrics are soft lace, eyelet, silk, chambre, tweed, jersey, satin, velveteen, hemp, linen and ruch; skip taffeta and other stiff, unyielding fabrics.

Go with colors looks good on you. Downplay big bottoms or bellies with neutral colors. Accentuate curves with dark, rich, bold, lush colors: metallic, earth tones, deep red, royal purple, dark blue and basic black and even animal prints, tastefully done. Wear dark and light contrasts. Avoid pastel, neon or garish colors.

Accessorize with care. Skip bows and ties on blouse fronts. Center gems, brooches and beading to draw attention to positives. Wear loose neck scarves, elongated earrings and necklaces and chunky rings and bracelets. If you have nice feet, show off with a pedicure, toe ring and ankle bracelet