Plus-size model Tabria Majors’s Instagram feed has been blowing up recently, but not necessarily because of her modeling gigs (although they’re pretty awesome). Her most recent post—a photo of her wearing an adorable pink-and-white striped tankini—is the perfect example of why she’s so in demand: For years, swimwear brands have failed to design plus-size pieces that are as stylish and flattering as their straight-size counterparts, but Majors disproves this every time she steps out on the beach.
It’s scorching outside. Tabria Majors is aware of it. She is unaware of how some people are able to continue wearing multiple garments in the middle of heat.
Majors stresses the small things while putting together her warm-weather wardrobe: stylish slip-on sandals, useful totes, large sunglasses, and a ton of jewelry. Her outlook? When your outfit is reduced to just the most basic layers, more really is more.
In the summer, she believes, you need to amp up your accessories to truly enhance the look. “I consider myself to be ‘athleisure chic,’ prioritizing comfort over anything else. I don’t belong to the group of people who prefer discomfort over appearance.”
Her most recent project, Cupshe x Tabria Majors, a size-inclusive swim and resort collection that recently made its runway premiere at Paraiso Miami Beach, is a prime example of her approach to fashion. The collection, which is the company’s first plus-size collaboration, has a variety of looks that pay homage to the neon-lit beach clubs of the 1980s and 1990s.
Consider the straightforward black one-piece with mesh accents or the gold-and-black ribbed cutout one-piece, which Majors says is one of her faves, if you’re looking for more subtle alternatives.
The color block two-piece used to be my go-to choice, and it still ranks among my top three, but I also like the black glitter cutout one-piece, she adds. “It’s a sleeper, that. Since I really don’t possess any black bikinis, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it when I wore it the other day. The cutaway still gives you a little something while providing ample coverage.”
Majors’ collection also features a number of cover-ups that are appropriate for the pool, including a chic little black dress with a side slit and a bright pink lace crop top and matching pants. She contends that in real life, cover-ups ought to be “as transitory as they possibly be.”
Some of the pieces are simple enough to wear on their own, but many of them may also be worn with other items from the collection, according to the designer. “Many of the other swimwear items work well with the color scheme. Since I am aware that not everyone enjoys donning slinky bikinis, which is absolutely acceptable. I prefer to provide options and encourage people to feel at ease and secure in their clothing since I don’t always want to wear that.”
Majors concentrated on the things that felt novel and perhaps even slightly unexpected as she read through this book. She specifically wanted to introduce something new to the plus-size swim industry.
In terms of swimwear, she explains, “you normally have more traditional items or darker colors, things that don’t stand out.” “I don’t want to always be in one-pieces or tankinis. I want to bare a little skin. That’s how I approach everything I do: by providing something unique that isn’t already available in this market.”
