Plus Size Clothing Guide

March 8, 2010

Maternity, Plus Size Clothing, Equals One Hot Mama

Filed under: Maternity — Big Girl @ 8:32 pm

Guest Author: Juls Blu

If you are already a plus size woman, getting pregnant does not mean you have to abandon any chance of style. There are plus size maternity clothing out there made specifically for you. It is often simply a matter of letting your fingers do the walking over your keyboard. When you decide to shop, you will find out one simple fact. You can be just as bold or conservative in your pregnant state as you were before. It is up to you to decide whether you wish to maintain your style or adopt a new one.

As with the purchase of regular plus size clothing, you need to shop around for the best in quality, style and price. Maternity plus size clothes are available at specialty stores, regular stores and through various on and offline outlets. You have to approach them all with the same attitude you have for purchasing regular work or play clothes. You need to remember to consider certain factors. These include quality, amount, needs and wants.

There are certain things every pregnant woman needs. Beneath the maternity plus size clothing, you will have to have supporting undergarments. This may mean larger bras. These will need to be both supportive and comfortable. They can be sexy, but they need to fit you and fulfill your needs. Large bras can be lacy, but comfortable ones tend to be of cotton and breathe.

In fact, much of the daily maternity plus size clothing you may want to opt for will be of cotton. In summer, cotton is cooler. It also helps to prevent heat rash. The light colors of cotton also reduce the problems of heat-related issues.

You do not need to choose cotton. You also no longer have to hide your belly. The glory about maternity clothes in this day is choice. You can wear sloppy clothes consisting of track pants and baggy sweaters or tee shirts. You can decide to wear moo-moos. If you are self-conscious of your silhouette, you can think black or in monotones or vertical lines. These are the same tactics, you use for your everyday clothing. You simply adapt them to selecting your maternity plus size clothing.

Alternatively, you can show off your belly. Celebrate it with tighter fitting outfits and bare mid-rifts. Be confident and proud of both your body and your pregnant state. Be fashionable, be sexy and be appealing in your maternity plus size clothing. It is your choice.

If you decide to buy a new wardrobe, think quality over quantity. Buy according to what you need and what will last. Remember, you will go through different stages as you pass through each trimester. Is the clothing you choose adaptable to your changes? Can you really afford to purchase a new set of maternity plus size clothing every trimester? Be sure to think ahead and buy accordingly.

List your priorities for your outfits. You may need an office or work outfit, a lunch, shopping or visiting outfit. You may also want one dressier maternity gown or outfit and a seductive outfit. Some of the clothing, you will be able to mix and match.

Some outfits you can change with an accessory or two. Keep in mind your needs and build on them. If you are aware of your self and your style, you will be able to go confidently about your life in your maternity plus size clothes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/womens-issues-articles/maternity-plus-size-clothing-equals-one-hot-mama-699471.html

About the Author

To learn more visit our maternity clothes collection or view more of our plus size collection of stylish plus size maternity clothes.

March 6, 2010

Trendy Plus Size — Why Online Plus Size Clothing Stores Have More to Offer

Filed under: Fashion Tips — Big Girl @ 8:24 pm

Guest Author: Bobby G. Keith

There are so many plus size clothing stores online offering trendy plus size clothing to a fashion starved portion of the population but many plus size women are still sitting on the sidelines afraid to get in the game.

The widest selection of plus size clothing is found online and not in your local stores so sitting on the sideline might leave youwith limited plus size clothing options. Although in many cities you have a selection of specialty plus size clothing stores still the largest segment of plus size women live outside of those cities. Obviously plus size clothing stores online plays a large roll in serving trendy plus size clothing to women who otherwise might not have access. Consider for a moment that almost every major plus size clothing store does business online as well as a growing sector of small plus size clothing stores. So what does this mean for you? As I stated above, “you have the widest selection of plus size clothing online”. So if you want selection and availability you might just give shopping online a try.

Purchasing plus size clothing online can be very rewarding and enjoyable if you know how. Now I know that buying plus size clothes online can be discouraging if you’ve never done it before because obviously you can’t try it before you buy it. If you follow the 5 recomendations below you will have better luck shopping online.

  1. Know your measurements
  2. Know your body shape
  3. Communicate well with customer service if you have any questions.
  4. Be sure they have a great exchange policy
  5. Be sure that if all else fails you can return your item for a refund.

More details about these five steps can be read here on Fit & Fashion Tips.

PlusSizeSavings.com specializes in women’s trendy plus size clothing at super affordable prices and low cost/fast shipping.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/trendy-plus-size-why-online-plus-size-clothing-stores-have-more-to-offer-1178551.html

About the Author

Bobby G Keith is a Designer for American Islander Garments Mfg and PlusSizeSavings.com

March 3, 2010

Tips For Wearing Plus Size Formal

Filed under: Formal Wear — Big Girl @ 8:18 pm

Guest Author: Bella Mclaine

Also, try staying away from accessories that will only enhance those areas that you really would like to hide and believe it or not, the “not so nice” areas will seem to hide by themselves. Have you been looking so hard for some plus size formal wear that will make you look elegant and stunning?

Well-fitting lingerie will actually bring out the curves you thought you didn’t have. Sounds unbelievable? This is actually the most effective way to hide those areas you feel are not your best asset and worth showing. When a Plus Size Formal Wear is designed to fit you, you will actually look sexier and slimmer. If you have great legs, then go to the nearest plus size clothing for women store and pick a knee-length cocktail dress. In fact, you can find cheap formal wear from discount stores. This is actually based on your shape and height and on your decision on the style of the formal wear you want to wear.

Who says formal and evening events are only for those endowed with great body? This actually applies to any size. According to certain research, over 60% of American women are plus size. This means designers have finally shifted to designing chic, sleek, well-fitting, and elegant plus size formal wear. Instead of stuffing these areas into something that would de-emphasize them, why don’t you just take the time to enhance the areas that you really like? Try checking out the plus sized celebrities wearing Designer plus Size Clothes and you will see that these formal gowns are emphasizing and enhancing the best features of these celebrities.

Instead of stressing yourself out because of the so-called formal wear rules, why don’t you enhance the best parts of your body? There’s no reason to have a hard time doing this task because even plus size women can attend formal functions in styles, with lots of plus size clothing for women to choose from. In fact, you may have to spend more on the undergarment, but don’t worry because this is a really great investment. Even plus size women have these great parts! If your shoulders are your asset, then why not wear an off-shoulder woman’s evening gown? They key here is to know your body especially your best assets. Even plus sized woman like you can make this event your event by enhancing the best parts of your body, looking confident, comfortable, and most of all beautiful.

You don’t have to run to designer’s shop to really find one. Whenever dressing for a formal event, make other’s eyes go for the best parts. Wear whatever it is that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and most of all, beautiful! If you don’t like your hips because they are too large, then avoid wearing frills around those large hips. These are some of the tips to follow when looking for plus size formal wear. As with any size and fashion, you simply need to decide on the areas you would like to emphasize. Another important tip to remember is to have good fitting lingerie.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/tips-for-wearing-plus-size-formal-1809226.html

About the Author

Bella Mclaine loves writing on Plus Size Formal, one of the website she has written extensively about Plus Size Formal is www.plussizebest.com

March 1, 2010

How To Choose Affordable Plus Size Evening Dresses And Gowns

Filed under: Formal Wear, Frugal Fashion — Big Girl @ 8:12 pm

Guest Author: maria simpson

As the fast innovation happen in world, fashion is also growing in different faces. Nowadays plus size dresses continue to increase, there are lots of verities of designs in the stores, and the plus size women’s shifted their trend of wearing cloths.

Nowadays woman has different clothing styles, so that some fashion designers created room for plus size evening dresses in their collections. According to fashion designers the evening wear market is still considered as small that is why the price of it is very higher.

Thousands of plus size evening wear stores flourish online and you will get your dream gowns with less expensive by fashion designers ,you just sketch your evening wear gown which is suitable to your body.

Plus size cocktail dresses are seemed to be in all shapes and sizes, they are not gowns having maximum length. If you think only petite women have right to wear cocktail dress then it is absolutely wrong, Fashion is all about having the right dress at right time. For formal occasions plus size woman can get cocktail dresses with great discount. You can get cocktail dress with affordable price. The length is just above the knee. This dress makes women more comfortable during occasional party like semi formal party. This dress is new to fashion industry, plus size women also want look good in the parties so there is a high demand in the fashion industry .The beauty behind this dress that makes it an all time favorite for party that this is also can be used as evening outfit.

The designers are creating feminine plus size evening gowns. The first step in finding perfect online evening gown is to have body sized by visiting professionals and take perfect measurements. Before ordering the gowns we have to check their fabric and compositions because evening gowns are sometimes constructed with manufactured fibers due to their lower costs. Before you log on it is necessary to visit physical stores and just try on various evening gowns to determine which style is suitable for you.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fashion-articles/how-to-choose-affordable-plus-size-evening-dresses-and-gowns-1244362.html

About the Author

Learn more tips and information on how to find the plus size evening dresses, plus size cocktail dresses and plus size evening gowns to feel comfortable and stylish. Please visit plussizedresses4u.com for more information.

February 26, 2010

The Plus Size Clothing Nightmare

Filed under: Personal Stories — Big Girl @ 8:06 pm

Guest Author: Amy Hutton

I’ve worn plus size clothing most of my adult life. And let me tell you, clothes shopping has really been an agravating experience to say the least. You go to the mall and visit the one store that carries sizes more than 1X. You browse the racks and find a nice pink blouse you’d really love to buy, and they DO have plus sizes, but YOUR SIZE PINK BLOUSE IS MISSING. ARRGH!

Or, you might find a pretty black bra that you’d love to have, but they are out of the 42DD. Plus size clothing can be Pure Frustration.

At first glance it looks like the big and beautiful store has a lot of items, but when you take into account that each item probably is displayed with 4-6 sizes, there really isn’t that much in one store. Even the big chain stores like Target, Walmart and K-Mart really have a limited supply of plus size clothing. And most of it isn’t very stylish.

And why do all other stores always put the women’s plus size clothing section right next to the Maternity section? I’m offended by that as a large woman, and I’d be offended by that as well if I were a pregnant woman. You have to make sure that you aren’t checking out the clothing that belongs in the maternity section.

Speaking of maternity wear, I know from personal experience that finding maternity clothes as a larger woman is murder! I seems that only the skinny girls get pregnant as far as the clothing manufacturers think. You have to find a special store that carries nothing but plus size maternity clothing, and lots of it.

To add to the frustration, they put the Petites section on the other side of the Women’s section. Come on…no big woman wants to shop next to all those perky little skinny girls.

It’s all so darn frustrating. But there is a solution. Shop online. More items, and more sizes, and total freedom to choose in your own home. An online store doesn’t have space restrictions and can display a thousand items with relative ease.

That’s easier said than done. Some online plus size women’s clothing stores carry a limited line. You have to visit many online shops to find what you want. It’s hard to find an online plus size fashion site that offers bigger size shirts, pants, suits, etc., from many designers and retail stores. An online plus size clothing store can pick clothing from many suppliers and designers, and make plus size clothing available at all price ranges. It can offer plus size lingerie, plus size boots, plus size coats and plus size swimwear. And it can stock a limitless selection of products, and sell them all in one place.

Sure, there are one or two large scale (excuse the pun) plus size clothing stores online, if you can find them. Still, online shopping is definitely the way to go for us plus size women!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/the-plus-size-clothing-nightmare-65998.html

About the Author

Amy Hutton lives in South Florida and write on topics of interest to plus size women. Here favorite Plus Size Clothing Store is Plus-Size-Heaven.com.

February 2, 2010

Asos New Plus-Size Clothing Line: Asos Curve

Filed under: News, stores — Big Girl @ 5:09 am

Asos is getting bigger and better.

On January 22, the trend-savvy online retailer has launched Asos Curve, a new range of plus-size apparel catering to sizes 20-26 UK (or 18-24 US).

Known for its affordable celebrity-inspired fashions, the Asos expansion to the plus-size market is a major coup for curvy gals, who just last month saw British department store Selfridges drop plus-size line Marina Rinaldi.

Dubbed a “trend-led collection for sizes 20 to 26 featuring all the key fashion pieces you will need for the season,” Curve includes flowy floral frocks, Parisian-chic striped tees, club-ready one-shoulder blouses, edgy leather biker jackets and body-conscious jeggings.

Prices range from $10.20 for a basic camisole or tank to $169.97 for the leather jacket, though most items fall in the $30-$50 range.

Between Asos Curve and V Magazine’s plus-size-happy issue, 2010 is turning out to be the Year of the Curvy Woman.

The Curve Collection caters for sizes 20-26 (the mainline ASOS range already goes up to size 18) and, as well as covering basic wardrobe essentials, it has some really gorgeous trend-led pieces.

The range includes knitwear, tailoring, jersey and outerwear. Many of the designs have been taken from the own-label collection but adapted to fit a curvier figure. ASOS plans to update the collection every season and expand for Autumn/Winter 2010.

Highlights include a printed dress, which somehow manages to successfully mix Luella-style polka dots with a bright floral motif, and a black leather biker jacket, complete with studs and zips. The only lowlight we can spot is the legging/skirt one-piece: practical, no doubt, for hiding wobbly bits but all too reminiscent of our formative teenage years (circa 1997) spent working weekends at Topshop when trouser/skirt combos were all the rage.

February 1, 2010

Plus Size store caters to the ‘better than average woman’

Filed under: stores — Big Girl @ 10:09 pm

From the Salt Lake Tribune

Pam Scarpelli plugs her mid-valley shop, Plus Size Consignment, as a place to find “clothes for the better than average woman.”

The average American woman, Scarpelli is quick to note, wears a size 14 and weighs about 165.

But you wouldn’t guess that going into most consignment stores. They typically offer size 12 and smaller.

“When I went into consignment stores,” Scarpelli said, “they treated me like I had the swine flu.”

Leaning over her desk in the back corner of the store, she wore a bright-patterned, quilted jacket with her dark hair cropped short.

“I grew big,” Scarpelli said, the look in her dark brown eyes punctuating the point. “I did not grow ugly or stupid or lose my good taste.”

Scarpelli opened the Ivy Place shop, at 4700 South 900 East in Salt Lake County, about 18 months ago. In part, the store is a new iteration of her dedication to catering to better-than-average women like herself. For years, she operated two Greater Salt Lake Women plus-size stores, now defunct.

The new store has become a kind of girlfriends’ closet, where trading, recycling and buying are all options. “I make people happy and it makes me feel good,” Scarpelli said.

Cindy Jones, a consignment shop fan, stopped in for the first time last year. Now she’s sure to visit from time to time to look around and visit with Scarpelli.

“They have such cute clothes at such good prices,” she said. “There’s always something kind of fun.” One time, she bought a leather coat for $20. More recently she picked up a plaid skirt for $6 that was twice as big as she needed and refashioned it into a skirt and vest set.

Variety is plentiful. Night wear ranges from satiny pajamas to fleecy robes. There are racy bustiers, business suits, jeans and silk evening dresses. Wedding gowns can be rented, as can mother-of-the-bride dresses.

There are also accessories, from pashmina scarves to sandals, pumps, handbags and handmade beaded necklaces. Scarpelli also carries handcrafted dinosaur-bone jewelry and beaded art.

But it’s not just the 1X and 3X clothes that makes Scarpelli’s shop special. It’s Scarpelli herself, who is semi-retired after a career in dance, stage production, retailing and probably a few other things.

Raised in Chicago’s Little Italy, she’s known to call out to a store visitor: “Is that another new girlfriend?”

One shopper, a Midvale woman whose husband is out of work, was delighted to walk out of the store with a selection of shirts and sweaters — eight pieces total — that not only fit but cost under $60. She also got supportive commentary from Scarpelli.

“Oh, aren’t you cute?,” said Scarpelli as the woman walked out of the fitting room in a “Delta Burke” denim shirt.

“We have show-and-tells here,” Scarpelli said of the exchange. “This is the fun — talking.”

Andrea Stock, a salon owner, would agree. While affordability in the tough economy is one reason she likes Plus-Size Consignment, she’s also happy to have found a store that offers the right sizes and variety “just for us big girls,” not to mention the value-added outfit-by-outfit consulting.

“And I love that Italian lady,” Stock added. “She’s the first to tell you if it looks good or if it doesn’t.”

January 22, 2010

How To Dress Plus Size Indie, Retro, Or Goth

Filed under: Fashion Tips — Tags: , , , — Big Girl @ 5:39 am

If you’re a curvy lady, dressing well and creatively can be a byotch. Here’s a guide (from mookychick) to online plus-size fashion for indie, gothic, retro and generally style-conscious voluptuous vixens…

If you’re a curvy lady, dressing creatively can be a byotch. Let’s face it, while writing this article we were scouting around the internet for plus-size fashion we’d actually want to wear, and it made us want to punch someone. Preferably someone well-dressed. It made us want to mug them and steal their clothes.

Yep, when it came to decent online shopping for plus-size althernative fashion, style and choice was pretty thin on the ground. If you’re over, say, size 16 or 18, you’re going to have plenty of assets but you’re not a Milan/Paris/Tokyo clothes horse. You haven’t been rendered into an easily-dressable generic shape through starvation. Surely that doesn’t mean you should be forced into the plus-size fashion section of department stores, where the clothes are all in cheery colours with sometimes barely more than a passing nod to style?

Skiing off-piste as a plus-size style goddess is hard work. There are plenty of bizarre fashion hidey-holes to find online, with plus-size fashion treasures lying within. But there are also a lot of sites that are either trying to sell you (A) department store plus size clothes in cheery colours or (B) plus-size lingerie. Which is nice, but a woman can’t look like a Victorian harlot all day, tempting though it may seem. Sometimes she has to go out in public, wearing not just a really brilliant corset, but some clothes that are warm, dammit. And look nice. And look indie – or goth – or retro.

Is that too much to ask? One would hope not.

Without further ado, here is a small but perfectly-formed list of online stores catering to plus-size alternative fashion… and, based on your recommendations, may the list flourish and grow.

Plus-size Indie

Pink Marzipan We like Pink Marzipan. If you’re looking for funky clothing with a touch of alternative, these gals do dresses, tees, tops, trousers, hosiery – the usual stuff – but their tees say things like ‘Rebel. Lover. Icon.’ and their dresses have a hint of rockabilly and Betty Page – nothing too full-on, but it’s clear that they understand that plus-size fashion doesn’t mean a ‘cozy n casual’ pink tent described as ‘fresh and funky’ to try to fool you. Their stock comes from brands like E.Vil, Rocawear and BabyPhat.

Indie Flame is a plus-size DIY fashion blog. It’s great, because it scouts out plus-size indie fashion from etsy stores and other DIY indie style hangouts, and collates them all in one place for you to browse. Love it!

Mimi’s Curvy Cornerspecializes in trendy women’s plus size clothing and junior plus size clothing sizes 14-36.

Revamped Fashion’s motto is “Extra curvy gals deserve fun clothes too!” They specialize in Plus size reconstructed/recycled/repurposed fashion and accessories. The owner and designer Frances says “I do not believe there is enough cool, fun, eclectic PLUS SIZE clothing out there for us!!”

B&Lu was started by 2 sisters who wanted to offer the world a fashion resource for plus-size young women. Their styles are HAUTE and mainstream, while being edgy and individualistic. The models they use are sultry and sexy! Sizes 14 to 30!

Torrid

Plus-size Vintage, Retro and Burlesque

Pandora’s Choice is brilliant for any voluptuous vixen or alternative plus-size model. They do plus-size retro underwear (plus-size basques, corsets and more) and suspender accessories. Corsets went up to 34″ inch waists when we checked, and suspenders up to 40″.

Hey Viv’s online vintage clothing store sells poodle skirts, crinolines and accessories for a fifties-inspired vintage look. It has a mix of vintage-style fashions (always in stock) and genuine vintage dresses, so it’s a case of come and browse.

Candy Says has a plus-size vintage fashion section, but as it deals with genuine vintage, it may be low on stock from time to time.

Plus-size goth

Bulletproof Cupid do rather nice fifties and gothic gear that goes up to about a UK size 20. Whether you want to be Audrey Hepburn or Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl, they can probably help you dress the part. And at £40 for a Dolly Swing Coat, the price is right, too!

Crimson Empress isn’t cheap but it is gorgeous. It offers a unique assortment of clothing and merchandise for the dark at heart with an eye for couture fashion. They feature Gothic, J-rock, Gothic Lolita, Cyber and Industrial attire and accessories – and they will make custom plus size goth / punk on request.

Plus-size gothic jackets, corsets and tops are a surprising find on this site. We initially thought it was a rather straight site, until we looked at some of the plus-sized tops, and then we noticed the plus-sized gothic wear section. Hmm! Worth a look.

The Gothic Shop’s plus-size section is pretty and cheap, stocking Dark Star corsets, cobwebbed and beribboned tops and floaty dresses galore. Plenty of outfits here come in UK sizes 16-18. A nice, generous spirit!

Plus-size accessories

The Latest Thing’s high-waist cinch belt caught our eye – it’s available up to a UK size 18.

If you’re into plus-size basques, Miss Discreet is upfront about it.

January 21, 2010

Rise Of The Plus Size Model

Filed under: News, Plus Size Models — Tags: , , — Big Girl @ 5:22 am

At 5 feet 9 and about 165 pounds, Crystal Renn doesn’t look plus-size in person—but she is the industry’s most successful plus-size model, and potentially the face of a new movement in fashion. “You’re not big,” said a surprised creative director when he met her recently for her appearance in V magazine’s “size issue”—but photographers often purposefully emphasize her size.

“Because I am a plus-size model, they like to make an example,” Renn tells the New York Times. “They see a roll, and they say, ‘Ooh, a roll!’ And they focus on it.” CNN also takes a look at the recent rise of plus-size models, wondering if the change is permanent. “The work is picking up—I do agree that 2010 is going to be the ‘year of plus,’” says one size 12 model. But another contends that there still “aren’t that many jobs. V is just one magazine.”

January 9, 2010

Preview Of V Magazine’s Plus Size Model Photo Shoot

Filed under: News — Tags: , , — Big Girl @ 2:14 am

Models.com snagged the preview of the highly hyped V Magazine issue featuring plus size models. The newest photoshoot, entitled “Curves Ahead” shows models that are plus sized in the modeling industry.

It’s amazing how beautiful the girls look, and it proves that size really doesn’t necessarily matter when it comes to beauty and showing off clothes. Hopefully, this is the beginning of more to come in the plus size clothing fashion industry. However some designers are holding to the notion that clothes look better on a thinner women.

We disagree with that fact.  Clothes can look good on women at any size. It’s up to the designers and others in the industry to wise up to this fact and start using more plus size clothes and models in their work.

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