Little Black Number!

No sooner had we posted the Ashley Stewart Turqoise Aqua dress, than we came across this "little black" number from Curvy Girl.

It's not a contradiction to say that we fell in love with this sexy dress, even though in our earlier post we encouraged you to try bright colours. This dress says everything that needs to be said for a "gorgeous" woman.

Whitney (available in black, silver or khaki)   http://www.curvygirlclothing.com/

Very lightweight, sexy slip on stretch rayon dress with lace back and arms. SOOOO sexy. Sizes S-3x. Select size and color from drop down. Lace varies slightly from photo as our manufacturer ran out of the original lace.

Colours, colours everywhere!

Some of the clothing for "generously proportioned" ladies coming from overseas is absolutely gorgeous.  Not only in design and fabric but in the bright array of colours.   For too long it seems to many of us, there's been a scarcity of bright, vivid, sassy colours. especially here in Australia.

(You know the old saying - "wear black or dark brown or navy - it'll make you look thinner!" - well, even if any of those of your favourite colours (like me), they don't make you look thinner at all - they just make you look and feel good - which is what we're after in the first place!).

But don't hold back from trying bright colours.   They can make you feel a million dollars too, if you give them a chance.

Here's a beautiful garment from Ashley Stewart, (www.ashleystewart.com) for the young, AND the young-at-heart:


TURQUOISE AQUA

Style: 01511X

$59.50

A fabulous style with multiple possibilities. Dress features a stretch tank at upper with a contrasting crinkle skirt. Skirt may be worn two ways and includes interior ties that create a tiered ruffle at lower hem. Includes a fully lined interior.

Hand wash cold

Imported

54 inches from shoulder

Knits: 95% cotton, 5% spandex / Flare: 100% cotton

Prayers for our friends in the US

To all our friends in the US in the path of Hurricane Irene.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I just love red!

I just found a new supplier situated in Canada - Satinwoods http://www.satinwoods.ca 

Their website covers a lovely range of garments and one dress has particularly taken my eye.  I quote hereunder from the website (copyright Satinwoods of Canada).

Caviar Scoopneck Dress

The name says it all.    

This exquisite red plus size cocktail dress features beautiful caviar beading along the neckline. Chiffon material falls beautifully from the satin pleated empire waist band making you the belle of the ball. 

Perk: This dress beautifully accentuates the curves with the satin pleated empire waist band. Very flattering.

• Chiffon overlay and charmeuse shell
• Lovely beading along scoop neckline
• Invisible back zipper closure
• Made in the USA

Swimwear for the "gorgeous"!

Even though we're having a chilly reminder at the moment that Winter hasn't given up it's bite, we do know that Spring is just around the corner.  With that of course, there'll be thoughts of going to the local pool, or even the nearest beach to spend the warmer days.   Swimwear is always a problem for the "gorgeous" sized woman,  from the point of view of where can she buy?,  but here's a lovely selection just to show you what IS available.

SHOWCASE - Designer Diane Burkhardt - New Zealand

Drawing upon Eastern and Edwardian influences, Diane uses high quality natural fabrics – wools, cashmeres, tweeds, silks, linens and cottons. The texture and juxtaposition of velvets, beads and brocades excite the eye. The draping of diane burkhardt clothes is soft and feminine, and the details – such as pintucks, pleating and handwork – is sophisticated, elegant and flattering.

Diane says her colours are soft and restrained, resonating New Zealand’s landscape. Whites, greys, silvers, lurex, cream, beige, khaki and gentle lemons are sculptured into gentle silhouettes; sometimes with volume, sometimes sleek and fitting.The Eastern elegance of a kimono is echoed in cross over styling, while swing coats of the 60s and 70s are expressed anew.

Diane is one of an increasingly rare breed of designers – one who can pattern draft. She understands the way fabric drapes, and the way it can be cut.


diane burkhardt
only at The Cupboard, 417 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland

Open 7 days Phone (64) (9) 379 9870,
Email style@thecupboard.co.nz
Web www.thecupboard.co.nz

Copyright NZ Fashion, www.fashionz.co.nz

Gorgeous models at Mercedes Benz Fashion Show in Sydney

What an absolutely astonishing group of models - and notice one thing - they SMILE!   How wonderful!

Let's get away from this pouting, stomping attitude from extremely thin models we've been seeing on the runways for too long, and get back to the natural look of women showing off clothes and enjoying themselves!

The tyranny of ideal body image

The author of Fat is a Feminist Issue, Susie Orbach has just had a new book published.  The title?  "Bodies".

In her book, she describes the focus on "little girls being primed to be teenagers who will dream of new thighs, noses or breasts as they peruse magazines, which display page after page of a look that, only 10 years ago, had the power to evoke horror in us".  

Her book details the pursuit of the ideal body image in men and women.  Women  over recent years have been dismayed at the unstoppable arrogance by photographers/magazine editors to digitally enhance bodies.  Men and women.   Lengthen their legs, so that they seem 6ft 6in tall - even the women;  reduce their waists;  increase their breast sizes both in size and depth;  remove any blemishes or imperfections in hair, face, hands and feet.   Change the shape of the face and their lipline.   Pump up the lips.

We look in the mirror and our reflection tells us that we're nothing like the women in the magazines.  Guilt sets in.  And yet, why should we feel guilty about looking as we do? - we're individuals, not clones of those "picture-book" photos that aren't real in any respect.  Even models and actresses have been known to look at photographs of themselves and to not recognise that the photo is of them!

But Sue doesn't only focus on men and women, she also discusses children and babies.

So it probably doesn't come as any surprise to learn that the same enhancements to photographs are being applied to photos of babies.  "Correct a smile;  remove the gap between front teeth;  straightening out wobbly knees" and ankles.  Perhaps correcting the shape of an ear;  lengthening the hair so that it covers the ear entirely.  A few brush lines on the eyebrows, even a touch of rouge or lipstick on the photograph.   As Susie Orbach says, "... turning little girls** into facsimiles of china dolls."


** and no doubt, little boys too!

Let babies be babies1

So it is with cosmetic surgery too.  Young teenage women are now begging surgeons to correct their noses;  change the shape of their chin;  the length of their ear lobes;  give them more "attractive"pumped up lips;  shorten their forehead;  make a snip here or there on their eyelids.   And will they still be happy with the results in 5, 10, 15 years time - or will they be making regular and ongoing visits to their very own "cosmetician/surgeon" to constantly be made more beautiful?    What is the "ideal" that they're looking for?

Jocelyn Wildenstein

What happened to "natural" looks?  Those looks that we're born with, and grow up with, and which define us as being unique?    Why is there so much dissatisfaction with what we have,  in the pursuit of getting or becoming what we aren't?   Where does it all end?

Gorgeous wear for "gorgeous" women!

My friend Gai from Tasmania once sent me a list of words to describe women with "generously-endowed" figures.  The first word on that list was "gorgeous", so I reckon I can't better that, at this time!

But now let's concentrate of some gorgeous clothes for a change.  Yes, I know I've been apt to concentrate on "attitudes" and "discrimination" for a long while, and I've decided to try another tack, and present some positive messages by way of beautiful clothes.

Making It Big has been a favourite supplier of mine for a long while.   What I like about their catalogues and website is that they use "gorgeous" models - women with lovely figures and curves where a girl's curves should be!

One particular garment has taken my eye this week.  Its the Saffi Duster.   I just love "dusters" - they can lift an outfit from the ordinary to the stunning so easily.  At work and you are invited to go for dinner afterwards?  With this delightful duster in your tote, you can't go wrong.   Visit the MIB website at www.makingitbig.com

There's a lot of discussion .....

I read about an interesting exercise the other day,  that was conducted by a researcher into women's shapes and sizes.  Four women, chosen because they are all size 14, were asked to pose for a photographer.

When the photograph was published, women everywhere wrote in and complained that the women were NOT size 14, but were all different sizes.  This set about a heated discussion.

It transpired that all the women ARE size 14.  Because of their height, their width, the different proportions of their bodies, and the bone structure, they all look different.

And this brings us to the subject of our perceptions of size, when we read and look at photographs of women in magazines.   We look at the person without having the advantage of seeing other women all the same size in the same photograph.   We attempt to base our perception on what we think we see, rather than what we are actually seeing.  

This is why we advocate clothing for curvaceous women should be modelled by curvaceous women!   Not to have a bigger or taller woman on the catwalk (runway) with models who are size 0 up to 6.   The reason for our argument is this.   Regular fashion shows have models of a similar size - therefore the eye goes to appreciate the garment.  If you place one curvaceous woman on that runway at the same time, the eye naturally goes to her curves, and then the garment, rather than the garment immediately.  The woman with curves is immediately "seen" as being plus-size.   Yet putting models of size 18, 20 and 22 on the same runway, and the audience can appreciate that the garments are for the bigger sizes.

As for dressing models smaller than size 14 in garments that are manufactured for women in the size 14 to 30, and then pinning and adapting that garment to the small size of the model, gives no indication of what the garment will look like on the woman who it has been created for.   This puts the purchaser at a disadvantage for so many times the garment will never look the same on her as it does on the small model that she has seen in the catalogue or the website.

That brings to mind the fact that looking at a women and "assuming" that she is very plus-size or very skinny is dependent upon many things.  This is why we should never "assume" that someone is so different as to become unacceptable.  Being acceptable to ourselves and to each other, HAS to be a fundamental right and privilege.

Plus size models

For many of us it seems to be taking a long time for plus-size to be accepted as a "normal" and "typical" size range.  Yet, it's slowly getting there.

While size 14  is now becoming promoted as being plus size by the media and fashion industries (which still isn't fair to the woman who convinces herself she is "obese" just because she is size 18!!!!), we remain confident that soon sizes 18, 20 and 22 will be seen as typical of women in the 21st century.

Perceptions though are hard to break down, even sometimes our own.   But it is so encouraging and inspiring to see photos of models who are curvaceous, generously endowed with beautiful figures and faces, and to be able to identify them as being part of the population who are deemed "plus size".  We feel drawn to them and admire their determination to be fully accepted within the media and fashion scenes as important as the much thinner and recognisable model who might grace our magazines.

But it remains to be said that it's about time that even the expression "plus-size" was relegated to the archives.  We've got to come to terms with seeing women of ALL sizes, shapes and sizes as that - women!  Attractive, feminine, healthy, sexy, sassy women.  Completely acceptable and appreciated by and to each other.   (Even thin women these days are becoming confused  at being "categorised" rather than being seen and spoken about as "women".)

In the 1940s and 1950s, women whatever size, were treated with much more sensitivity and good manners than today.   "Plus-size"is not a term or word that's come down through the ages. It's a relatively new word, aimed at denigrating women who don't fit the "mould" of what and how the media and fashion industries demand all women should fit.

Copyright City Chic.com

Changes in women's bodies

It's very interesting to see how women's bodies have undergone (and continue to do so apparently) radical changes in shape and sizes in relation to breasts over recent years.  In fact it makes you wonder just what is happening .....

Women who usually wear small bras - sizes 10, 12, 14 for instance, started asking for "deeper" cups.   From A, B, C, and even D cups, it's not uncommon now to find bras in the smaller sizes having cups up to F, G and even H.

Whereas ....... Women who have always been big breasted - from around sizes 16 through to 24/26 still find it very difficult to buy bras with cups deeper than C or D.  Occasionally DD.   But there's not too much out there in the marketplace for those larger women in the way of beautiful, lacy, satiny bras in a big selection of colours,  that will fit them, regardless of cup size.

Have a look at many of the "bra" sites, and you'll see very basic, heavy looking bras.  Fabric that is intended, we are sure, to make plus size women feel "not quite as acceptable" as smaller women.   There's nothing really feminine or romantic about them.   Just take a stroll around your favourite department store, and you'll see literally hundreds of striking little numbers for the small (but deep) breasted woman, but hardly anything of interest (or of fit) for the larger woman.   Of course the heavier breast needs support and lift - and we know for certain that there are bras that will provide both these requirements and STILL look attractive.

One argument we always get from store buyers is that there aren't enough customers who ask for the larger bras.   What?   Every woman I speak to who admits to being size 20 and upwards, almost cries with frustration at not being able to find "sexy" bras and lingerie, and yet the stores say there are no customers.

Focus on kids again!

In todays newspaper, the so-called experts on kids nutrition have come up with five major points in turning around the child obesity problem!    This includes sending the kids to kinder and school with a healthy lunch box.  Don't give the kids too much pocket money to spend at the school tuck shop.  Bring back PE to the school curriculum.  Encourage kids to play outdoors - balance their "sit-down" computer fascination with some outdoor games where they actually run around!  And a couple of other pointers.

Now the latest news is that the Victorian Government is going to spend $40million in bringing in the Jamie Oliver's Healthy School Lunches campaign.

Obesity in children is a concern to all of us.   And it should be fought from as many sides as possible - yes, the lunch box is important and very important.  (We've spoken about the fact that school tuck shops lost the plot years ago when they brought in cheap, fatty foods like chips, dim sims, pies and so forth with no alternatives to choose from.  And tell me, what kid will pass up some chips in preference to a lettuce and cheese sandwich, without an argument anyway?)  But what happened to the Oslo lunch - surely that was full of nutrition and healthy - wouldn't it be a little cheaper to promote this again through tuck shops and to parents?

The influence of TV advertising has to be countered as well.   Heavily loaded advertisements with food that kids take to, which include lots of sugary, fatty content, need to be monitored - healthy food substitutes need to be given similar airtime - advertisers take note.

On the other hand, and we're strong on this too.  Parents don't need to be harrassed and burdened with the guilt placed on them based on their being "bad parents" because they feed their children the wrong (bad) food.   Most parents feed their kids good healthy food, and yet the kids still tend towards getting fatter.

Parents are becoming very concerned that they'll be seen as "abusing" their children by making them fat!

I know we've been saying this for decades now, and we'll keep repeating it until someone, somewhere, comes up with an explanation that satisfies everyone (and this especially relates to parents).   Will someone please tell us EXACTLY what is in the food we eat.  Yes, we know, here in Australia all food must be labelled as to its ingredients, but who amongst us knows precisely what certain chemicals/additives are; what they do; and whether there is any risk in adding them to foodstuffs.  Firstly we have genetically modified foods (they last longer and they don't go "off").  Surely that means there's something that turns food into what it isn't and had never started out to be?  Secondly manufacturers are now claiming they're reducing the sugar/fat/salt content in their foods.  Will this achieve a good result? As well, why do manufacturers claim "no ADDED sugar or fat or salt", this doesn't mean that the product has NO sugar or fat or salt.  Don't believe everything you see on the packets!

 If kids (and grown ups too) have become "addicted" or used to heavy sweetenings, heavy salt and fat content in their foods, surely it's going to take a while to break down that addiction?  It won't be overnight!

There's a touch of the artist's palette!

Artists and painters are never afraid to use colours - bright, flashy, sassy colours. Sexy, seductive colours. Colours that make you want to shout - YES!    The world around us is full of extreme and sensational colours, every season of the year, and yet sometimes we're too busy to see them.

Young people aren't afraid to experiment with colours in their dress,  yet for some reason, those of us who are seen to be "plus-size" (and more) become more and more hesitant to use and wear colours as we grow older.  Perhaps we've never been brave enough to wear colours.   We believe what we're told about the basic black, white, grey, navy blue and brown being the best (and therefore by inference the only colours to wear) and we wear those colours without ever thinking that even if we do like them, we could brighten them, and our lives, up a bit.  Easily, and inexpensively.

I just found this photo on the internet from Fashion NZ, and the colours really hit me - in the middle of my face.   Because whatever age, or size or shape you may be, there's absolutely no reason whatever why you shouldn't wear these colours either.  (Even if only as a contrast to your favourite of black or ....., say as a scarf, cami, jacket, cummerbund).    And it's not only the fact that one colour can be inserted into your wardrobe for colour - the trick is to use more than one - look at the second photo - there are three, and unless you feel blinded by so much colour, why not try something like this?

Copyright Fashion NZ (photo from the internet)

Now don't look at the photo too closely as far as the shape and size of the model is concerned - that's not the point - the point is to open your eyes to the beauty and astonishment of colour.   Take it in, breath it in, experiment with it, and then apply it to your own wardrobe.  Spring will be in your step as well as your feelings.

It looks like silk and satin have made a "return" and that's good.  Don't be afraid to wear these fabrics - should you think that the "shine" will make you look bigger, again think "contrast" as mentioned above. It's amazing what a little thought and courage can do to a girl's ego.

(I still get a little concerned when I see young model's legs as photographed above - they don't look like legs - they look like sticks and sticks that will break easily.  There's something wrong with them from my point of view, but that's my personal opinion.  I like legs to look like legs! - just as I like girls to look like girls!  Girls with a few or a lot of curves!  And please don't let me get onto the subject of "pouting" - those girls look starved, unhappy, bad tempered, discontented, angry.  But that's for another "post"!)

Too fat! Too skinny! How can we please the impossible demands?

We've touched upon quite a few subjects that drew sighs of astonishment over the years.   And of course it would be natural, and "comfortable" if we pretended that things aren't as bad as they seem, for plus-size women.   We're still "fighting" the fashion and media industries, but every now and then someone stands up for what they believe in, themselves, and shows the world how attitudes could and should change.

Copyright Nancy Hayssen.com

I refer to Nancy Hayssen, 33, Plus Size Model and Author of Sexy at Any Size! as an example.   Nancy sent a message back in 2007 of empowering women to look and feel sexy no matter weight or size – despite Hollywood’s impossible ideals of beauty.  I think this bears repeating.

Nancy is now speaking out about the root of the problem…the three Hollywood lies we’ve been told that destroy the way women feel about themselves:

1. No matter how much you weigh, you’re still too fat
2. No matter how skinny you are, you’ll never be skinny enough
3. No matter what you look like, you’ll never be good enough

http://dailyvenusdiva.com/2011/01/21/anorexic-model-dead-plus-size-model-asks-america-who-is-to-blame/

Controversial?  Yes.  But as with many things relative to size, we need to take a long hard look at society and indeed how we see the world around us, and the people of different colours, shapes and sizes who make up that world.

Do you think this lovely model is "plus size"?

Australia has a gift of beautiful women.  Women in the spotlight (as in our artists and actresses, women who are in the news etc) as well as women in our own families and communities.

Beautiful Australian models have graced our magazines and catwalks for decades.  Think Maggie Tabberer, Jeanette Elphick, Judith Anne Ford, Bambi Shmith, June Dally Watkins.   Our models had, and still have, beautiful figures; they walked and talked with great style;  their manners and etiquette were important facets of their "public persona".

According to facts and figures, most models of the 1950s and 1960s (before the advent of Twiggy), were somewhat heavier than today's thin waif-like creature.

So it was with great surprise that I read the following article relative to Robyn Lawley, who has been described as the "first plus size model to feature in Vogue Australia".   Robyn is a beautiful woman;  she has a beautiful figure, but can she honestly be categorised as "plus-size"?  Really?   Truly?

Acceptance of the plus-size women is taking time, and we've been advocates and champions of plus-size women for quite a few decades now.  But it's a little saddening, and frustrating, to see journalists and reporters describing a woman who is described as being size 14 (and as Robyn lives in New York, is that a US size 14 or an Australian size 14?**), as "plus-size".

How can the truly "plus-size" woman hope to be accepted in a society that sees size 14 as being plus-size?  No wonder more women than ever today, are attempting all manner of methods to try to emulate their "thin" sisters.  The fashion industry and the media continue to denigrate larger women, and by the same token, infer than smaller women are "bigger" than their size represents.  How can anyone find their place in a society that dispenses displeasure and prejudice against women who don't quite "meet" the standards set by the fashion and media industries?

See what you think.

Photograph from www.news.com.au via the Internet.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/fashion/plus-size-model-robyn-lawley-the-first-plus-size-model-to-feature-in-vogue-australia/story-e6frfn7i-1226107470974

** A lot of women don't realise that a US size 14 is NOT the same size as an Australian size 14!

Fantasy "wish-list"

A recent advertisement in the Weekend Australian took my eye.  A lovely old Inn in Tasmania, and presently operating as a Bed and Breakfast.

The name of the property is the St Andrews Inn, built in 1845, in a place called Cleveland, Tasmania.    I'd stopped off at the St Andrews Inn many years ago, on a touring holiday of Tasmania and just loved the way this beautiful old Inn looked - it has character, and style (just like us).

I read the blurb - "the building is very well maintained, with good heating, well appointed rooms, antique furniture, carpets, curtains, commercial kitchen, cool room all in a very good condition.  There is a sun room, a walled garden, large decking area, orchard and vegetable garden on approximately 1.75 hectares".   I hadn't even finished reading the wording than I immediately took out my pen and notebook and added it to my

"fantasy wish-list".  

What would I do with it if I owned it?  Simple really.

I'd manage it as a "Retreat" for plus-size women.   A place where they could relax for a week or longer if required;  a lovely private room fitted out with antique furniture; plenty of clean fresh air;  excellent dining facilities;  massage, sauna and spa as well as on-site hairdressing and makeup technicians.   A bus trip to Launceston/Hobart/Burnie for mad shopping sprees.  A visit to the Lavender Farms and other places of interest.  Afternoon tea (or High Tea) at the Sheraton Hotel, Hobart, and a pleasant stroll around Salamanca Markets.

A walled garden in which to sit and meditate;  to rest and read a favourite book;  or a place to have a sleepy little doze.  If it were cold then we'd retire to the sun-room.   In the evening we'd play cards, stand around the piano and sing to our heart's content, play charades or just sit and sip a glass of champagne.

We'd all dress up for the evening meal in long gowns, and deck ourselves out in favourite jewellery (even if it were only paste or costume), after being pampered by our beauty technicians.

There'd be no such thing as talk about 'diets', or having to lose weight, or trying to meet unrealistic demands from other people who see our size as something to be scoffed at.  


We'd be at ease and we'd be so "spoiled" that the retreat would be a frequent repeat performance.  And others would come too.

Well - we can all "dream", can't we?    And to be honest I've thought about something like this for decades.

Of course I can't afford the $700k plus, but it's nice to have such a "dream".

Pressure on tiny tots!

Most plus size people have at one time or another, at the very least, been subjected to bullying or ridicule all because of their size.   It's not that their size is an embarrassment to themselves on many occasions - it's more that other people take the attitude that curves are not acceptable.

I read in the newspaper this morning that there is a worrying concern about pre-schoolers (aged around 4-5 years) who are becoming increasingly aware of their need to diet!   Honestly - what is happening is that while we of the older generation are slowly coming to terms with our sizes and shapes, our little grandchildren are finding they're being bullied and discriminated against, by their little peers.   Children are saying to one another -


"you'll get fat if you eat that;  I don't want to play with you because you're fat;  your mother doesn't feed you right!"

I'm wondering what is at the back of all this angst.   Surely the weight loss industry isn't promoting that children should start dieting as young as that?  In fact I get worried when I see or hear of pre teens dieting.  

On the other hand, shopping this morning I noticed two little tiny tots shopping with their Mum, happily chomping away at raw carrots and enjoying every mouthful.   The thought occurred to me - hey, that's "fast food" in anybody's language.

The trap of buying a "must have" dress

Of course most of us fall into this trap, whether it's a dress, a pair of jeans, a snazzy little jacket.  Whatever. So when I saw this cartoon in yesterday's newspaper, I just knew I had to share it with you.

I hope it brings a smile to your face - and a nod in agreement.

The little black dress!

Someone asked me yesterday how or where they could find a "little black dress" for the curvaceous figure on the internet!

That set me scratching my head a little.  UNTIL........  I found B and Lu's website http://www.bandlu.com

There in full display stands their "little black dress" - stylish, flattering and so "must have!".   Sizes:    Large through to 4X.

Buying maternity wear for a plus-size

Looking for plus-size maternity wear can be a problem.   There's not too much about - that you can see at any rate.

No shops in my area (and I include a number of large and small shopping centres in that statement) carry plus size maternity wear.   It seems plus-size pregnant women are invisible to the manufacturers and suppliers eyes.  Or is it that society would prefer them to be invisible?

This is a website I discovered today.   There are some nice garments to choose from, although I have to admit that seeing their size range quote 4XL as being equivalent to size 24-26 did surprise me a bit.

I say this respectfully because as a size 24 I wear size 2XL.   It all comes back to the sizing measurements that suppliers decide upon.   And we've spoken about the inconsistencies relating to sizes for decades now.

So it goes without saying, don't always take notice of the sizes - try garments on.  You can sometimes be nicely surprised at being able to find something that is marked a lower size but which will fit you comfortably.

Heres the website I mentioned above.     www.maternitywear.com.au

Hints on Plus Size Clothing

There's a lot of information around that can make such a difference to how you dress confidentily and how you look.  I just found this interesting article at http://livingplussize.com/list.php?id=2

Womens Plus Size Clothing

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and we’ve collected the best plus size clothing retailers to help you find figure-flattering designs. You can browse thousands of plus size jeans, tees, tunics, jackets and sweaters for any season or form-fitting suits, blazers, pants and blouses to wear to work. For whatever occasion you’re shopping, we point you in the direction of the best stores that offer all sizes and styles.

Planning a night out on the town or an elegant dinner at a fancy restaurant? Get the perfect cocktail dress, evening gown, little black dress or maxidresses that radiate personality and style. To accompany any attire, you can accessorize with beautiful jewelry, belts, perfumes and handbags or kick up style with boots, flats, heels or wedges.  What about for the swim party?  You'll need a great selection of plus size swimsuits too!  For the bride-to-be, find the couture, empire or column wedding dress to make the marriage you’ve been dreaming about since you were a little girl absolutely perfect! Make his jaw drop after the reception with steamy and sexy lingerie in plus sizes.

Finding clothing for women size 12 and up is at your fingertips, so why not take advantage of it?

http://livingplussize.com/list.php?id=2

plus size wardrobe hints

Women's Plus Size Wardrobe Makeover

with Kim Johnson Gross

Some videos on the internet give great advice.   (We used to only have books to refer to, and unfortunately many of those were written by women who were slim, and who tried to convince us that they knew what was best for us!     This is quite a good video.  “Don’t get hung up on size” - what great advice.

http://video.about.com/plussize/Women-s-Plus-Size-Wardrobe.htm

Another lovely clothing supplier

As I mentioned in my previous post, I (along with thousands of other women) have been bemoaning the fact that it's hard to find lovely modern gear for all ages.  

This is another website, As I Am Fashion,  that has come to my attention, and I'd recommend you take a moment or two to visit it and have a look at some of their fashion garments.

I just love the teal long-line cardigan.  http://www.asiamfashion.com/wrap-cardigan-jade-p-64.html

Go through and see their range in full detail.    What do you think?

Springtime in the southern hemisphere

While it is obviously still winter time here, it's great to see many of the fashion houses bringing out bright, cheerful and cheeky clothing in anticipation of Spring, which is only a few weeks away.

There are a number of plus-size "fashion" suppliers here in Australia, who in my mind at least, seem to be offering garments made from inferior fabric.   The prices aren't cheap, and while the garments look "trendy", once you feel the fabric between your fingers you realise that it is mainly an elasticised el-cheapo fabric that may not last more than 3 or 4 washes.

However, I've just re-found a supplier from New Zealand with the lovely name of "The Carpenters Daughter", and I've included a photo of one of their outfits which took my eye.

Those of us who have been protesting for years about the lack of plus-size clothes that are "modern" must all agree that there's been a change in attitudes of many suppliers.  That's really good, because many Australian suppliers are now providing modern gear that anyone can wear (even taking into account my first paragraph).

It would be nice though if some of these suppliers included clothing for the more mature woman (without her looking dowdy or as that old saying goes, "mutton done up as lamb").   We all want to be modern and "with it", but let's look at the whole picture, not only focus on the very young customer.   And "more mature" these days means women in their 30s and 40s as well as older.

http://www.tcd.co.nz/

Spring is in the air!

It's still only August, and the Winter this year has been decidedly cold.  And wet!    Plenty of frosts and fogs and even snow further up in the hills.

The past couple of days though we've had lovely sunshine during the daytime hours.   Suddenly things are changing.   This morning as I drove to the shops I noticed that the cherry-plum trees (that are favoured over here as avenue trees) are already breaking out into blossom.  At the same time many of the early flowering rhododendrons are breaking bud.  One of the loveliest sights however are the magnolia trees, massively covered in white and pink blooms.   Two days ago the trees were bare - yet today they are flaunting their beauty. They remind me of beautiful women.

You know, so many women these days seem to be unaware of their attractiveness.     As I enjoyed a cup of coffee at the local cafe this morning I watched as women walked past and rode the escalators to the shops.  So many of them looked as though they'd slept in their clothes or else thrown on anything they could find.  Why is this I wonder?  It's not as though women are expected to "dress up" merely to go shopping or to check the post, but what has happened to carefully choosing what one wears each and every day?

I meet a lot of women who have no restrictions on their spending budget;  I meet as many who live on tightly controlled budgets and who in fact hardly have any spending money to themselves from one year to another.  Yet both lots of women can, and do, dress smartly.   Our local Op shops have recently been in the news as having gained a reputation for providing top quality clothing, some of it designer labels, and women everywhere are taking advantage of these garments.  All at affordable prices.   It's one way of increasing the wardrobe at little cost.  

So it saddens me to see women of all ages who seem to take little or no care in what they're wearing.  Even if their wardrobe is somewhat bare, that's no excuse for women (especially women of size) to go around with clothing that quite obviously needs a good wash.   Have they given up?  

Let's take note of the flowers in our garden.   They insist that the world sees them as beautiful regardless of their size or age.   If only we could do the same as it relates to ouselves.

Comparing

Continued: 


We've been speaking about many differences and changes to women's life-styles over the past decades.   There have been tremendous inroads into building up opportunities for women, but sometimes it's worth while being reminded of how our mothers and grandmothers fared in dealing with everyday issues.  Compared to today, those women had a lot of extra battles to fight and overcome.  Yet, that's not to say that women today don't have any many hurdles to jump and overcome.   This is where encouragement is always needed.


When young women and older women have the opportunity to share this sort of information that we've been talking about in the past three posts, it is very surprising to observe the way younger women view what they hear. Too often it is utter disbelief. Sometimes it is seen as an exaggeration. Seldom is it seen as being the truth, and therefore not often is a special understanding arrived at, of what women in general, but particularly their mothers and grandmothers, have gone without and fought for.

So it's not surprising in having to realise that women as they grow older lose a lot of confidence. They've always had to struggle against the tide, but they seek and need support and empathy from younger women, not only for personal and physical encouragement, but moreso for moral support. 

In many cultures this moral support is part of the cultural makeup of women within that society. In the western world this need is sometimes neglected to such an extent that it doesn't exist. 

The 21st Century woman encompasses a diverse and incredibly valuable circle of intelligence, information and experience. The more we share that with each other, the more confidence we each shall possess.