SMART OFFICE WEAR

Just because we happen to be plus-size (not necessarily as “seen” by ourselves but most certainly by others) too often we are also seen to be pretentious or snobbish if we dare to dress according to style and in many cases, OUR choices.

Take for instance office wear.  There is a fierce debate on what is today’s corporate wear.  There are those who stridently and extremely loudly at that, claim the right to dress as they please - scruffy jeans tired and worn tee shirts and stiletto heels that badly neet a repair job.  On the other side of the coin are those who see corporate wear as an expression of their own personal “professionalism”.  Many plus-size career women fall into this second category.

Frequently, the plus-size carer women is seen to be trying to imitate the young corporates.   This is an unfair assumption as quite often she is only young herself, but somehow “size” is an issue with many employers and colleagues and they get the whole picture distorted by assuming that the plus size woman is older than she really is.   This is quite ridiculous but it happened to me too often for me not to accept this as a common occurance.  It’s only as I’ve grown older that people now submit the opinion but you look younger now than when I first met you 20 years ago.  All I’ve done is grown older, as indeed have they, but let me say this (with a smile), I have far fewer wrinkles than they have!

Quite apart from the “age” factor, plus-size career women are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to attractive corporate wear.  This has been a bone of contention with me for many decades, although Maggi T and many of my favourite American suppliers and a few from Europe, occasionally come out with separates that can be combined to make up nice outfits.

Often, not being able to buy business-suits (whether with pants or skirts) presents the plus size woman with a problem.  However one way out of this is to utilise what is available in the stores.

Here’s where basic colours can come into their own.  Choosing a basic colour and then building upon it can open up all sorts of pleasing looks.  Even though Black,which remains the new black whatever that means - what a funny way to describe it!, is the most popular basic - grey, navy blue and chocolate come in as popular alternatives.  Of course denim blue (not always in denim) remains popular with the younger set.  I’m not a great lover of beige myself, but for some women they can look great in it.  It’s not MY colour, whereas white is!  And I’ve been known to wear white on many occasions at corporate affairs or in my own personal choice for day/evening wear.

It’s when we come to accessories that magical changes can be performed to our wardrobe, and might I suggest that you open your minds to your definition of accessories  I’ll explain a little later.

Well designed, well cut and well sewn pants re a must for every girls wardrobe.  Slimming lines from the thighs to the ankles will help make you look taller, and will certainly give you a nicer profile in the mirror.  Well designed, well cut and well sewn jackets or suit coats at the length your prefer - I personally go for either hip length or even longer as I frequently wear my jackets or coats unbuttoned and allowed to float - in the same fabric as the pant will create an outfit that you can wear on all occasions.

Given a third piece, perhaps a long-line pencil skirt (which seems to remain a popular choice) then you have a mix-n-match outfit that can take you from corporate office, to exeutive meeting, to socialising in the evening.

It’s what you wear with your outfit that can make a difference.  I don’t believe those who tell me I shouldn’t wear ruffles on my shirts - either at the throatline or down th two front sides.  I love feminine clothes and I believe the plus-size woman should be encuraged to think of herself as a feminine person, rather than just a “plus-sized” woman.  I love chiffon and silk scarves - my collection has far exceeded the space I gave for it in my wardrobe and now it has its own special chest.  If you don’t care to wear scarves arund your neck, or your shoulders, or pinned on one shoulder and allowed to flow down, then why not consider tucking one into a pocket in your jacket or coat.  Another well-worn idea but still popular is to tie one through the handles of your favourite handbag.  Spoiling yourself with a small collection of handbags is also another idea!  We don't touch the subject of shoes, because it seems collecting shoes is a common fad.

Brooches are still “in” (whatever some of the so-called trend fashion commentators say), and I believe the bigger the better!  Costume jewellery pieces, which always sit on the buxom bosom beautifully, soften the neckline especially if you’re “bold” enough to show a little of your decollegé.

Consider some of those things we don’t always think of as accessories.  Take hair for instance.  So many plus-size women have lovely long hair, or haven’t you noticed?  They often wear it in a pony tail or loose.  But take time and sweep it up, o be held in place with some of those lovely sequinned clasps and you’ll be the talk of the town for those evening courses or meetings!  Your face will be defined and allowed to glow in its beauty. Young women (and many women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond) do invest in wigs these days - and you thought they'd gone out with button-up boots? Quite a few though don't admit to owning one or even two, until someone - even in their family or close friends, notice something a bit different between a hair style one day from another.  It's all good fun.

You’re perhaps not feeling brave enough because you haven’t mastered make-up?  Take your courage in both hands and visit a Beauty counter at one of the major stores, or visit Body Shop and ask them to take you through the steps of choosig and applying the right make FOR YOU.   You’ll be thrilled with the experience.  And don't be put off by the fact that the staff in these stores are young (and probably thin and very attractive - that's why they're employed!), but I've found them to be very knowledgeable, and very willing to share that knowledge with you as a client.  And you don't have to buy any of their products (unless you want to), because it's the skill you're after in the first place.

Don’t leave all the laces and baubles, bangles and beads to the "beautiful young slim people”.  We deserve to enjoy the same fruits of indulgences as our younger and slimmer sisters.  I love bangles and I love the sounds they make as I move my hands.  

For a nice selection of conservative corporate wear, visit this website of Corporate Uniforms of Dandenong (Victoria, Australia).  Many of these specials I see go up to a size 20 and some even to 26.  

http://www.corporateuniformsdandenong.com.au/clearance_&_specials.html

The human heart, at whatever age

opens only to the heart that opens in return.

Aussie Self Acceptance©

we can achieve what we want, 

gently, 

by relying on our 

womanly wiles, wit and wisdom!

The big women of Oz (and the world) believe it's time all BIG women should combine their collective needs and wish-lists with which to present to people in all areas of society, including designers, manufacturers and retailers and especially the media.

These needs and wish-lists must also include submissions to professional people  - medical, health and fitness, hospitality, and education.  Not to mention transport.

It's not only wanting to be able to buy a garment that fits, But it's also the small things in life such as:

*  expecting and being given a decent generous sized gown when attending hospital or having to have an x-ray or mammogram

*  being able to sit comfortably in a long-haul bus or plane and to have the pleasure of being able to lower the food tray so that it sits nicely on our lap (it's up to the engineers to figure that one out!)

*  being able to visit a beauty therapist knowing that the bench will be wide and stron enough to hold the client

*  being able to attend a gym for work-outs knowing that there will be no sniggering or giggling by other participants - because the programme will have been styled and planned with the larger person in mind

*  being able to go swimming without any rude remakrs by ignorant people around

*  being able to relax and enjoy a meal and the surroundings at a favourite restaurant without innuendoes (said and unsaid) from other guests and staff about the choice of food or the amount of food eaten (who's to know that you haven't "fasted" for two days knowing tht you were going out for a special occasion and wanted to enjoy everything about that outing?)

*  being able to find chairs in cafes and restaurants that are decently designed and more especially strong enough to hold ANYbody let alone a person with more generous ampleness.

It's no longer acceptable that the plus-size be blamed for their size as to why they're never comfortable in these places - just look at some of the types of chairs available in local coffee shops as well as up-market restaurants and you'll see what I mean.  Including the ubiquitous plastic chairs.   They are made cheaply and they can be downright dangerous to sit on, for anyone heavier than a three year old!

Maybe there's a long way to go - so?

There's a long way to go and we're in for the long haul.  We realise that.  But we're still enthused and filled with anticipation.   For we only need to look at may of the websites and blogs of younger women who have been faced with the same ostracism and discrimination that we've been privy to over decades but who have had the courage to say - Whoa!  No more.

Do we actually realise we have more opportunities to be heard today than a any time in the past and we have the opportunity of having our stories and our opinions shared and read and debated upon.

But we need to get our act together.  What success will we have in breaking down the last BIG discrimination if we don't strive together?  What's the use of me standing up and telling everyone that I'm tired of being at the receiving end of rudeness and hypocrisy when I can't be heard above the clamour of the crowd?  It's only when like-minded women pool their frustrations and grievances, make lists of suggestions,  give their points of view and express their feelings, that anything will happen or will change.  We're standing centre-stage while the rest of the world looks on.  Let's get it right, first off.

The time is right, the mood is set, and it's up to us to pursue this endeavour with strength, determination, resilience and a sense of humour.

As the waterfall said to the rocks:

"Don't worry, I'll wear you down in time"

Wouldn't it be nice if we were all at that place where we can gleefully thumb our nose at fashion experts who tell us what we should and shouldn't wear (even if it was available out there in the marketplace), and add a sparkle of humour to inspire others to laugh, love and live life to its fullest - AND widest!  

And don't forget:

"It's in the travelling not in the arriving 

that acceptance is gained 

(even SELF acceptance!)"

© 2012 R Parry-Brock

Illusions!

Here are sixteen suggestions for the more curvaceous woman to look slimmer (or what I prefer to call more feminine lines).

Let's start off though with accepting the fact that "style" is not about age or size, it's more about establishing in your own mind clothes that will suit and work for YOU.

*  V-necks or deep scoop necks create the illusion of a longer body.  If you have a beautiful neck why not show it off?  High necks emphasise a large bust and while sometimes we like to do that, there are other times when the over-all effect of how we look is more important.

*  A tailored, sigle breasted pantsuit is more slimming than baggy layers.   (OK, even I succumb to baggy layers when I feel like it!).  But in the mean a darker shade, lengthens the torso and slims the hips.  Double breasted jackets add width to the look of the body.

*  Generously cut shirts, A-line tops and jackets/coats look great over slim or cropped pants.  Once again don't believe those who tell you you "shouldn't wear cropped pants".  If you like cropped pants, then wear them.  However the hint that the flowing tops will compliment slim pants still goes.  It's important though that the shirt, top or jacket covers the bottom and thighs.  Don't be content with any of these garments that sit on the hips or even hardly cover the waistline - the overall effect only emphasises the bits you're trying to disguise.  A shirt with a squared off hem and side splits creates a sharp and defined look.

*  Wear a shaped, not boxy jacket to emphasise curves.  This also applies to dresses or shirts with back ties that can be tightened creating a waist.   (Again have a look at the Igigi website to see what I mean by shaped dresses!).

*  Combining neutral coloured pants (black, brown, beige, even white) with brightly coloured tops move the eye away from the hips and thighs.

*  Avoid pleats on pants.  Wear flat-fronted rather than pleated trousers and with side, not front fastenings.

*  A long-line jacket is a must in all wardrobes.  It hides all the bits that you want to hide a little at any one time - big hips or thighs, big bottoms and big busts.

*  Match a dress with the same length coat, preferably worn just on or below the knee.  Play down everything else if you want to show off your legs.  And let's face it if you have good legs, do everything to show them off.

*  Wear a long time coat, to ankle length, over slim pants and shirt or tunic top.   Worn open, the coat gives you long-line elegance as you walk.

*  A clever strategy is to wear one colour from head to toe,  Lift the outfit by choose smart accessories.  A lovely scarf, chunky jewellery or matching shoes and handbag will draw attention away from any figure "problems".

*  Long sleeves (even in summer) hide the upper arms, while cuff details lengthen arms.

*  A dress can create a sleeker line.  Choose dresses with no tight waists that skim the body without clinging.

*  A beautifully draped sarong-style long skirt conceals the tummy and hips.   Great for the hot weather and surprisingly cool around the lower legs.

*  A-line or wrap skirts not only emphasise body length and hide thighs, but also give thighs extra room when seated.

*  The long-skirt is still a wardrobe must-have.  Wear it as long as possible, preferably on or just above the ankle.  Slightly A-line is best, as is a side split or a skirt with a lot of stretch.

*  Any fabric with stretch is an extremely comfortable option.  Look for this in shirts, pants, skirts or jackets.  It also can hold you firm in some areas.  Beware however those crepe-y stretch fabrics that can "suffocate" the body and add to especially hot discomfort.

For the women whose body has curves and a shape that doesn't fit the so-called "ideal" that the fashion industry and media demand of us, putting hints of this nature into practice not only adds to the way we see ourselves and how we stand and hold ourselves.  It also adds to our confidence.    For when we feel good, then we will look good.

"Accept your body - just as it is.  

Don't compare yourself to the 

unrealistically thin models 

on the catwalks or magazines,  

Be You."

© R Parry-Brock - with thanks to notes from New Idea grand illusions, nd

It looks like common sense is taking place!

As an early advocate of self-acceptance here in Australia, there have been times over the past 40 odd years that I have felt we, the plus-size or curavaceous of the world, were hitting our heads against a brick wall.  In fact many brick walls.

While the media and the fashion industry still have a long way to go in overcoming their discriminatory attitudes and lack of respect for the more generously endowed, the internet has made an incredible impact upon the thoughts of many open-minded and like-minded business women as to the need to adapt to meet the needs of the plus-size, rather than to pretend we should be kept in the background.

It still astounds me that "plus-size" providers and suppliers of fashion insist on using models who may at the most be size 14.   And slender 14's at that.   But it gives me great joy and satisfaction to see suppliers who have recognised the need and demand to model their clothes on women with generous curves.

Let me show you some:

The first three photos:   Penningtons(Canada) - unfortunately they do not ship to Australia - but it's the size of the models that I'm wanting you to view.

And Igigi (USA):

There's style, and then there's style!

While there's an overloading here in Melbourne of "burnt orange" and "acid green" colourings in a lot of the clothing that's being promoted at the moment, it's nice to see that in the USA, there are so many varieties of colour to choose from that your head can spin!

Manufacturers and retailers here in Australia tend to forget or overlook the fact that style and design is very important, but also as important is the choice of fabrics on offer.   Crepe and crepey materials abound, but I've yet to meet a "curvaceous woman" who feels this fabric is kind to her. With a little forethought and imagination classic styles can look stunning - and in that, the wearer looks stunning too!

Come on Australian manufacturers and retailers - get your act together!   With that said there are a few, and only a few, but we give free rein to promoting those particular manufacturers/providers within this blog.  It's the others we're talking to.

In the meantime feast your eyes on this lovely creation from Igigi.

Millie Vintage Polka Dot Dress

Feeling bored with your work dresses? Snag this ethereal beauty with its elongating print skirt in chiffon with ruching at the waist. The colors and cut are simply sublime - wear it to work, sunday brunch, day or night - it's a versatile summer style!

Designed and made in San Francisco, USA

And for a Corporate Look:

I've just found this lovely outfit from Pennington's of Canada - unfortunately they don't deliver to Australia, but it's the style that I wanted to show you.  Smart, neat and it doesn't need any fancy prettying up.  It tells it's own story.

Spring is here!

"Spring is here, the grass is 'ris, 

I wonders where the flowers is!"

This was old poem that kids used to say back in the 1940s and 1950s.   And the wonders of Spring have certainly arrived here in 2012, following a particularly cold and wet Winter time.

The sunshine makes you feel you want to celebrate.  Celebrate anything and everything.

And how better to celebrate than to buy a new outfit, or even think about mixing and matching what you already have in the wardrobe.

For those who want to buy something new, how about these from Anna Scholz

Or something to make heads turn from Igigi