TALK ABOUT the WEATHER!

Living in Melbourne does bring with it a great sense of never quite knowing what the weather is going to be on any one day.  In fact it's more like never knowing what it will be hour to hour!

Of course the climate of any city reflects on what we wear.  Or should I say what the suppliers and retailers "DECIDE" we should wear.   Me, I'm a great believer in layering during the cooler months and I've been known to wear summery garments on the colder of days - I can get away with it because I'm confident in what I'm wearing and what I'm doing!

While there is talk about climate change and global warming, and we all know that this is occurring and has been so since the dawn of time, the effect of weather patterns changing in the here and now mean  we need to adapt constantly.  So instead of bemoaning the weather,  it's good sense to focus on things that we have a little control over, and that comes back to what we wear.

Here in Melbourne there is a lull in what the stores are telling us is "fashion".   I'm not sure about the exclusive boutiques, but the stores that sell to women like you and me, have become boring and uninteresting - AGAIN.   It goes in cycles.   Everything looks the same from one outlet to another, while the fabric - what can I say?   Our grandmothers used to say this sort of fabric was only good for washing the floors!  Am I being too critical?   No, I don't think so.   The fabrics on sale are not good quality, regardless of the cost the retailers have on the garments.   But people buy, and the reason women buy in the majority of cases is simply this.  They need something to wear, and while what is on offer through the stores is not GREAT, they'll buy because there's not much else to choose from.  What really confuses me is that the poorer the quality fabric or garment, the higher the price seems to be.   Spending hundreds of dollars on a garment that are more "trendy" than practical doesn't make sense.  (Unless you have plenty of money in the bank!)

So what started me on this?   I found a beautiful garment from the USA that I think epitomises "style" for the plus size woman.   While my favourite colour is red (other than black and white and I know there are people who say B&W are not colours but I'll not go into that at the moment), this garment is a beautiful coral colour. (Well, coral is a shade or two below red isn't it?)

The cut, the design and the styling of this dress is lovely.   The neckline which is between Vneck and sweetheart, and the wrap around waistline enhances the body.

Flowing, fluid, flattering.

What do you think?

a TOUCH of WHIMSY!

If you're like me, then you love little items of accessories to enhance our lives that are "different" to what you see in most of the stores.

Tamsin Cooper has a special Labour Weekend Sale.   It's only for Sunday and Monday (27th and 28th October), so get in early.

The colours are simply gorgeous!   Satins, velvets, embroidery, appliques.

Visit Tamsin Cooper's website and view her marvellous coats, as well.

an ADDITION to GRACE any WARDROBE

Incredible as it may seem, the Little Black Dress (or LBD) is not only flattering for our slim, trim, svelte sisters, but with clever design work, it is flattering for the woman with curves.

Again it's IGIGI who come up trumps when it comes to styles that compliment the female form, and create the scene for high self image.  Knowing that you can look good, can lead you to feeling good.  In this day and age, that is an ideal we all aim for.

This is Igigi's Paola dress.   A basic black, with delicate lace.  Dress it up with your diamonds and or pearls.  Keep it classic with some drop earrings and a smart clutch.

SIZE ACCEPTANCE

Any woman with curves can look beautiful.   Stunning.    She can make a "statement".

It's all got to do with the confidence to stand up and be counted as someone who knows who she is and is willing to express her personality through what she wears.

I hope you enjoy this small video of women with curves, wearing lovely fashion.

AT LAST!

Seeking out lovely plus-size garments is one of my favourite past-times.   The number of times I have been frustrated and disappointed over the years (in fact decades) are many, but those occasions are quickly wiped away from my thoughts when I come across a designer who hits the spot!    It seems it has taken our New Zealand designers to come up with the goods as it were, as far as colours and styles are concerned for 2013.

Artisan, available from Zebrano - New Zealand, designs feminine, fancy, feisty fashion for the size 26 through 24.   This latest range will stand the test of time and the most discerning of women.

                                     

BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS for BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!

If you haven't heard of Monif C then make it a point to visit their website, and view their fashion.

At the moment Monif C has a great Sale going on, and here are a couple of items that have taken my eye.

The "Dominique Magenta" frock is a special at the moment at $68

The "Marilyn" Short Red frock is a special at the moment at $78

Both these garments will suit a woman of any age, and be a wonderful addition to anybody's wardrobe.

SOME COMPARISONS!

Yesterday my post dealt with the latest "fashion" for both the Spring/Summer (Southern Hemisphere) and Autumn/Winter (Northern Hemisphere) with a special focus on the "look" as well as the models displaying the "look".

Now I'd like to present a couple of photos from Igigi.  Do you agree with me that these garments have "style" in that they've been designed for a woman with curves and there's no suggestion of being thrown together hot-potch!

It's nice to see the combination of a base colour with a contrast either in the top or the skirt - the garments enhance special points;  particularly when it comes to the neckline.  Vnecks are always attractive as is the squareline (which isn't used much these days, so it's good to see its return!).

LATEST "FASHION"?

Is there something wrong with my perceptions of a beautiful woman wearing beautiful clothes, or what?   I observe women walking down the street or through the shopping malls every day of the week.   I take an interest in looking at how corporate women dress, how they look and how they move - confidently and very aware of their own presence.  I am very partial to the opinion that there are "power" colours and styles, as I have seen how a woman's self image can change with a particular colour or dress code.

Some of the women I observe look smart, some look comfortable, some look as though they're experimenting with fashion, while there are those also who look as though they didn't really care what they put on that morning (which of course is their choice and who am I to question?)

What I do see however is plain for everyone to see.  The women who we pass every day are of differing heights, and differing sizes.  There are petite, average, large and plus size.   They all make up the whole.   Good clothing can make a woman look good and feel good about herself.

Yet it is when I see "fashion" as depicted in our national and international women's magazines, the websites of those organisations and catwalk (now called runway) presentations on the internet, that I can't help myself from shuddering.   Take for instance a couple of photos from Vogue Australia showing our spring/summer collections.  It's not only the clothing that I can't quite perceive as being "fashion", it's the choice of models.   Young models today seem to come from the one mould - they look the same (except for being blonde as opposed to brunette); they walk the same - they look like little schoolgirls, and they pout the same.

But it is the "fashion" that eludes me - if you can call it "fashion".  I always seem to be complaining about the stance and walk of models these days - (I admit I'm oldfashioned but ...) Am I being too critical in suggesting that this model could look better if she had bought some outfits from the local Salvation Army Thrift Shop?    (Visit some of the excellent Pre-Loved stores and also recycle websites and you'll see what I mean).  The second photo makes me think the clothes were thrown onto the model and she was sent out to the runway looking stunned and slightly un-dressed!  Do they EVER look in the mirror before heading off down the runway?  Let's face it - what do you think of the stockings?  Reminds me of attending college when stockings were always sliding down to the ankles - now it's seen as "fashion"?

When it comes to "fashion" though, look at any teenager down the street and in a lot of cases they'll be wearing clothes that look better than the latest runway fashion.  Yet because of the influence of the national and international magazines, they take notice of treating their clothing as old rags.  And they pay plenty of money for those old rags.

So I thought I'd visit Vogue UK to see what they are promoting for the Northern Hemisphere Winter - here are two examples.  Please tell me though, is this really "fashion" or just a set of clothes put together?

Another thing are our models getting even thinner than ever?    Is there any flesh on the body at all?

HEARD on the GRAPEVINE!

Have you heard?   Britain's increasing demand for plus size clothing has seen the emergence of Taking Shape from here in Australia, launching their opening of 30 high street shops, apparently right throughout and across Britain.

From the little I know about plus size fashion in the UK, I thought they had a very good stable of suppliers, in many instances (and in my humble opinion) of higher quality fabric and design that many offered here in Oz.

However, Taking Shape has decided to give the market a run for its money and it will be interesting to see the results.

For that matter, encouraging inter-country trade, I'd like to see more European including UK stores come across to Australia, as well as some of the better known American stores.

We at RoseMary's NoteBook© believe that plus size fashion should be good quality, good design, be made from good fabric, have good sewmanship, and be affordable!   The fact that more women are becoming categorised as plus size (those who used to be size 14 as considered "typical" are now seen as plus size) means the market is bigger - for if sizes 14 through to 26/30 are all plus size, then that market must be extremely profitable, due to potential volume of sales.

Yet because much of the plus size rag trade garments here are made off-shore (and cheap) we don't get value for money.   Nor, sadly, do the people who actually sew the garments (you've probably seen recent documentaries on the rag trade situation in India).

Perhaps it's time for tailoring to come back as a profession - it would surely fill a void.

PONTE

WHAT IS PONTE?

This fabric is one that I've been asking about for years.  Even searching on the internet there are differing explanations and answers.  

My initial questions was this:  is "ponte" the style or the fabric.  If it's the fabric, then what makes it distinctly different to any other?   It was as though I'd asked a "nobody knows" question, for no one not even those who use the material in their seasonal selections, could, or would tell me.

So I started searching for more definite answers because let's face it, manufacturers and suppliers of fashion are selling us a product that they seem loathe to describe.   Why?   Maybe a lot of them don't even know themselves??

This is what I've discovered (so far).   It is not a natural fabric (of course).  Don't jump off the train yet, because a lot of explanations you get contradict each other.  I've been told that it is 100% polyester, yet others tell me it is a combination of more than one element.  

What it does appear to be is a combination of Rayon, Polyester and Spandex.  

Ponte holds its shape because it is a "double-knit interlock" (tightly woven).  It offers stability and firmness as well as flexibility and softness.  This fabric suits many garments, dresses, jackets, pants and holds it shape.   Ponte is seasonless and very travel-friendly - it resists wrinkles and creases.  It doesn't fade, either.

As far as corporate (professional) wear is concerned, it is excellent in separates and co-ordinates such as jackets, pants, skirts and vests.

For those women whose body shape fluctuates (adding a few pounds, then shedding again), Ponte garments are a life-saver.   They are extremely comfortable and easy to care for.