A GLIMPSE OF THE SEASON'S TRENDS

I have to confess I was “giving up” on a number of the Australian suppliers for not having the courage (or initiative) to seriously look at the plus-size figure as something of beauty to be complimented and enhanced by loving clothing - rather than the run-of-the-mill sameness that has been appearing in our stores for far too long.

But size 22 plus women, want something that glides over the figure - yes, we still have a figure whether you believe it or not.   This is why I was so pleased to see the latest range from TS 12-24 Celebrate Your Curves.   

Taking Shape - the name says it all.  Now the brand is coming up with some great ideas for the woman whose size ranges between 12-24.  What a pity they don’t go into higher sizes!

This is a fabulous tunic/gown.  Called the White Noise Shirt Dress, it can be worn with leggings, slim pants, and if you have fabulous legs (like Maggie T) then black beautiful stockings.

With a button down front, this garment can be worn dressed-up or dressed-down, open or closed.  Large side splits at the sides allows for comfort, especially when sitting.  The cap sleeves (15cm) I would have preferred to be longer, but then if you like layering then a smart black sleeved cami or light tee shirt can disguise the thicker arms that many plus-size women experience.

I love the length of this garment and I also love what appears to be a collar.  Collars always seem to me to add a bit of class - don’t ask me why, but that’s my humble opinion.  

GETTING THE "JUMP" ON FASHION WHETHER IT BE SPRING OR AUTUMN

There are times when I am absolutely astonished by the garments that come out of America for the plus size woman.   As readers will know I recommend both Monif C  and Igigi more often than not.   

So it is again today.   I'd like to bring to your attention from Igigi a stunning jumpsuit (yes, they've returned at long last).  I'd even suggest that this beautiful garment should be considered for "corporate wear".

Copyright Igigi - USA

This is how Igigi describes the "Charmaine" jumpsuit.

The true statement piece of the season – the “Charmaine” Jumpsuit is a timeless classic that is an essential for the chic fashionista. This quarter-length sleeved, relaxed style has an elastic waist and a tapered hem that evokes effortless elegance. Take this look into high-end glamour with a pair of chandelier earrings and great platform sandals.

This is a “must-have” for any aged woman.

SPRING OVER THERE

It's a funny old world.   In one place it's summer and another it's winter.

Europe is heading into Spring, while here in Australia (in some States at any rate) we'd heading into Autumn.  The seasons are definitely changing for here we have flowers such as camellias ready to flower in March whereas their usual flowering time is around October.  But then it's not only the seasons that seem to be out of kilter, it's fashion too.

But don't get into a panic.There are some lovely designs and garments around, if you just take the time to look for them.

Evans in the UK have some beauties this season.  At last someone has realised that a clever (or smart) design can lift a garment above the rest.
Take for example their dresses that have distinctive shaping all bcause of colour placement.

Because the floral is placed in the centre with a plain fabric on either side, these garments enhance the female form and give the impression of a smaller size (that's if you wish to have a smaller size!)

I notice also that Evans have some lovely kimonos (which we used to call Dusters).   These are striking for the woman who likes to disguise certain elements of her shape and a garment such as this does the job nicely worn over a dress or pants.

"FASHION WATCH"

Of all this small group, I found Miller's had the most appealing offerings.   It will be interesting to see how the stores progress into the New Year with their selections.   Keep tuned for our next "Fashion Watch" here in Australia, particularly those that are affordable and at the same time flattering.

A LITTLE BEHIND ......?

Hello girl-friends

Seems ages since I put up a post, and I've been gently reminded by many readers that they are suffering "withdrawal" symptoms from not having a regular post to read.   Forgive me everyone, for while I have been very busy, posting should have been the one item highest on my list to-do's and it hasn't been.

Here we are approaching the month of December when thoughts are winging ahead to the preparations for Christmas time.   In the US most of the wonderful larger size suppliers are tempting us with their new season's offerings as well as special sales.

See the Yasmine Dress from Igigi

One thing that sometimes worries or bothers me is that many of the Australian suppliers let their clients as well as themselves down by not ensuring their clothes are modelled on women who understand what modelling is all about.   The second thing is that many of the clothes are not photographed on women of size.  How can a size 10 woman dressed in a size 20 dress look like a woman of size 20 in the same dress?   It comes back to perspectives and it's about time that Australian suppliers looked and seriously thought about their presentations.   I guess the third most obvious thing is that many Australian suppliers don't even use good photographers!

So while I'm in the "whinging" mood, let's think about styles.   I don't mean "style" as in elegance, I mean styles as in shapes and cuts of garments.   I'm not interested in buying something that my grand-daughter wears.  Short tunic tops in absolutely terrible fabrics that are obviously made enmasse overseas. Sleeveless as well!  Yoiks - has anybody recently looked at my upper arms?  Let's get real!  My figure doesn't like wearing something like that.  Yet I still want to look "good", I want to look interesting and I want to feel like a woman!

Let's look at Sybils for instance.  This supplier from Queensland has appeared on this page many times over many years (they were originally called Carousel).   Their models are "real-size" models for the garments they are modelling.  Some of our other suppliers should take note for the simple reason that plus size women (and I do wish I could find a more flattering name for us) no longer are content to see stick models flashing clothes that we want to wear.

So I could go on debating this issue endlessly.  Those of you who have followed my newsletters for more than 23 years now know that I've been on this subject until it bores the pants off me (let alone them)!  But I insist that women of size need to be taken seriously in their needs for flattering clothing.  And I shall go on insisting.

Before I go, here's a Thought for the Day:

"Friendship is so beautiful it can only be touched with your heart."

'til next time  

PUT A SPRING INTO YOUR STEP

It's Springtime in case you haven't yet noticed.   The gardens and the birds and the bees know it, and have been busy doing what they do with great energy and fun.

We seem to be taking a little time getting used to the changes occuring around us.  Firstly "daylight savings" which doesn't seem to make much sense when we think about it, but who are we to say?  The first week has affected many of us with a general feeling of "jet lag" which is crazy taking into account that it's only an hour we're talking about, as far as our clocks are concerned.

Then there's the weather.   One or two days of beautiful sunshine following crisp early mornings, and then we're back into wearing our winter clothes.

But it's about time we put a bit of a spring into our step - and our wardrobe.

I visited a couple of so-called " boutique stores" last week, and was most disappointed at what I saw.  The garments look nice until I got close to them.  The fabric looks, dare I say it,  washed out and gives the impression that it won't last long.  The "Made in China" label gives a clue.   The prices though are distinctly high-class.  

Then I called into Millers, www.millers.com.au and found quite a few little items that will make Spring seem a lot closer to those of us bemoaning the fact we haven't been able to find it!   Even for big girls (of any age!)

Looks like long skirts are back in vogue (we won't mention the young girls who are wearing little mini-shorts that may be four or five inches in length.   Long skirts are definitely flattering for the generously curvaceous woman.    The long line top with a low round neck sets off the skirt nicely.   Add a bangle or two and strappy sandals with peeping toes coloured in your favourite nail polish, and you'll have everyone talking.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR? IT SURE IS.

We've had a very cold winter - in fact there are those who say it's been the coldest ever!  

We've been cold, wet, shivering, rugging up in as many layers as we can without becoming like a big polar bear and wondering where the sun has hidden itself.

Well today we have a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.  And sunshine.  Yes, sunshine.

That made me think about summery clothes, and I found this absolutely stunning kaftan that I feel sure you'll love too.   I found it not in a major store or even a chain discount store.  I found it in the Damart catalogue.     Damart is now a part of the Innovations Group - reputable and reliable.

This is not only beautiful, it also goes up to size 30.    It is a garment that you could put aside even for some of your special Christmas outings.   Get in quick.

BAG a BARGAIN

It's the end of the financial year and we're already three days into the new financial year.   So it's not surprising that there are lots more sales going on.  We've said it before but it seems as if this is the time for sales of sales!

Millers is a good example of affordable and flattering wear for all seasons.   We have only just discovered Millers again after quite a break, and our wardrobes are now bulging!

They've presently got a special 80% off sale going on, and here are a couple of specials to whet your appetite.   Animal prints are all the rage and Millers have a special special deal of Tote Bags for $5 with amy purchase.   The animal print jacket pictured below as well as the white and black placket shirt are $15 each!    A bargain - you betcha!

The pre June 30th SALE!

If you're like me, you've become somewhat blasé about so-called Sales.  No matter when you go shopping you're confronted with the large red sale sign in almost every store.   Some of us have realised that we're being "conned" in many respects, because often the sale price is as much if not more than the article was prior to the pretend "Sale".

I've got news for you though - and for the curvaceous woman this on-line store takes some beating.  It's here in Australia and I've been known to recommend it many times over the years.  I do so again.

It's Sybils, based in Queensland.  http://www.sybils.com.au/   They have a dinki-di sale going on right at this moment.   If you want something very special then look at their 70% off sale.

This beautiful sequin top is marked down from $139 to $49.50.

This is the type of garment you've got to take advantage of when the opportunity arises.  At least when you get an invitation for a special "do", you'll have just the right top to wear.

(Everyone will be envious and ask where you've bought it - spread the word, Sybil's is an excellent store).

MIXING AND MATCHING - THE NAME OF THE GAME

It’s amazing how often you’ll hear a woman say, “I’ve got nothing to wear”, and yet her wardrobe is crambed full of clothing that so often is never taken out either to be chosen to wear for a certain occasion or for that matter even bothered about once she has purchased that piece of clothing.  (How often do you find a woman say that the swing ticket is still attached to something she bought a year or more ago!)

On the other hand a wise woman will choose garments that she can wear in a variety of ways, especially if she is able to buy well designed garments in various colours.  Then it is possible to build up a wardrobe of outfits that always look different and can be worn for both dressed-up as well as dressed-down occasions.

As we enter the colder months of the year, it seems the “fashion doldrums” hit most of us and we tend to think to ourselves that there’s nothing really new we can do to make our chocen clothing more interesting.   Yet it doesn’t take much imagination to choose half a dozen basic garments, duplicated in say two different colours, and voila, we can have outfits for at least twenty different occasions.

Take this range from Taking Shape for instance.   We have three quarter leggings in black and chocolate; cardigans in black and camel; tops in red and black and flares (not for everyone but certainly many of us).   Now just take a moment and then choose a different mix-n-match make up of these same garments.   For instance - red top with camel sleeveless cardigan and flares;  black top with black three quarter leggings and camel sleeveless cardigan;  black tp with camel sleeveless cardigan and chocolate leggings;  camel lares with black top and black longline cardigan and so on.  Try and get as many different outfits that you can from the same garments.  Get the picture?   

It really comes down to how far your imagination will allow you to go, and then looking outside that square!   Try it.

Elegance in Black

When it comes to originality, many of our younger designers are certainly stepping outside of the square and coming up with beautiful, sharp designs.  Here's an elegant suit from Trelize Cooper which can be seen on the website of Wendys of New Zealand.

What a pity (once again!) that these designs only go up to a size 16.   For a simply tailored elegance what will it take for designers to see the potential of designing for the more curvaceous?  We know there'll be a need for more fabric and certainly a more discerning eye for the curves, but we of the "generously endowed" women seek garments such as this, to enhance our figures too!

Getting Down to Basics!

Autumn has arrived, although it may not seem so in some ways.   The mornings are a little darker, and certainly on the chilly side, but we're experiencing some lovely sunny days after the morning coolness.  This is a lovely time of the year, and especially as the trees and gardens around us begin to show their colours.

It's good seeing many plus size garments (and when will we be able to dispense with this word "plus-size" - got any ideas?) in florals and pastels.   Solid colours too are appearing in the shops and the possibility of mixing and matching, especially when including some of our favourite clothes already in the wardrobe makes for an exciting Autumn time.

There are also some great "basics" (as in colours as well as styles) appearing in the stores.  Millers is a store that I hadn't visited for some years.  The reason is that I formed the opinion (without even checking) that their sizes only went up to around 16 to 18.  This opinion was based on the fact that Millers staff had told me this very thing.  Mind you, this was a few years back so I had continued to walk past the stores without even bothering going in.  My mistake.

Fastforward to a week or so ago, when I just ambled in to the local store at the Glen (Glen Waverley), and saw to my delight smart pants in short and regular length in a variety of colours - black, navy, grey, brown and beige.   And the price certainly allowed me to buy more than one pair without even denting my weekly budget.   I also bought a particularly attractive white top with lace trim for the same price as a cup of coffee.   (Again, we realise that these garments are made off-shore, and what that implies, but budget constraints dictate what we can afford to buy, as opposed to what we would like to buy).

I see on the website today a very nice cardi/dress which took my eye.   Of course I tend to be a little biased about black and white - certainly my personal favourite combination.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Sometimes it gets a little confusing.   There are stores that describe a garment as a tunic and then there are those that describe a similar garment as being a kimono.   It's all in the interpretation.   For quite honestly the names can be interchangeable.

Let's face it.  Quite often a tunic is merely a garment that is meant to "cover up" or be worn as a jacket or coat would, especially in the cooler months.   In the warmer months, a tunic can be a frothy, chiffony, satiny, all-kind-of fabric garment that compliments smart pants, whether long, short or capri length.  It can be a day-time, night-time garment and will fit in for any occasion.

There are times however when tunics can be somewhat disappointing in the variety of fabrics and the sewmanship.  But then suppliers like Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com) will bring out something fresh that inspires you to add it to your wardrobe.   Notice how the design on the fabric has the effect of creating a border or frame around the main design.   Enough to make this a "must-have" garment for any plus size girl.

Topsy-Turvy Seasons!

We're in the midst of Summer here, and while we've experienced some severe heat waves, we then slip into what appears to be early Autumn - very cool, nippy, crisp mornings that later during the day turn into those lovely warm days when one thinks of picnics or lazy afternoons.

One things however that has been obvious this summer is that there is very little in the way of bright, cheery, fun-filled florals here in Melbourne at any rate - we seem to be in sort of "that will do" doldrums for some reason or another.  Bold colours yes, but combined as block colours rather than overall summery designs.  And the sameness of cut, "design" (if you can call it that) and style.  What is style these days?

In Europe and the USA however, they're eager for Spring, and this becomes apparent with some of the bright, sassy clothing that's already coming up for our attention.

Let's look at Anna Scholz (www.annascholz.com)

Then consider Evans, UK (www.evans.com)

And last but certainly not least, Igigi (USA)

Jackets need extra length!

So many manufacturers (thus suppliers and retailers) seem to think that the plus-size (or more curvaceous) woman only needs something to shrug on, and she'll be happy.

Not so.   When it comes to the length of jackets, it is frustratingly evident that plus-size garment manufacturers don't even understand what shape of body they are supposed to be focusing on.

Most, if not all, plus-size women need a jacket that will cover the bottom and hip.  In other words jackets should be finger tip length.   Not, as so frequently seen, just below the waist.

Oh yes, we do have waists ND let's face it, when the line of the jacket takes the eye further down the leg and we have matched the jacket with a slim pair of pants, then there is a stylish appeal about the appearance.

See if you agree.  Here's a couple of Maggie T's offerings.   Notice the lengths - just right!

(PS - I would still like to see a "real" plus-size model in Maggie T's catalogue/website, but as with many suppliers, most Australian businesses don't "see" that a plus-size is MORE than a size 18-20, let alone girls who are no more than size 10-14 who are their models.  But we can continue to hope!  I do wonder sometimes though HOW Maggie T actally views the situation herself, personally).

HAPPY FEET!

Do you recall the film "Happy Feet"?   Cant' stop dancing?   Well, here's what I mean by the merry-go-round of fashion.  Fishnet as well as those awfully neat and sweet black centre line tights.   The clever thing about the straight black line down the back is that it makes any leg look sexy!

Monif C once again has come up with the goods.

FOR the YOUNG

Is it me, or is it today's trend to wear floppy tee shirts and denim jeans (most of them looking as though they've come out of the rag bag), in the belief that this "uniform" is seen to be the ideal?

Here in Melbourne at least I don't see many women (of any age) wearing attractive dresses.   Why is that?  I look in the store windows even of the leading department stores and see ordinary, look-alike garments that are repeated in the "el-cheapo" stores and which really do nothing to enhance the modern woman.  Again very seldom are there dresses - mainly pants and tops or tunics.

I then look on the internet, and time and time again, see two particular suppliers, MonifC and Igigi with garments that will make any woman look a million dollars.  

Am I right in wondering whether the American woman is more readily aware of what flattering dresses will do for her, or is it that the Australian woman (and I'm talking here of the Melbourne woman) not confident enough to step out in this particular mode of dress.

Now I know that the "young" trendsetter, particularly the corporate woman, will argue because she has at her fingertips and in her wallet, the means to stay with the fashion trends as they appear in Vogue and the top named stores from around the world - and yes, most of these are located in Melbourne.  But I never see any woman whether in the streets of the Melbourne CBD, or the likes of Brighton and even Toorak who are wearing these "fashions".  It's all denim jeans (whether they be $20 or $400) and tee shirts.

But let's get to the reason for this post.   Igigi have again a lovely collection and in amongst many lovely garments is this Wrap Dress.   Igigi's promo for this garment says this true wrap dress falls adoringly along your body complementing all the right areas.  Wear it with the adjustable waist band and matching leather boots and purse.   (It's designed and made in San Francisco, USA).  The model wearing this Gold Wrap Dress is 14/16.  Igigi's garment sizes tend to run larger.

The coming AUTUMN/WINTER

So you think I’m a bit daft writing about Autumn/Winter clothing?   Not so daft because it’s fun and wise to get in early with some of the modern trends that aren’t TOO unlike your favourite styles.   Buying online from overseas suppliers is a bit of a hit and miss, I agree, but have your tried out some of the New Zealand suppliers?

Zebrano is a case in point.  This range from “Moss” goes from 14-24 and gives a hint of what the Australian women will be wearing.  Once again it looks as though black will be the colour of choice, whether alone or with contrasts.  It also looks like boots will be the rage as well.

 

If in doubt WEAR RED!

There are some mighty sales on at the moment.   Apart from the US as well as here, it's worth noting that Europe offers some lovely garments as well.

Anna Sholz is a name not so well known here (as yet), but do take a look at her website.  

If in doubt that red is this year's colour, then look no further.

WHY WAIT?

New Year Sales always draw crowds.

But what if you have the opportunity of having a special sale BEFORE the New Year Sales?   Well, Igigi are having a bumper sale - savings up to 80%!!  Yes, that's right - up to 80%.

Feast your eyes on these beautiful garments.

It'a nor only dresses that are on sale - there's jewellery and I couldn't resist this wonderful belt.  In the right colour and you've got to agree you don't see many belts with the generously curved woman in mind, do you?