THE FUN of BEING PLUMP

More than 50 odd years ago, an artist by the name of Duane Bryers in America, created a cheeky redhead.  He named her Hilda (to many these days an old-fashioned word that would describe a staid, matronly, even bitter thin-lipped woman).  However the more you see of these pictures of Hilda, the more the name Hilda seems to fit her.

(I don't know what Duana Bryers named this partcular picture, but I thought "Satisfaction" neatly says it all!)

But it’s not the name Hilda that is so pertinent to my post today.  It’s her figure - her shape - her roundness - her plumpness.   More than that it is her cheekiness, her fun and carefree attitude.   She takes life as it is, and laughs her way through it.

You know I’ve been around a fair while, and I had never heard of Duana Bryers and I’d certainly never heard of Hilda. Perhaps it is because she is part of American history and unless we had the privilege of purchasing calendars from the States in years gone by, there was no reason why we should have known Hilda.  But I found her yesterday and I believe she dispays ALL the attributes that a plus-size “pin-up” girl needs.   

For one major question stands out to me: 

where during the past 50 years did our self-acceptance, 

our sense of fun at life and living,

our carefree sense of being completely at ease with our own self, 

disappear to?    

Did life become far too serious, far too responsible, far too hard and difficult, that we forgot how to be HAPPY?   

Let’s enjoy the simple pleasures of life.   Being plump and having plenty of curves is something to admire and something to celebrate.   Remember too that age has nothing to do with self-acceptance - you can never be too young or too old.

REFERENCES TO SIZE IN FICTION

My reading "likes" cover a whole range of genres.   Some of my friends think the list is somewhat weird, but tell me, what or who is weird?

I digress.   Wanting just a bit of light reading the other evening, I picked up "The Walled Flower" by Lorraine Bartlett.   I wasn't expecting to see anything about size, but came across this interesting little paragraph:

It starts:  Bastion nodded toward the hostess standing before them.  "Let's go sit down."

A waiflike being -  with no womanly attributes like breasts or a derriere - led them to a linen-clad table set with sparkling crystal, silver and candlelight.  Upon opening the menu, Katie realised the hostess probably couldn't afford to eat here.  Maybe that's what accounted for her lack of body weight.  Katie put the thought out of her mind as the older, more ample waitress appeared to recite the restaurant's specials and take their drink order.

Copyright:  Beryl Cook from her "Girls Night Out".

Just a few little words, but I couldn't help myself saying YES .......... and punching the air.   Someone has had the audacity to write about how things are, not as fiction writers usually beat around the bush.  They say nothing or else they say something disparagingly.   I like the thought of being served by an "older, more ample waitress".  I feel much more comfortable and at home in a restaurant where the staff are different ages, sizes and shapes.

GETTING REAL!

Someone sent me this fun cartoon.   It certainly made me smile, but it also reminded me that we are living in a society where "perfection" as it applies to the female form, has taken a turning where normal or typical is no longer seen as being totally acceptable.

Today to be "seen" as acceptable a woman has to be:  young - slim (if not skinny); svelte (with no bumps or curves); sexy (what exactly is sexy?) and most importantly young.

How has this come about?   What has changed from the 1950s ,,,,,,?  

A lot happened.  Firstly the 1960s brought about a swing in attitudes - of life as well as behaviours.   The fact that Jean Shrimpton wore a knee length shift (dress) at the Melbourne Cup, WITHOUT a hat or gloves (oh, dear! what was the world coming to?) caused loud headlines in the press.  But that's too easy to say that her decision to wear an outrageous dress - for the era that is - caused the change in attitudes to women's shapes and sizes.  But it certainly was one of the factors that started the ball rolling.

We all shortened our hemlines.  We lowered our necklines.   Everything was free and easy.   But for the plump and curvaceous woman, that was also the start of an inherent and growing animosity towards the way SHE looked.   Size discrimination rose to greater heights and it became apparent in film, television, the media per se.  Women's magazines took on the role of telling their readers to diet, to undergo cosmetic surgery, to attend the latest and very expensive gyms in order to attain the lean, sleak bodies of more naturally slim women.  They didn't tell their readers that it was OK to be a different size or shape and that all sizes could be considered normal or typical.   Manufacturers began to treat the curvaceous woman with scorn and retailers hid clothes for her size in a tiny section at the back of the department store.   It took many years for "plus-size" suppliers to come out of the woodwork.

So that's where the whole thing went haywire.   For all women are NOT fundamentally the same shape or are meant to be the same size.   Women were told they HAD to diet;  they did and many did far more damage to their bodies and minds through yo-yo dieting over decades than they could have imagined.   Somebody forgot to tell them that genes play a bit part in their body makeup (in fact it was only recently that the medical people have acknowledged this to be true - it was argued about heatedly in previous decades.)

What happened next?  Suddenly eating disorders became prominent.   A whole new industry was born whereby people were counselled about disorders in their eating behaviours.  The human body, and mind,  suffered serious consequences.  Not only women but men and children are affected.   In all age groups.

What am I trying to say?   I'm saying it's about time we realised that the world is made up of people who look different, who have differnent shapes and sizes, and we should recognise and respect each other unconditionally.

(I'm not talking here of those who are addicted to non-stop eating, or eating inappropriate foods until they really do become medically and dangerously obese.   Nor am I talking about those people whose bodies react violently to the medications they may be taking.)

Let's join in the protest (albeit quietly but determinedly) 

that ALL women's bodies and shapes should be 

celebrated, no matter what age, size or shape ©.  

It's about time!

Sketch © RoseMary's NoteBook 1991-2014

This is a small post on the subject of "discrimination".    It is imperative that the media (especially women's magazines be it hard-copy or online) come to grips with the fact that their readership is not made up entirely of  20 year olds with slim figures.  Women of all sizes and ages read their publications and it's about time that more portrayals of older people dressing as "they" see and feel like it, are included in each and every edition.

When these magazines, which they claim for all women, deign to present special little supplements for the older or the plus size woman, they treat it as though they're doing us a service and we should be eternally grateful for it.  Unfortunately they're carrying on the form of disctrimination that defies reason.

When will the media see women in all their differing shapes, sizes and ages as women per se.   There's no need to imply that anything other than a young, extremely thin woman is not acceptable as being typical and representative of women you see in any home or shopping mall.

Let's get real.   As an advocate for size acceptance for more than 40 years, I can't believe it's taking so long for "society" to demand total acceptance of all our differences, which after all, make us the same.

We need to celebrate womanhood for what it is and what it stands for.   As far as the media is concerned we've made no real inroads for decades.   Celebrate our natural shapes and sizes, and that includes thin and curvaceous.

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!

Does "aging" mean we must become invisible?

I've been reading a lot lately about mature-aged women feeling "invisible" as the grow older.  Now for a plus-size woman to say this causes a great deal of confusion and conversation!  Dare I say it, it also causes some amusement - even amongst plus-sizers!

An older woman is not expected to dress in the young trendy fashions - if she does she is subjected to a certain degree of ridicule; and yet on the other hand there's not much out there in the marketplace that allows for elegance and style for the growing older woman.

Growing older women (and I'm speaking for the 45 onwards woman) want to be smart in their dress, but unfortunately many of the well-known labels seem to have gone the way of the albatross and either converted to "young" fashion or else closed their doors.

Women in their mid 40s and older don't want to necessarily become part of the "beige" population - they want colour and flair.

It's always encouraging to see women such as Helen Mirren and Dame Quentin Bryce who always make headlines with their fashion-sense.  There's a good reason I have no doubt.  That is they have their clothes "made" for them.   I don't think they just happen to duck into the nearest so-called boutique at their local shopping centre to find something that says "style".

Copyright: http://www.mydaily.co.uk

Dressmakers are hard to find - especially those who will take on projects that include the plus-size woman.   If you know of a local dressmaker then write and let us know so that we can share that information with readers.  We will even draw up a Directory, divided into States - cities, suburbs, rural and country areas.  

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.

STYLE? JUST WHAT IS "STYLE" TODAY

If you care to look up your dictionary or thesaurus, you'll find many words that describe the word "style".   Those readers who are a little older (by a decade or two) know that "style" is something that a woman aims for in seeking and then finding that "style" which suits her, and makes her look good as well as feel good.  If you ask your Mum or grandmother, they'lll mention Judy Anne Ford, June Dally -Watkins; Sheila Scotter;  even Maggie T as having "style".

Here are a few of the descriptive words in today's thesaurus:  distinctive appearance;  a particular design of clothing;  elegance and sophistication; impressive and good taste (not as in food).

In today's Melbourne Herald Sun I found a challenging photograph depicting "street style" worn on Melbourne streets last week.   I say "challenging" because none of the above descriptive words can be used with the outfits photographed.  I am NOT challenging the wearers of the outfits, but rather the outfits themselves.

Copyright 2014 Melbourne SunHerald, Sunday March 9, 2014.

Of the four people photographed, only one (the young 20 year old with a striped dress showed any "style" a young and fresh and feminine look).   Of the other three, one could have just come in from doing the laundry;   another from walking the dog and wearing those ubiquitious "distressed" jeans with holes (do these people pay extra for the holes?), and the other grabbing the nearest thing to wear that looked relatively OK but surely couldn't in a fit, be classified as "style".

Has something happened to the English language without my noticing it?   Has someone been changing our every-day words to such an extent that they no longer mean what they say, or say what they mean?

Or have I lost sight of what is "style"?

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)

IF YOU BECOME ANGRY

When and if  you become angry

at how you now feel about life

angry at how you look;

angry about regrets;

angry at the things which you feel you are missing out on;

angry at bad decisions made;

angry about past experiences;

angry at certain people;

 and you don’t confront that anger and deal with it

then you successfully stifle

your own maturity and development.

If you want to stay in the mire of uncertainly and insecurity, do nothing

 - but take the responsibility for doing nothing

Others cannot be continually blamed for how you see yourself and your life if you are not open to taking charge and channeling your talents and energy into positive and right-thinking ideas and goals.  Don’t put others in a position where they have to feel guilty about your situation - just acept every person for who and what they are - preferably seeing the good points and appreciating those good points.    And how about recognising YOUR own good points?

And if others don’t fit into your perspective of decent and worthwhile people, then look elsewhere for your friendship.  This also applies to families, - quite often a family member can be a hindrance fo one’s own self-esteem and self-confidence.  Treat them with the respect they deserve - no more, no less, but don’t waste time on them.

Time is far too short to conentrate on negative people and negative situations.  Rise above the depressions and cloudy outlooks of life, and learn to look at yourself and see youself as a valuable person, and you’ll not only be a better person but certainly a happier one.  You don’t have to be popular, but at least it can be said of you that you know yourself, and accept yourself, and maybe before long you may find yourself considered by friends and foes alike as being a person who is straight forward and still nice to know.

.....© Rosemary P-B

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.

WHAT GOES ROUND, COMES ROUND!

If you, like me, are a woman of a certain age, then you'll recall back in the 1950s and 1960s wearing "fancy" stockings.  Stocking with designs.  Whether a plain black line down the centre of the back of the leg, or some with fancy all over lacy designs.

Well girls, just like Arnold Swarzenegger, they're back!   As leggings, no less.

Mind you, I don't think I have the courage to wear these leggings today - although when I think about it, perhaps I'll surprise everyone and get a pair just to see the looks on my girl-friends' faces!

But here, have a peek at what Taking Shape have in stock.    They fun and funky so join in and wear these with your special tops, jackets and tunics and make eyes turn in your direction.

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.

MAKE HEARTS FLUTTER

This was the title of an email I received from Monif C.   I love the peplum effect.  And isn't it true that red is definitely a colour of "power".   It says so many things, not the least being "I am Woman, Hear Me Roar!.

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.

BEWARE AN ELECTRONIC SHOCK!

It's amazing just what you can read in the daily newspaper, in my case the Melbourne Sun-Herald, especially when you're relaxing with a cup of coffee at your favourite Coffee Shop, after a morning's shopping.

(Please note that the bra pictured is NOT the so-called prototype "smart bra").

The headline did it for me:   

SMART BRA MAY STOP WOMEN OVEREATING

(I'll quote the article ver batim - with acknowledgement to who ever wrote it, although there was no indication as to who that might have been or which news agency it came through.)

"MICROSOFT researchers (who else????) have designed a smart bra that monitors a woman's mood in an attempt to prevent "emotional overeating".

The bra contains several removable sensors that monitor heart rate, breathing, skin activity and movement.

In theory, the bra could determine when a wearer is stressed and likely to look to food for relief, Microsoft researchers claim.

It would feed the data to a smartphone app via bluetooth and provide interventions such as breathing exercises to help the wearer beat their urge.

The researchers said the bra predicted emotions "significantly better than chance" after testing it on four women for four days.  They compared the physiological data to the women's self-reported emotions.

"Based on these results, we conclude building a wearable, physiological system is feasible," the researchers wrote.

But they said a real-world smart bra would need to be made more comfortable and have better battery life.

Analysts view wearables as the next frontier in technology.  Already there are wristbands that monitor well-being."

I don't know about you but technology seems to be going into areas that not even Captain Kirk (or even Mrs Kirk) envisioned.

How would you launder a bra that has a battery in it, in the first place?   Would the next step be possibly reducing the size of this "bra" to such an extent that it was not even necessary but where a chip could be implanted into a woman instead?    What if it got crossed wires and read a woman's mood incorrectly?  (Just like a lot of men!)

Anyway, women know their emotions.   They can read their bodies a lot easier than Microsoft researchers imagine.   Our bodies react in certain ways to protect us, to shield us and to allow us to confront, cope and then manage our situations.  

A "smart bra" - could this be going too far?  Are we becoming a nation of people who MUST have gimmicks for every use and occasion?  (Even uses that are preposterous?)

HURTING ....

"THE FIRST STEP IN NOT HURTING OTHERS

 IS TO STOP HURTING YOURSELF"

IT'S ALL VERY WELL .....

.... being told we should look, dress and be like someone else - notably a celebrity (whatever that really means!)

AGE SIZE and SHAPE do NOT matter in the true scheme of things.

It’s about time we learned to look at ourselves for who we are and what we are.  NOT to concentrate on how old we are; what shape we are and what size we are!

Too mugh time and energy both physical as well as emotional, can be wasted in pursuing “perfection” as it is seen in today’s media and on fashion runways, because whatever we try and however hard we try to do it, we will never fit into the moulds created by photographers (digital mastering) or cosmetic surgeons, because nature and aging will continue along their merry ways.  And we should be both grateful and inspired by that very fact.

In today’s world we need to look at each other, and indeed ourselves, as distinctive, unique and original one-off human beings.  Respect to and for each other as well as respect to and for ourselves, is an essential requirement for our own peace of mind, and self-confidence.

Rosemary

HEARD THE OTHER DAY ......

Black is SO boring, don’t you think?

Well, if you’re talking about the “common-place” corporate wear that women appear to prefer recently, then I agree with you.   It’s like seeing clones walking along the streets at any time of day.  All dressed alike, all in a rush, and all with tired scowling faces.  We know that working women have a lot on their mind, but scowling won’t make it better!  So what is it with working women that they must adhere to a dress code that doesn’t do that much for them?

I’m not suggesting that all business women should take a leaf out of Quentin Bryce’s (our present Governor-General) book, but surely suiting (and corporate women all seem to have taken to the business-suit) can be provided in colours that enhance women’s looks, rather than detract.   As some of my colleagues will say - "you’re being too judgemental - AGAIN”, but I believe professional women particularly can play a big part in allowing femininity to be a part of their dress-code, without having to resort to frills and flounces!   I like the “power-suit” idea.   Colour has the power to draw attention, to demand focus, and to inspire.   It also makes you "feel good about yourself".

But let’s get back to black being boring.  For the every-day women like you and me, that is.   I wear a lot of black and I NEVER find it boring.  I’ve worn it for decades and it has absolutely nothing to do with it being a “slimming” colour.   I don’t quite know where that idea sprung from, because I often wear white too!   When I do I always receive compliments.

Black is a “comfortable” colour.  It’s a colour (and here I’ve jumped in at the deep end because there are those who tell me it’s NOT a colour!), that I find lends itself to almost every occasion.  Especially from the point of view that it can be dressed up or dressed down.   It’s a happy colour if used correctly.    Bringing in contrasts - no more than two at any one time - and you have the makings of an interesting and ever-changing wardrobe.

So here’s an example of a black outfit with a simple accessory of bangles, and I would very much doubt anyone wearing this would NOT receive the highest of compliments and dinner invitations to boot!

IS THIS WHAT WE'VE GOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO?

The "fashion experts" whoever they really are, have come up with some weird predictions over the years.  This New Year there are some "doozies".

If women have nothing better than these forward-thinking suggestions, then perhaps they should take matters into their own hands, and dictate what THEY want, rather than be trundled around with ideas like the above.   Better still - find a good dressmaker and get her on side with working out a basic wardrobe of clothing to suit your life-style.   (All your friends will be SO envious!)

Quite honestly, this particular "forecast" in our leading morning newspaper, is nothing more than a repeat of the past five years, at least.

Maybe I'm too critical, but how feminine are the tight black leather pants (have these been taken from the show "Grease"?) and those darned torn, worn "distressed" jeans!   I'm not usually lost for words, but those type of clothes defy description.   Would someone explain to me why something most people throw out in the garbage seem to end up in the front window of your local boutique at an highly inflated price?

There's another question I'd like to ask.   What has happened to the shape of women's legs?    Are they too spindly now to even hold the body upright in order to balance?  Has womankind undergone some recent mutation in order to be able to be poured into clothes - how do they get out of them?    Models all seem to have become pigeon toed, and women everywhere are imitating them.

I admit I'm skeptical about the abilities of "fashion" people knowing what's good and what's not good, but to ignore the femininity of women which can be expressed through clothing, doesn't auger really well for "fashion for 2014".  Or does it?   Let's have some discussion on this.

As an aside, if this is what the younger-thinking SLIM woman has to choose from this year, then goodness knows what the PLUS-size market will come up with!!!!