AN OLD-FASHONED WALTZ

While it's always exciting to see what the modern trends are going to be, it's just as nice to see some of the beautiful older styled dresses cutely called "vintage" available too.

Strut Fashion of Canada has these lovely "vintage" evening dresses at the moment and I just wanted to show you the styling of these garments.  They're soft, flowing, flattering and feminine.

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.

WHAT IS SELF ESTEEM?

It’s many things.  Here are some of them.  (Based on a generously endowed curvaceous woman's experience!)

Self-esteem is learning:

* to like yourself, as you are! 

* to see yourself as a friend would see you, as a person worthy of respect

*  that it is not being selfish if you want things - perhaps you’d like to go to university;  you’d like to have a top flight career;  and you’d like to dress well

* that people from all sorts of walks of life should treat you with respect and courtesy

* that your health and fitness should be seen as being of the same worth as any other person, especially younger and slimmer

* that your health and fitness is YOUR business

* that your opinions should be respected   

* that your intelligence should not be questioned

* that how you dress is your choice (and your business) and  you shouldn’t be expected to accept derision or contempt

* that you have rights.   Rights that may include being able to choose for yourself those things that will make you happy.  Choosing for yourself those things that you agree o disagree with.   Choosing for yourself your own circle of friends.  Choosing for yourself what you may eat and what you may choose not to eat.   

* that no one has the right to push you into doing things that you don’t want to do, such as dieting, or undergoing surgical manipulations, including cosmetic

*  that you can do what you want if you really want to

*  that you can wish for anything you want and then go out and make your wishes come true

* that you have a right to be loved.   By others and by yourself

* that no one has a right to belittle you, to put you down or to walk over you

*  that you have the right to pursue a career, and that promotions are part and parcel of that career

* that you have the right to look for a partner and the right to be loved and respected by that person.

* that you should never be used, or abused (in an form, including verbally, physically, emotionally or any other sort)

* that you are a unique and a one-off person with your own personality and individuality

* that your opinions are valuable assets and are yours alone

*  that you have a special place in this universe, and no one has the right to tell you otherwise.  

NOBODY EVER SAID IT WAS EASY - but then if something is worthwhile it’s worth fighting for ...

self-esteem

if you want it, you have to work at it!

Today in the 21st Century, women are targetted with never-ending pressures to follow the dictates of many sections of society to meet a certain criteria.   That criteria has been set by people who are not perfect, so the probability that we can attain the standard demanded of us, is impossible.   

That doesn’t stop them from pestering us, nor does it stop us, for that matter, from turning ourselves inside out (both physically as well as emotionally) in an effort to become more acceptable to these people.   

For the plus-size women, as a result of unabated intolerance, whether it be based on our size, shape, weight or age, we begin to believe the negative insinuations voiced and displayed through magazines and television as well as by other people.

It doesn’t take too long before we are agreeing with them, maybe not so much verbally, but certainly from an internal guilt attitude.   If we had self-esteem to start with, then it quickly begins to erode, as year after year we are buffeted with unhealthy discriminatory attitudes.   We lose the fight to overcome this sort of treatment until such time as the perpetrators of this intolerance believe they’ve won the battle.

As a person of size, some time ago I personally decided to take a stand against this intolerance, and surprised everyone, including myself!   

My story runs parallel with thousands of others, in that being a taller and larger child I was subjected to rudeness and humiliation from a tender age by one of my parents.  The other loved me unconditionally!

Many women who are plus-size confide that their childhood was one of utter confusion.   If some members of their family showed affection towards them, then those who wouldn’t tolerate them being chubby or even taller than others at a similar age, showed hostility and disdain.  Growing up in such an atmosphere will make anyone confused!   This confusion may go on for years, and may sadly continue without a solution.

So what can we do about it?   I think it’s more a matter of “what do we want to do about it?”

If we are serious about wanting to change the situation, then it’s up to us, first and foremost to make an Action Plan.

Nobody else is going to fix the problem - if we’re honest, everybody else has got their own problems.   And anyway, isn’t  it a lot more fulfilling to know that we have resolved a lot of inconsistencies by doing something for ourselves?

I’m a great believer in making “lists”.  I’ve done it since childhood, and I still do it today.   If I want something or wish for something then I get out my pen and a writing pad, and write down the pros and cons of how I aim to achieve that plan or dream.

It’s all very well having the plan inside your head - it’s when you actually express your desire in writing and see it in black and white before your eyes, that suddenly a whole lot of things fall into place.

And that makes the journey VERY interesting!  

Don’t make the mistake however of believing that it’s going to be easy.  Oh, no.  Nothing worthwhile in this life comes easy.  If it did, then we would never have to struggle or strive and we’d never really gain what we’re after.  We wouldn’t grow as a person, because we’d get used to sitting back and having everything nice come to us.    What a lazy time of it we would have!

So let’s look at Self Esteem and some of the things it means.   Believe me, it means a lot, and my list only covers some!

Add your own, and if you’re brave why not let us know some of your additions to the list!  

You've got to smile!!!

Summer/Winter

It's hard to believe that somewhere in the world women are enjoying summer weather.   Even if it is tending towards the start of autumn (fall).    Here in the southern states of Australia, we're having one of the coldest winters on record.   The snowfields are ecstatic with the falls, and even visitors from Canada and the USA are quoted as saying this is one of the best snowfields for 2014.

It's when comparing the garment industry - insofar as trying to find smart winter wear here that is innovative as well as colourful while at the same time eyeing the beautiful summer wear on sale in the US, that we become eager buyers especially when it comes to taking advantage of the many sales over there.  In other words to get ourselves some lovely summer wear in anticipation of our spring/summer seasons.

















It looks as though the pantsuit had returned, as have the maxi dresses.   Which is good for the woman with curves because both these styles suit the gently rounded figure.  Much to the pleasant surprise of those of us with curves!


So here's a selection of maxi dresses, together with a pantsuit that will take you through the balmy afternoons and evenings of the spring/summer weather.   They are all from Igigi.

























As well here's a delightful short skirted dress that will fit in to any occasion.   Dressed up or dressed down all these beautiful dresses say one thing - Big is Beautiful.

The NoteBook July 2014

As with countless other business woman over recent years have done, I've reinvented myself a number of times.  Now I think the time has come again, as the Walrus said, "to speak of many things".  I'd like to add a rider, that the things I speak of will be nice and happy things. 

For those readers in warmer climes, please think of us here in the southern states of Australia experiencing a very cold, if not freezing, winter.   It has to be said (and thousands are saying it) but the weather patterns are definitely changing, and yet reading archival newspapers it seems that with each season there've been articles over the past 150 years at least, saying the same thing.    Perhaps we are heading for another Ice Age!  That's not to say that when we are experiencing the excessive heat of our summers that we don't think we're heading into a Heat Age!   

Of course weather patterns have a big bearing on what we wear.   For the generously endowed woman, we are persuaded that the clothes being presented to us each season, take into account not only our needs but also give us many options in being able to buy clothes that are imaginative and flattering.   I said earlier that I intended to make my comments nice and happy.  Here I am already contradicting myself!  In a nutshell, the majority of clothing stores for the more curvaceous woman have fallen into a habit of giving us clothing that looks as though it is being made from one pattern and one pattern only.   It's all very well having a comfortable tunic style garment to be worn over tights or leggings but most of us would like to have more options to choose from.  More stylish garments;  I know I would.    I'll give you some examples of what I mean by stylish and flattering.

I've included the first picture because its from way back in the 1950s - Jane Russell is wearing a swing jacket that is completely lined in satin.  Oh, yes, I remember this type of garment so well!   The pictures following are from the modern era - Monif C, Love Your Peaches, Kita Ku and Igigi.   All these garments make a statement - and we need garments like this to make us feel proud, feminine and attractive.  In fact we should by this time be demanding our suppliers to cater to what we need and want, rather than allowing them to "persuade" us that what they want to give us is what we should be grateful for!

  

Another thing too.  I do like shopping for myself.   Being able to walk into a store, wander around and choose something that really takes my eye.   Being able to see the true colour, the feel of the fabric and how it looks on me when I try it on.   How I feel about myself when I have it on!  

Now here are some from the latest seasonal offerings, for the larger woman no less.  

Do we really want to dress like teenagers?  To dress as our daughters, or for women like me, to dress like our grand-daughters?   Should I consider myself a grumpy old woman - never satisfied with what the market is offering me?   I'm beginning to think that maybe I have the right to say what I'd like to wear, and to persuade manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers that I deserve to be pampered.   I have made the grade, and earned my Degree!  

I'd be so interested to hear your thoughts.  Write in and voice your views and opinions.  

'til next time

Fondest regards

Rosemary    

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).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

MAKING YOUR OWN CLOTHES

Photo - Wikimedia Commons

I have an interesting (to me, that is) question for readers.  Based on what women in other countries do,   how many Australian women today actually sit down at their sewing machine and "make" their own clothes?    Up until the 1970s and even 80s, many women regularly increased their wardrobes by making their own clothes as well as accessories.

Today, for the size 16-plus woman, this seems to be a very good idea.  That is, if she can acquire a selection of patterns that allow her to choose and adapt her size, according to what size she may be at any point in time.

For however often she looks around in the stores that claim to be for the size 16-plus, she is confronted with nothing that is sufficiently different to what she sees in every other store.  In other words it seems that the "current trend" at any season is decided upon by small-minded business prople who think that anything mass produced, looks the same (but in different colours) will suit every type of woman.  Regardless of age, shape or size.

We need to encourage women to consider sewing.  On a sewing machine.  Or even as I have known - to make a garment by hand.  And this wasn't in the early 20th centure, this was earlier this year.  

The biggest problem is to find good, and I mean distinctly stylish and practical patterns.   Burda patterns were very good and they came out with some excellent books that contained multi size patterns, for modern, smart clothing.   I'm not sure whether patterns books are still available (as opposed to single patterns)  however here is their site.   http://www.burdastyle.com 

Knitwit sewing books are also excellent (especially the Kwik-Sew Lingerie Book) http://www.knitwit.com.au/KwikSew-Sewing-Instruction-Books.html

I've recently been contacted here by a local lady who is seriously considering bringing out her own line of patterns for the size-plus, and it would be interesting to hear from readers as to what they consider to be a good size range to be provided in patterns.   Particularly thinking of the Australian women and her changing shape.

What I'd really like to see is a range of disctinctly Australian garments - I think it's about time we found our "national identity" in our own style of clothing.   Do you think that's possible?

I look forward to hearing from you,

QUOTATION OF THE DAY

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

"I've never sought success in order to get fame and money;

it's the talent and the passion that count in success."

...... Ingrid Bergman

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.