Style Trends

When it comes to the plus size shirt, the t-shirt is probably the item we wear most frequently.When you need a shirt to lounge or work at home or for a quick shopping trip, this type of shirt excells.  A plus size tee shirt is so very versatile and simple to take care of. The cool cotton fabric can be tossed into the washer and dryer, unlike some shirts made with more expensive fabric.

Unfortunately, today’s designers of tee shirts haven’t caught up with the rest of the fashion world. There are far fewer nice tees in sized 16 and over.  It seems like the prettiest t-shirts with V necks or a more form fitting style are hard to find in sizes over 16W.Simply do not revert to purchasing tshirts meant for men.  Take a look at today’s plus size polo shirts instead.

Polo shirts for full figured women come in a huge variety of styles, from long sleeve to short sleeve.There are polo shirts to fit every budget, from about $14 to over $200. Every conceivable color and print can be found in a polom from sedate to outrageous. The less expensive ones simply don’t have the little Ralph Lauren logo on them.  But who cares about that?  We’ve seen polo shirts with little horses on them as well as the Tommy Hilfiger logo.  I think I’d rather wear a shirt with a totally unknown logo, and make people guess how much I paid.

Other kinds of plus size shirts are the button down big shirt, which can be worn over a tank top or tee, and camp shirts with plaqueted pockets.An oxford shirt is a wonderful choice for business and for the colder seasons.

Take a little time shopping online and pick the fabrics that go with your coloring and personality.You just have to have a lot of shirts to fit your lifestyle. Always keep in mind how much you want to spend.It would be real shame to have to take your shirts back to the store!

Take a friend shopping with you and make plus size clothing shopping a breeze.

Women’s plus size blouses are far nicer than they were years ago.Long ago, clothing makers thought that the only blouse a plus size woman needed was a peasant blouse.Fashion designers these days know that we desire, and deserve, the full spectrum of styles. Now blouses for full figure women are just as fashionable.

What could be more stylish, or comfy, than a lovely plus size silk blouse? We think silk is the most comfortable of fabrics, and can go from the office to a date with ease.  It’s just a little harder to take care of them, but it’s all worth the effort. I recently bought a blouse from Spiegel that comes in silk charmeuse in sizes up to 20W.

The plus size wrap blouse is certain to help every woman look thinner. It has something to do with the slanted line created by the wrap.Wrap blouses are designed for casual wear as well as for club going or elegant parties.  You’ll find pretty blouses in cotton, silk and satin.There are blouses decorated with sequins, fine lace or intricate beading. We can’t buy enough of these.

I know I could never walk by any plus size dressy blouses without trying them on. Certainly not if it comes in the color pink. With a lace back, short sleeves and a criss cross wrap bodice, my latest addition is as appropriate for club wear as well as for any important event. Constructed of a blend of rayon, it comes from eVogues and really is inexpensive.

What could be dressier than a silk beaded blouse like the one offered by Newport News?With lovely lines, you can get it in a pale blue or mint green in sizes up to 20 W. Get a lovely sequin blouse as a second purchase and you’re ready for any special occasion that comes up.

You know the term “little black dress”?Well, one wardrobe staple you must own is a little black blouse.  You’ll see these with spaghetti straps, off the shoulder sleeves, a v neck, or square neck in many fabric styles. And, you know that black can be either fun or mysterious or elegant.

Plus size blouses are a necessity.  We’re so thankful that plus size clothing designers have woken up to the fact that we are a market to be satisfied.

There’s probably one thing that all plus-size women and their wardrobes have in common.  Should I let you guess?  Yep, you’re right, it’s the predominance of black clothing.  It’s funny.  Somewhere along the way, we all seem to have bought into the idea that black is SLIMMING – and into the further idea that we needed to be “slimmed” by our clothing.  An annoying concept for those of us who LIKE our curves.  (And who see the irony in skinny women “enhancing” curves after starving to be slender.)  Why can’t we all just get along???  LOL.

But I didn’t start this article to write all that.  I started this article to talk about my favorite topic: the plus size little black dress.  There is one thing that we ALL need in our wardrobe, and that’s the perfect little black dress.  Why?  Because that one garment can take you from your daytime doldrums to your night-time fantasies within seconds – and almost as simply as if your fairy godmother showed up with a pair of glass slippers and a pumpkin carriage!

First of all, make sure that you HAVE a few little black dresses on hand, and make sure they’re stylish and in good condition.  Sometimes we wear them so often, that they’ve simply lost their pizzazz.  If you need one or two new ones, be BOLD and go for a shorter hem or a lower neckline.  After all, you can always toss on a great long, dramatic silk scarf (tied at the back of your neck) to create a more appropriate look for the office.  When you leave for the day, tie that same scarf sideways around your waste to add an attention-getting extra to your ensemble.  

What else can you do to pump up the volume?  Here’s 8 more tips to get the ball rolling.

1.    Stockings.  Remember that a simple little black dress can carry a bigger accessory statement.  Go for fishnet pantyhose!  … or at least consider a few polka dots or a classy seam up the back.  

2.    Shoes.  Okay, this is your chance to give yourself a REAL lift.A perk in having a basic black dress is that you can add accessories of any color.  Just make sure that you create a symphony of color – and not chaos.  If your shoes are red, your scarf should feature the same shade too.  You get the picture.

3.    Think about a hat.  Same reason.  A basic black outfit can carry those amazing extras that a print or plaid might not.  Just keep the chapeau to the same level of classiness.

4.    Go for the gusto with ONE big signature piece of jewelry, instead of an ensemble.

5.    Follow 7th Avenue’s latest craze and add a vibrant, colored trench over your little black dress!

6.    Add a zipper!  If you’ve seen anything in the media about fashion recently, you’ve probably noticed that exterior, exposed zippers are jazzing it up all over the place.  Want to make a strong statement with little effort?  Use double-sided tape to put a long faux zipper up the back of your dress – or hey – up the FRONT would be amazing!  (Just remember, it will only get you through the night!)  Remember to actually SEW the zipper in place if you love the look!

7.    Got an old dress that you’re ready to replace?  Add a few inches of lace at the bottom and at the neckline and save it for your next special occasion.  Lace might be too dressy for the office, but it is always a go at weddings and christenings.  

8.    Finally, #8 (which is actually #10, if you’ve been keeping count!).  It’s all in the bag!  Okay, I try NOT to talk about bags in every accessory column – just because it’s so obvious, but for the perfect little black dress, we simply CAN’T overlook the bag.  In this case, you don’t need to spend a TON of money either.  Hit the local thrift store and look for the most amazing little handbag you can find – or the boldest.  Remember, the great thing about the basic plus size little black dress is that it can make a BIG statement with just a LITTLE effort.

There’s probably one thing that all plus-size women and their wardrobes have in common.  Should I let you guess?  Yep, you’re right, it’s the predominance of black clothing.  It’s funny.  Somewhere along the way, we all seem to have bought into the idea that black is SLIMMING – and into the further idea that we needed to be “slimmed” by our clothing.  An annoying concept for those of us who LIKE our curves.  (And who see the irony in skinny women “enhancing” curves after starving to be slender.)  Why can’t we all just get along???  LOL.

But I didn’t start this article to write all that.  I started this article to talk about my favorite topic: the plus size little black dress.  There is one thing that we ALL need in our wardrobe, and that’s the perfect little black dress.  Why?  Because that one garment can take you from your daytime doldrums to your night-time fantasies within seconds – and almost as simply as if your fairy godmother showed up with a pair of glass slippers and a pumpkin carriage!

First of all, make sure that you HAVE a few little black dresses on hand, and make sure they’re stylish and in good condition.  Sometimes we wear them so often, that they’ve simply lost their pizzazz.  If you need one or two new ones, be BOLD and go for a shorter hem or a lower neckline.  After all, you can always toss on a great long, dramatic silk scarf (tied at the back of your neck) to create a more appropriate look for the office.  When you leave for the day, tie that same scarf sideways around your waste to add an attention-getting extra to your ensemble.  

What else can you do to pump up the volume?  Here’s 8 more tips to get the ball rolling.

1.    Stockings.  Remember that a simple little black dress can carry a bigger accessory statement.  Go for fishnet pantyhose!  … or at least consider a few polka dots or a classy seam up the back.  

2.    Shoes.  Okay, this is your chance to give yourself a REAL lift.  The great thing about a black basic is that you can add almost ANY signature color to your accessories.  Just make sure that you create a symphony of color – and not chaos.If you are wearing red shoes than your scarf should also be red or have red in it.  You get the picture.

3.    Think about a hat.  Same reason.  A basic black outfit can carry those amazing extras that a print or plaid might not.  Just keep the chapeau to the same level of classiness.

4.    Go for the gusto with ONE big signature piece of jewelry, instead of an ensemble.

5.    Follow 7th Avenue’s latest craze and add a vibrant, colored trench over your little black dress!

6.    Add a zipper!  If you’ve seen anything in the media about fashion recently, you’ve probably noticed that exterior, exposed zippers are jazzing it up all over the place.  Want to make a strong statement with little effort?  Use double-sided tape to put a long faux zipper up the back of your dress – or hey – up the FRONT would be amazing!  (Just remember, it will only get you through the night!)  Remember to actually SEW the zipper in place if you love the look!

7.    Got an old dress that you’re ready to replace?  Add a few inches of lace at the bottom and at the neckline and save it for your next special occasion.  Lace might be too dressy for the office, but it is always a go at weddings and christenings.  

8.    Finally, #8 (which is actually #10, if you’ve been keeping count!).  It’s all in the bag!  Okay, I try NOT to talk about bags in every accessory column – just because it’s so obvious, but for the perfect little black dress, we simply CAN’T overlook the bag.  In this case, you don’t need to spend a TON of money either.  Hit the local thrift store and look for the most amazing little handbag you can find – or the boldest.  Remember, the great thing about the basic plus size little black dress is that it can make a BIG statement with just a LITTLE effort.

With the weather warming up and summer vacation quickly approaching, I decided to go on a quest for the best fitting plus size swimsuit. We all know that swimsuits can be pretty pricey, but I personally am willing to pay the price for something that is not only durable, but figure flattering and stylish. The last thing you want to have on your vacation is an ill-fitting swimsuit since you will basically live in it for however long you are away at your tropical paradise.

Fit is very important to me when shopping for a plus size swimsuit. As a Mother, Wife, and Plus Size Model it is important to me to NOT have all of my “business” showing to the entire world. I look for a swimsuit that I can not only wear from patio to poolside, but one that I can wear to the water slide park or for a day at the beach with the family. It is always nice to have a couple of different options based on the occasion, but I know not all of us have that luxury so we can make 1 suit work for all of the above.

On my quest I visited many different stores in the mall that I know carry plus size clothing such as Torrid, Macys, and JC Penny to check out their swimsuit collections. At each store I tried on a variety of swimsuits and had no luck at all. I just could not find a suit that fit me right and was stylish at the same time. I came home feeling frustrated and exhausted, so I decided to sit down and browse the web for other options. While searching online I found some amazing plus size swimsuit styles that were nowhere to be found at the mall on sites that I knew focused on plus size fashion and sizing.

The first site I sought out was LaneBryant.com and I found the Miraclesuit “Oceanus” one-piece swimsuit for $134.00 available in Black and Ocean Blue. This is a classic look is for any occasion and has special stretch fabric that provides extra support to give you a noticeably slimmer silhouette. You cannot go wrong with this swimsuit!

The second site I visited was AlwaysForMe.com where I fell in love with the Twist Front Bandeau one-piece plus size swimsuit for $79.00 available in a variety of colors. This swimsuit has been featured in a variety of magazines such as O, The Oprah Magazine and is considered one of their top selling swimsuits. This suit has everything I am looking for in a plus size swimsuit. It has full tummy control, shirred sides that help create a curvy waistline, a super cute skirt that provides some coverage but doesn’t make you look like you are wearing a full swimdress, and the halter strap can be removed. AMAZING! This style is perfect to go from patio to poolside at the resort. I also love how easy it is to shop on their site and how much detail they give you on each and every item. You also can shop by your body type A+ to Alwaysforme.com.

Lastly I visited Swimsuitsforall.com I found the Delta Burke “Tigress” plus size halter tankini in brown for $98.00. This suit is super cute and has a high v-neck for good coverage and cinched sides with a drawstring tie detail. This is a great two-piece style and works perfect for an apple shaped girl. Love it!

These are just 3 plus size swimsuits that I found to be the best in durability, fit, and style. I feel that all women of every size and shape deserve to wear beautiful, stylish swimsuits and feel confident. So far the plus size collections I found on-line for 2009 have some amazing choices to fit every shape. So have fun this season, be adventurous, try something new, and always love the skin you are in.

Danielle Line, Guest Writer, Plus Size Model for www.swakdesigns.com

Today, plus size clothes are as varied and fashionable as any other womens clothing. Gone are the days when the plus size women did not have the selection to select from as regular size women. From the young trendy teen to the mature business women, there is a large selection of plus size clothing to select from.

The fact that retailers are now designing plus size clothing in designs the same as other womens clothing is shown by the extensive range of plus size dresses that are available. These can be purchased in every style in all colors for every occasion. These are now manufactured just for the plus size figure and therefore fit well and will make any women feel good and look great. A fantastic range of styles can be bought with a great choice of stunning color prints ideal for summer. For formal occasions there are many elegant evening dresses that will make any woman look stunning. Special occasions are very well looked after, with stunning plus size prom dresses, wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses and maternity dresses available in all sizes with many styles to choose from. it is possible to have a plus size dress for every situation.

For a more casual look denim jeans can be bought in most sizes and designs with a cut to make any woman look and feel good. Put a pair of trendy denim jeans with a good looking denim jacket for a fantastic style. Add a few fashion accessories such as a beltfor a fantastic finish.

For beach or pool days there is a large range of plus size swimwear in the latest fashion styles with all sizes available. There is a fantastic range of colors and designs to choose from. Plus size swim wear is designed and cut specifically to make the plus size woman look fantastic and feel great about herself.

The range of plus size lingerie is extremely extensive, every woman can find something that will make her look and feel special. Any woman will look seductive with the range of lingerie available in every style imaginable. All plus size womans lingerie is designed for the plus size figure to be sure of a perfect fit in all sizes.

The selection of outdoor clothing is large, with outdoor coats and jackets in modern trendy designs or more practical designs for when the weather is poor.

To conclude, the selection of plus size clothing that can be purchased is now as extensive as clothes available in regular sizes. There isn’t a reason for the plus size woman to compromise on what she wears. Any woman can look amazing and feel great about herself.