Optical Illusions

The more I look, the more I'm seeing that there are so many other women out there that are looking for better clothes!! It makes me so happy to see that women are no longer afraid to demand what they need! People like Bethe Ditto (American singer-songwriter) are trying to make more fashionable or trendy clothes that fit plus size females! I'll be honest, Mis Ditto's line is way too 80's for me (I didn't like the 80's the first time around...ugh), but I really like that she is making clothes for someone her size that wants that look, since it is so on the front of fashion right now (unfortunately...). I have also discovered more blogs and sites such as PlusSizeFashionWeek.com that have some clothes that really work! Of course not all of them are beutiful. It is hard to make plus size clothing because a design may work for a size 14 0r 16, but not wo well for a 24 or 26. It also depends on the overall shape of the body. Hour glass, pear (that's me...), cylinder, and round shapes all have different needs. It is therefore up to us ladies to figure out our shape and how to dress it in a way that makes us look as sexy and beautiful as we are! Here are some simple tips I'll post some links you can go to to figure out what shape you are and what you can do to flatter that shape. Also, if you don't already, watch TLC's What Not to Wear! I have gotten some really great make up tricks as well as tips on dressing right for my body. I keep telling my friends they should nominate me so I can really find great, quality pieces that will make me look my best! (Not to mention spending $5000 in NYC would be a dream come true!!)

Here are some basic tips for each shape type:

Cylindar - style lines can give illusion of hour glass. Use seam lines, patterns and belts to accent your waist and make it look smaller.

Pear - widen shoulder line with extended shoulders, shoulder pads, and boat necks. Slender hips with seam lines with darker colors toward the outside and lighter colors in the middle. No leggings!

Round - widen out hemline with mermaid and A-line skirts, shoulders with v-line or slimming neckline.

Hour glass - accentuate shape without bulking up! Flaunt that figure!

Here are a few links to give you more info:

http://www.dressmenow.com/shape.htm
http://mechelepellebon.com/blog/2009/01/03/flatter-your-figure-how-to-dress-for-your-shape/
http://www.curvycounselor.com/dress-for-your-body-shape.html

Please post any additional links that you might find that are helpful! Also let me know if there are topics you want to talk about!

(Images from http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2007/03/15/do_you_pursue_an_hourglass_figure.php?page=2 and edited by me)

A Fresh Look at Plus Size Fashion!

In this blog, I will be looking at fashion for women with curves! As a curvy girl myself, I have a hard time finding clothes that not only fit well, but are fashion forward and beautiful! Everything has these horrible huge, old-lady prints, too much of the same gross bright colors (not updated colors that are actually in season), things made in that horrible stretchy, clingy fabric that was really popular at Wet Seal in the early 1990s (you know the stuff - it shows every flaw...*shudder*), or jeans with too much spandex in the fiber mix (because the base size is too small) which makes the jeans stretch out and fall off 15 minutes! I will be addressing these problems and trying to help those of us who are real women find something that doesn't look like my grandmother wore, well, ever! (Exceptions would be great vintage inspired stuff - that is a given.) I'd like to find better prints, better fit, and better style!!! I also will be addressing the fact that, statistically speaking. the majority of women in the US are overweight, which means that a garment made for a size 8 (industry standard) will not fit most women!!

I look forward to finding some places where full figured women can find clothes that make them feel good about themselves and as beautiful as they are!