Splendicity » Plus Size

Leather Jacket, Part Deux

Meieli Detoni — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:16:45 +0000

I’m hunting down an awesome leather jacket that’s not metallic this time! I won’t call myself a collector of sorts just yet, but I have been amassing quite a few leather jackets this season. I just love how versatile leather jackets can be–layer them up or down, and you can go just about anywhere!

Image: Talbots

This particular coat is a soft-swing version that’s comfortably roomy, with an open front. If you have any thick wool sweaters or other heavy knits, you might want to check out this option. It’s a good way to layer without getting overly weighed down or looking like your jacket is hanging open by accident.

I promise that the next time I feature a leather jacket, it’ll be one that’s vegan-friendly… pleather, if you will, but trust me, it’ll be way classier. I’ve seen some good ones, and have been bookmarking them as I go along.

It’s available up to size 24.

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Leather Jacket, Part Deux

Extra Coverage with Perfect Cami

Chloe Findlay-Harder — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:20:13 +0000

I think most women have a top or two in their closet that they’re just not quite comfortable wearing…

There is a time and a place for flaunting a little extra cleavage – but what do you do if you want a little extra coverage, without adding any extra bulk? How about adding some extra color to an otherwise dull outfit?

Debbie Rubio has come up with an interesting solution – the “Perfect Cami“:

It’s kind of like a cross between a camisole and a bra. The panel of fabric in front adds extra coverage and color to your outfit, while the straps just clip to your bra straps to stay in place.

The cami comes in lots of different options, from plain, solid colors:

To a rainbow of different laces, fabrics and even sparkly options:

Perfect Cami also is available in plus sizes (up to a 44 DDD bust). Their bridal lace collection is available with Swarovski crystal accents and clear straps.

images: Perfect Cami

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Extra Coverage with Perfect Cami

Non-Mom Jeans for Moms in Plus

Meieli Detoni — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:32:54 +0000

I really feel for anyone over 40 or 45 who is shopping for jeans. Choices are far from plentiful, and sizing pitiful at best. I’ve been following Not Your Daughter’s Jeans for a while, and I thought that this pair is a good solution for avoiding the “mom jeans” issue.

Image: Lord and Taylor

Available to size 24W, this black, bootcut pair has a more youthful cut and shape to satisfy your requirements for both style and fit. Don’t despair if you’re always shopping for jeans and you never like any! I saw plenty more styles of NYDJ-brand denim over at Lord and Taylor as well, and it’s usually pretty easy to find a mall with this department store if you’re not in a rural area. Good luck shopping for your new jeans, and don’t forget to pair them with something totally fabulous.

There are several other styles available at Lord and Taylor.

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Non-Mom Jeans for Moms in Plus

Catherine’s: Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale

Meieli Detoni — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:37:53 +0000

Catherine’s can be challenging to shop at for the younger set, I’m not going to lie. You can find more of the shapeless, body-skimming things over there, but who can ignore a “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” sale? Their jacket price-point is current around $120 for work pieces, and $60-ish for casual jackets.

Image: Catherine's

My magic trick for making Catherine’s work for my curvy figure is to belt everything that otherwise wouldn’t fit quite right. If you’re saving $60-$120, why not try a few pieces out?

One of my favorite happens to have ruffles, but I swear it’s not intentional! This jacket is a professional option with a touch of femininity–and in black–and that’s something I simply can’t ignore. I love that Catherine’s goes up to 34W, too, so I thought that if you’re over size 20, you might like if I switch it up.

Other jackets I liked included:

*Brushed Twill Jacket
*Ruffle Trim Denim Jacket
*Stretch Black Denim Jacket

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Catherine’s: Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale

Black Wrap Dress from Alfani

Meieli Detoni — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:18:38 +0000

This Alfani dress is just amazing! I love it, and it’s size 1X-3X–awesome. I have a feeling that the sizing can move either way in one direction either way, so it’s pretty generous. Throw it in the wash when you need to, and I know that it will be perfectly fine without stretching out horribly.

Photo (c) Macy's

The shape of this particular piece is pretty simple and short, with a 3/4 sleeve and an above-knee length. It’s just the right combination for tights and tall boots, so you can show just a peek of patterns in herringbone and opaque. The dress’s v-neck dips down and wraps nicely, and the band keeps everything in place just perfectly. With a little stretch, we’re in business! I can finally replace that Dorothy Perkins wrap dress I have had since 2004. Joy!

Check out this Alfani dress, which is only available at Macy’s. Strike while the iron is hot. . .

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Black Wrap Dress from Alfani

Stop Mixing Plus and Maternity

Meieli Detoni — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:50:20 +0000

Do you have any plus-size fashion pet peeves? I definitely have one: when people mix maternity and plus in the same batch! Sometimes I am shopping for plus-size picks and I see something really cute–and then I’m like, wait, what’s that?! Oh yes, it’s a maternity pair of jeans stuck in the plus-size fashion section! Arg.

Image: Torrid

After sifting through what felt like an extraordinary number of maternity items today, I did find a pair of jeans that suited me well: these Dickies ones from Torrid that seem to have an utterly flattering fit. Sigh. . . it’s sometimes worth it to page through all the bulging bellies, but why do they do that? Who is the keyworder responsible for tagging plus-size fashions “maternity” ones? It’s not hard enough shopping for looks over size 14, wouldn’t you agree?

Do you have trouble with plus-size and maternity fashions getting all mixed up?

What do you think?

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Stop Mixing Plus and Maternity

Making Soft, but Strong Vertical Lines

Meieli Detoni — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:39:17 +0000

When most people think “vertical lines,” especially for the plus-size women, they think overly long dresses with vertical stripes, floor-skimming slacks, and smart blouses. What about the soft stuff? Some of us love dressing up in ruffles and otherwise feminine pieces that certainly don’t help you look long and strong. What’s a girl to do? Try these tips to keep your look soft while still appearing tall and leaner.

Image: Catherine's

*Look for sweaters with pointed or elongated fronts to make the eyes run up and down the front of the body in a sweeping motion. Choose something dark or nondescript for the full effect, so the eye can move around the figure more easily.

*When selecting ruffled items, choose a piece with a slight ripple, but not rows upon rows of ruffles. Select a shirt with a single ruffle row, or with a stylized hem or button placket instead. Consider getting a piece with ribbon or tape trim running down the bodice front instead of ruffles, if you can!

*Shop for jackets and sweaters with a defined front placket. Have you seen overcoats with a covered front placket? Find this type that actually “hides” buttons and snaps, and then add more visually vertical lines with a funnel neck or topstitching along the front seams.

*Choose a dress with a ruffle or detail along the hem, but make sure that it has strong princess seams or other bodice seaming to make the eye sweep down the body.

I love this soft piece from Catherine’s, which is comfortable, but still makes you look tall.

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Making Soft, but Strong Vertical Lines

Should Plus Women Wear Ruffles?

Meieli Detoni — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:45:32 +0000

Would you wear ruffles? I have to admit that I’m tempted by them on a regular basis, and at a number of shops, too. If you have the same “problem” as I do, do you give in and buy ruffly items, even though they could increase the possibility of looking bulky? This is an especially big deal for those of us who are larger up top, because ruffles are excellent at making your bust look luscious.

Image: Nordstrom

Sigh. I think that this shirt from Nordstrom would be cute for the holidays, but I’m going to stick with one with more low-key ruffly details instead. While I won’t be able to completely ignore my draw to ruffles, I can control it with intelligent purchases (and a little bit of control).

Are we voting yea or nay on this? Is it as problematic, ruffle-wise, as I think, or am I just being paranoid?

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Should Plus Women Wear Ruffles?

Plus-Size Miami Dress Sale Date Changed

Meieli Detoni — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:29:33 +0000

If you remember me mentioning the plus-size Miami dress sale date, I wanted to let you know that I just got a note in the mail that the date has changed! It has now been rescheduled to coincide with the Design District Art Walk, which is a fun Miami Event as well. I know that I received emails that people were buying plane tickets to head out, so here’s the updated info.

Image: Nordstrom

WHAT: Angel’s Plus-Size Vintage Fashion Showcase
WHERE: Angel’s Vintage Boutique, 4308 NE 2nd Ave., Miami 33137
WHEN: Saturday, September 12, noon to 6 p.m.

Will you attend? If you do, shoot me an email and let me know, or leave a comment on this blog, because I’m looking forward to meeting a plus size shopper or two while I’m there! Take your skinny minny friends, too, because the vintage dress sale starts at size 0 and goes up to 22.

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Plus-Size Miami Dress Sale Date Changed

Pricey but Lovely: Silk Dance Dress

Meieli Detoni — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:21:23 +0000

Do you ever see a dress that’s way out of your price range at the moment, but you still want it? Then you keep going back and checking out the dress, torturing yourself, until you finally give in? This one is it for me: it’s a plus silk dance dress from Tashadi Shoji with the perfectly amount of embellishment to make it special.

Image: Bloomingdale's

Available in an aqua color, it’s glowing from the get-go, but the cool details don’t stop there. The details at the waist/bust are “mesh covered jewels,” which sounds intriguing, and there is plenty of pleating to add swish to your step. All this needs to get you out the door is a pair of strappy sandals and a great pair of earrings. Take a peek for yourself; it’s available in size 20.

What have you been drooling over lately? Anything like me? I’d love to know.

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Pricey but Lovely: Silk Dance Dress