Sarah Testa passed on the good word to me about her upcoming newsletter about women’s plus size clothing: Loving my Curves.
As far as I can tell, it’s free to sign up, and if you sign up before the newsletter actually launches, you can win a $50 gift voucher from IGIGI! I’m very excited about this - you can bet I signed up!
The newsletter provides another outlet for style tips and fashion guides for women, along with the latest news from the fashion industry. It’s sure to be something, so go ahead over to Loving my Curves and sign up today!
No affiliate links were harmed in the making of this entry.
This isn’t really about plus size fashion. It’s not really even about this site, but about its author.
I’ve always been very “aware” of names — I think we wear them as much as we wear anything else. It’s a style that we’ve been given by our parents, influenced by other objects in their life.
There’s been a lot of change in my life - the most recent is my conversion to Judaism. I’m a Messianic Jew, and I love every second of my spiritual journey. Every day gives me something new to think about, to dream about.
So, as I write to you, as I dream and communicate with all of you, I think it’s necessary to add a name to the pink-and-purple site owner.
My name is Isabella S. Murphy. You can call me Isa.
Does it change Deluxegrrl? Nah - I’ll still be her. But I have a human element like anyone else - I like to have a name.
Why mention it?
When you blog, you’re vulnerable to a lot of things - what people say, whether or not they read, etc. This is just part of our larger conversation, in a sense.
There is no ‘jump’, thankfully. However, as always, there is much more.
I’m a huge fan of blog carnivals: done right, they bring a different level of conversation to the table. I’m all about talking about plus size fashion and issues attached to it. It’s a very emotionally-charged issue for a lot of people, including myself.
I looked around for blog carnivals dealing with plus size fashion, and I didn’t find any (of course, I could be wrong). I’m cursed with an incredible urge to build, so I decided to create my own blog carnival: Carnival of Extended Style.
I think this will be a great venture for all of us plus size fashion bloggers. I will come up with a topic to start with, but I hope with subsequent carnivals that someone else will either host, submit questions, or both! I’m only trying to get some industry buzz going here.
So, the first Carnival of Extended Style is sort of free format. I do want to hear what all of you have to say, so I want to throw out some starter questions:
You’re the boss of a company. Are there any considerations to make in order to include plus size fashion trends in your company’s dress code?
(changed from the original #4, I was a bit unclear in reasoning there.)
Deadline? I would like to see a new carnival edition up every 15th of the month. Let’s shoot for that, and if I get answers earlier, we’ll post!
I’m new at this too, so bear with me. Basically, you’ll want to post a blog entry related to the carnival’s topics on your blog. Once you finish, you can email me about it, and when it’s time to go up, your post will be there in full glory, with a little commentary.
I really like blog carnivals because it helps me find relevant, interesting conversations. I also get to meet lots of wonderful bloggers!
You do not have to stick to what I’ve said above - if something else strikes your fancy, write about it! I would prefer that you stick as closely to plus size fashion and related topics as possible (size acceptance is also a great topic to get into).
Update: The information on the blog carnival is also located on BlogCarnival.com.
It’s not a secret that Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant, and Catherine’s are owned by the same company, Charming Shoppes, Inc. I’m going to pick on them a little bit on this article, but I’m sure we can all come up with sites that have similar problems.
I’m sure there’s a brillant marketing reason behind it, but if Charming Shoppes owns all three stores, it would be nice to have one of their store cards work for the other two. For example, if I stroll into Fashion Bug, I should be able to use my Lane Bryant store card. I think this would be a big hit to shoppers that mix-and-match clothes from all three people.
I mean, I can use a Lane Bryant gift card at Fashion Bug - is there a leap of faith between gift card and store credit card? Sheesh.
Don’t make me google for your products. Do I like Google? Of course I do! However, when I go to your site, I expect to be able to search for products directly on the page. Looking up item IDs isn’t always the best approach. When I was hunting down the Bra6, it took me forever to do because I had to go through the entire bra section and search with my eyes. If I wasn’t such a grizzled old net.person, I most likely wouldn’t have bothered. That equals lost revenue.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but as of this post, I don’t see a traditional search feature. C’mon, Charming Shoppes - women everywhere love your site. We can’t get complacent here.
This isn’t really a gripe, more like something that I want to see. I really wish that all 3 sites carried some sort of RSS-fu. That way, I could load up my favorite newsreader (I’m a BlogLines girl) and get the latest scoops. Again, if this feature exists, feel free to comment and clobber me.
I know that no site is perfect, but if I’m going to drop good money to improve my wardrobe, I (and all of you other customers out there!) should pinpoint problems and talk it up.
Update: I wrote a short letter to Charming Shoppes, Inc. I hope to hear back from them within “five business days”. I’ll post the letter when I get home.
The weekend before last was a lot of firsts for me: first trip to a brick-and-mortar Lane Bryant store, first time in about a year of shopping at a mall, and most importantly, it was the first time I bought a convertible bra that actually fit.
Yes, indeed - the convertible bra. The convertible bra entices us with its promises of ultimate versatility and maximum variety, but the road to completion seems rather high. Finding a bra in my size is already difficult; couple that with our halter-cum-racerback-cum-strapless buddy, and things can get mighty hairy.
There’s been a lot of bra talk lately. For me, keeping my stable of bras in good shape is a challenge - you get what you pay for. Being the cheerful college student I am, indulging in $20-$40 bras frequently just isn’t on the menu. This is something that all women bemoan, I’m quite sure. If you can find me a lady that doesn’t need a bra, I can almost guarantee you she’s not plus size. I pepper my sentiment with ‘almost’, because I’ve been proven wrong before.
I recounted a downright tearjerker to the bra saleslady at Lane Bryant, who quickly whipped out her measuring tape and got my numbers. It’s always nicer when someone else can size you - I’m always just a hair off, but it makes my clothes a touch more comfy.
No one really remembers the pitch. I think we get caught up in the home run, the way the crowd goes wild and the batter runs like hell through the bases. Sales is no different - I can’t talk about the result without at least a cursory mention of how I got there.
The saleslady and I talked briefly about my fashion style, particularly what shirts I like to wear. After waffling between blouses, camis, and halter-tops, she suggested to me the Bra6.
At $42, the Bra6 is definately an investment. I’ve seen far more expensive bras on the market though, and experienced trouble with them. I personally own this bra - I’m currently wearing it, or I’d snap a physical picture of it.
Now, while we’re talking about cost, let’s be real for a second: cost is relative. I’m sure there are some of you ladies out there that wouldn’t look twice at buying this bra. It goes without saying that there are plenty of ladies in the other camp. Unfortunately, well-fitting clothes and undergarments have become a bit of a luxury. I think this is an investment that deserves space in any lady’s bra-and-panty drawer.
The bigger question then, is simply: Is it worth it?
YES! Let me expand on this a little bit:
This bra has got to be one of the softest materials I’ve ever had for a bra. It makes it a delightful experience when I put it on. It definately holds up to the stress of the day - I feel good wearing this bra - it holds up well to the stress of the day.
I definately noticed a very nice lifting action with this bra. Before with other bras, my breasts sort of just looked saggy and lifeless - as if my chest had aged before I did! With the Bra6, My chest actually sits where it should, giving my profile an accentuated curvy look.
I’m currently wearing it in the traditional style, but I’ll most likely convert it to strapless for my spaghetti-strap tank. Or maybe I’ll use clear straps. Indeed, the Bra6 is versatile, with 6 different styles to choose from: traditional, cross-back, one-strap, halter, strapless, and even interchangeable back. You can check out the style types at Lane Bryant’s website.
Had to include this point, of course. There’s nothing wrong with wanting our bras and panties to accentuate what we have, to make us feel sexy and desirable! It takes far less energy to love your curves than to give a list of things you hate about them. Far. less. energy.
We just can’t have pros without cons, can we? No product is perfect - the day I personally review a product with no flaws will be the day that Bill Gates runs Linux on his personal laptop and Warren Buffett gives away buckets of his money. Okay, one condition has already been met, but this is an AND operation, not an OR one.
Woefully irrevelant computer jokes aside, the Bra6 may feel limiting to some. I’m a 44D and I noted that if I don’t sit properly, the underwire tends to feel noticeable. After I adjusted the bra, though, this went away. If you know you’re more than a 44D/DD/etc, perhaps a bra extender may solve the problem. I haven’t looked into that yet, though.
The Bra6 does resemble a computer problem, in that the user interface needs a little work. In order to enjoy the benefits of the Bra6, you have to learn to put it on. Whatever way you’re used to putting on your bras, give it up. Put the Bra6 on like a shirt, slipping one strap over your arm and then wrapping the back part around you. Close the side clasp (yes, it’s a side clasp number), then place the other strap over your other arm. It’s slightly confusing, but still very doable.
Note: the above directions are for wearing the Bra6 like a traditional bra. I’m not certain how much they apply if you’re wearing it halter or cross-back. Naturally, if you’re wearing it in the one-strap version, these directions will mostly apply.
Right now, I’m in happy-bra-customer land. While the $42 is still solely missed in my wallet, I comfort myself with this: better to purchase a $42 bra that I actually like than six $7 bras that leave me none too satisfied.
Update: Glen noted that the Bra6 doesn’t fit our extra-curvy friends. Upon further glance, I noticed that the maximum size for this bra is a 44DD! That’s not nearly enough, and I apologize to the curvy ladies I left out with this post. Hat tips to Glen for pulling me back into perspective. — DG
A good friend of mine put me back into focus on a lot of things, including blogging. I think sometimes we can get sidetracked - it’s nice to know that others are thinking about what you do. Deluxegrrl is a passion of mine, similar to my other passions.
I want to give you ladies the very best — it must be that latent parenting gene kicking in at the last minute. I think about great outfits, but I’m also interested in branching out. I’ve covered all my favorite stores — Lane Bryant, Overstock, Bare Necessities, and Fashion Bug, but I think there’s an entire world out there that I’m missing.
Fashion is a double-edged sword. Dismissed by non-followers as trendy, non-essential tripe and hailed by followers as an essential part of everyday life, there’s a lot of differing perspectives on fashion. Here are mine:
As the consumer, I always have the choice in the end. Don’t want a store credit card? Don’t get one. Settle only if you want to. If that purple-red-and-white shirt makes your world light up, wear it! Fashion rules were meant to be broken, mended, left in a tiny room with no windows, and then broken again. Follow the rules if it adds value, walk away if it adds frustration.
I could list out factors that change fashion, I suppose: namely, size. However, aren’t we still left lusting after what a celebrity wore, or what your cousin slipped on while she went down to the courthouse? Plus size fashion is still fashion - we still covet what we see. The difference is in the acquisition, not the dream.
Good graphic design draws from the world around the designer — why shouldn’t you derive inspiration from your environment. I’m a shameless reader of Glamour - and even though they aren’t the world’s leader in plus size fashion, I still cut out things I like. It’s getting easier to find pieces that are similar, if not dead-on, to how you want to look. It’s still a hard road, but remember that dreaming is like being a kid in a 24-hour candy store with an unlimited expense account from Mom and Dad. Don’t be afraid to take something and make it yours, even if it stays in your mind. Ownership of ideas often starts in the mind — don’t stress if you can’t turn ideas into physical reality.
I like to be comfortable. Whether I’m in a suit or I’m in a cami and jeans, I must be comfortable. If you’re a fan of flat or low-heeled shoes, stay that way! If you prefer a heel, go for it! No one can measure your comfort — as the consumer, it’s up to you to define your sense of comfort. I’m comfortable in a long “sheet” dress — others may be at home in a t-shirt and jeans. I know my fiancee loves his collection of t-shirts and blue jeans, while I prefer a more “business casual” look.
You know why celebs always look “good”? Because they have a small army of people prepping, pressing, and primping them at every turn. If you don’t have the population of California working for the betterment of your mind, body, and soul, don’t fret — you can still take steps to keep yourself refreshed and on top of things. Don’t let Hollywood get to you — relax! Fashion is an expression of the individual, not the majority. Conformity, like size, is always relative.
My fashion style is based on these ideals. I want to be comfortable, I want to feel good about what I wear. When I go out into public, I’m representing myself, my family, and all those that I’m closely associated with. I don’t panic anymore if something wrinkles or I’m aligned funny. I know that the clothes I wear make me feel good, and that’s one less thing to worry about in the great todo list of life.
So, what’s your fashion style? Do you use “buzzwords” (bohemian, goth, preppy) to define your style, or are you a finely tuned mashup?
Small delays ladies — Deluxegrrl is back on track and ready to continue with the 12 Days of Plus Size Style series.
At the beginning of summer Deluxegrrl showed to me…
Three, three, three. The number of completion, and also a sign of the perfect witness. For today, it’s time to find completion in an item of our wardrobe so commonly overlooked: our shoes! Shoes are definitely important, as they tie together an outfit that may need a final touch to really bring your sense of style out in the open. Plus size women shouldn’t have to feel like they can’t have a great pair of shoes for their wardrobe.
It’s summertime! Whether at work or at play, sandals are the classic codeword for summer. It’s the shoe we pick for fun at the beach, or for the office that totally “gets” that whole business casual idea.
A good pair of decorative white sandals will get you nearly everywhere you want to be for the summer. This pair caught my attention when I looked at the decorative flower trim - what else screams ‘girl’ more than flowers? Sizes range from 6 to 10, standard size. If you buy this shoe, you can get another shoe for 50% off - usual disclaimers apply for the offer (i.e., equal or lesser value)
I love a good dress sandal - this would be a sandal that I would feel good strutting into work with. It’s great, because you can play up a sexy dress or a white blouse and wide leg trouser — or anything else that strikes your fancy! At $100, it’s not precisely a bargain, but if you’re looking for a little slice of luxury for your wardrobe, you can’t get better than this. Not to mention that we at Deluxegrrl have seen much, much higher pricetags… The upside to this shoe is that sizes range nicely — from a 6 to an 11, standard size.
A sandal for the ladies out there in the great outdoors - this sandal is practical and cute. I would wear this if I wanted the attention drawn more to my pedicure or even to my outfit - sometimes shoes can trump an outfit, and that may not be what you want. You get two pairs of sandals for $25.99, and sizes range decently. Give ‘em a chance — they actually look comfy!
That’s all for today’s session of Plus Size Style. I hope that my choices can help guide you to the next pair of shoes for your sizzling summer wardrobe. As always, these are just helpful suggestions — feel free to find an alternative shoe if you like the style, but not the actual shoes I picked out. It happens.
I just got back from a whirlwind weekend in which the handsome man in my life officially proposed to me. I swapped the quiet silver band for a very stylish engagement ring, part of a wedding set called Eternal Love. It’s from InspiredSilver, and I absolutely love it!
Not precisely plus size fashion-related, but at least it matches all my outfits.
this post is part of the 12 Days of Plus Size Style series.
At the beginning of summer Deluxegrrl showed to me….
On Day 1, I was supposed to show you a t-shirt, and ended up giving you three four t-shirts! Today, I’m going to try to stick to my fashion song parody and give you two necklaces, not three or four.
For the summer, I really love to play up soft features, tenderness, that sort of thing. This necklace is really delicate looking, and goes with so many potential wardrobe ideas! Wear it to let everyone know you have a playful side as well as a serious one. The price may be somewhat high, but this isn’t a trendy piece that will disappear — you can wear it over and over!
What needs to be said about this little number? I decided to keep the theme going today with another delicate necklace - a circular string of bubbles. I really like both pieces of jewelry because they’re playful - why fill your jewelry box with stuffy pieces that won’t excite you when you put them on? With all the choices in jewelry these days, there’s absolutely no reason to do this.
The plus size woman is the same as her counterpart - both schools of women need accessories to add to their outfits. Accessories help carry an outfit, draw attention to the body, and ironically, downplay areas that you might be obsessing about. Besides, if a piece of jewelry makes you feel good, wear it!
At the beginning of summer Deluxegrrl showed to me…
What better way to reinforce that summer is definitely here than to put t-shirts first? T-shirts are stylish, lightweight, and a summer staple that can be worn even when the leaves start to fall. Plus-size women have some great options this your with plus-size t-shirts.
The trend of the summer for plus size t-shirt is well-fitting. Many plus-size women go for t-shirt that may be plus-size but are too baggy. However, a great, well-fitting t-shirt plays up on your body’s natural curves a lot better than the baggy t-shirts of yesterday.
Ruching. It may not be exclusive to plus size fashion, but it’s worming its way into plus size fashion vocabulary, right next to princess seams and the empire waist. Ruching is that scalloped look seen on a lot of women’s clothing. It pulls the fabric into a very tight space, drawing the attention to the region. Ruching for plus-size clothing is an ultimate win because it plays up the beautiful assets of a full-figured body!
Alright, let’s get back to business - you ladies deserve some great plus size t-shirts. Here are the t-shirts that I’ve found rather luxurious:
2-Toned Ruched V-Neck Tee
From: Kiyonna Klothing
The ruching on this t-shirt makes turns this t-shirt from plain to cute! The vibrant blue-and-white combo makes this a winner for your wardrobe too — it’s a basic tee at the roots, so you can wear it with black wide leg pants, or khakis, or even a flouncy white pleated skirt. The possibilities are endless, so get out there and mix and match!
I’m a huge fan of fitted t-shirts - I like to show off to the world that I’m just as curvy as any other woman. Plus size fashion shouldn’t be about baggy, and this cute little tee is not only streamlined, but affordable! Boost savings by buying two of them and save a buck or two.
When it comes to plus size fashion, we seem to still be afraid to break “The Rules”. Contrary to popular belief, horizontal stripes are not always the enemy! In fact, the horizontal stripes in this tee actually look good! They’re slender, and wrap themselves around a full figure well. The tee even comes with side vents to bring the eye to your curves again and again.
It’s listed as a tunic, but in this case we can translate that into “sexy tee”. This slinky little number fits close to your body and lets everyone know the good word about those curves! I think a good top should always accentuate the very best of what we have, and form-fitting tops definitely aim to please! This tee is a steal at $17.15, so get it while you can!
Plus size t-shirts come in all shapes, sizes, and styles - let your inner personality glow with the very best the summer has to offer!
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dee·lux·GRRL n.An intelligent, dynamic female who isn't afraid to take risks, take time for herself, or create her own unique style!
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