Perfect Fit Pants
Addition-Elle is introducing their own Perfect Fit Pants where you enter your waist, hip and inseam length into their website and it recommends the best size and fit of both jeans and dress pants.
This new system will work if your waist falls between 36 and 48 inches and your hips below 60 inches; the difference between your waist and hips must fall between 3 and 13 inches.
The final results determine whether you are slim, shaped, curvy, or versatile body type and sort which of their lines/styles fall within each realm. There’s no searching through the titles to find the coordinating cuts — one click of a button and you are transported to a listing of appropriate fits.
Here’s a behind the scenes peek a the photo shoot for the new system:
I have not tried the new system but if you pop in-store or try it online let me know how your final fit works out. I’m curious if the technology is up to par to Lane Bryant’s Right Fit Pants.
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Topic Links
* Get your own Perfect Fit Pants from Addition-Elle
* Check out the Addition Elle Fall 2010 look book
The Allure of Texture
eShakti has some great textural pieces this fall in skirts, dresses and tops. Their unique custom sizing store for size 0 to 26 always has some intriguing pieces but I think even more so this fall. Here are a few of my favorite textural pieces ($45 to $70) from their new line up:
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Topic Links
* Get your own unique plus size blouses from eShakti
Fall Arrivals at Ulla Popken
In general I would say that Ulla Popken has a more mature look than I prefer but I do believe they have styles for many tastes which is why I had no problem finding some favorites in their new fall arrivals. All items are between $39 and $89. My absolute favorites are the military vest, black shirt dress and zebra flats.
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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size fall arrivals from Ulla Popken
Combine Feminine with Military
Two of my favorite looks are feminine chic and military. Evans (UK) does both beautiful. Here is one of my favorite floral tunics matched with a military mac. One of the great things about Evans is they have the accessories for one stop shopping.
1. Floral Longline Tunic, £35 and available in sizes 14 to 32
2. Neutral T-Bar Sandals, £25
3. Black High Waisted Legging, £15 and available in sizes 18 to 32
4. Khaki Military Mac, £55 and available in sizes 14 to 32
5. Tan Cross-Body Satchel, £20
Evans offers affordable shipping to Canadians and has a huge clearance worth viewing.
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Topic Links
* Get your own feminine and military inspired plus size clothing from Evans
Floral Longline Tunic
Plus Size Capri Pants
Some fashionistas are down right against them. Some are downright for them. And some are just caught in the middle. I love capri pants and tend to wear them a lot in the summer. Off the top of my head I can picture at least five pair in my mind — all faves.
Ten Reasons Why I Like Capri Pants
1. The number one reason is calves are sexy. Capri pants are a perfect way to show off calves without feeling overly exposed or having to worry about the dress being blown up or out.
2. I’m a hot blooded woman and capri pants keep my calves cool.
3. Unlike skirts, capri pants help prevent chub rub in the summer.
4. Capri pants can be comfortably worn at work.
5. They can be worn at the park.
6. They can be worn at the beach.
7. Capris can be dressed up or down.
8. They look brilliant with flats or heels or strappy sandals.
9. Capris can be worn by young girls or seniors.
10. Ok, I couldn’t think of another one. But I think you get the picture.
Like many styles, capri pants are not for everyone. At right is what a perfectly fitting length should look like. If they are hitting you just above the ankle then you are too short to be wearing regular length capris and should be shopping in the petite plus section or not wearing them at all because if they don’t hit the right spot they just look like floods (like you don’t know how to wash your clothes). If you can’t find petite plus where you are, get out the sewing machine and start hemming.
The capri pants shown here are from Kiyonna. They are stylish and perfect for work or out and about town doing errands on a warm day. Kiyonna offers a wide range of sizes for 10 to 32. These capri’s come in American blue jean and black; obviously, the black is the most versatile.
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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size capri pants from Kiyonna
Designer Summer
La Grande Dame is getting ready for a designer summer! Here are some of my favorite plus size designer pieces:
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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size designer pieces from La Grande Dame
Double Tees at Laura Plus Canada
Starting today Laura Plus Canada has, buy one get second for half price on t-shirts and capris. This can not be combined — you can’t buy a t-shirt and get half off the capris. You need to buy one t-shirt and get a second t-shirt to get the half off. Or vice versa for the capris. 
I don’t have an expiry date but it is listed as “limited time” on website. Sorry, you can’t shop online. To take advantage of this promotion you’ll have to visit a walk-in store.
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Topic Links
* Visit Laura Plus Canada online to find a store near you
The Navy Suit
I normally say that every woman should have at least one complete suit set. And I admit I usually say black. Mostly because it goes with everything; it is easily interchangeable with other black pieces in our wardrobe; and when you look at a person, black is like a canvas — it doesn’t stand out so it becomes virtually unrecognizable from one day to the next. Which can be a good thing if you can only afford one suit.
As of today I’ve changed my thinking. I think everyone should have at least one black suit and Igigi’s new three navy suit. Yes, it’s a pretty hefty price to get all three pieces but with the versatility, mixing with your current wardrobe is boundless. I love that the suit jacket is pretty and unique looking but the pleats in the back of the skirt are fabulous. If I could only buy two of the three pieces it would definitely be the jacket and the skirt. But the jacket looks so sharp with the pants too. All three pieces come in sizes 12 to 3o. The jacket is $138, the pant is $76, and the skirt is $62.
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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size navy suit from Igigi
Black and White Print
One of the trends this season is black and white. It can come in the form of mingled separates or patterns like stripes, zebra, leopard, gingham, houndstooth or plaid. Here are some of my favorite patterned pieces from Addition-Elle that rock this trend with no effort at all:
Addition-Elle also has many separates in black or white that you can mix and match with as well. Chances are your closet is already teaming with black and white pieces so add some print this spring.
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Topic Links
* Get your own black and white pieces from Addition-Elle
Spring into Prints
If I lived in the UK not only would I dress from head to toe in fashions from Evans, I’d probably move in next door. Yes, I love this store. I have to admit that much of that love goes with the presentation.
Here are my favorites from their latest spring catalog in no particular order:
- Pink Embroidered Cutwork Top (11C16FPNK) in geranium, sizes 14 to 32 for £25
- Blue Criss Cross Sandals (32R38GBLE) in wide and wider fit for £23
- Grey Ruched Hem Trouser (03T07GGRY), sizes 14 to 32 for £29.50
- Red Floral Ditsy Print Tunic (08M19GRED), sizes 16 to 32 for £37
- Black Pinstripe Pencil Skirt (03S11GBLK), sizes 14 to 30 for £20
- Red Peeptoe Ballerinas (21G51GRED), in wide and wider fit for £15
- Blue Marble-Wash Check Top (11D41GBLE), in sizes 14 to 32 for £20
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Topic Links
* Browse Evan’s spring catalog for great plus size fashions
Five Trends to Watch for This Spring
Not everyone likes to watch fashion trends. I have to admit while I keep an eye out for them I don’t allow them to restrict me in my fashion choices. I think plus size women have been restricted enough. What I do like to do with them is use them as a forecast of things that I can expect to find in the shops and then use my personal taste to decide if it’s something I want to shape into my own sense of style. There are five trends that I am totally warming up to this season. 
Electric Blue
This is probably one of my absolute favorite color trends this year. And no one has taken better advantage of it than Anna Scholz. Look for this color locally in your own shops as well and if you like it try to add at least one piece in this color. It is a showcase color so don’t go crazy with it. I know it will be hard because it is such an awesome color.
Paisley
I don’t know what it is about paisley but it seems like it never dies. I’m sure it must be one of the most rebirthed patterns (other than stripes and dots). And it is back again. I find it to be an incredibly pleasing pattern for the plus size frame especially if it is in the form of a skirt and mixed in with one or two other patterns.
Lace Tops and Dresses
My next favorite trend is lace tops/blouses and dresses. I always find straight blouses to be boring but lace adds texture and romance. And if they are a completely different styles we can get away with more than one of them in our wardrobe. This lace top is from Torrid and the dress is from SwakDesigns.
Asymmetrical Draping
The asymmetrical cardigans were a hot item last season and they are continuing to pick up momentum this season but it is no longer limited to just cardigans. You can find it in tops, scarves, skirts, and dresses. Asymmetry is a great distraction!
Appliqué
Overall, clothing with stuff stuck on it is not my favorite fashion trend unless of course it is monochrome. For some reason the multicolored appliqués remind me of the poor kids who’s crafty mothers sent them to school with decorated sweatshirts (apologies to crafty mothers). Fortunately this is not the case for this fashion trend.
Which ones do you like?
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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size trends from Anna Scholz, Torrid, Swak Designs, and Forever21.
Bright Leggings
If you have been wanting to get on to the bright legging bandwagon but just weren’t too sure how to take the plunge, here’s a perfect example of a fresh look. The leggings are of course from We Love Colors and fit up to 375lbs. The ruffle skirt, cami, and shoes are from Torrid and the asymmetrical cardigan is from Kiyonna.
Have fun with color!
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Topic Links
* Get your own bright tights/leggings from We Love Colors
* Get your own ruffle skirt from Torrid
* Get your own asymmetrical cardigan from Kiyonna
Plus Size Denim at Torrid
Today on the Tyra Banks Show they introduced Tyra’s Fiercely Real Teen Model Search which featured some of the latest fashions and denim from Torrid. To celebrate Torrid is offering $15 off a purchase of $75 (US) or more from Torrid Denim & Fashion. To get the deal you need to use coupon code: TYRA15. This will expire March 7, 2010.
My favorite jeans from Torrid right now are these new arrivals from Silver Jeans in Lola Medium Wash Bootcut Jean Regular. They are available in sizes 14 to 24 for $89.
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Topic Links
* Get plus size denim from Torrid
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