Kiyonna has their own version of the pussy bow top which comes in five different patterns making each one a new look in itself and I love them all. Even though it is a mesh top it comes fully lined so at $64 you do not have to worry about finding a coordinating cami.
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Topic Links
* Get your plus size Melrose Mesh Top from Kiyonna
Swak Designs came out with a Pretty Cami ($29) this week. It has the spaghetti strips on it so you’ll have to wear a pretty or strapless bra with it but I love how it hangs loose. Unlike traditional basic camis that cling to the abdomen this one has free flowing fabric and as you can see it comes in seven colors (in sizes 1x to 6x) and looks great as is or with a belt. I think it be a hot item for them this summer.
I love that they did not forget about the back of the cami too — with pretty gathers in front and back. I want one in every color!
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Topic Links
* Get your plus size pretty cami from SwakDesigns
I am not a fan of traditional tye dyed garments but I definitely could get into the Diane Tie Dye top from Making It Big. On first glance it does not even look like tie dye. It looks incredibly comfie and would be great with jeans or long shorts. The Diane top comes in three color choices but I especially like the power purple (comes in black or navy too).
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Topic Links
* Get your plus size Tie Dye Top from Making It Big
Back in February Penningtons sent me their coral Single Breasted Trench Coat to review. As you can imagine it was way too cold to sport it. I actually was not expecting to wear it for a few more weeks but we have gotten this unusually warm spell of fantastic weather. The husband invited me on a border drive to the states and I thought it was a good time to wear this lightweight trench (and a few other spring items).
The Basics
This plus size trench coat is available in sizes X to 4X and I would say it is generous fit. There are three color options, the awesome “on trend” coral that I received as well as the traditional black or champagne. It has a 2-piece collar with buttons, a belt (with ring), and two pockets. This plus size jacket retails for $130 but is currently on sale for $95.
First Impressions
The coral trench coat is a perfect weight for the on again off again coolness of spring. The color is fabulous and I love the way the coat fits for the most part. It is well stitched inside and out.
The inside is lined half way with a spotted coordinated fun fabric and there is a band stitched on the inside.
There are nice metal buttons and clean stitching.
Minor Details
On first impression I thought it weird that there was only one flap on the front breast and not the other. In fact it still looks lopsided to me and seems unfinished but I will get over it.
The arms are quite wide at the wrist and I think I would have liked matching buckles here to cinch them in a bit. When the day warmed up I found the coat very warm — there is a pseudo-vent at the back but it would have been nice to have a real vent for air circulation.
The sash is quite long. The loop buckle is kind of cumbersome to be doing and undoing so I just ignored it and tied it in a knot for convenience.
There is a cute inspiration on the inside tag.
Overall
I love this little coat and see me getting a lot of wear out of it. It is casual enough to wear with jeans and boots but dressy enough to wear with a dress or dress pants. As you can see I went casual with a white knit tank from Cotton Ginny, cardigan and capris from Ulla Popken, Natural Sport sneaker from Naturalizer.
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Topic Links
* Get your plus size Single Breasted Trench Coat from Penningtons
After I got over my mannequin love at Penningtons I was able to walk around the store and really take in their new stock. I was especially impressed with their incredible assortment of styles and colors. There were at least ten I wanted to walk away with. I snapped a few pictures while I was there:
I took a quick look online and most of the tops are there too and I imagine as the next few weeks pass more will be introduced.
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Topic Links
* Shop for plus size clothing at Penningtons
Canadian plus size blogger, Karen Ward from the Curvy Canadian has started an online store with new and vintage clothing. It is in the beginning stages so there are not many items but it is worth checking out. I especially like the store’s vintage section where I saw these items (blue is usually a given favorite of mine):
While I love the concept of this online store, the graphics are a bit too tech and leave me dizzy — you will see what I mean when you visit. It also makes it awkward for viewing images easily. Anyway, the site is new and once it settles into its own I am hoping it will evolve but I wanted to put it on your radar now.
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Topic Links
* Visit Big Sister’s Closet
* Visit the Curvy Canadian fashion blog
The Penningtons spring look book is out and they have really stepped up their tee and tank tops a notch. I see stripes galore, ruffles, lace, color blocking, and a drawstring here and there. I especially like the color blocked tops and the striped tanks paired with their co-ordinated cardigans.
Stop by Penningtons for a look into spring. Prices range from $26 to $50 and it looks like sizes go up to 5x.
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Topic Links
* Get your plus size spring tops from Penningtons
I know I have gone on and on about not liking the “fooler” tops at Penningtons. BUT I could not help but like these 2 In 1 Tops at Evans (US). They are so pretty, especially the black and white one in the right corner.
Maybe it is the patterns, I do not know. What I do know for sure is that fooler tops do not seem to be going away any time soon. The good thing about them is they take the thinking out of layering. These tops range in price from $50 to $70 and are available in sizes 10 to 28.
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Topic Links
* Get your plus size 2 in 1 tops from Evans (US)
Lola and Gigi have a few new Karen Kane tops in their new arrivals and I love them all. I am a huge fan of irregular hem tops. I have a few in my closet and have actually decided to stop adding more — no need to over do it. The mesh top is so sweet, but do not be fooled, that cami underneath is an extra $25 (Swak Essential Cami) also from Lola and Gigi.
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Topic Links
* Update: Lola & Gigi has closed but you can find Karen Kane tops on their official website.
It has been a wet December here and we have not had to dress for winter yet with warmer than usual weather. I am sure we will be paying for it next month! Lana and I met for our scheduled monthly lunch date — this time the Waring House in Picton. Here is a run down on what she wore:
Outfit breakdown:
Jacket – Winners
Skirt – Touch of Class
Boots – Naturalizer
Gloves – BonTon
Handbag – Coach Outlet
Sunglasses – Ray Bans
Jewelry – Touch of Class
The restaurant was really pretty. There was formal or pub dining to choose from. The menu was the same so we chose the fine dining because it was brighter. Here is a view after the lunch crowd left:
And I had a great view from my seat of the garden. The day started off brighter.:
We worked off our calories by doing a little shopping in Bloomfield. This is my favorite shop (lots of sparkly stuff):
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Topic Links
* All Boot On Sale at Naturalizer.ca! Prices as marked.
* Touch of Class online showroom
I can not believe how quickly the month passed another lunch date with Lana. We have made it our goal to try a new place every time we go out.
Outfit breakdown:
Jacket – Danier Leather (washable)
Jeans – Cold Water Creek
Shoes – Winners
Handbag – Coach Outlet
Lana also had on this cute silver butterfly ring:
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Topic Links
* See what I was wearing
Penningtons Canada contacted me in October to review a top from their Holiday collection for FFT’s readers. They sent me the grey Sequin Top which retails for $39.99 and is available in sizes x to 5x.
I was surprised as soon as I took it out of the box. It is a medium weight jersey fabric and it is literally full of sequins which are securely stitched in place. The top has a nice handling weight to it. On a quick try on I was impressed with the fit and of course with the sparkle.
Here is a close up of the sequins:
And here is a close up of the back side. As you can see it is well stitched and flat:
One of the great things about sequins being on trend this season is that you are not limited to only wearing it on special occasions which is why I dressed this lovely top down with denim and did errands yesterday (I received compliments from at least three clerks). Honestly, the photos do not do this sequin top justice. It is so cute.
And I am happy to say, well made, I have worn more expensive sequin tops where I have lost lots of sequins within minutes of putting them on. With this Penningtons top I wore it all day and only found one sequin on the floor later that night. One!
On the down side. The wide open neck tended to dip to one side exposing my bra strap so I had to readjust it occasionally. Also there was something picking me in the shoulder seam that I could not seem to find. I am not sure if it was the threading or not. It was not picky anywhere else.
While talking about this top on Twitter I learned a few of my friends were also taking the Sequin Top for a test drive. Here is Rebecca from The Plus Side of Me. Her blog is about her life from a plus-size and fashion-focused perspective:
And here is Adrienne from Big Girls Bigger Dreams — “Who the f**k says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?? A fun and flirty little blog based on the soon-to-be-published book of the same name that is dedicated to showing biggy-sized girls that they really can have it all.”
I was very surprised by this top and am sure to get lots of wear out of it. I am looking forward to seeing more of Pennington’s Holiday Collection — even the items without sequins!
Speaking of surprised. Penningtons recently surprised a bunch of their customers in the change room in Toronto with a Magic Mirror featuring fire fighters. Have a look:
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Topic Links
* Get your holiday clothing from Penningtons
It has been a cool week here. I am so happy to have the beauty of fall around me. The red and gold trees make me happy. So does being able to layer. I am so over sweltering humidity — at least until the third or fourth snowfall and then you will hear the whining.
Making It Big (MIB) is getting ready for fall too with some great tops. They have really come a long way the last few years from offering strictly boxy to lovely patterned tops with a little shaping to them. MIB offers sizes 2x to 8x. Here are a few of my favorite plus size tops from their latest collection:
Left to right:
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Topic Links
* Get your plus size tops from Making It Big
Through the next four months, Vancouver plus size clothing designer Babs will be featured at a number of Signatures "fine craft shows". If you happen to be in the area you can check out her latest fashions and make a few additions to your … [Read More...]
Over the last eight+ years Lane Bryant has consistently delivered to plus size women some pretty hot lingerie and panties when everyone else was trying to sell us basic whites and only basic whites. Now even though there are more choices … [Read More...]
Every week for the last five years I have been sharing my favorite things over at PlusShe.com. Once day a loyal reader let me know how disappointed she was she could not make a purchase at one of the places I mentioned because they did not deliver to Canada. I then realized how important a sister site was so PlusShe.ca was born.
Here are some Canadian shops and shops outside Canada to get you started. Be sure to sign up for my daily updates.
