Stripe It Up and Down

Plus size Lourdes dress from Monif C.

Whether you are a fan or not, stripes are here with a vengeance this year. Expect to find them everywhere in all shapes and sizes, directions and colors. I love stripes (almost as much as I love dots) but I seem to be most attracted to the classic look of black and white stripes.

Monif C has combined my love for black and white multi-directional stripes with my love for her maxi dresses to offer the amazing Lourdes Cold Shoulder Dress ($198) which is currently on pre-order to ship in late April. This dress was here once before and it did so well she brought it back.

Plus size striped maxi dress from Monif C.

Monif carries sizes 14 to 24. Make sure you check out the fabulous swimsuits while you are there.

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* Get your plus size striped maxi dress from Monif C

Falling for Igigi

plus size career dresses

There are more than a dresses at Igigi right now that I have fallen head over heels for (I guess technically I have fallen for Igigi years ago and just have not been able to get up) but the Lubov Dress in Print is my absolute hot favorite of the moment. It comes in sizes 12 to 32 for $132.

The dress looks sweet styled on the website with the red pumps:
plus size print dresses

But I especially love the look that came in my inbox with tights and boots:

plus size print career dresses from Igigi

Which look is your favorite?

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Sale Prints at Anna Scholz

plus size purple python print dress by Anna Scholz

Never have prints been hotter for plus size bodies and never have plus size women been more accepting of extravagant and playful patterns. If you have been looking to add something new and less common to your wardrobe now is the time. Anna Scholz is cleaning out her summer closet with print dress on sale for more than 50% off — because there are such phenom prices there sizes are limited and going quick.

plus size print dresses by Anna Scholz

From left to right:

  • Double Silk Sleeveless Cowl Dress, $155 US (regular $525)
  • Double Silk Deep Pleat Dress, $180 US (regular $588)
  • Digital Jersey Tuck Pleat Dress, $133 US (regular $431)
  • Ponte Jersey Frill Shift Tunic, $133 US (regular $265)
  • Georgette Frill Tunic, $102 US (regular $338)
  • Jersey Cowl Neck Dress, $77 US (regular $250)
  • Jersey Gathered Panel Dress, $149 US (regular $296)
  • Digital Jersey Maxi Dress, $140 US (regular $469)
  • Georgette Plissee Maxi Dress, $94 US (regular $312)
  • Double Silk Corset Strap Maxi Dress, $210 US (regular $704)

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The Ultimate Polka Dot Dress

plus size retro dress from Kiyonna

If you love dots as much as I do you will love the Betsey Ruched Dress with mini polka dots from Kiyonna. This beautiful ruched dress is figure hugging at its finest. The red accents are perfect too.

plus size retro polka dot dress from Kiyonna

Not a fan of polka dots? No worries, it also comes in brown leopard, snow leopard, solid teal, solid teal, or solid black — all of which are simply fabulous. The plus size Betsey dress is available in sizes 10 to 32 for $128.

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* Get your plus size polka dot Betsey Ruched Dress from Kiyonna

ASOS “Hearts” Stripes

plus size navy and white striped dress from ASOS Curve

I know some of you hate stripes, especially horizontal ones but we all need to open ourselves up a little more and reclaim the “don’ts” of our youth — like horizontal stripes.

ASOS “hearts” horizontal stripes, including the horizontal ones. When I first thought of this post they had a lot more to choose from. I can only assume that stripes are so popular they are having a hard time keeping them in stock.

When it comes to stripes you no longer have to think of full body coverage like the old black and white jail suits. There are many options to choose from: wide and narrow stripes, multi-colored colored stripes, color blocked stripes, and accent stripes.

plus size striped clothing from ASOS Curve

Left to right:

  • The red Exclusive Swing Dress, $64
  • The Dress With Ribbon Trim, $90
  • The Exclusive Knitted Dress With Stripe Collar, $64
  • The navy and white Knitted Dress In Stripe, $64
  • The Pencil Skirt In Colourblock Stripe, $46

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* Get your plus size striped clothing from ASOS Curve

The Party Dress

plus size holiday dresses from SwakDesigns

SwakDesigns has come up with the plus size party dress for almost all fall and winter occasions with the Dahlia Dress. It is a perfect sleeveless dress for work to party: Slip it on under a business suit jacket and you can go from the office to dinner with a quick slip out of the jacket and a change of accessories. For a little more sparkle add a sequin (or sparkle thread) shrug for holiday parties.

plus size holiday dresses from SwakDesigns

The Dahlia dress comes in four colors but I absolutely love the Blue Bell which is such a stunning color. The other colors are Holly Red, Black, and coppers. All beautiful. SwakDesigns offers this dress in sizes 1x to 6x for $89 (US).

The Black Sequin Shrug from Yours Clothing is what I was thinking in terms of shrugs. It is $36 (US) and comes in sizes 16 to 32. But while I was there I found the black and teal Sequined Shrug for $30 which I think I may love more (it comes in black on black too). If you are wanting one for New Years, check their shipping times as it may not make it.

plus size sequin shrugs from Yours Clothing

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* Get your plus size Dahlia Dress from SwakDesigns
* Get your plus size shrugs from Yours Clothing

Updated Polka Dots

mini dot clothing from Evans

It is no secret that I love dots. Big ones, little one, symmetrically spaced or not. And it is becoming apparent that Evans really likes dots too as I am really seeing lots of dots over there. Dots are a universal pattern. They work on tops, bottoms, lingerie and accessories. No I would not wear them all together (but I might be tempted)– that would be pretty painful for onlookers. But Evans does have great spotted pieces to add to your wardrobe:

mini dot clothing from Evans

The bra is £18; the scarf is £12.50; the 2 in 1 top is £39.50; the trousers are £32; and the pumps are £18.

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Batik Summer

Batik Strapless Top from Big on Batik

I always seem to forget about this little shop of Batik inspired clothing. They do not offer a huge selection but if you are big on Batik then you are sure to find a top or dress at Big On Batik. And they are just so perfect for summer! Big On Batik has a small selection of pieces that go up to 6x (a few 7x). They will ship to Canada for $16 USPS airmail.

There are currently three dresses that fall into my fave category:

The Strapless Smock Top ($35) that can also triple for a short dress or swimsuit cover. The hibiscus pattern comes in three other colors.

Batik Strapless Top from Big on Batik

The Smockerchief Top ($45) looks great with the capris shown here but is definitely long enough for a sexy sundress. If you do not like this pattern there is one other to choose from as well as solid black.

plus size smockerchief dress from Big on Batik

The Acapulco Sundress ($65) has adjustable straps and comes in five different hibiscus colors and two scene prints including this awesome green beach scene shown here.

plus size green scene sundress from Big on Batik

On a side note, Satu, the owner of Big on Batik is also a photographer. She takes the images for Big On Batik and has been producing the Plush Cat Calender for several years. I had the opportunity to interview her for the Large and Lovely site at BellaOnline a few years ago.

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Summer Dresses

plus size convertible bra

When I worked at Penningtons, eons ago, one of the things that seemed to turn over fast were the pretty dresses. If you found something, then blinked, it was gone. End of warning. Here are a few of my favorites. I especially like the convertible ones (sleeveless, halter, skirt):

plus size summer dresses from Penningtons

As you can see there are many of not-so-bra-friendly dresses this season. The good news is that Pennington’s also has an convertible bra in plus size (40B to 46DDD). They are a bit pricy so I suggest stocking up on a black one and a nude when when they go on sale (currently on for $29.99 — regular $49.99).

plus size convertible bra

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What Is a Maxi Dress

Plus Size Print Dress from Addition-Elle

Today I received Addition-Elle’s latest lookbook and it was filled with some cute dresses many of which are not on the website yet or else I would be talking in more detail about them. Instead today I am talking about “maxi dresses”.

Not surprisingly there were many long dresses — or what Addition-Elle (and many other clothing companies) are mislabeling as “maxi” dresses. Maxi dresses were a super hot trend last year and it is expected to continue throughout this year. Most women will have more than one in their closet for summer or will be patiently shopping for a few favorites. Here is a quick eye guide to what is and isn’t a maxi dress.

If you visit Addition-Elle’s online shop you will see that all three of these dresses are labeled as “maxi” dresses. The first dress is NOT a maxi dress. It is just an awkward length dress at least on this model. Perhaps on a petite woman it could be a maxi. The second is close but still is not a true maxi dress. The third one is a maxi dress! But an inch or two longer wouldn’t hurt.

Plus Size Print Dress from Addition-EllePlus Size Print Halter Dress from Addition-EllePlus Size Maxi Dress from Addition-Elle

What makes a maxi dress “maxi”? If you have not figured it out yet, it is all in the length. The longer the better. If you can see skin above your ankles then it is NOT a maxi dress. If you can see your ankles then it isn’t a maxi dress. If you can just see the tops of your feet then you can get away with calling it a maxi dress. But a true maxi dress hits the top of your feet or lower. I hope this clears things up.

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* Get your cute plus size dresses from Addition-Elle

Berry Cocktail Dress

plus size red cocktail dress

Loving the dazzle in the Holly Berry Dress from Maximum Woman. The Toronto based store has opened up online and has reasonable delivery. They carry some familiar looking brands like Kiyonna, Swak, and Igigi. This lovely red dress is available in sizes 1x to 6x for $80. While it might be too late for Christmas there’s still time for New Year’s!

plus size red cocktail dress

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* Get your own plus size holiday dresses from Maximum Woman

New Arrivals from Kiyonna

plus size dresses from kiyonna

Kiyonna has always been one of my favorite online shopping sources for career wear but I haven’t spent much time there recently (so many shops so little time). I popped over today and fell in love with three items from their new arrivals.

plus size dresses from kiyonna

  1. The Amelie Peacoat, $196
  2. The Richelle Ruffle Dress, $112
  3. The Charlotte Cocktail Dress, $112

All items are made in the United States and Kiyonna ships internationally.

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ASOS Dresses

ASOS-Plus-Size-Dresses

I’ve been crazy in love with UK regular and plus size clothing company ASOS for a few months. Now I don’t love everything they have in their Curve line but they do have a lot of pieces I would fake-murder for. I’m also impressed with their incredible shipping rates to Canada so I highly recommend checking them out. The website has a currency conversion site from £ to dollars.

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* Get your own plus size dresses from ASOS