Reversible Poncho

November 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

Poncho outerwear are a hot item this fall and winter but ponchos do not have to necessarily be outerwear. Igigi has two poncho tops which are super cute. The best part is they are reversible. One side of the Renn Reversible Poncho has a pattern (black and white or brown and beige) and the other side is solid black or brown. It is available in sizes 12 to 32 (looks like lots of sizes selling fast) for $130. I love how the snood totally changes the look!

plus size reversible poncho tops from Igigi

I love the looks styled here of course but I think they would work equally well with trousers and pumps or cute flats.

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* Get your reversible top from Igigi

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New From Kiyonna

October 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I think when I first visit Kiyonna the first thing I fall in love with is the colors: red, green, plum, maple and gold. Definitely makes me think of fall. Five of my favorites from Kiyonna’s new collection are the lipstick red bellini, the olive green sheath dress (and I am not usually a big fan of green), the plum ruched top, the maple twist dress (also in a hot magenta), and the golden cocktail dress (awesome in allover black too).

plus size tops and dresses from Kiyonna

The Nadia Knit Belini ($68) is one of my favorite layering pieces that Kiyonna has been carrying over season after season with new colors. The Olivia Sheath Dress ($118) is just so pretty and flattering with its vertical ruched bodice. The Rylan Ruched Top ($58) has the same neckline but the ruched fabric is horizontal and just as flattering and with long sleeves. The Tamara Twist Dress ($118) has so much going on, all with the fabric, a twist here, ruching there. And the Cosmo Cocktail Dress ($158) would be the go to dress for the upcoming holiday season. Despite the all over lace it is modern and polished. All in sizes 10 to 32.

I am disappointed their shipping costs to Canada are so obscene; starting at $30 for the first $300.

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* Shop at Kiyonna for plus size clothing

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On Top of Penningtons

October 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I am really liking the selection of every day plus size tops online at Penningtons this season (I just wish they would stop using headless models). Here are a few of my favorite picks:

plus size tops from Penningtons

  • Ribbed Cardishawl Sweater ($40) – Grey is such a hot color for fall it goes with everything. The cardishawl can be worn as is or belted and looks good with dress pants or jeans.
  • 3/4 Sleeve Ruffle Front Ruched Tunic – Bold blue is always right up my alley. Love the ruffle detail on the diagonal for a change.
  • Crinkle Floral Blouse with Cami ($40) – Pretty and sweet. Now if we could just get them to stop attaching cami’s to cover ups so we can really make use of these duo pieces and get more function out of them for the buck.
  • Cowl Neck Sweater – I think this may be the biggest season ever for the cowl neck as it makes it way back into our closets. I already have two tops with cowls (I know, easy does it!). Love the toffee here and the cabernet red.
  • Denim Tunic ($30) – This top doe not look like much here but it was fabulous in the look book. This is an excellent layering piece for fall that can be worn as a top or as a jacket.

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* Get your plus size tops from Penningtons

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Lane Bryant Ships to Canada!!

October 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I have waited two years for it to happen. And I have bitched on and off for most of that time. But it has finally happened:

Lane Bryant is Shipping to Canada Again!!!

I know I can’t believe it either. I thought this day would never come. But the good news does not end there. Because Lane Bryant now has a shared site with its sister stores: Catherines, Fashion Bug, Cacique, Loop 18 and Sonsi (which includes many other brands), you can also order from all of those stores in the same session.

The site is set up to handle international shipping and exchange rates to make shopping easier. I am hoping it is updated with exchange rates fairly often. They also collect Canadian taxes and duty at time of purchase. I played around with the cart and you DO NOT have to enter all your personal information before you can shipping, duty, and taxes. FYI for about $200 shipping was $15.

Make sure you have some extra time on your hands because once you visit you are going to be there for a long time. Here are a few of my favorites:

plus size clothing from Lane Bryant, Cacique and Catherines

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* Visit Lane Bryant for plus size clothing

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Channeling Harlow and Dietrich

September 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I have been drooling over Igigi’s old Hollywood collection all week. There are a number of favorite pieces amongst the dresses, tops, pants etc but these two pieces are my absolute favorite.

plus size Harlow Skirt and Dietrich Top from Igigi

The Dietrich Top – You can’t see from the photo but the top has origami pleating which is gorgeous. Sizes are selling out quickly! I love that the top is only $60, a bargain from Igigi.

The Harlow Skirt – This pencil skirt is a herringbone tweed that is perfect for fall. It looks fabulous with the Dietrich top but would look equally bliss with a pussy bow blouse. For $65 it is a steal for this kind of quality. And yes, sizes are starting to disappear!

I love this whole look — the top, the skirt, the boots, the gloves, the purse. Gorgeous, just like Harlow and Dietrich.

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Can I Have an Autograph

September 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Autograph Fashion is an Australian plus size clothing store that is new to me. And guess what, they deliver to Canada. There is no flat rate listed and costs are dependent on location, weight of package, and method of shipping. At the moment of this posting they offer free shipping if you spend $100 (easy enough to do) even to international customers.

They carry sizes 14 to 26 but definitely read their sizing information before you order. Prices are shown in Australian money when you first visit but you can change the currency with the drop down menu in the top right to Canada or the US.

plus size clothing options from Autograph Fashion

The prices do not fall into the budget range meaning a dress will probably cost $90, a top $60; unless it is on sale. I follow a few Australian bloggers and they absolutely love this store.

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* Get your plus size fashions from Autograph

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Updated Polka Dots

August 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

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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* Get your spots from Evans

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Lola & Gigi Summer Sale

July 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It is a perfect time to shop at Lola & Gigi if you have been hemming and hawing about the “price” of designer fashions by Monif C, Melissa Masse and Anna Scholz. There is a select group of fashions that are now up to 50% off. And you can get them all at one place!

The Anna Scholz Crepe de Chine Kaftan is a lovely change to the traditionally horizontal stripes with multiple bold colors and a bit of wave. I also like the side splits which make longer tunic tops feel less constricting and breaks up pattern. It is currently 40% off at $234.99.

plus size silk tunic from Anna Scholz

The Melissa Masse Josephine Dress is sexy short without being overtly exposed on top. The slightly puffed shoulders and surplice breast are subtle details that give a lovely shape. If you have the legs it is a great show piece for highlighting them. Or if you prefer, some stunning leggings from We Love Colors. This little dark dress is 50% off at $124.99.

plus size black dress from Melissa Masse

The Monif C Marilyn Convertible Dress is probably the best investments that any woman can make. It is a short dress — actually it is over ten short dresses, it also works as a great convertible top with leggings or jeans if hiked up under breasts instead of at waist, then wrapped. It is currently 30% off and because it is a one size fits 8 to 24 you do not have to be disappointed about your size being sold out like some of the other items.

plus size convertible dress from Monif C

These are just three of my favorite sale items at Lola & Gigi (there are many more). These plus size designer styles are going fast (as I was writing this post one item completely disappeared)!

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* Update: Lola & Gigi are closed but you can get similar items at Sonsi
*Get plus size tights and leggings from We Love Colors

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Batik Summer

July 11, 2011 By 2 Comments

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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Red and White

June 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I have noticed that a few retailers are advertising “red & white” for Canada day but red and white looks sharp any time. Forever 21 has this cute outfit in their plus size section. The whole outfit is less than $76. And yes, they ship to Canada!

plus size clothing from Forever 21

But I wouldn’t be surprised if you dug through your closet and found a few red and white pieces of your own. Go ahead and see what you have to pair together. Red and white stripes will give you a nice nautical look! Don’t wait until Canada Day to proudly wear your red and whites.

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* Shop Forever21 for plus size clothing

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Threadless Monday

June 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It feels like a t-shirt day. And Threadless is where I go for my novelty tees. As much as I have loved Threadless the last few years, I think they should spend less time expanding on other products and increase their t-shirt sizes to 4x. In the meantime some of their guy styles go up to 3x and their girly styles go up to 2x. This week here are two of my favorites this week:

First up is Birds Of A Feather by Ross Ziet ($20). An excellent visual interpretation for an old proverb.

birds and feather t-shirt from Threadless

Then there is the light in the dark with Tyger Tyger, Burning Bright by Ian Leino ($20) which personifies a bit of creepiness with cool.

Tyger Tyger from Threadless

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* Get your plus size designer shirts from Threadless

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Voluptuous Clothing Opens Doors

June 25, 2011 By 1 Comment

Voluptuous clothing has opened a fifth store. The Ajax location is located at the Durham Rio Can Center. If you live in the area Toronto area be sure to check them out. The other four stores are in Scarborough Town Centre, Vaughan Mills, Square One, and Dufferin Mall.

If you are not in the T.O area you can shop their online shop. While their website has been online for over a year we have not always been able to shop there for whatever reasons (one was a site upgrade I believe). The website is currently open for business offering a small selection of tops, dresses and pants at affordable prices as well as a sales section with up to 40% off.

If you are not familiar with Voluptuous clothing chain (I think it is safe to say chain now since they have five stores) they offer very trendy / sexy clothing up to 3x (not all styles on the website come in all sizes). Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

plus size clothing from Voluptuous

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* Visit Voluptuous for plus size clothing

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Summer Ponchos

May 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This time of the year it can be hot one moment and chilly the next. One of the great things about retro returning is the addition of ponchos to our wardrobe. They are not the big bulky behemoths of years gone by but delicate additions that add to the wardrobe without overheating the body. A summer poncho can dress up a plain tank or provide some skin camouflage to a cami or sleeveless dress. Ashley Stewart has a few I especially like.

The Crochet Fringe Poncho is $29 and comes in navy or white. I can see these ones easily becoming a staple for casual and dressy outfits.

plus size navy lace ponchoplus size white lace poncho

The Marled Multi-Color Poncho ($25) and the Solid Ruffle Poncho ($12) provide a bit more coverage. The Marled poncho would look beautiful with a wide assortment of solid maxi dresses or shorts (love it with the white jeans) and the casual Ruffle poncho would be great for snuggling in the back yard or a barbecue party.

plus size fringe ponchoplus size ruffled poncho

And yes, they deliver to Canada!

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* Get your plus size clothing from Ashley Stewart

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