I keep messing myself up with Evans’ and ASOS’s sizing! As you might have read, I have a heck of a time trying to get my refund back from ASOS–it took two months–and I didn’t mince words about them and their customer service.
Even before the addition of ASOS Curve, I always though the company’s sizing was more generous than Evans in general. For example, I used to always wear a UK14 from Evans, and it would be tight, but in ASOS straight sizes, I feel like every time I buy jersey anything, I keep having to size down. I am not a size 8 at all, but I am a UK8-10 from ASOS. It’s really frustrating, because nearly everything I buy is too big in the waist, and I have to exchange it!
Now I’m stuck. Do I shop at Evans, where the sizing is consistent but I don’t find as many pieces I like, or do I stick to the drama that is shopping at ASOS? I hate waiting for my returns, exchanges, and refunds from overseas.
Look who was featured in last week’s Woman’s World! I’m thrilled, naturally, and looking to providing more tips to the magazine for women of every size.
Have you heard of Toula? Saks will be hosting a debut of the plus-size line, hopefully exposing it to style-hungry plus ladies with pocket power. Debut collections are always so exciting!
“We’re excited to expand our reach through this partnership and reach a much larger, cosmopolitan audience,” Steven Wang, co-owner of the label, told the press. “Toula has been available for decades at smaller boutiques, but this distinctive line sold at Saks will reach an entirely new market.”
I’m particularly excited because this plus-size collection for Saks will offer pieces that are high-quality and that are also wrinkle resistant. For people who travel, you know how hard this is to find.
I can’t wait to see the rest of the collection… I think it will be geared towards an older demographic, very “ladies who lunch.” We shall see, though!
Have you ever heard of Courtney and Laura Wells? The two model-sisters were featured in the August issue of Cosmopolitan Australia in an extensive spread, but they don’t get booked for the same jobs often. The only difference between the two bombshells is that one is a plus-size model, and the other is straight-sized.
“Both Courtney and Laura Wells are models, but Laura is plus-size and usually relegated to special spreads,” Huffington Post observes. After having a flip-thru of their pics, I must admit that Laura, size 14 AUS, is commanding the spread. If you are interested, her sister is a size 10 AUS.
I’m almost offended by the fact that the two girls have to explain that yes, they have lived in the same house and have eaten the same food their entire life, and that they are still different sizes. Is it possible that people still can’t comprehend genetically-determined body size, fat ratio, metabolism, and build? Honestly.
I was hoping that they’d make it official-official! Full Figured Fashion Week will be in Los Angeles this fall, and it sounds just as exciting as the New York trip. What did creator of FFFWeek, Gwen Devoe, have to say?
“Most people don’t think ‘fatshionista’ when they think of Los Angeles–they think of women dieting themselves into size zero dresses,” says DeVoe, “but there is a growing and vocal plus-size community in L.A.. When we sought to expand Full Figured Fashion Week™ into other markets, L.A. was my first choice.”
They’re still looking for plus designers and models, so if you’re interested, you can find out more here.
“We’re looking for new faces and new looks that will really wow the crowd. This a celebration of curvy bodies, so we’re looking for designers who know how to show them off best. We want designs that will accentuate, not hide, our plus-sized selves,” DeVoe added.
FFFWeek is coming to Canada as well, so get ready!
This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Fashion Weekend Plus-Size, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. What an experience! I went into it with little knowledge of the current up-and-coming plus designers in Sao Paulo, and then I managed to get backstage to talk to plus models who have been in the biz for 7, 5, 4 years–remember the gals from the topless photo?–and get my fill of what’s on the up-and-up.
Sometimes we hear complaints that the top plus models in America are too slim or are not representative of plus women for “x” reason. I found the working models in Sao Paulo, the ones with the most experience, to have curvier frames than we’re used to seeing on the “pros” in the States. Many still work second jobs to supplement their modeling, but they are now busier than ever, they promise, and think that that will continue for the rest of 2010. (Here’s hoping!)
They were also more than lovely in helping me discover what plus labels are popular in Brazil. Without further ado, what’s hot:
Flight Level: This label prefers a young aesthetic and isn’t afraid of pattern or stretch. Fitted selections offer a beachy alternative to chiffon and other lightweight summer fabrics. This was the collection I found most enjoyable, personally.
Ana Lisboa: A lot of lace and sass went into this collection, and what I found most interesting was the lack of interest in thong panties. I found that many panties in Brazil feature the same cut. Puzzling! Talk about a national preference.
Ness Lingerie: Ness lingerie isn’t afraid to work in animal prints, lace, and sheer fabrics, which I find awesome, but I thought that some piece were too heavy on the billowing, sheer cover-ups. How many of those do you have in your repertoire, really?
Loony: These jeans had a clear preference for both lighter washing and embellishments, which were simply not my thing. I thought that the back view could be more butt-boosting, but the tighter jeggings styles were cute.
La Mafê: With well-placed belts, some of these looks would be absolutely smashing. I am in love with a studded-lapel blazer that they have in their collection, and that I need to scan the lookbook for your perusal.
Eveíza: This collection uses sparkles and shine intuitively, and isn’t afraid to get daring with poses in the lookbook. A good deal of the clothes are more form-fitting and employ seams and zippers to make everything fit just so.
Dardak: These jeans fit the girls so well. They were offered in dark and colored washes, and the backside fit was so perfect (on every single one of the girls, with varying body types). A very successful denim collection with a unique look.
Me at FWPS (Dress, Missphit; Belt, Boutique in Cambui, Campinas) PHOTO: BETO FREITAS
And there’s more to come! I am getting all the shots from my photographer shortly, a piece about it is going up in Vogue Curvy, and there is also a report that’s going to be published at Chic.com.br with quotes from moi.
Whatever your thoughts are about fashion bloggers, this week’s links à la mode reads were quite evocative. Hardly does an article leave me questioning my own thoughts or ideals, especially when talking fashion. I may be moved to buy, but deeper? (sans any type of societal injustice) These bloggers brought more to the table, as Vogue Gone Rogue did with her declaration of the coexistence of feminism and fashion. Yet, I was proud to be an entrepreneur after glimpsing into the world of a bridal consultants leap into fashion design. In a world where a new fashion blog is born everyday and everyone is a critic. Confessions of a Fashion Editor interviews an outspoken blogger critic while Guacamole & Toast ponders if we should even care what others say. Whether you read because of the pretty pictures, fun reads, or fashion tips, know your authors are more than fashion bloggers.
365 Fashion Rehab- The Cost/Quality Conundrum. Three tops in three different price ranges: How do you really know if the quality of a garment matches its price tag?
A La Modest- Thrifting Down the Mainstream: “With this new wave rave for vintage, even Goodwill is raising their prices because the more affluent kids are ransacking their racks for one-of-a-kind retro rompers and sixties sandals.”
Bachmans Sparrow- Transform your basic tanks into beautiful, statement pieces with just a little lace. Check it out in my easy DIY tutorial!
Bobbins And Bombshells: Who’s That Behind Those Foster Grants? Part fashion history part give away!
Cuffington- The Tale of the Tape- A chance encounter with an old handmade mix tape cover (crafted nine years ago from a page torn from an issue of W) takes me back to the very moment when I truly became interested in fashion, and what fashion was capable of.
Living Embellished- Unmask Italia: Learn of the wonders that lay in the Venetian Masks
Miss Jones and Me- Binary Opposition: Applying the device to my life and my wardrobe
Parker and Muse- Balancing my day job as a bridal consultant/photo editor with starting a fashion line: The economics of pursuing my passion.
Style it You- Condé Nast recently rejected Mario Epaya’s proposal for Vogue Africa. Will fashion ever embrace diversity in beauty?
The Curvy Fashionista- Christian Siriano for Payless for Fall 2010: From Runway to Realway?
The Haute Hoosier- Supermodels are Dead: Introducing the Catwalk Queens You’ve Never Heard Of- A round up of some of today’s hottest catwalk queens.
The Vintages Contemplations on caring about public opinion and considering the potential success of the typical blog – one with a blogger who is not particularly glamorous, rich, or thrifty, only average, as most of us are.
Guacamole & Toast When the day is going bad just hop on your bike and ride out into the sunset. Your worry’s will melt away as the sun sets! Let the wind blow all the cares away! And do it in style of course!
I love it when I run into ultra-sexy dresses like this one at Saks. Available in sizes 1-3X, it’s as slinky as one in a size 6, except built for our hips & curves. Finally! There’s something really mesmerizing about this particular dress… I’m really digging it.
Image: Saks
One of the best features on this dress is that petal hem. It’s amazing what a little detail can do, especially something as simple as a hem. A sweeping front panel is accentuated by a ton of shapely ruching (my favorite part, besides the hem), and the asymmetrical neckline just brings the whole thing together. Ooooh… and are those jewels I see along the tucked-under front panel? I’d love to set those off with a jeweled pair of pumps, or a pair of sling-back heels… imagine a pretty little clutch with this, too!
Would you pay $350 for a dress this pretty? It’s available at Saks.
Looking for a gorgeous bridesmaid dress? Have I got a great recommendation for you! I was back at eDressMe (I know), and I scooped up a pleated, strapless dress that is available up to size 28. If you have the bod to rock a strapless dress, and you wear them regularly, why not try one out for a wedding or special occasion?
Image: eDressMe
This dress has a very superior fit, too. It’s silk, and it has a fitted waistline… and it’s available in a variety of amazing colors, like “tutti frutti” and “marshmallow.” Sounds yummy, right?
It’s not just hard finding a plus-size dress to wear to a wedding, but the right color as well! This is a smart dress to buy if you need something classic, in a plus size, and in a specific color. If you are going to use a private seamstress, perhaps you might want to take this pic along– and you can always ask for it to have a dipped neckline, but with straps.
What do you think?
