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.

This week, I have a Calvin Klein Python Shopper Bag (MSRP $118) to give away, and you can enter to win right here. DesignerChatter.com is doing a “12 Days of Christmas” collaboration with several style websites, and after a few clicks, you’ll be closer to a nice new python bag.

First, the nitty-gritty:

What is DesignerChatter.com?

DesignerChatter.com is a discount fashion destination that offers marked-down, high-end fashion for a discounted price. The site combines fashion tips with pieces sourced off the runway and from fashion houses worldwide.

Second, your ticket(s) to win:

1. Follow @DesignerChatter on Twitter. Comment here for an entry to the drawing.

2. Like DesignerChatter on Facebook. Comment here for an additional entry.

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents, 18+, and is running until Midnight, December 20th, PST. I will draw a single winner randomly from the comments I receive on this post. Good luck, my lovelies!

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And the winner is… Annalene! Congrats!

Duane Bryers created one of the only well-known plus pin-ups in history, and his depictions of “Hilda” spanned decades. In an interview in the early 2000s, when Bryers was in his 90s, he estimated that his Hilda paintings totaled 250. Done in gouache on simple illustration board, these paintings are the perfect inspiration for the curvy woman.

I hadn’t heard of Whooga yet, living in a tropical climate and all, so I checked out their site to find reviews and testimonials. One convert wrote about the alternative brand of skeepskin boots and gushed, gushed, gushed:

“I cannot RAVE enough on how thick and dense the fur is! I’m wearing Whooga ugg boots barefoot now as I type and when I took my foot out of it to check, my foot was so soft and no longer dry. My skins gets super dry in the winter. The boots use Merino grade wool which they use in hospitals for people who have super dry skin because of sickness or disease to help soothe their skin, and my foot…is wicked soft.”

I personally like the Tan Weave Ugg Boot, which features a fabric and sheepskin lining. They are thermostatic, meaning you can wear them in the winter or summer, and they have reinforced stitching so they keep their shape and condition. I also like the Chocolate Weave ones, which would be amazing with a leather jacket.

If you are interested in entering a giveaway for these Whooga ugg boots uk, sign up for their newsletter on their site or follow them on Twitter.

This giveaway has been sponsored.

What do I think? Torrid’s a gamble. The quality is higher in some pieces, and while the fit is generous, some pieces simply aren’t up to my standards. For example, I hate their thigh-high boots, which I find saggy, baggy, and cheap-looking. That said, there are pieces are Torrid that I do love:

Photo (c) Torrid

Nude and Lace Shaping Bodysuit, $34; Polka Dot Floral Tube Dress with Lace, $68; Nude and Black Lace Shaping Slip, $38; Charcoal Tweed Jacket with Applique, $68

Do you shop at Torrid?

Congratulations to the Bali contest winners, chosen using Random.org! I will be emailing you for your mailing address and to confirm the size you would like from Bali. Happy Thanksgiving!

Shannon Baas
Sarah Hirsch
Lori
Fi Figueroa
Julie H
Lisa H
Darcy B
Susan Meep
Christine
Veronica Garrett

Congrats again!

Traveling around South America has been awesome, but you know what’s been even better? Getting back into the swing of things at my home base! To celebrate plus-size fashion, I decided to do a giveaway with Bali, and they have donated 10 gift bags with goodies.

Photo (c) Bali

If you win, you will get the following: Bali leggings, Lush Bath Bomb, brochure, Bali branded mirror, and gift card in a gift bag. The leggings are available in sizes L, XL, and XXL for the giveaway.

To enter, please LIKE and leave a comment on Bali Intimate’s Facebook page saying why you love Bali or describing your favorite Bali lingerie, and then leave a comment here telling me that you did! Please include your preferred legging size.

For an additional entry, you can follow Fa(s)t Fashion on Twitter!

Contest will run until November 22nd (midnight PST)! U.S. contestants only, ages 18+.

Good luck!

And if you want to read about my experiences with Bali…

Bali Lingerie & Shapewear Reviews and Features
Fabulous-U Intro
Bali Box Received
The Wirefree Bra
Bali Concealers with Petals
Can’t Kill These Bras
Minimizer Bra on a Walk

This giveaway was listed on Online Sweepstakes.

An excerpt, edited for brevity:

I should write terrible “shopping” experience, because I didn’t end up buying anything from Dandelion Vintage. I’ll tell you why after I acknowledge this fact: I realize that my writing about the shop gives it more traffic. A double-edged sword, I know, but I was planning a review anyway. [...] I checked it out; they have some larger pieces, and I put a review note on my editorial calendar. Then, as anyone would do, I starting shopping for myself.

Cut to a few days later [...]: I said that I would like to purchase the bag (verbatim) as long as the shipping quote was reasonable. The shipping prices were sent, but two days later, the bag was sold to someone else. I only found out because I realized that I had not received my invoice and had contacted the seller.

How did I expect to be treated? I wish I had received a courtesy email before the other person bought my piece out from under me, nothing more. I said I would be buying the bag two days before it was sold; per shop policy, I have seven days to submit payment. I thought my bag was on hold, and wouldn’t you?

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The last time I had a bad shopping experience online, it was early 2009 (Prive Porter sucks). For more ranting for the sake of letting others know how customers are prioritized according to purchase amount, read my full Dandelion Vintage rant at About Plus-Size.

I’m tempted to ask what happened to “the customer is always right,” but who am I kidding? That went out the window a long time ago.

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.

via blog.caseybrowndesigns.com

It’s September! I’m so pleased, even though I am in Brazil, which means that it’s technically spring. If you grew up in the north (New Englander here), I swear that the fall excitement is hard-wired into your brain. Trees might be flowering, but I am all pumpkins! harvest time! fall coats! in the back of my brain. I wonder if that will ever change…

To move things in the right direction for fall, I’ve compiled my six favorite fashionable tips for any woman with curves.

Tip 1: Try longline bras, which are warmer.

If you’re not in the mood to switch all your blouses quite yet, why not try a longline bra? That layer of lace will cut the chill under a top, and you’ll also get the magical benefits of boning to smooth everything.

Tip 2: Shop for jeans with at least 2% Spandex.

Buying jeans in a heavier weight fabric means bunching and rolling if the fit’s not perfect. 2% Spandex is the right choice to get a smooth fit when you’re preparing for the cold to hit (and when you’re stuffing your jeans into boots).

Tip 3: Try a swing coat with 3/4 sleeves when the weather is fluctuating.

I know that you’re all getting ready for a Labor Day vacation and are thinking ew! coats?!, but 3/4 sleeve lengths mean that you can wear fashionable gloves when it gets really nippy.

Tip 4: Know that now’s the time to stock up on separates.

Get a couple new pieces, because we’ll be layering up a storm in just a few weeks. Curvy girls might want to check out Kiyonna’s casual long-sleeve options and cardigans, and professionals looking for more separates might want to swing by Igigi.

Tip 5: Decide on your fall wardrobe color schemes to make buying easier.

What’s your wardrobe base color this season? Get away from black, instead considering navy or plum.

Tip 6: Look for tights in your size now to avoid scrambling with the first frost.

As you’ve probably noticed, I am obsessed with We Love Colors. Their options are unparalleled, both color-wise and size-wise.

What’s the first wardrobe change you make come fall?