The Plus Size Thread - All are welcome!

[fashionista-ta]

^ I was just rereading Ruth Reichl's memoirs, and she mentions what it was like traveling in rural China with her head of wild thick curly hair (which is gorgeous--the kind of hair I wanted when I was younger). A group of people would follow her, children would reach out to touch her hair ... staring didn't begin to cover it. People do react when they see something they're not used to seeing

I remember wearing my size 10 cow-print capris to a mall in Colorado--a large group of people pointed & stared after one woman remarked loudly & drew their attention to me--hilarious It's all in how you choose to react to a reaction I was sorry to see those pants go--they brought me a great deal of amusement

 

[masquerade]

Any plus size women been abroad? Say Paris? Were you stared at?

eh, i went to europe a couple years ago when i was smaller (still not thin though, size 8-10). its not like those countries are void of fuller figured people, despite what some may say. i didnt have a problem in Paris or anywhere that I ccan remember (and i think i would remember something like that)

 

[Rebel Yell]

try living in asia...I'm a size 4 and I feel grossly huge next to all the asian stick figures. In europe people are more curvy so I didn't feel as self-consious, but here, it's like, if you're not size 0-2, its like 'overweight', it's really shocking. I mean TINY girls are starving themselves because they think they're 'fat' by asian standards. And often the 'fashionable' shops only have their clothes up to size 6 usually, otherwise you have to put in a special request to get something a higher size. And plus-sized girls are often misjudged because of their size..:S

 

[LaurieAnn]

That is really sad Rebel Yell, and very unhealthy.

 

[BlkLadyLaw]

^ I tried those Not Your Daughter's jeans on (in regular not plus size tho) ... maybe it's that I'm not a mom, but they did less than nothing for me (they were actually unflattering), and I found the panel thing really uncomfortable ...

I'm not a mommy yet either ...it could be that they are flattering on certain figures but not others. A colleague of mine raved to me about them and got me into them but on her they do not look as flattering in my view. She is tall like me but has more of a flat butt and wider hips than I do. With my big thighs and booty and 6 foot tall frame and they work well on me...but others maybe not. Finding jeans that fit all over and accommodate my thighs are my major issue. I've tried rapper Nelly's Apple Bottoms jeans and though they were cut for a more ample booty which I appreciated the quality of them was not good to me...the material felt thin. I've tried Baby Phat plus size jeans also and wasn't really impressed with the fit on me.

 

[LaurieAnn]

Finding jeans with a great fit is such a challenge. When I was giving my closet a thorough going-over a few weeks ago I counted 11 pair of jeans. Now that's really too many so I analyzed why I had so many pairs. For me it came down to searching for a great fit. Every time I tried on a pair with a better than "passable" fit I bought them; all the while continuing my search for a "perfect" fit. Now I know that the search for a great fit is what fuels my purchasing.

My jean wardrobe focuses around three distinct styles. Trouser style I can wear with flats or a small heel; boot cuts I can wear with a taller, 2-3 inch heel and straight legs I can turn up to wear with flats or wear full lenghth with a 3+inch stilletto heel. I didn't plan this, they just evolved from my search for a "perfect" cut and fit.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Have you guys tried Jag jeans? Nordstroms carries them. I just looked, and they come in plus & petite. They are my best-fitting jeans. I have some Escada ones that are pretty good too, but just this morning I faced the reality that they have had it

 

[LaurieAnn]

fashionista-ta, I've not tried the Jag jeans though I would be very interested if they had my size. I'm one size up from their largest petite size. I sure hope you'll find something that's a worthy replacement for your Escada jeans. It is bittersweet to have to replace something that's been worn out because it's worked so well.

 

[fashionista-ta]

fashionista-ta, I've not tried the Jag jeans though I would be very interested if they had my size. I'm one size up from their largest petite size. I sure hope you'll find something that's a worthy replacement for your Escada jeans. It is bittersweet to have to replace something that's been worn out because it's worked so well.

LaurieAnn, I wonder if the low end of the plus sizes + tailoring would work for you? I love it that Nordstrom's hems for free.

I'm sure I will I'm kicking myself for not sticking to my plan of a new pair of jeans each season--I skipped it this season & now I'm down to 2 pair Perhaps I will have to make this my first purchase of the fall season ...

 

[LaurieAnn]

I'd forgotten that Nordstrom hems for free because I only get to shop at one twice per year. The closest one to me is about two hours away. But that's an idea and I will have to remember.

Have you been over-zealous with your minimal purchase philosophy? Too few blouses for work? Down two pair of jeans? Sounds to me like you need to do some "replace/refresh basic pieces" shopping. Yes, I can justify shopping pretty easily, but I think you're well into the legitimate needs range.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I'd forgotten that Nordstrom hems for free because I only get to shop at one twice per year. The closest one to me is about two hours away. But that's an idea and I will have to remember.

Have you been over-zealous with your minimal purchase philosophy? Too few blouses for work? Down two pair of jeans? Sounds to me like you need to do some "replace/refresh basic pieces" shopping. Yes, I can justify shopping pretty easily, but I think you're well into the legitimate needs range.

I bet if you're making a nice purchase they'd do the alteration on the spot for you--they've done that for me before (it was more minor than a hem tho, but I couldn't say I was two hours away ). Nordstrom's so spoils you for shopping most everyplace else ...

I do see your point, however ... I did buy six sweaters and one blouse for spring And I also know the total I spent for the season--not minimal Maybe two pairs of jeans for fall

 

[LaurieAnn]

I have to really laugh at myself. I forgot what thread I was on and thought I was replying to you on the "4-5 piece French wardrobe" thread. Menopause memory is a killer.

 

[classic1908]

^^
I wish I could pare. I can't, even within a classic framework. I need to work on it.

Here is Marjorie seated w/overtanned Dennis Basso, so I can't comment on her gear. From NYSD.com, at the Conservatory Ball:

 

[LaurieAnn]

Lovely smile and well groomed as always. She looks really happy in that picture. That's actually a great camera angle to capture her face.

 

[classic1908]

Plus size celebs, BET Awards, Yahoo.com

Ms. Jennifer Hudson. The rose dress, she said, was Michael Kors. She needed better corsetry, IMO:

White dress:

Queen Latifah:

Jordin Sparks:

?"]http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070627/capt.e19a99935d904cef9c96eb459822b6cd.bet_awards_arrivals_cadc102.jpg[/img][/URL]
Mo'Nique w/hubby:

Kim Coles. This is a no-no:

Also there was Tocarra. No pix, though.

 

[fashionista-ta]

I have to really laugh at myself. I forgot what thread I was on and thought I was replying to you on the "4-5 piece French wardrobe" thread. Menopause memory is a killer.

One conversation, multiple threads ... it's a movable feast

I have taken your words to heart, and will be doing some shopping.

classic1908, agree with your assessment re corsetry. You would think Michael would have taken care of that ...

Queen Latifah looks fantastic.

 

[LaurieAnn]

Also agree about the corsetry. Equally important as the clothing. Also, Queen Latifah's white dress is really designed well for a plus size body type that carries weight in the tummy. V-Neck plus the empire waist is a great combination on her (and on me too.)

 

[classic1908]

^^
QL is at her best with the red carpet. I bet her dress was Carmen Marc Valvo, who's her go-to resource.

Here is Marjorie R. seated, from NYSD, at Peggy Siegal's birthday:

 

[classic1908]

MGR once again, Cinema Society, NYSD

Although the dress is black, I like the princess seaming and her necklace is cool:

 

[classic1908]

More Marjorie

NYSD, w/Scott Currie. I like the color: