The Plus Size Thread - All are welcome!

[fashionista-ta]

^ BR used to carry 16s in store, and 11's in shoes as well but moved them to online only shopping which pi*ssed me off no end because shoes are not weight dependent are they?? And when you are stuck between sizes 14-16 there is no sale to be had without the 16s in store. They are part of the GAP group so it doesn't surprise me that they did this, it's in line with the whole Old Navy no-plus-instore mentality they have.

Another reason it sucks is because the bigger the size, the more likely you are to need to try it on ... the only way this works is if you already know the item works for you. What can I say, it's been a long time since I shopped at any of these stores I'm interested in looking again now that BR has the new green line. I hope it's not like RED, three decent items in the store, none in my size

 

[classic1908]

^ BR used to carry 16s in store, and 11's in shoes as well but moved them to online only shopping which pi*ssed me off no end because shoes are not weight dependent are they?? And when you are stuck between sizes 14-16 there is no sale to be had without the 16s in store. They are part of the GAP group so it doesn't surprise me that they did this, it's in line with the whole Old Navy no-plus-instore mentality they have.

Gap tries to be something it's not, definitely. It is not high fashion. On the Banana end, it's wearable interpretation. Gap is basics. Old Navy is trying to be more fast fashion.
It seems they want our money, but not us in there. I don't buy BR bottoms. I stick to what fits me. They still have shoes that work for me (size 10).

As an aside, MG in polka dots on the right with a very tanned woman named Sibel Mermelstein (sp?). Oddly, I like it. I have one polka-dotted dress myself (cream silk georgette w/blush dots
IMAGE CREDIT: New York Social Diary.

 

[frk-frost]

I like it too. Orange is such a hard colour to wear I think - she looks very good.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I like it too ... very flattering dress (possibly her silhouette or underpinnings have changed too?), and I always think polka dots are such a happy look--so, perfect for Marjorie!

 

[frk-frost]

The clutch is also a really nice touch to the look.

 

[classic1908]

^^
The clutch works, IMO, because it's sort of a warmish red. It looks like a Kara Ross, but I'm not sure.
Orange is a hard color for many people. I'm wearing a lot of it, now, rather than yellow. Yellow doesn't really work for me -- I am a cafe au lait colored African-American and yellow sort of makes me look sick. I like yellow on browner women, people of Angie Stone's complexion.

 

[fashionista-ta]

Just wanted to note that Jill Scott is in Allure's annual nude issue this month ... she loves the picture and said she was going to hang it in her home, but where the cable guy can't see it

 

[classic1908]

^^
I saw that. It's gotten mixed reactions on some of the African-American entertainment blogs -- people have complained that Jill is photoshopped. Well, everybody is photoshopped in fashion mags.

PHOTO CREDIT: NYSD.com
On the right is journalist/philanthropist Katie Tarbox, who runs an organization that donates prom dresses to girls in Washington, D.C. She looks plus -- I wish the photog had gotten a better shot of her dress. I love the jewel:

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Yes, since it's a mainstream magazine, "details" were heavily airbrushed ... it's true that there's not much left after all of that, which always does look rather odd, to my eyes anyway. I haven't seen any of the blogs ... were they complaining about skintone? I wonder to what extent she herself influenced the editing?

 

[frk-frost]

I think it's beautiful picture but it is constructed somewhat oddly compared to the other photos in the shoot. You would think the point of the picture was to actually show her curves off in a beautiful way but instead she seems to be hiding

 

[fashionista-ta]

I think it's beautiful picture but it is constructed somewhat oddly compared to the other photos in the shoot. You would think the point of the picture was to actually show her curves off in a beautiful way but instead she seems to be hiding

I agree ... you expressed that well. Not a very accepting message, is it?

 

[frk-frost]

I agree ... you expressed that well. Not a very accepting message, is it?

No, it's not. I'm actually rather disapointed. I expect this sort of thing from Vogue, not Allure

 

[classic1908]

^ Yes, since it's a mainstream magazine, "details" were heavily airbrushed ... it's true that there's not much left after all of that, which always does look rather odd, to my eyes anyway. I haven't seen any of the blogs ... were they complaining about skintone? I wonder to what extent she herself influenced the editing?

The complaints varied. Some felt they cut down her overall body. Many disliked her hair -- they prefer Jill w/curlier or natural hair. I didn't see any talk of skintone.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Oh dear, now I'm starting rumors I thought she possibly looked a little on the pale side, but maybe that was just the natural effect of the bright sunlight ...

I guess the bottom line is, they started with someone who is not conventional and ended up with a fairly innocuous, conventional, and very hazy result.

Surely she didn't have to be Photoshopped out of existence in order to create a beautiful picture? Perhaps what's really needed is a better photographer & stylist?

 

[3RingCircus]

^ That, and/or a better retoucher...it's not that difficult to touch up a photo and leave skin texture looking natural. It's a skill thing, not a 'style'. Also - being good with a computer program doesn't mean the same person has a good eye for what needs work in a photo - or that the retoucher has the final say in when a photo is 'good enough' to print.

That subtle lightening of the skin you perceive may be a result of a skin retouching process that tries to level out differences in skin tones (making dark tones lighter, light tones a little less so). Hence even white women will look a little paler...from www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Thanks, 3RingCircus ... I do see your point about skintone. And you also make a good point about the retoucher.

I know we could really use a visual here, but the reason I bring up the photographer & stylist is that the photo (if you haven't seen it) is dead on--probably a difficult pose for a curvaceous woman, as well as problematic for a magazine intent on not really showing anything. So the "cash & prizes" (as one tFSer refers to them ) have to be airbrushed out ... but Jill was also left without a navel as far as I recall. You can see a bit of the curve of her abdomen & not too much more ...

So I felt that perhaps a more imaginative photographer and/or stylist could have come up with another pose that would meet the requirements of the magazine while still showing us the real person rather than a cafe au lait curvy haze with Jill's head on top ...

 

[classic1908]

^^
Good point.

Meanwhile, on another board I belong to, I found this link to a style blog, but it's in French, so I can only look at the pics. The author looks like a plusher, bigger Liv Tyler, IMO:

http://bigbeauty.over-blog.com/

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ You're right, she does look like Liv My favorite outfit is the hot-pink dress further down the main page ... and the pix of her with her dog She's a great example of how important attitude is--the most important accessory, don't leave home without it

 

[frk-frost]

That's a great find! She seems to have a great style and a lovely attitude - I wish you could buy that

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I guess you have to be born with it, earn it, or both