The Plus Size Thread - All are welcome!

[classic1908]

^^
Susan Moses could probably help her.

And as a slight hijack, the New York Times had an article on style for older women that did touch upon some of the plus-size issues. They quoted Audrey Smaltz, who is a fashion show producer and commentator, looking for a dress:

Label-mad or not, many American women can’t find the clothes they want, and have the means to buy. Audrey Smaltz, a fashion show producer in New York, is on her way to Las Vegas in two weeks to celebrate her 70th birthday with a dinner dance at the Bellagio hotel.
“I want to look sexy and they don’t sell sexy for a size 18,” said Ms. Smaltz, who asked Cassandra Broomfield, a custom dressmaker, to make her a short white dress for the party. Ms. Smaltz finds blouses and sexy tops in her size by Lafayette 148.

Although Ms. Smaltz is much older than those of us who post, I understand where she's going.

 

[classic1908]

MGR, Cinema Society

And I know I'll get bashed on this, but I like this type of tunic and MGR looks good here:

Bonus image:

Keely Shaye Brosnan (probably a 12 or 14) with Pierce, 2004. Few pix of her exist online that aren't premiere/formalwear, BTW.

 

[cait]

Classic, no bashing from me on the tunic! I actually love the feel and fit of a good tunic, and I have several that I live in during the summer months. But I do find they make a better impression in real life than in photographs.

Even with the issues we've all talked about in recent posts I do enjoy some factors of MGR's style: the grooming and her obvious love of color, mainly. Despite this most recent pic she doesn't stick to the 'black will make you look slimmer' rule.

Also love the pic of Keely. Wish we saw more of her, I enjoy her unfussy style.

 

[LaurieAnn]

classic, I do think that it one of the better pictures of MGR. It's a flattering casual look for her especially with the green embellishment which highlights her face.

I'd love to see what Cassandra Broomfield comes up with for Audrey Smaltz. I'm hooked on the custom dressmaker idea but don't live near a good one that I know of.

Keeley Shaye Borsnan is just beautiful. I wish I had her hourglass figure. I've read that Pierce is really supportive of her and am so happy that's so.

 

[3RingCircus]

^^
Audrey Smaltz, a fashion show producer in New York, is on her way to Las Vegas in two weeks to celebrate her 70th birthday with a dinner dance at the Bellagio hotel.
“I want to look sexy and they don’t sell sexy for a size 18,” said Ms. Smaltz...

Oh, the irony... Many of us feel that much of the plus clothing available is only suitable for old ladies, yet even the old ladies are rejecting it!!

That broad better have fantastic legs to go for a short white dress at her age!! Mind you, she was in Vegas...

 

[classic1908]

Classic, no bashing from me on the tunic! I actually love the feel and fit of a good tunic, and I have several that I live in during the summer months. But I do find they make a better impression in real life than in photographs.

Even with the issues we've all talked about in recent posts I do enjoy some factors of MGR's style: the grooming and her obvious love of color, mainly. Despite this most recent pic she doesn't stick to the 'black will make you look slimmer' rule.

Also love the pic of Keely. Wish we saw more of her, I enjoy her unfussy style.

Cait, that's one of the things I also like about MGR. I'm a huge color person. I'm wearing lavender today and am not afraid of pastels or brights. I'm not a small woman and no amount of trickery will hide that. Color works with my skintone and I feel better in it.
Keely is lovely. She was the curvy mini-profile in Vogue's usually laughable shape issue in 2006.

 

[classic1908]

Oh, the irony... Many of us feel that much of the plus clothing available is only suitable for old ladies, yet even the old ladies are rejecting it!!

That broad better have fantastic legs to go for a short white dress at her age!! Mind you, she was in Vegas...

I'll try to find an Audrey pic that's recent. She's an ex-model and "self-described minor celebrity in the African-American community."

 

[classic1908]

Audrey Smaltz, Hamptons.com

AS is on the left. For someone who is nearly 70, she does look pretty good. I don't know, however, what her "sexy" is going to be.

 

[classic1908]

Emme, NYSD.com

Noted plus model and TV personality Emme at right. IMO, she could have picked a better dress:

 

[masquerade]

its ironic that she appeared on a show called "fashion police". that top is horrible

its hard being plus and finding cute, young clothes thats arent too much. sometimes it feels like its either the torrid and baby phat or old lady stuff. its very hard to find contemporary.

 

[classic1908]

its ironic that she appeared on a show called "fashion police". that top is horrible

its hard being plus and finding cute, young clothes thats arent too much. sometimes it feels like its either the torrid and baby phat or old lady stuff. its very hard to find contemporary.

From what I pick up on these boards and elsewhere, that seems to be one of the most prominent complaints in the full-fashion market, particularly in view of the fact that many teens, 20somethings and even early 30s are bigger now than we used to be.

Older people like me (I am 42) with a classic/tailored/PAP style are decently served, although I have my own complaints (limited dress selection in natural fibers, for example).

But for those who like what's sold in contemporary straight-size departments (namely, the designer jeans), your options are rather limited.

 

[cait]

its hard being plus and finding cute, young clothes thats arent too much. sometimes it feels like its either the torrid and baby phat or old lady stuff. its very hard to find contemporary.

Emme can't use that as an excuse, at least. She used to have her own line, surely she knows how to get something made for an event. No need for her to look this frumpy.

I think a lot of designers/companies, when they think about contemporary or younger styles, think the whole point is to be too much. That doesn't always flatter single-digit girls, much less a plus size.

Personally, I tend to mix classic pieces with edgier or sassier things, and accessories can go a long way. (Just don't ask me to participate in the Ugly Shoe trend this season. )

 

[classic1908]

Here's a miss on MGR...

MGR...
This is a no-no.

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/i/partypictures/05_24_07/dalphin/ITrumpMRaein_051607_1.jpg

 

[classic1908]

Jordin Sparks

Is 5'11" and looks maybe to be a 12-14:

Gown by Badgley Mischka, which only, to my knowledge, goes up to 14.

 

[cosmogrl5]

I just saw Emme on Oprah and decided to do a search on her. I'd like to see more her these days.

 

[LaurieAnn]

MGR...
This is a no-no.

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/i/partypictures/05_24_07/dalphin/ITrumpMRaein_051607_1.jpg

I think we should chip in and send MGR a copy of Bradley Bayou's The Science of Sexy.

 

[Luxx]

^Oh snap!

I like that gown Jordin Sparks is wearing. She looks wonderful, she's a very statuesque young lady.

 

[masquerade]

i wasnt a fan of that specific dress of jordins, but that could be because my opinion is clouded by my team blake-ness

 

[classic1908]

I think we should chip in and send MGR a copy of Bradley Bayou's The Science of Sexy.

I would. That's such a good book. I'm waiting for an extra 40% off coupon from Borders Rewards so I can buy one for my line sister. She bought a Glamour with America Ferrara featured in it, although America is more of a curvier straight size (maybe an 8-10).
The Science of Sexy, however, had America in its short full-figured group of body types. I think short plus included Angie Stone (has a funky, natural style), Roseanne (who looks OK sometimes and not so good other times) and Lil' Kim. (GROSS)

 

[xmodel citizen]

Is 5'11" and looks maybe to be a 12-14:

Gown by Badgley Mischka, which only, to my knowledge, goes up to 14.

Badgley Mischka customized that gown, and the short black one she wore the previous night after seeing her on the show. I personally preferred the black one, but she's gorgeous no matter what she's wearing. She's quite lucky though to have people custom designing her dresses! I love Badgley Mischka. They're my fashion guilty-pleasure