H & M Has Plus Size Clothing in Germany

I'm in Germany, and I'm happy to report that there are stores with nice large size clothing here. My friend, Andrea, took me shopping in Pforzheim, a city with a population 116,000 at the northern edge of The Black Forest.
There's an H&M here and guess what? This H&M has plus size clothing! H&M is a retail store out of Sweden and the concept is "fast fashion," meaning they offer the latest trends from the runways at affordable prices. The H&M in Los Angeles does NOT have plus sizes, so I was really curious what the clothes would look like. The billboards in LA indicate that their clothes are trendy.
This H&M in Pforzheim dedicated a corner of the store to the larger sizes. The area was small and frankly, nothing jumped out at me as a "must have." But I did like this green military/safari style jacket in cotton. Andrea and I both bought one.
European is very different from American sizing. A size 10 in America is about a size 40 in Euro sizing. My jacket is a size 52, which would be a size 22. However, in America I usually wear a size XL to a 1X in tops and a 16/18 in jackets. It's a bit big in the torso, but to accommodate my broad shoulders I got the next size up. I'll take it to my tailor in LA to move the buttons over. It's always been my opinion that cheaper clothing tends to run smaller.
You may not know that there are no standard specifications for women's clothing sizes like there are for men's apparel. A man shops for a shirt by his neck size and a pair of pants by his waist size and inseam. Not so for females. Women usually end up wearing a range of sizes, depending on the maker, the shape and the fabrication of the item.
Years ago, Anne Klein started a trend that made it seem like we were all wearing a smaller size by shifting her size chart. If you wore a size 12, you could fit into a size 8 or 10 in her collection, making her clothing very popular.
I will say this again and again, I don't really care what size I actually have to purchase, as long as it fits. It is the price tag I am more concerned about. Price of the green military jacket? €39,95 Euros. And no, that comma isn't a typo, there is a comma vs. a period with Euros!

BBWs Say Online Dating Doesn't Work. What Is Your Opinion?

The Associated Press called me up the other day to discuss online dating and in particular, dating sites that cater to BBWs.(Big Beautiful Women, coined by Carol Shaw, founder of the original Big Beautiful Woman magazine and a woman with a real set of balls!)
I had written about my personal experience with online dating on Craigslist.org and posted it on my other blog at open salon dot com.
I had met Craig Newmark during the whole scandal of "The Craig's List Killer," and felt that my experience with Craig's List was an example of the organic and sincerity of most people who post or peruse Craig's List. In fact, the overwhelming response and the transperancy of most of my responses actually restored my faith in mankind, as in kind men.
The article Megan Scott wrote about BBWs and online dating has crossed the wires and is starting to get internet pick up.
Here is the link to the first paper to post it. Let me know about your experience with online dating.

Kingley&Posh Sale - New Resource

I heard about Kingley&Posh when they were looking for industry insiders to take a survey about plus size clothing.
I've been watching the collection. There are some nice tops and a cool black dress worth checking out.
They're having a sale and contest through October 16, 2009.
Enter to win a $100 Visa gift card.
Enter code Gorgeous09 for instant savings on some items!
www.kingleyandposh.com

Update on Newport News Catalog High Waist Push-Up Leggins

The high-waist push-up Shape FX Leggings arrived. The XL Tall will fit at least a 46 hip. The control band at the "high waist" may press into the torso, right under the bust, and may be too tight for some. They washed well, I let them air dry, but even washing with Woolite Dark, I can see they are going to fade. Turn them inside out to prolong the inevitable.


http://www.newport-news.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=37598236

Drop Dead Diva

Check out this article in The New York Times about an "overweight" character who struggles to lose weight on Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva." Recent research on weight loss, how the brain works and the truth about genetics are revealed in this article. I haven't seen this show or the character, but we might want to check it out on Lifetime.

लास्ट होलीडे विथ कुईं लातिफः

I finally got around to screening the film "Last Holiday," with Queen Latifah.
She really walks her talk in this movie. The costumes are colorful and show off QL's curves. The character transforms from a matronly sales clerk to a jet setting entrepreneur. The subtle nuances that can make or break the style of a larger woman, were deftly handled by costumer designer Daniel Orlandi.
Every year I look forward to the exhibitions that feature costumes from television and film at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, FIDM, gallery in Los Angeles.
It's exciting to hear the curator share industry anecdotes and insider information about the costume designer, the production and the clothing itself. This year I was particularly entranced by the costumes from Coco Before Chanel.

How To Wear Leggings

Leggings are actually very easy to wear, no matter what your age or shape.

The hot silhouettes – the shapes, for fall are bigger on top - we're seeing broader shoulders and longer looks, as in tunic length, paired with a narrow bottom. Leggings work from day to dinner, so have at least two pair to wear! The length and fabric are the two most important things to look for in a legging.

One of my favorite looks is to wear black matte leggings and black low heel ankle boots with a dress that has a full skirt.

Length: The length is the secret to success in feeling comfortable and looking great in leggings because a hemline is a horizontal break on the leg. Note the best length for your own leg: capri/cropped/long if you have longer legs, thin and/or shapely legs, or thin ankles. If you have thicker legs go for ankle length or just above the ankle.

Alterations: Don’t hesitate to get a slight alteration to adjust the hem to your best length.

Thicker Legs: Wear a tunic length top or dress.

Try ankle boots especially if you have thick ankles. Ankle boots the same color as the legging visually elongate the leg. If you have thick ankles wear ballerina flats or low heels with a scooped out oval toe box showing toe cleavage, or wear low, pointed flats or low heels. Avoid shiny material if you have thicker legs.

Cellulite: If you have cellulite, make sure the fabric is a bit sturdier, suggestions include Danskin leggings with Supplex. Danskin makes plus sizes too but the missy XL can fit up to a size 18W. Call a local dance wear store to find them and go try a pair on to see what size you have. Make sure to ask if they carry 1x etc. as they may not have in them stock but will order them. When I called a local dancewear store, they told me the XL runs large, so I was encouraged to go over there and try them on. They fit me! In fact they are actually a bit long, but I hemmed them.

This particular fiber blend – Lycra with Supplex has strong but not tight with a smooth matte surface and they aren't tight around the waist. Thinner cotton leggings don't hold their shape and they can reveal lumps, bumps and bulges. Newport News has Shape FX leggings and I just ordered the high-waisted style to try it out. Junonia also has a lot of styles and fabrics to choose from.

Be Your Own Stylist:

A white shirt worn a bit oversized and belted lower on the hip - or not; worn with leggings and a boyfriend jacket - J. Jill has one up to 4X - works for women of all ages. Dickies a great white shirt for $26.99 up to a 2X and it comes in black too. Lane Bryant has several to choose from this season (Fall 2009).

Cardigan: Instead of a boyfriend style jacket, choose a longer cardigan, nothing too thick and not cable style.

Dresses: Leggings work with dresses now; just remember that thinner is better for this purpose, unless you are funking it up with motorcycle boots and vintage. ;-)

Take a party dress, pair with leggings, ballerina flats or peep toe shoes, add lots of beads or arm bangles to bring the party dress down to a more casual style.

Washing Tip: turn the leggings inside out, use Woolite for Darks, a detergent designed for dark fabrics, and hang to dry. These tricks will keep your leggings black longer, as black can fade, although the Supplex leggings don’t really fade. Avoiding the dryer will keep the elastic fibers from breaking down.

Your leggings will keep their color and shape longer.