Plusologie: The Plus Size Fashionistas Addiction

ADELE... Your Beauty Recognized

2012-02-13T02:45:00.000-08:00

We are so proud of Adele. Not only was she a top winner at the 54th Grammy Awards that took place on February 12th, ... she was also a top runner on the red carpet. Elegant as always, she remains a great role model for the curvy fashionista desperately seeking to find positive images displayed of someone that looks like her.

Be sure to catch Adele in the March issue of Vogue. We at Plusologie, have been on pin and needles waiting for it. Check out VOGUE preview: Bea - U - Ti - Ful
Her Make-up is so flawless. I'll be snagging some tips from this photoshoot for sure. Loving it! These images would make any man drop to his knees. Sometimes a curvy girl can give up when she's not pleased with her body. But you're not just your body, your a whole package. Our hair and our nails are as important for our image as a new dress. For me, when my hair is right, I'm right, ... when my nails are manicured, I smile more. And when I have a dress that both fits well and is comfortable, I'm in heaven and it shows in how I carry myself. I just want us all to remember to treat ourselves as special as a cover model. Adele is definitely the it girl for Plusologie.

See more info on Adele's Grammy wins: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2012/02/grammy-awards-2012-album-of-the-year.html

Seasons Greeting 2011

2011-12-25T21:42:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas holiday. As always, we are still clowning around and wanted to share a Holiday laugh with you all. Let't be Friends!

Happy Holidays,
Your Wonderful Staff at Plusologie

American Apparel’s Plus-Size Model Winner Stripped of Her Title

2011-09-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

So… Apparently, the American Apparel brand ran a plus-size model contest where the most popular submitted model pic would win. And the winner is…. I mean WAS, Nancy Upton.

Nancy submitted pictures of herself eating chicken and pie and to the surprise of American Apparel won. However, American Apparel has since removed Nancy as the winner. Basically saying that although she was clearly the most popular viewer voted choice, her images were insulting to plus-size women. American Apparel went running scared! That’s right! They changed the rules when they didn’t get the outcome they were expecting. If this was a trial, I think they’d call this tampering with the evidence… lol.

Thanks to NYmag.com for keeping us in the loop.

Is the Fight for Civil Rights and Equality Over?

2011-07-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

The National Wealth Average is at its widest gap in a 1/4 century reports ABC7 news this morning.

White Households Average ~ $113,149
Hispanic Households Average ~ $6325
(18x's difference)
Black Household Average ~ $5677
(20x's difference)

Hmmmm.... is this what the United States considers Equality!

After slaves were freed, most slaves continued to work for the plantation owner for a very little amount of money. The south did all they could to keep their slaves working for as little as possible. History says that the North won the civil war, if you ask me, it's apparent that they lied!

The systematic inequality of America has been scrapped off of the surface to give us all a perceived notion of freedom and equality. Just like the numbers of a weight scale, the numbers don't lie. They tell of a problem in our infrastructure. I feel like they are laughing all the way to the bank, sitting in member only country clubs laughing about how they've managed to give a false since of a respectable notion of equality to the main stream picture of it all. Ohh, and since we've managed to almost wipe out the middle class, let's put one of them in office...yeahhhh President... that out to shut them up for a little while and we won't have to do this for another 50-100 years.

In my own life, I've noticed how far I have to drive to get to an Apple store. If you noticed, they don't put them in "you peoples" neighborhoods... and why would they! Obviously our infrastructure shows that "you people" don't have a chance in hell of being able to afford them. And if someone came up to me to rob me, I almost couldn't get mad... I'd just have to say, "I understand, what do you need.... wallet, purse, car... Here Take it!"

And as I watched the Republican Response to the Presidents Address last night, I can feel myself starting to boil. Still further, as I watch the chosen forum of representatives... all MEN teleconferenced in on the news to give their opinions about it all, I start to take a tally in my head... I'm looking at the screen thinking, white man, white man, old white man, young white man, white man, white man, white man. So this represents who's in charge for speaking on behalf of America. Aren't we suppose to be the melting pot! At this rate, how can we have any hope of any discussions or compromises in Washington representing what is considered and obviously correct, based on the National Household Average numbers... the minority.

I'm sorry, but I think that our ancestors played this one wrong with all of their "go get an education & a good job" when they should have been telling us to "go get our own business' & force our way onto their golf courses and not their staff appreciation parties." America better be careful before they find themselves fighting a war on their own front nicely watered and manicured lawns.

Okay, I'm done. I'm tired,... I'm fed up,...& I'm left with an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness. - by Karol Jarvis

VISIT FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/notes/karol-jarvis/is-the-fight-for-civil-rights-and-equality-over/10150388246542586

THE PERFECT VALENTINE GIFT FOR GUYS

2011-02-03T05:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it can seem hard to buy a really good gift for a guy because, let’s face it, some of them walk around trying to pretend that they’re too cool to care. But you and I know that they do!

I’m a firm believer that the perfect gift usually comes from months of paying close attention. So if you haven’t given it a thought till now…. A week before the big day, then you might be out of luck….UNLESS, you pay very close attention to what I’m about to say. Now lean in close so you don’t miss it.

“The perfect gift for your guy can be found in all the extra stuff he does when he’s not with you or ignoring you!”

That’s right. I know some of his extra curricular activities can sometimes be annoying to us girlie girls and at times make us down right mad because he’d rather be doing it than spending time with you. However, instead of getting mad, learn to use this as your secret weapon. If he likes to disappear now and then to a guys poker night out … then get him something related to poker. If he buries his head into a computer monitor ignoring you for hours on end, get him something related to computers. If he likes to run off for sports with the guys, then get him something sports related. And if he likes to disappear on Vegas trips with the guys, ...get him a stack of $1 bills... NOT!

But seriously... now I know what you’re saying. “Yeah right, get him that so he can ignore me some more!”. But you have to look at it differently. Every time he uses his new toy or trots off onto his guy away activity, he may not be with you but he’ll no doubt be thinking of you. That’s right, you will have now concurred the out of site out of mind mentality. Second, he’ll be more appreciative of you because he’ll recognize that you respect his get away times. Don’t take it personal! Even the most lovable of couples, need a break now and then.

So, now that you know how to go about it … get to work! And in the event that I’m full of it and this doesn’t work then remember 3 important letters: S. E. X.

Happy Valentines Day

Mashed Potatoes or Not?

2011-01-22T04:42:00.001-08:00

I've recently found a new friend ...

My own Kitchen!

I've been trying out all these different recipes from The Food Network and I've gotta say... I'm lovin’ it! One recent discovery I've made with the help of both The Food Network and Dr. Oz is a new way to enjoy mashed potatoes. In our house we've limited white potatoes from our diet opting for sweet potatoes instead. However, mashed sweet potatoes and gravy aren't a mix that I'd like to experiment with. So now we have mashed "potatoes" or at least what feels like mashed potatoes to me. What is it you ask? Well, it's cauliflower mashed or parsnips mashed. They both have the same satisfying feeling as real mashed potatoes but instead of eating a starch.... your eating vegetables. It's really good; I think everyone should try it.

I first tried the parsnips and I thought… okay, not bad. Then I tried the cauliflower and said mmmm, this is good. The only thing was that the cauliflower needed to be thicker. It’s like the parsnips have the same great consistency as real mashed potatoes but the cauliflower taste better. So what I think I’ll try next time is a mix between the two. I’ll mix them and then see which I like best.

All in all it’s a win win situation in my house. We are loving new ways of putting more vegetables on our plates but still feeling full and most importantly satisfied!

Beauty Starts on the Inside

2010-07-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

I love helping other women feel good about themselves. Whether it's through looking better by having beautiful clothes they feel comfortable in or whether it's helping them feel confident, it's all about living your best life now and not waiting "...until u loose that weight".

Thanks to my cousin Lisa, I've found a natural product now that helps women live longer healthier lives from the inside as well. After taking the supplement for only a few weeks, she noticed relief from her pain and fatigue, increased energy and improved mental focus. Supplements are added to what seems insufficient; as in "supplement your diet" - Hell-O... i know you hear me talking to you.

Have you ever heard of a company called LifeVantage? No... I know, most of you haven't. And that's precisely why this is a ground breaking opportunity for women to benefit not only by living a healthier lifestyle but also by increasing their income to live a more privileged life as well. The company products have been out on the market for approximately five years; it consists of anti-aging health products such as a supplement called Protandim and an anti-age face cream called TrueScience. You can view the benefits of the supplement here in this ABC primetime report: http://www.mylifevantage.com/works4me I'm sure you'll be just as amazed as I was when I first learned of it's potential power to make my body live a healthier stronger and longer life.

My journey to this wonderful product started with me trying to find a vitamin supplement. Protandim not only gives me the same benefits that a vitamin supplement would give, it also has the possibility of decreasing my chances of acquiring chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, & heart disease. If you know anyone with high blood pressure, chronic pain, fatigue, inflamation, a desire to get off chemical medications or related problems to any of these and/or aging, they should consider taking the supplement. Protandim is the only natural supplement clinically proven to reduce oxidative stress by an average of 40% (in just 30 days), slowing down the cell aging process to the level of a 20 year-old. Ohh, and by the way, Whales who are known to have the lowest oxidative stress levels are also the longest living mammals. Coincidence, I think NOT!

While conventional or direct antioxidants can neutralize only one free radical molecule, Protandim triggers the creation of enzymes that can each eliminate over a million free radical molecules per second without being used up. In short, it means living the rest of your life with a lot less stress, less diseases, less pain, and more energy and mental focus all while also slowing down the aging process. We call this a win win situation in my house! But hey, you can view the ABC primetime report and judge for yourself: Click to View Video Clip

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Trust me! Don't be 80 years old wishing you'd have sopped this up!

OMG... I almost forgot. Many who begin taking this natural supplement are so impressed that they tell everybody that they know and in doing so, they realize... "I'm telling so many people about how much I like this stuff, I should be a distributor!" (Note to self: though the products have been out 5 years, this network marketing opportunity has only been available for one year ... that's a lot of growth potential for an independent distributor.) It isn't everyday that you get an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a flourishing company with clinical proof of it's benefits that also helps you, your family, your friends, and their family and friends. What can I say... "I love it!"

For more info on taking Protandim or becoming a distributor, Visit the website at: http://www.mylifevantage.com/works4me/opportunity-success.aspx

See More about LifeVantage, Protandim, or TrueScience
"NBC Today Show" Video Clip
"PBS Healing Quest" Video Clip
"ABC Primetime" Video Clip"
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Here's the Skinny... You Don't Count!

2010-06-21T00:48:00.000-07:00

With 60% of American woman being a size 12 or higher & 40% being a size 14 or higher, you would think that the fashion industry would be clawing there way onto the backs of this powerful buying power. Yet, just the opposite is true. The fashion industry often turns it head in denial and tries to pretend that they don’t exist.

“With hardly any high-end resources at their disposal, full-figured women still spent $18.6 billion on apparel in stores and online from December 2007 to November 2008, according to NPD Group. That's only around 20% of the $109.7 billion spent in the regular-size ranges, but bricks-and-mortar plus-size retailers comprise far less than 20% of the total women's apparel retail industry -- and high-end options in the category are extremely rare, so purchase prices are substantially lower”. (L.A. Times) In the world of business, this is insane. I mean, do you think that the beverage industry would supply more Sprite if they knew that most of its demographic drank Coca Cola Classic. This is a blatant display of telling the plus size consumer that she isn’t important enough to count and is thus officially being punished for her round thighs, full hips, and what they refer to as her not so lovable handles.

Instead of embracing these plus size dollars, they turn to excuses such as not wanting to support an unhealthy lifestyle. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black with its agents and designers in a long stead marriage to hold any potential model & sample size into a size 2 or 4, an often unattainable standard of beauty that many starve themselves into. Yeah… that’s healthy! Ohh, and P.S. – “Anorexia has the highest mortality rate (up to 20%) of any psychiatric diagnosis.”(FullandFabulous)

Society looks at a plus size woman and automatically assumes she must be unhealthy but with a plus size women the old saying ... "looks can be deceiving" has never been more true. Some are unhealthy and others are not. Then again, wouldn’t that be true with most people. Haven’t you ever heard of the seemingly healthy athlete or the health savvy jogger who suddenly kills over? Nevertheless, the fashion industry should wake up and embrace the real curves of the average woman. Maybe the fact that she’s called “Average” is the problem for the fashion world with its bright lights and runways paved with the task to always top the season before. However, I think that Kelly Cutrone said it best in her new book, “If you have to cry go outside ...", I believe she said that "the fashion industry is an illusion". In short, it exists in a world of make believe and false impressions that it is truly here to serve you.

Okay! Now that I've got that off my chest, I can get back to designing.
Plusologie: Answering the call for versatile plus-size clothing options while serving as a love letter to femininity.
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FFFW 2010 Updates & Winners

2010-05-11T03:10:00.000-07:00

Full Figured Fashion Week is set to commence June 16 - 19th in New York City. That's right, there are just six weeks left till the event that has all of the plus size industry and supporters all a buzz. This year they've added FFFWeek™ Industry Awards and the winners have already been announced. Did your favorites win? Here they are ...

Plus Designer of the Year
Qristyl Frazier

Plus Runway Model of the Year
Whitney Thompson

Plus Print Model of the Year
Elizabeth Seifu

Plus Fashion Stylist of the Year
Reah Norman

Plus Fit Model of the Year
Kalyea Moss

Plus Blog of the Year
Judgment of Paris

Plus E-zine of the Year
Skorch Magazine

Plus Fashion Retailer of the Year
IGIGI

Plus Fashion Photographer of the Year
Michael Anthony Hermogeno

Plus Industry Icon(s) of the Year
Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

2010 winner of the Face of Full Figured Fashion Week™
Ms. Rosie Mercado of Las Vegas, NV

Check out the stellar list of events and purchase tickets to all events via the FFFW website. Keep in mind events are selling out quickly. Plus there is also a pay-one-price ticket pass for all events at a reasonable cost.
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ABC Censors Lane Bryant Lingerie Ad!!!

2010-04-22T00:34:00.000-07:00

Excuse my "french"... but you have got to be freak'n kidding me! Check out this article I saw on Plus Model Magazine blog by Editor, Madeline Figueroa-Jones . This Censored Lane Bryant lingerie commercial isn't any more racy than the many Victoria Secret commercials all over the air waves.

Article excerpt: (From Lane Bryant’s Blog:“ABC restricted our airtime and refused to show the commercial during “Dancing with the Stars.” Fox demanded excessive re-edits and rebuffed it three times before relenting to air it during the final 10 minutes of “American Idol,” but only after we threatened to pull the ad buy.Yes, these are the same networks that have scantily-clad housewives so desperate they seduce every man on the block, and don’t forget Bart Simpson, who has shown us the moon more often than NASA, all in what they call “family hour.”)

See Entire Article here: ABC Censors Lane Bryant Lingerie Ad!!!
Watch the Video here: Lane Bryant Lingerie Co mmercial

I'm going to look at it this way... I guess they're telling us that a plus size curvy gal is much more sexy than her smaller fellow counterparts. Aren't they...hmmmmm. Then again, they may be trying to say that a plus size woman in lingerie is vulgar! And in that case, we should all be insulted.
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Project Runway Cover Challenge

2010-02-14T23:43:00.000-08:00

The latest episode of Project Runway had the biggest award challenge to date. The challenge was to design something for Heidi Klum that was cover page worthy for Marie Claire Magazine. Intrigued by the challenge, I walked away from watching to design my own version to see how I would do compared to the contestants. So what do you think? I thought it was at least a contender to be a winner. Now, all I have to do is see how it could be designed for plus sizes. Should it be taken literally or should it be modified with elements such as longer sleeves, etc. Hmmmmmm

My Favorite Word

2010-01-31T08:17:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone, we couldn't let another day go buy without giving you a shout.

I'm always thinking about fashion versus comfort. I'm sure that we all at some point in time have given up fashion in exchange for comfort. That's okay, you don't have to admit it to me... I know. In my life, comfort wins ALOT! For that reason, I'm on a mission to make sure my clothing is not only comfortable but fashionable too. Anyone who isn't comfortable in their clothes will somehow show that their not comfortable in their own skin. And the fashion industry doesn't make it easy for a plus-size gal. Your shoes pinch.... u may walk awkward, your clothes too tight.... u may slouch & pull at yourself funny. Course there are those who walk tall and proud in clothes that are too tight making one wonder, "Does she own a mirror and why would her friend let her leave like that!" And then they wonder why some of us look a mess. But anywazzz, I digress. Fashion plus comfort is how my new favorite word was born: Casual Chic. Isn't that the best of both worlds. It's like getting comfort wrapped up with a bow and I intend to make both mine and your closets look like Christmas.

Have a great week. xoxo, Plusologie
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Denim for the Holidays

2009-12-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

We love it when we can sport our signature denim dresses from Plusologie and we have found a great match for taking our denim from day into our holiday nights. You've got to check out the Raport Signature King Sequin Pump. This blue navy sequin pump paired with your denim dress, a stylish leather jacket, and glimmer accessories is sure to put you at the top of the best dress look. Another great find are these Silver Sequin Booties from Charlotte Russe.

The only downfall so far is that these do not appear to be available for those of you who need wide width but that doesn't mean that you can't use it for inspiration when shopping for wide width shoes. The best part is that the Raport Signature King Sequin Pump can be found at the reasonable price of $150 and the Sequin Booties from Charlotte Russe can be found at an even more reasonable price of $30.
Aren't they soooo cute!
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Let's get real...Oprah!

2009-11-13T01:58:00.000-08:00

I recently viewed an Oprah Winfrey show focused on improving what women are carrying and wearing called Oprah's Shoe & Handbag Intervention. Well, I was disappointed at some of the alternate options given for the women to wear.

Specifically, the segment when they took casually dressed woman and redressed them in what they believe to be a better option from head to toe. Take a look at the picture from the Oprah.com website, you take a casually dressed woman and dress her up in a suit so she looks like she's going to work as an executive or a manager of some sort. Well, then of course she's going to look better.... duhhhh! I mean, anyone can take a woman in frumpy clothes and put a corporate cinderella suited spin to it to create a fabulous improvement. But let's get real... Oprah! How realistic is it that this woman is going to leave your studio with these suggestions and keep it up when she was obviously not a woman who dressed in career wear everyday. I'm thinking that you're not likely to see her getting on anybodies subway looking like this. I think that Oprah's stylist team should maybe step back and take a shot of reality.

Here's what they should have done.... They should have taken these women dressed in their casual frumps and showed how to redress them in fabulous casual goodies that would improve their everyday look. Now that would be realistic! But to take a woman in a tee and put a suit on her and say, look how fabulous she looks, well don't we all when we dress it up a notch! The real challenge is to take someone's casual style that they obviously are more comfortable in and redress them in casual chicness that they can walk away and use for a lifetime. Now, when Oprah does a show like that, somebody give me a ring, cause that's the show I want to see.
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Does Size Matter?

2009-10-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Recently Plusologie was asked our opinion on whether size matters when it comes to being stylish and fashionable by one of our favorite blogspots: Aspiring Couture. Poised with a love for fashion and a calling to help promote up and coming designers, Aspiring Couture brought plus sizes out from behind the wings and onto center stage. Below is a sample of Plusologie's blog guestspot and opinion on whether size matters or not. Careful, by the end of the article you might have epiphany chills and we suggest that you only read the entire article if you're truly ready to confront the person you see in the mirror!

An Excerpt from Plusologie's Blog Guestspot on Aspiring Couture:

... Usually when we see someone and say,” Wow, she's got a great sense of style." What we are ultimately saying is, "Wow, I'd like to look like that." And unfortunately, the forerunners of the apparel industry, most laughingly referred to as Regular sized, are reluctant to give stylish plus-sizer's their recognition for fear that being plus size is contagious. Some even feel that it's a crime to be plus sized. They’re not going to reward that kind of behavior with any positive mentions and further go on to believe that providing stylish plus size clothing is just promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. Which is basically saying, "You are so fat that you don't deserve to even try to look good because you’re hopeless!" ....

...Click Here to View the entire article.

OPEN! OPEN! OPEN! : The New Plusologie Specialty Btq

2009-10-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears but we are finally open. If you haven't yet checked out the new Plusologie line of .... well, don't let us say it, see what others have said:

"I love it! Your site is engaging with clean, crisp and clear photographic images... it draws me in. The clothes are free flowing not restrictive and pretty with bold color's. When I see the line I don't necessarily see plus size Ladies I see Women that exude confidence. Nicely done." -Email from Ms. Bridgette

"I love your website! Clothes are fab!" - @losotrosca from Twitter.

"I like the designs!!!" - Email from Derrick :)

"I love the line...just love it" - @modeltmarlene from Twitter

"Looks great so far, cant wait to see the rest!" - @Raeun8283 from Twitter.

"I love it!" - @geminimag from Twitter.

"We've had so many comments on your posts! the ladies LOVE it!" - @jessicakane / @skorchmagazine from Twitter.

"I ... love to wear feminine, fun, and flirty pieces on my free time. I believe this line is just what I am looking for." - Marie Noelle comment on Skorch Blog: http://tinyurl.com/ll2ukh

"Wow...Looks so great...I CAN'T WAIT!!! the Ruffle Shirt and Khloe Vest are HOT!!!" - KC comment on Skorch Blog: http://tinyurl.com/ll2ukh

As you can see, the plus size community is loving the new Plusologie Specialty Boutique. So if you haven't yet checked it out.... then What are you reading this for!?! Go..Go..Go ! Visit: Plusologie now: Limited Edition pieces keeping the plus size women pretty, versatile, neat and confident.

SVOBODA to walk the LA FASHION WEEK catwalk

2009-09-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

According to the latest tweet from premium plus size brand Svoboda, they'll be representing plus sizes for the first time on a national catwalk. That's right! Svoboda threw us all off of our feets with this one. LA Fashion Week Spring 2010 will run from October 13, 2009 to October 2oth. Organizations looking to sponsor Svoboda can email Jessica Svoboda, Svoboda's founder and creative director at Jessica@svobodastyle.com. One can only cross their figures and pray to be included in on such a ground breaking event.

For more on Svoboda visit:
http://svobodastyle.com or http://twitter.com/SVOBODAstyle
For more on LA Fashion Week visit: http://www.fashionweekla.com

New Fashion Plus Size Clothing Collection to Launch September 25, 2009: PLUSOLOGIE!

2009-09-10T03:01:00.000-07:00

As September 25th quickly approaches, it has come to our attention that we need more time….HELP! But, never the less, we refuse to disappoint all of you who have been tweeting, facebooking, & emailing us with great excitement to see the new limited editions. So until we officially launch, here’s a little more info about what the Plusologie brand is all about.

PRESS RELEASE:
Plusologie is excited to introduce the beautiful Autumn 2009 collection, Celebrating classic silhouettes, enhanced feminine touches, a relaxed blend of cool & warm colors with the brands signature focus on serving up a great dose of romantic pieces that are easy to wear and fitted for the many plus size women to make being pretty and feminine effortless.

The atmosphere of the new Plusologie collection is easy going without sacrificing the feminine detailing that quickly distinguished girls from boys long ago when women were encouraged to elude a demure sexiness. Cool dark denim dresses are elevated with warm shades of yellow, soft rose-colored pinks, and classic whites. Fabrics are purposely minimized to breathable cottons, denim, linens and metallic silver and gold thread accents. The collections basic dresses are easily layered for multiple looks that are versatile from day to night making the Plusologie brand timeless must-have pieces. The playfully designed collection of pretty, comfortable, and neat elements make up the majority of Plusologie's AW09 statement pieces giving the plus-size woman a new lease on life.

Belled sleeves, purposefully placed bows, & volume are historically details that plus size women have been told to avoid but Plusologie, through studying the beautiful, confident, curvy woman, has strategically made these once avoided femininely styled details work! They’ve added frills to everyday classic pieces resulting in clever detailing that will no doubt add to the plus size women’s apparel options.

There are two staple characteristics that make Plusologie different from their competitors. One is that there are no limits as to where and when the brand can be worn. You can take one of Plusologie’s pieces, wear it to run errands or to a picnic with a pair of sneakers but then take that same piece, where it to work or style it up with a beautiful chunky necklace and heels to be worn to parties, casual weddings or dare I say it….a date. News flash…yes, plus size women date and want to feel attractive, pretty, feminine, and romantic. Secondly, the majority of Plusologie's pieces are limited editions which mean that you are less likely to walk into a room and find the same piece on another plus-size woman, a nightmare story heard about one too many times from many plus-size women sporting looks from some of their competitors. The added limited addition feature will keep the Plusologie collection fresh and give an added excitement for plus-size women shopping and wanting to snag the next great piece before their girlfriend can get their hands on it.

The Plusologie Story
The Plusologie Autumn 2009 collection will mark the first launch of this new plus-size apparel brand. Plusologie is a family owned business and will official launch on September 25, 2009. The concept of the company has been a work in process since 2002. That’s right, 2002. They have done the research and have known through research and personal experience for years that this was a great move but like most, fear of not having enough money to bring the concept into fruition prolonged their official launch. The idea for Plusologie came about because of their love for various stores where they couldn’t buy a thing that would fit but a candle and maybe a piece of jewelry, yet were and still are in love with their styles and have found that they’re not the only one. It’s the perfect name; the term Plus representing Plus sizes and the term Anthropology being the study of human beings, everywhere and throughout time grouped to create Plusologie, the study of plus size women and apparel everywhere and throughout time. The Plusologie brand has an opportunity to change lives, and the world is just waiting on them.

Be Sure to Visit Us at:
http://plusologie.com/
http://twitter.com/Plusologie
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A Sign of the Times: Plus Size Model Lizzi Miller Nude in Glamour Magazine

2009-09-02T00:03:00.000-07:00

Coodles for the editors of Glamour Magazine. This feature of Lizzie Miller, a plus size model with natural curves, is a good indication that the tides are "a - change'n". For many plus sizers, it was refreshing to see someone in a main stream fashion magazine that looked like them (even if it was only online). I'm sure that most got to the pages with Lizzie Miller and quickly had to double check what magazine they were reading. Now if we could only get this kind of image in print! See for yourself... See More Article Details from "The Frisky"...

Plus Size Stylist Catherine Schuller: Part II

2009-08-16T02:59:00.001-07:00

Welcome to this Part II series interview with well-known plus size stylist Catherine Schuller. And I know what your thinking: FINALLY!

Well, what can I say...sometimes we tell God our plans & he laughs at them. So without further ado... Now that you’ve learned from our Part I interview the difficulties in styling for plus sizes and the most important staple piece of clothing you should own, now lets visit the business of plus sizes.

Would you like to know more about plus-sizer’s on the high fashion runways, the survival of plus size magazines, the needs of plus sizer’s and ultimately how this effects us plus-sized consumers?

An Interview with Plus-Size Stylist Catherine Schuller:
Q: When styling plus sizes, what category are your clients in need of most: career wear, evening or everyday pieces?

A: Everything. All three! A complete working wardrobe for a well rounded lifestyle!! And sometimes all at once. Evening is all over the place. I have couture designers, I have cocktail dress resources but a lot of times I teach the full-figured woman to find separates for evening that she can mix and match and vary with different accessories to keep some versatility and mileage for those “special occasions.” And basics allow you to add accessories to vary it up and keep it fresh and updated. A great skinny leg pant, a great palazzo, a novel top with unusual detail, a fitting blazer perhaps in satin or piped with sequin trim. These are wardrobe workhorses that can really give a woman a core repertoire of reliables. Now, if it’s a real “red carpet” event, that’s a different story. A once in a lifetime gown is in order, but that depends of the client, the occasion and the budget.

I am not a “cookie cutter” stylist – someone, that is, who makes everyone over in the same “image” of what I think is happening. I am all about discovering a person’s personality and using wardrobe to enhance self-expression, so the garment always reflects the inner desires and passions of the person wearing it. I say that style is being yourself on purpose – so no matter the occasion, I help women communicate that purpose through signature style.

Q: Is there anything you'd like to see changed in your options for plus size apparel?

A: I would just love to see the trends that are available for missy sizes interpreted exactly for plus - without any compromise. Last year, when pencil skirts were all the rage, I couldn't find ONE designer, vendor, manufacturer (except Kiyonna) who had a great one for plus sizes. Not even Lane Bryant!!! What was up with that???

Q: Can you tell us a little more about what your vision “14+ on 6th” was all about?

A: 14 plus on Sixth became CurveStyle. I met with Fern Mallis, who is the director of what has become Fashion Week (IMG), but ten years ago it was 7th on Sixth....meaning Seventh Avenue (the heart of the garment district) portrayed under one roof, in the tents at Bryant Park, located on Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). I did CurveStyle: Reshaping Fashion in March 2002, which launched the concept of a runway event with new designers and top models who mirrored Fashion Week. It was based on the ideal that this woman was a fashion icon in her own right and deserved her own fierce platform to showcase designers who were dedicated to woman 14+. So 14+ was a play on 7th (sort of a double digit, double your pleasure, twice as big/but just as good). But Fern told me she'd sue me if I used any part of "on Sixth"...so CurveStyle it became! I got a little snippy with her when I asked her why she never invited plus size designers and models to Bryant Park. I said, "Oh, we just get to WEAR tents, we don't get to be under them, right?"

CurveStyle in 2002 was my own personal reaction to the closing of Mode, the Vogue-executed magazine that closed the day after 9/11 because the "new investors" pulled out. I was shocked and devastated after that. Doing Mode on the Road, as Fashion Retail Editor, was the most perfect job I have ever had. I was completed despondent and clueless about what to do to give myself a purpose in the industry again. I envisioned that we needed our own groundbreaking event, different than the Lane Bryant lingerie fashion events, which were just for that retailer...I wanted new designers, top models, industry insiders, press, media and SPONSORS who would jump on my bandwagon and beat the drum for the full figured femme to become her own symbol of beauty and diversity. I wanted to help elevate the perception and status of this woman. It was a success on many levels, but I had to pay for it because no sponsors were stepping forward right after 9/11. There was this "wait and see" attitude that was frustrating beyond belief. But I invested my own money - I figured at the time, "hey, I am going to get the next Anthrax envelope and I could die." It was that much a feeling of desperation for me. It became a mission. But the fact that I did it, put my money where my mouth was got me so much recognition, even a mention from Kate Betts in the New York Times about my endeavor. And I was given lots of work and contracts that more than paid me back for my investment in doing the runway show at the Puck Building. And, I started working solely at that but didn't have the sustainability to keep doing it season after season. I burned out, it was just a lot of work for me to do alone. But it provided me with alliances that furthered my personal contribution to the industry. I was asked to help become a founding director of DIVABETIC, a charity for women living with, affected by or at risk of diabetes and started touring around the country after being underwritten by Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical insulin company. CurveStyle morphed into more general promotions and marketing for anyone wishing to reach the 63 million women who are plus size. I consider myself that link or liaison that was missing.

Q: Why do you think Plus Size Magazines have trouble surviving?

A: Advertising dollars, belief in the marketability of this woman, paper costs are 3 times what they were in the MODE days -- some of the ones that have sprung up just haven't ignited the industry in the same way and I'm not sure these magazines get the "visuals" right, either. Mode gave women permission. Mode was motivational, it was inspirational. Take a look at Mode and you'll see it still has an evergreen quality about it that is relevant even eight years after it's closing. And it won't be able to be relaunched because Ugly Betty and ABC took the name and used it for the magazine that Betty works for. It was a special moment in time it seems. It had a sensibility and fresh innovation that borrowed from the straight size fashionistas and just served it up with beautiful editorials, styling, relevant content, photography and ADVERTISERS who hung in there pouring dollar s into those pages. Mode spoke of a lifestyle that was modern, edgy, and trend driven and not fat and frumpy.

Q: Is your book, The Ultimate Plus Size Modeling Guide, still available in case our readers are interested?

A: Yes, it is. And I am revising it and also adding an addendum on Internet Modeling since that is something that has completely changed the way models are marketed and get work and connections. I also wrote a new book called IMAGE POWER...also available on my website www.curvestyle.com... it has great information on health, color, shape, style, etiquette, aging, shapewear/foundation garments, eyeglasses, hairstyle and makeup, etc. etc.

We at Plusologie would like to give a special thanks to noted Plus-size stylist Catherine Schuller for taking time out of her schedule to share her tips, tricks, and apparel picks with us. And to Fern Mallis, IMG, or anyone else in the fashion industry not wanting to be associated with plus-sizes, you should be careful about not supporting the addition of plus sizes in your lines and/or under the tents of Bryant park your mom, your sister, your friends, or you, if you’re not already plus sized yourself (a topic still under investigation), may some day become a member of a club that you try so desperately not to be a part of.

Want to contact Catherine Schuller, Visit:
http://www.curvestyle.com
http://www.divabetic.org

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Plusologie Guest Spot at Luvin' My Curves

2009-07-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

This month Plusologie had the opportunity to feature a guest blog spot at Luvin' My Curves. We chose to put our british fashion friends evans into the spotlight by taking one of our favorite tops by evans and styling it up Plusologie fab style in a salute to Thank Evans!

To see the full article visit: http://www.luvinmycurves.com/2009/07/international-chic-thank-evans.html

Mark Your Calendars! Aspiring Couture Launch July 7th

2009-07-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

Are you a Designer Looking for More Exposure?

Are you Looking to Network with Members in the Fashion Industry? Or

Are you a Fashionista looking for the Hottest Most Unique New Designs Today?

Well, Aspiring Couture is the answer!

I’m literally on my sewing room pins and needles, waiting for Aspiring Couture to launch their new website on July 7^th. Aspiring Couture is the independent designers fairy godmother. With the larger more well known designers continuously in the limelight, it can be difficult for new designers with a fresh approach to let the world know that they exists. Now with the help of Aspiring Couture, new designers have a vehicle where they can be in the spotlight.

According to Allison O’Grady, founder of Aspiring Couture, “The purpose behind Aspiring Couture is to allow designers to communicate new ideas, and through those, change the face of fashion and the world. This project was made to take these designers and showcase their works. Aspiring Couture wants those designers with true passion to flourish and prosper in life.” The whole point of Aspiring Couture is to create partnerships with talented aspiring designers in an effort to further the confidence of budding fashion artists so that they can conquer the world.

Aspiring Couture is continuously looking for people who want to contribute to this unique fashionista vision including designers, jewelry designers, fashion merchandisers, writers, etc. If you have something to communicate to the world, then Aspiring Couture would like to hear from you. To get more information on having your work featured on the site or if you are interested in advertising, contact Aspiring Couture at: aspiringcouture@gmail.com.

Come July 7^th, Check in regularly with Aspiring Couture at: http://www.aspiringcouture.com/ for exciting new talent. If you're as excited as me and cannot wait for the July 7^th launch, then checkout the Aspiring Couture blog today: http://aspiringcouture.blogspot.com/ .

Size Discrimination: An Acceptable Form of Prejudice

2009-06-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

Today I experienced size discrimination at its height. To truly understand this size discriminatory act, I think that you must first know the Southwest Airlines Customer of Size Policy.

( Note: The following is from the Southwest Airlines Customer of Size Q & A:

What is the definitive gauge for a Customer of size? The armrest is the definitive gauge, as it serves as the boundary between seats. Customers who are unable to lower the armrests (the definitive boundary between seats) and/or who compromise any portion of adjacent seating should proactively book the number of seats needed during initial reservations.

If a Customer has broad shoulders, will he/she have to buy a second seat? Again, if a Customer cannot lower the armrests, the additional purchase is necessary. Simply having broad shoulders would not necessarily prevent another Customer from occupying adjoining seat. The upper body can be adjusted, but the portion of the body in the actual seating and armrest area doesn’t have this flexibility. )

So now that you are familiar with the Southwest Customer of Size Policy, let me continue to tell you my experience with Southwest not following their own policy and instead making a Customer of Size discrimination by assumptions only. I stood up to board my return home flight on Southwest airlines and was pulled to the side by a very small petite woman who tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to step to the counter to make arrangements for a second ticket. “What! A Second Ticket!” She began to explain to me that it was a full flight and she would need me to purchase a second ticket in order to board because she had concluded that I would not fit into one seat. I said to her, “So you mean that if I’m in the seat and the armrest fits down, that means that I don’t fit into the seat.” The Southwest airlines representative, Ruth Wood, continued to tell me that I would spill over into the next seat based on the fact that the waiting area seats are larger than the airlines on-board seating thus based on my size I would need to purchase a second ticket because the flight was full. I then propositioned her with, “The flight I flew in on was full and I fit but now that I’m returning home you want to charge me extra? I think that it is very unfair of you to wait till I’m in the middle of my route home to make this an issue and that you’re being very discriminatory in just looking at me and coming to the conclusion that you Think that I won’t fit…. I fit in the seat…it’s snug but I fit… If you have an issue with me not fitting then you can come onto the airplane with me to see whether I fit or not!” She Refused!

Southwest Rep: “We don’t wait till you’re on the plane because we don’t want to embarrass anyone…that’s why I pulled you to handle this ahead of time. There was another lady who I also had to make purchase another ticket on this flight.”

Me: “Ahead of time, …no you didn’t handle this ahead of time…you waited till 30 seconds before boarding to handle this… I have been here for 1 and a half hours but you wait till it’s time to board! I came here on a flight that was full with no problems but now you want to use that same excuse as to why I won’t fit…. I didn’t grow any in the last 5 days!”

So here I am having to deal with this as the plane continues to board passengers. And if you know anything about Southwest, the seating is first board first serve.

Southwest Rep: “Ma’am, you’ll have to either purchase a second ticket or wait for a flight that isn’t full because this one is full so I cannot let you on-board without purchasing a second seat.”

At this point, my mom got in the mixed and said, “Wait a minute… if this flight is full, what second seat would she be purchasing… you’ve already said the flight is full.”

Me: I snatched my boarding pass and told the rep, “I can’t afford a second ticket and I’m not paying for a second seat”. Then I plopped my ‘fat ass’ down in one of the roomy larger waiting area seats next to the ticket counter.

The Southwest Rep then disappeared onto the plane and returned to the counter and stated, “ Okay, we’ll let you on this time, but you’ll have to sit in the last row but for future reference just know that you will need to purchase a second ticket to travel with us.”

You’d think that this was the end of it, but noooooooo. So now, we board the plane into the last row where I squeeze into my window seat, snugly with the armrest down. And I am now soo mad. My mother sits in the middle seat next to me leaving the aisle seat empty. Eventually, the Flight attendant who reserved the back row for the fat lady coming on (Me) begins asking if we’d like something to drink.

Me: “I don’t want shit from Southwest and don’t ask me again!”
Flight Attendant: “Okayyyy!”

Then a large man passed through the aisle to the bathroom with his 9 month pregnant pot belly. Now I was thinking, this isn’t just a size discrimination issue but a sexist discrimination. He wasn’t asked to pay extra for his size but we women were. So just incase you’re not following along, remember, I’m in the last row because according to the Southwest Rep at the ticket counter, I don’t fit into the seat and will spill over into the next seat. So imagine my surprise when I wake up from a short nap to find a gentleman now sitting in the empty seat in our row. I leaned into my mom and said, “Where’d he come from?”

Mom: “He came back and asked if this seat was empty.”

Me: “Sir, excuse me, …am I compromising your space.”
Gentleman: “No!”
Me: “Are you comfortable?”
Gentleman: “Yeah!”
Me: “Would you be willing to go on record saying that?”
Gentleman: “I’m sorry, what do you mean?”
Me: “I’m writing a complaint letter to Southwest.”
Gentleman: “Ohhh, welll, ahhhh… I’m dating a Southwest flight attendant, so I’d like to stay out of it.”
Me: “Ohhh Great.”

I’m furious now! Here I am seated 3 in a row with a gentleman who moved from his middle seat to sit in the aisle seat in my row so he could be more comfortable. Imagine That! Surely he’s not more comfortable on the row with the fat lady that Southwest claimed would not fit into the seat and thus needed to buy a second ticket. So if I don’t fit in my seat, why would the gentleman prefer to sit in the third seat in my row? If I’m spilling out so much that it warrants me buying a second ticket, why in the hell did I just spend half of my flight with my armrest down in the last back row they especially assigned and saved for me, the fat lady, with a gentleman who had I paid for a second seat, would have now been sitting in the extra seat that I purchased. And if I’m spilling out so much, why is there even any room for him to sit… shouldn’t I be pushing him onto the floor of the aisle!

Now I’m going to come to my own conclusions regarding the size discrimination situation. Southwest violated their own policy in assuming that I did not fit in the seat with the armrest down when I did and even refused to see if I fit within the boundary of their guidelines. Furthermore, Southwest purposely waited 30 seconds until the flight boarded before they approached me in order to try to put me between a rock and a hard place. They wanted to corner me into a situation where I was sooo nervous that I was going to miss my flight, by not being allowed to board, so that I’d feel forced to pay the extra. My opinion: if the armrest fits you must acquit. By looking at me and assuming that I would not fit in my seat with the armrest down, they made an invalid calculation thus resulting in size discrimination, an unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of size prejudice (being biased or having a belief or attitude formed beforehand). How do you know if I don’t fit without seeing if my armrest goes down or not? Assumptions are always subject to not being valid and lead to misrepresentations of truth and validity. Since Southwest has gone so far as to create a policy, then perhaps they might now work on properly following their own guidelines within the Customer of Size Policy rather than refusing to see if a customer fits within the guidelines of the policy. Southwest airlines would rather create a policy of prejudice acceptance than create universal access for all customers. And thus, have violated in their own words their ..."Mission and our responsibility per our Contract of Carriage to provide safe and comfortable air transportation for each and every Customer." They have created a policy of acceptable size prejudice instead of truly providing "safe and comfortable air transportation for each and every Customer". They had to create a policy due to their lack of providing safe and comfortable air transportation seating for each and every customer....I repeat for EACH and EVERY CUSTOMER!!! And exclusion equals discrimination.

People come in different shapes and sizes and until this world takes notice to their discriminatory acts upon others, I will be on a soapbox for all Plus-sizers and will challenge those that do not provide universal access. And so should you… if not for yourself and/or loved ones, then for anytime in your life when others have tried to make you feel inferior because you were not the right race, the right look of beauty, the right social class, or the right size.

All and all, this being said, nobody really cares do they? This whole world is designed to exclude what Southwest airlines refers to as Customers of Size. Unless you’ve ever experienced size discrimination, you’ll probably never know what it’s like and really won’t ever care about this group of people commonly refered to as lazy, slobbish, greedy fatties by smaller counterparts. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that people can be so hurtful and cruel but I can believe because as a woman of size… I have been taught by Masters.

(To read others comments or to post a comment of your own, hit the COMMENTS link at bottom of this article.)

I urge you to WRITE LETTERS. Customer of Size Policies were created due to complaint letters, Make the airlines comply to their "Contract of Carriage to provide safe and comfortable air transportation for EACH and EVERY Customer" instead of letting them handle the issue by inforcing acceptable size discriminatory policies. Write a complaint letter & send copies to organizations of interest in regard to Size Discrimination:

U.S. Department of Transportation
Aviation Consumer Protection Division
400 7th Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20590

National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA, Inc.)
c/o Peggy Howell / PR Director
PO Box 22510
Oakland, CA 94609
2009 Article: End Size Discrimination: http://tinyurl.com/lzomk5

Council on Size & Weight Discrimination
Attn: MediaWatch
PO Box 305,
Mt. Marion, NY 12456.
(You can also fax it to: 845-679-1206 or E-mail it to: miriam@cswd.org)

Southwest Airlines
Attn: Gary C. Kelly / Chairman of the Board, President & CEO
Attn: Greg Crum / Vice President, Director of Operations
2702 Love Field Dr.
PO Box 36611
Dallas, Texas 75235-1908

Lisa Marie Garbo: Plus Size Advocate & Petition sponsor
http://lisamariegarbo.com/

End Size Discrimination in America. Help by signing this long overdue petition: http://tinyurl.com/q8sygh

CNN iReport
http://www.ireport.com/

CNN US News Tips
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/tips/index.html

The Law & Size Discrimination:
http://www.cswd.org/docs/legalaction.html
http://www.hrhero.com/headlines/010904/tip-size.shtml

Wall Street Journal: Wide Passenger Article of Interest

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124450530210396091.html

Plus Size Stylist Catherine Schuller: Part I

2009-06-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

Even the sharpest fashionista can always use a tip or two to enhance her own sense of style & expression. This month we got a chance to interview well known plus-size industry leader: Catherine Schuller. With over 25 years of plus-size industry experience, from being a former Ford model, Fashion Retail Editor of the earlier Mode Magazine, Professional image consultant and owner of Curvestyle serving plus-sizes for both the apparel and television industry, and still yet the Image and Style Advisor of Divabetic: an outreach program targeting the epidemic of diabetes in the United States, Catherine Schuller is a noted voice in the plus-size community. She has been a host on The Today Show™, The View™, and various local TV morning shows. When Catherine talks, smart fashionistas listen!

And we at Plusologie know a good thing when we see it! Want to know what’s the most important staple piece of clothing you should own … or what Fern Mallis, Executive Director of 7th on Sixth productions who is best known for organizing what is now known as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and seemingly a visably fellow plus-sizer herself, is allegedly noted as saying in regards to her non-support of assumingly putting plus-sizes under the tents of Bryant Park. Well, we’ve got the scoop in this two part series with noted Plus-Size Stylist Catherine Schuller, so here it is …

1. When we asked Catherine Schuller what the most difficult part of styling for plus sizes was, she responded, “ Without a doubt, finding resources!! …Finding cool and hip looking clothing that matches what is happening style wise in the rest of the fashion world.” :

“I just had a producer from a morning show call me in despair. She was actually throwing up because she had become so distraught and anxious that she wasn’t able to find any clothing for a makeover segment she was trying to style. It shouldn’t be this hard! Do they not know where to look? Or is it that it doesn’t exist in such an obvious place in the marketplace. Probably a little of both. Discovering designers, vendors, manufacturers and retailers who don’t “dumb it down” without those typically frumpy, dumpy, unflattering boring-same-old-same-old clothing. Being a stylist means you have to understand trends and how to interpret them – and my niche as a stylist is doing that consistently for the plus size woman. It’s also hard when the model for the segment is more of a ‘real woman’ and less of a plus model body size and shape. The fact that this woman comes in so many shapes is a nightmare. Just cause the style is trendy, doesn’t mean it will look great on every woman I encounter. The differentials between the bust/waist/hips are important as well as the vertical proportions to determine the silhouette of the overall body and how to complement – not coverup – their curves.” I love when I find a new resource that gets it right and lives up to some current standard of what is fashionable and interprets the trends with appropriateness and proportion in mind. That’s where knowing a variety of resources comes in handy.”

2. With the many shapes and sizes of plus sizes, we at Plusologie were prompted to ask Ms. Schuller what the largest plus size was that she had ever styled? Catherine was quick to clarify, “You mean that I styled well….24/26; I’ve clothed women larger, but Styled means creating a look. And just getting something that fits is not enough of a criteria to say I ‘styled’ her.”

“I used to do in-store retail events at Catherine's Plus Sizes when I worked regularly as media spokesperson for Charming Shoppes and the size range they specialized in ran from 16 W to 36 W (about a size 5x). There's even less merchandise in that "supersize" category, that's why I said "clothed". Styled means creating a look. And just getting something that fits is not enough of a criteria to say I ‘styled’ her. Also, I do a lot with know your shape, show your shape philosophy .... when you get to be a size 5x or 6x, the shape of the woman is basically a large oval and there is nothing you can really do except something flowing with great jewelry, fab makeup, hair and accessories that coordinate.”

3. We then asked Ms. Schuller what the most important staple piece we plus fashionistas should have in our closets to successfully style ourselves on a day to day basis; Her response, “Without a doubt, a great pair of well-fitting, properly proportioned jeans.”

“It sounds so obvious, but I think everyone will agree that jeans are something that everyone needs because they are so versatile and can be dressed up or down, made to look elegant or casual and always appropriate for most occasions. There are occasions where jeans are totally appropriate for evening if the top and accessories are taken to another ‘level.’ Jeans are one item that everyone must have…and they are instantly modern in that respect because everywoman - no matter their size - wears jeans in many, many ways.”

Can you believe it! Denim has actually crossed the border into the After Five category. But lets be clear, it’s only appropriate if you’ve managed to properly style it. So with that, we hope that you have enjoyed the first of this two part series with Plus-Size Stylist Catherine Schuller. Be sure to revisit Plusologie to view Part II when we conclude the series with a mention of Fern Mallis, Curvestyle, Divabetic, and Catherines books: The Ultimate Plus Size Modeling Guide and Image Power.

Can’t Wait till next week, Visit:
http://www.curvestyle.com
http://www.divabetic.org

Plus Sizes Cut : We Need to Talk!

2009-06-13T02:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I keep hearing all these excuses as to why plus sizes are being pulled from major department stores and apparel brands.

Have I just been dumped!?! Has the apparel industry just said to us plus size fashionistas, “It’s not you …. It’s me;” when everyone knows that just means It’s You …Defff…Finitely You! These excuses for pulling plus sizes off of the sales floor range from:

1. Plus size sales dropping
2. Costly manufacture rates due to needing more fabric
3. One garment not fitting a whole group of plus sizes due to our vast range of shapes and sizes

4. Less tailored ill fitted large clothes and lots of stretch fabrics in an attempt to fit plus sizes as a whole.

The industry claims that it makes sense to drop the plus sizes from the sales floor and onto an online only basis due to the above reasons. Well, makes sense to whom!

If they are suggesting it is more practical to create Niche Sizing into a vast online market, then why not merchandise this Niche Sizing onto the Plus size retail floor the same way. Furthermore, they should dig the pavement for newly developed plus size lines offering a better understanding of the plus market. Perhaps they just don’t know how to fit, buy for and/or merchandise plus sizes.

And interestingly enough, their list of excuses seem to contradict themselves and if they would just pay attention, they’ve solved some of the issues within the issues. For example: Plus size sales dropping, Well, I guess so if you expect the plus size consumer to keep accepting the mediocre Less Tailored ill fitted boxy clothes often made of clingy stretch.

And of course plus size consumers come in a vast range of shapes and sizes; so if you can’t please everyone don’t do it at all. It’s asinine to believe that all Designers please everybody all the time, so why are they trying to fit plus consumers into a whole group when it comes to sizing this specialty industry labeled category of plus sizes. After all, not all brands fit each average size woman the same either… one may fit a size 6 in this brand, a size 8 in another brand, and still feel that a third brand fits them the best of all.

The manufacturers, merchandisers and buyers need to do their homework on plus sizes instead of expecting to float by on the job with an easy A, open book test included. When it comes to plus sizes, their expecting to apply the same guide to plus sizes as average sizes and get the same results. Well, duhhhh, that’s not going to work! That’s like buying a mansion versus a small home and expecting the utilities to be the same.

Go back to the drawing board and reevaluate the formula and invest the time into fitting a real woman versus a hanger, don’t just give up and abandon it. Basically, the industry has said to us plus size fashionistas that it is just too damn hard to fit you people and frankly not worth the bother ! - To comment regarding this blog: click the COMMENTS option below.

INTERESTED IN A FEW OF THE ARTICLES THAT FUELED THIS BLOG:
http://tinyurl.com/nkmsky
http://tinyurl.com/lgyrgy
http://tinyurl.com/mh8cnq
http://tinyurl.com/kssp7x

Hips & Curves

2009-06-12T02:10:00.000-07:00

Today we visit Hips & Curves, a plus size lingerie boutique bringing an added sexiness into the bedroom. And lets face it, we can all use some confidence builders once the actual clothes are off.

I’ve fallen in love with their corsets. Especially, The Duchess Steel Boned Corset (Item #HC08) pictured. Matched with a black tulle skirt, thigh highs, and a great pair of heels, this look is sure to bring the man in your life to his knees. When you visit Hips & Curves, not only will you be tantalized by all the great lingerie options for real women available, but they also have an added section of steamy stories for all of their visitors to read. These are free articles of steamy short snippet stories great for the romantic novel enthusiasts in all of us. They even have an option for visitors who may be interested in writing one of these tantalizing editions. If you haven’t yet visited Hips & Curves, be sure to do so… I’m sure the other special someone in your life will no doubt orally thank you for doing so. Oops! ...did I say that, see you soon here at Plusologie.

HIPS & CURVES: http://www.hipsandcurves.com/
STEAMY STORIES: http://www.hipsandcurves.com/plus-size-lingerie/info/steamy
HIPS & CURVES BLOG: http://www.curvyconfidential.com/

Dance Your Ass Off

2009-06-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

I’m so excited about the new Oxygen Network show called “Dance Your Ass Off.” This is like one of those moments when you say, “Why didn’t I think of that!”

Whether I was on the drill team, varsity cheerleading captain or performing a solo performance in college, I participated in dance in one fashion or another since I was a young girl UNTIL I started gaining weight and became too embarrassed to continue. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard the mean remarks seemingly behind one’s back…. “Gosh, she gained a lot of weight over the summer” or try a car whizzing by with a group of teenagers yelling out of the car window … “Thunder Thighs!” But come to think of it, even as a varsity cheerleader, I was always the largest girl; I may have been varsity captain but I was always on the bottom of the pyramid. I remember being on the second level once, I stood on the back of two of my friends; I felt like I was flying. And yes, they survived and are still living without handicap or injuries.

Now, with the help of the Oxygen Network maybe I can feel the high and excitement of dancing again. And perhaps with the hopefully positive exposure of “Dance Your Ass Off!”, I’ll get over my fear of taking a dance class…okay, it’s not the actual taking the dance class that frightens me…it’s the being the only fat ass in class being stared at while doing shuffle step turn. Well, wish me luck! I hope one day to see my fellow beautiful plus-size fashionista’s in the mirror reflection in dance class.

“Dance Your Ass Off” premiers Monday, June 29 10/9c. For more info visit: http://www.oxygen.com/tvshows/danceyourassoff/default.aspx

Just for fun, watch me dance now: http://www.dyaotour.com/view_video.php?q=7C9RNCL5A4L2AC9

Want to watch yourself dance…go to: http://www.dyaotour.com/

Snap Out of It : The Foe Plus Size Industry

2009-05-19T02:28:00.000-07:00

Dare I say it? Apparently, the plus size apparel industry has more in common with race relations than previously thought. That’s right, apparently if you’ve got 1/8th of plus sizes in your apparel line, then you’re now considered a plus size apparel vendor. Fashion lines that carry plus size 1x and a few 2x’s, hang their sign out saying “Hey, come look at us, we carry plus sizes!” So how disappointing do you think it is to get lured into a fabulous line of clothes thinking that you’ll finally be able to find your plus size 3x to find that this plus size vendor doesn’t carry your size. Or try counting your blessings that you’ve met the 2x mark then spending your precious time finding the perfect dress to only find that the particular dress YOU’VE chosen, although they do carry some 2x’s … Thaaaat dress you’ve chosen only goes up to 1x in that style. You walk away or click away from the store feeling frustrated, bamboozled, and punked. And don’t even get me started on the junior version of plus sizes that is often cut smaller and shorter than it should be. But hey, what do they care about you and your time; the apparel industry hasn’t cared about you plus size fashionistas in the past, so what makes you think that today would be different; Oh, I’m sorry…what was that, because they say so! Well, Snap Out of It! While offering 1x and 2x plus sizes is a step in the right direction, it can only be seen as a tiny step towards fulfilling the plus size consumers’ needs and wants. Some may feel that we plus size consumers' should not challenge those apparel vendors who use the 1/8th approach to adding plus sizes to their brand because it may result in other designers shying away from stepping up to also add plus sizes for fear of us pushing them to offer more. To clarify, while we are pleased to see a move in the right direction, the apparel industry still has a lot of room for growth, no pun intended. After all, the civil rights movement didn't end with desegregation! Plus size consumers have a lot of spending power within the apparel industry, but they are consistently being told “ No thanks, we don’t want your money…please move along (your blocking our display).” This week we’d like to hear your comments on the good, the bad, and the ugly that you’ve encountered with the plus size apparel industry: Comment Button Below

Stella McCartney Killing Me Softly

2009-05-07T02:24:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across an image of the Olsen Twins wearing a pair of hot looking shoes this week by designer Stella McCartney on Olsen-Twins-NEWS.com. I knew that I would probably have to pay a pretty penny for them, but I was in no way prepared for what I found. We plus size women know that although fashion apparel is not often our friend, we can usually close the deal on a handbag or a pair of shoes. However, my hot new looking shoes that were soon to be mine not only hit the ceiling at size 9.5, and I needed a size 10, but they also had a price tag of $995. That’s right, nine hundred and ninety-five United States American dollars. “Am I being punked?” Well, after scrutinizing my budget and hearing Suze Orman in the back of my head yelling “You Cannot Afford it…Denied!”, I’ve decided that although I may not be slipping my feet into a pair of shoes that I now call Heaven…I can still use them for inspiration to define my style on a daily basis. I’ve even gone so far as to frame them. After all, fashion is a way for us all to express ourselves artistically, so why not! And P.S. if there’s anyone out there with connections to Payless…I’ve got one word and two syllables for you…Knockoff. Oops, I mean create a shoe "Innnn-spired" by Stella McCartney’s design. And for those of you lucky enough to afford a piece of heaven, "Screw You!"...I mean you can find them in black or Ash Rose at: http://www.stellamccartney.com/us/en/shopStella/Shoes/P-MESH-SANDAL.aspx