Marie Claire's new Curvy Girl Column

This weekend I was catching up on my magazine reading. As I was reading the November issue of Marie Claire I discovered a wonderful new column that Marie Claire will be implementing on a monthly basis. This column will feature fashion for the plus size curvy girls. Marie Claire has decided to use their fashion intern, size 18 Ashley Falcon to find and test the best in fashion for curvy girls.

On pages 62-63 you will find a sharply dressed Ashley  in a model like pose talking about her struggles with weight and how she wants to become a fashion stylist. She also offers tips on finding the best jeans for a curvy body. From what I understand she will be featuring items that cater to all sizes.

There must be something in the water because lately a couple of fashion magazines have been featuring plus size models and plus size fashion. The November issue of Glamour featured top plus size models. All I can say is keep up the good work.

It has always been my dream to own my own fashion magazine and that was because I could never understand why magazines would never incorporate fashion for all sizes. Yes, there are magazines strictly for plus sized women, but, I never thought that plus size women should be separated from from women who are below a size 14. Although a plus size body is different than a non plus sized body, as women, we still can relate to bodily insecurities no matter what size we are.

I always wanted to open up a fashion magazine and see a fabulous dress that came in sizes 2-22. Even in 2009 magazines still fail to feature plus size designers or designers who carry misses and plus size clothes. I think plus size women want to feel incuded in fashion and not separate from it.

For more on Ashley Falcon go to http://www.marieclaire.com/ or pick up the November issue of Marie Claire.

What are your thoughts on this new column and on Ashley's style?

Get the Look

Sanaa Lathan is one of my favorite actresses who has great style along with great talent. This week she was spotted at the Los Angeles screening of Law Abiding Citizens. The gray batwing (Dolman) sleeve dress she wore was simple yet sexy. The batwing sleeve seems to be a popular style for Fall. It also hides the batwings many of us have on the back of our arms.

If you like her look, I have found a similar version from my favorite chain store Banana Republic. Banana goes up to a size 16 and XL which are generously cut unlike other chain stores.

This is a great dress for going out with the girls or to wear on a date. It is a body conscious dress so be sure to wear the proper undergarments and do a couple of crunches the day before. You know how that goes, when you try to lose 20 lbs in 2 days before a big event. You work out like crazy, but it never helps. I always do crunches the day before, there is no big difference, but it makes me feel better.

Gray dress, Banana Republic, $98, sizes S-XL, Nine West shoes, $89, Forever21 necklace $4.80

For my plus size curvy girls Baby Phat has a black batwing (Dolman) sleeve dress similar to Sanaa's. I would lose the belt. The Baby Phat dress also comes in sizes XS-XL.

Dress, Baby Phat $59, Sizes 1X-3X, Shoes, Nine West $89, Necklace, Ann Taylor, $55

Serena's Curves Exposed

By now you should have seen the picture of Serena Williams on the cover of ESPN magazine. I think she looks outstanding. Serena's body is beautiful. Although sometimes she can look a little body builderesque (My own word), she still finds a way to keep her look feminine. What I love about Serena's body is how strong it looks and how toned it is. I always said, if I had the opportunity to meet her, I would ask her how many squats and lunges does she do to get her butt like that. You can bounce a quarter off that thing.

Her picture promotes fitness and self acceptance. Serena's body is very curvacious and she embraces it well. I know that some women may look at this picture and feel that their body should look like Serena's. Please do not feel that way. I believe that we can be inspired by celebrity bodies, but, we should never compare ourselves, because, even celebrities have insecurities about their bodies and they sometimes go through extreme measures to get their look.

Just the same as you would look in magazines for inspiration to get the best looks out of your wardrobe is the same way I look at a celebrity body. When I look at Serena's picture, it inspires me to workout to achieve my best body, but, I am not going to beat myself up because my body doesn't look like hers.

Embrace your body today.

Ruby Red Slippers Makeover

Last week Wednesday there was a charity auction to raise money for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. The auction enlisted various designers to recreate Dorothy's ruby red slippers from the Wizard of Oz. Bids were as high as $2,000.

According to the Daily News online: Big-name designers from Jimmy Choo to Christian Louboutin gave the famed ruby slippers a high-end make-over - and now they're all up for auction benefiting charity.

The auction ended on September 30th and it raised more than $25,000 for the foundation.

I love when designers recreate fashion from old movies. Check out the new ruby red slippers below:

Up top are Betsey Johnson's version of the red slippers. As usual Betsey always has a creative and edgy outlook on fashion. I can see these being worn with a great pair of trouser pants. I would wear these to an office Christmas party.

This is Lamb's (Gwen Stefani) version and I love, love, love. I think Gwen really went outside the box and revamped the whole shoe. It's no longer a slipper. These shoes scream "Let's go clubbing!"

This is Roger Vivier's version. They are a little more wearable for everyday life. I see these with a pair of jeans.

Tell me what you think. Do you like the new 21st Century take on Dorothy's ruby red slippers?

Lucky & HSN Present Designer Shopping Event

While reading my November Lucky magazine, I discovered that on October 16th and 17th at 8pm ET, Lucky magazine and HSN will be sponsoring a designer shopping event.

Designers such as Tracy Reese, Rebecca Minkoff, Shoshanna, Kooba, Sam Eldelman, Rebecca Taylor, Carlos Falchi, Gerard Yosca, Curations, R.J. Graziano, and Helen Ficalora will design one of a kind pieces exclusively for HSN.

As we all know, when you sell clothes on HSN or QVC they come in all sizes and prices. If you always wanted to wear a Tracy Reese Dress and you were not able to because you are above a size 12, now you can. Tracy has designed a dress and cardigan that comes in sizes XS-3X. If you have been a fan of Kooba handbags since they made the Sienna bag and $500 was just too much to spend on a bag, now you can finally afford one at the discounted price of $225.



Check out the pieces below which are currently available to purchase on the HSN website.


Do you like these designs?

Tracy Reese Dress, $89.90,sizes XS-3X, Shoshanna Dress, $79.90, sizes XS-3X

Curations Faux Fur Vest, $149.90, sizes XS-XXL, Carlos Falchi Bag, $99.90

Gerard Yosca Bib necklace, $129.90, Kooba bag, $225

Rebecca Minkoff Bag. $250, Sam Edelman shoes, $99.90

Oprah's Look

If you like the red dress Oprah wore when she was in NYC last month, I found a great version of the dress at http://www.igigi.com/ for $138 and it comes in sizes 14-30.

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

What is the most you have ever spent on a coat? I love coats because they hide a multitude of sins (As Wendy Williams would say). The best thing about coats is that you can wear a bad outfit but your coat hides it. I am a person that wil spend money on my coats. I have always set a budget of $500, although, I have never spent that much on one. Luckily, I have found some great coats at Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic and DKNY all under $300. I have this red DKNY trench coat that I found at Century 21 three years ago for $80 and it retailed for almost $300. I wear this coat to death. I have to constantly take it to the dry cleaners because of the bright red color.

Whenever I put it on, it somehow makes me smile and think everything is going to be okay, who knew a coat could make you feel this way. I also like to think of this coat as my fashion angel because it still fits whenever my weight starts to fluctuate. I could be down 10 pounds in the summer and back up 10 pounds by the time Fall rolls around again.

Below are my pics of some classic styles and new styles. Do you have a favorite coat that you love? Send in your pics to stylishcurves@gmail.com. and you could be picked for stylish curves of the day.

Big Buttons with a shawl collar

      
Anthropologie Coat, $268, sizes 0-12


The classic trench

Trench Coat,Evans.co.uk,sizes 14-32, Banana Republic, sizes 0-16



Belted military style coats

Military Coat, Evans, sizes 14-32, Miss Sixty XS-XL


Fur Collar Coats

Baby Phat Coat, $149, sizea 1X-3X, Esprit Coat, $162.50, sizes XS-XL

STYLISH CURVES FRIDAY

In the words of Elmo, Hi everybody. Today I am bringing you a new feature called Stylish Curves Friday. I will be featuring everyday curvacious girls from sizes 2 and up and showcasing their style. I think it is important for us as women to share our style with others who can relate to our body type. With that being said, check out curvy girl Toccara Jones from America's Next Top Model. She was photographed by Derek Blanks an Atlanta based photographer. Word on the street is that these are her new portfolio pics for modeling.

Rocking a short do and her sassy and bigger than life persona, Toccara is looking mighty good. She is definitely smaller now than when she was on ANTM, however, her curves are still prevalant. That goes to show you that if you have a curvy body, no matter how small you get, the curves will always be there.

What do you think about Toccara's new look?

STYLISH CURVES OF THE DAY IS

Convonna Ford from the boogie down Bronx.

What I like about Convonna's body is that in comparison to her bust and hips, she has a small waist. She would be considered an hour glass figure. I love that she looks young and sexy. The black form fitting dresses really highlight her curves in the right way. Belts are always a great option when it comes to creating a waist.

Convonna says:

My favorite stores I shop at are: Ashley Stewart & Lane Bryant, basically anywhere that has funky plus size clothes.

Favorite online shops: Cute and Kinky, Baby Phat, Sean John

My favorite celebrity style: Toccara Jones-smooth and sexy style

Favorite music artists:

Jazmine Sullivan-funky and cool style, Chrisette Michele-classic and vintage style. I chose these women because when being a plus size woman the clothes have to fit. Especially to reveal the lovely curves.
Also in everything I've seen these women in always fits so perfectly. That inspires me to do the same.

If you would like to be featured on Stylish Curves Friday, please email your pics to stylishcurves@gmail.com. Please send two clear pictures that show off your curves.

I would love to hear your thoughts about Toccara and Convonna.

New Website For Curves

Last night I was doing my normal internet search for new designers and cool clothes that cater to all sizes of curves from size 2 and up. As I searched, I came across this website called Carmakoma.com, which is a european plus size clothing line that starts at a size 12.
I have to say that the designs were young, trendy, and chic. Majority of the clothes were modeled with leggings, which can throw you off a little bit if you are trying to imagine what they would look like without the leggings. My only disappointment was that most of the clothing line was black and grey with a few sprinkles of purple and pink items.

CarmaKoma designers are Danish girls Angelica Weiss &  Heidie Lekke who have worked with other brands and designers such as Remix and O by Isabell Kristensen. The interesting thing about the two designers are the fact that they are not curvy women, however, they have managed to produce a trendy and chic clothing line for women with curves.

The brand is exclusively sold at the Carmakoma website.

Sizes are labeled S-L which in plus size language means sizes 12-22. As you are placing your order complete their perfect size form. This helps you find your perfect fit by inputing your body measurements.

They also have a blog and online magazine.
I think the purple wrap dress is very demure and chic. It looks good with the leggings for Fall and I can only imagine how sexy it could be in the summer with some gold sexy 4 inch heels.

Check out a couple of my picks below.  What do you think about the site?

Front                                                                             Back

Side Note: Is it me or has anyone noticed that even in the plus size industry you see more caucasion girls than black girls, which is the same problem they are having in the fashion industry now. Have you noticed the same thing? If so, how doyou feel about this?

Skinny Girl Fashion For Curvy Bodies

I have to say that I am loving the whole leggings phenom. Are people even wearing pants anymore? Yesterday, I was surfing through Essence.com and I came across this picture of the british sensation Estelle. I think she has a unique and edgy look that works for her body. I love the idea of the metallic silver jacket with leggings. It gives her such a sexy rocker chic look.

Check out the options below to recreate her look. The metallic silver jacket is a great look for fall.

To show off your curves you should go for a fitted style jacket, like a motorcycle jacket and try lame fabric leggings.

From top:Gray motorcycle jacket Jessica London, sizes 14-28,Metallic silver suede jacket, Newport News, sizes 2-18. Lame leggings, Torrid.com, Silver blazer, Newport News

Victoria's Secret model Jessica White looks great in her short black satin tube dress. Want to recreate her look for your curves? Go for an empire waist with a straight skirt. If you want to hide a large lower half go for an empire pleated waist dress that is fuller in the hips. A red clutch in crocodile or suede will complete the look. Always keep in mind that when a satin fabric is too tight it will show all the lumps and bumps that come with having curves, so, please make sure the dress fits you properly on the largest part of your body.

Pleated waist tube dress, casual plus.com, sizes 1x-3x, Love Tease pocket skirt @macys.com,sizes 3-13, Torrid straight skirt dress, sizes 10-32.

Are you sick of the whole leggings look or are you hoping for it to be around for the next couple of seasons?