Top Five Trends for 2009 Under $200

Every month like clock work, magazines fill your mailboxes. If you are anything like me, you can’t wait to crack one open and begin drooling over all the new and hottest trends that are sadly at designer prices and only made in sizes 0-12. Fall magazines were filled with numerous fashion comebacks. Balmain graced just about every magazine with his 80’s military style jackets and exaggerated shoulders. We saw pages filled with neon bright dresses like the ones that the models wore as they sashayed down the Michael Kors runway. Animal prints looked rich in the 2009 fall collection at Valentino.
We even saw celebrities such as Beyonce and Rihanna incorporating these trends in their off duty wardrobes. Although you drooled over these trends, you were skeptical about trying them on your plus size frame. Since the year is almost over, I say take a chance and try out these trends at affordable prices and yes, in your size. I am sure one of them will work for both your body and your pockets.
Don’t miss out on these 5 trends that reigned supreme in 2009:

Military Jackets

Balmain $$$$, New York& Company $59.50, sizes 0-18

Neon Bright

Michael Kors $$$, Spense @ Macy’s $

Animal Print

Valentino $$$$, Simply Be coat, about $70

Sequins

Torrid sequin top, $38, sequin leggings, $28

Over The Knee Boots and Peep Toe Booties

 
Two Lips $109.95, Steve Madden, $109.95

Winter Shorts

Skinny Girl Fashion for the Curvy Girl

Last year this time Katie Holmes was spotted wearing a pair of rolled up jean shorts and tights. Now, shorts are no stranger to winter, but, they are not necessarily the first item you pick up in the store when shopping for fall and winter clothes. Since fashion is about being fearless and breaking the rules, I thought wearing shorts in the winter would be a nice change from wearing skirts.

When trying to pull this look off, especially in the colder months, I suggest a pair of wool shorts with dark opaque tights and a pair of tall boots to keep warm. Katie chose a cardigan over a buttoned up shirt. For a more feminine vibe, I would choose a ruffled blouse with a blazer.

Check out my choices for the curvy girls (Click on the picture for price and sizes):

This outfit could be a great option for work and you can take the blazer off for drinks after work.

Curvy Model Knocks Fashion Spread Out The Box

It's very rare that you see a curvy model in a high fashion editorial spread. The most famous model right now is Crystal Renn. She has been on Oprah, Tyra, and countless other big name shows. What I love about Crystal Renn is that her curves are proportioned well and their soft like the women in those paintings back in the 1800's. She looks like she will tear a burger and some fries up, but, she still gets a work out in to maintain her curves.
I love when curvy models get this type of exposure. It is my passion to get women to embrace their curves whether they are little or large curves. Too many young girls are not appreciating their bodies. I am not necessarily talking about being overweight, but about the shape of your body. How many times have we heard a friend say my butt is too big or my thighs are huge so they are always covering them up. I say embrace those curves and show them off, stop hiding. Crystal Renn is proof that plus size curves are sexy and fashionable.

I was reading Musings of a Fatshionista and she posted these pics of Crystal Renn posing in the January 2010 Canadian Elle magazine. You can also check out Crystal's biography: Hungry. For my readers who may not know who Crystal Renn is, check her out:

These pictures bring up 2 questions for me. Why do other countries embrace curvy plus size women more so than the USA?

 Why are there more plus size clothing lines in the UK than in the USA?

Talk to me. Do you have these same questions?

Get Serena Williams Style

                 Lately we have been seeing a softer side of Serena Williams. She has been looking really good in lady like outfits that are flattering to a curvy woman's body. In a recent interview the athletic bombshell revealed that she has insecurities about her body. She often feels like she is too muscular. I am wondering if this is the reason she has been choosing more dainty pieces for her athletic frame. Along with her new look Serena has a new hair do that includes bangs. The new do softens her face and highlights her pretty cheekbones. She looks much more relaxed.

If you want to get some of her looks check out some options below:

                                

An A-line skirt is always a great choice for a larger bottom half. V-neck tops are also a great choice for ample or small breasts.

Top, skirt, and scarf, are from the Gap, Sizes 0-20, Shoes, Enzo Angiolini, Jewelry, Guess

Sharp ruffle sleeve dresses are a hot item this season mainly due to tthe Balmain craze. People always tell curvy girls to stay away from straight dresses or skirts, but, I have always disagreed because who wants a closet full of empire waist dresses. If you want to show off your curves opt for an hourglass shaped dress.

Dress, Dorothy Perkins sizes 2-20, Shoes, Nine West

Even Serena's sporty look is still girly. A gray bomber jacket leggings with a sequin top is a great look for day or night.

Bomber Plus Size Fix, sizes 14-24, Leggings, Forever21, Sizes XS-XXL, Top,Ann Taylor Loft, sizes XS-XXL, Boots, Kamik Park @Zappos.

Do you like Serena's new look?

Tuxedo Style for Curves

One of my favorite looks is black & white. As I was cruising the internet I found a cute tuxedo sequin top from the plus size clothing line Amanda Uprichard at Saks.com. I love that the top is long enough to be paired with leggings or tucked into a pencil skirt.

This would be a great option for a chic downtown hipster party. What's even better is that I also found these black and white spectator heels to match along with tuxedo leggings. This is definitely an outfit that a curvy girl could have fun with.

(Click on pictures for sizes and price)

What's Your Travel Style?

It's holiday season and many of you will be traveling to visit family and friends for the holidays. Traveling can be uncomfortable whether you are flying, driving, or taking the train. The weather is changing and its getting colder and in some places its even starting to snow.

We see celebrities travel all the time through the winter months and when they get off the plane many of them look stylishly refreshed.

Here are my tips to travel stylishly and comfortably in the winter months:

1) Choose leggings or skinny jeans. They will offer a comfortable feel for movement such as stretching your legs, tossing and turning in your seat, or walking around. You also don't have to worry about the bottom of your pants hitting the unsanitary floors in public restrooms.

2) Wear a wrap sweater or a warm large collar turtleneck in a flattering hue. This way when you take off your coat you can still be warm.

3) Pea coats or puffer coats are always stylish and warm. They look great open or closed. Try a pea coat with a little embellishment or a puffer coat in a bright color. Make sure to add a scarf and a hat to keep your neck and warm.

4) I love stepping off a plane in sexy heels. I suggest a pair of ankle boots in a breathable fabric that can easily be taken off and on. If heels are not comfortable for you to travel in, then try a pair of tall flat boots.

5) A chic carry all should hold hand lotion, small tubes of perfume or body splash, mascara, and lip gloss. When you reach your destination you want to reach it looking good. You never know who's watching. Especially if your single.

6) Make sure to carry a pair of cool shades to protect your eyes from the sun or from switching from the airport fluorescent lighting to outside lighting.



Tell me, what do you wear when you travel?

UGLY ON THE HANGER

Whenever  you go into the plus size section in department stores there is always a variety of awful out of shape looking clothing or an overwhelming amount of flashy tween clothing. Yesterday, I was hanging with a relative and we saw a dress and top in Macy's that looked unattractive on the hanger but as soon as my relative put it on we started to think twice about the pieces.

Check out the two pieces on the hanger and then on a real body.

This was a Rocawear dress that I thought looked like vomit on the hanger. I added my black belt to it and now it looks wearable.

The top wasn't so bad on the hanger, but, I thought it looked a little old. I decided to add leggings instead of pants to give it a younger feel. If Macy's would have allowed me to take shoes and jewelry from downstairs into the fitting room, I could have given her a complete makeover. It's ok Macy's, I know I'm not Stacy from What Not Wear. A leather bomber jacket would work wonders over this top.

Project Runway Designs for Misses and Plus Size

I have to admit that since Project Runway left Bravo and moved to Lifetime, I stopped watching the show. Yesterday I was reading one of my many favorite blogs The Curvy Girls Guide to Style and I discovered that Kenley Collins a contestant on Project Runway is designing clothing for sizes 2-24.

After viewing her website http://www.kenleycollins.com/, you can see that she has a vintage style. According to her bio she said that she is inspired by the 1930's and Amelia Earhart, which is obvious in her designs.

I think her designs will compliment curves. As you may already know the 1930's were all about lady like glamour and the silhouettes were complimentary to a womans shape no matter her size. It was all about creating a waist and showing off the hips.

I must warn you that even though we are in a recession,  the clothes are pricey, ranging from $175-$900.


Take a look at a few pieces and let me know what you think.