Chique Life Blog

Last few of these in stock!  Perfect for heading into Fall.  This wrap style works for the office or date night.

Sleek elegance encapsulates this minimalist wrap silhouette from Kiyonna, while the bold animal print showcases its dynamic nature. Front and back princess seams create slimming lines while a contrast tie adds renewed interest. Fluid jersey is perfectly cut for a universally flattering fit. PM style is easily achieved when complemented with sky high heels and clutch.

More info on this dress can be found in our store.  Quantities are very limited, and you can’t beat the $88 price!

You know I love a pencil skirt – and this one, surprising in denim, looks perfect for spring.

The classic sexy secretary pencil skirt is given a modern update from Kiyonna. Created in a dressy stretch gabardine fabric, this decidedly comfortable skirt hugs your curves and provides a slimming silhouette.

Skirt is fashioned with a 2″ waistband, princess seams in the front, twin darts in back, an 8″ back zipper with button closure and 7″ kick-pleat in back.

You can get more details and order from our website.

On Sale!  Pretty lingerie just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Flirty fashion. Beautiful Delta Burke leaf print chemise features an exceptionally rich look. Leaf print with soft stretch lace trim floats over the body, highlighting your curves.

Empire waist with soft stretch lace trim at neck and straps. This chemise is both comfortable and stylish.

Pink or Mint Green with brown lace.

The details on the Delta Burke Leaf Chemise can be found on our website.

Brand new, but classic styling.  We fell in love with this wrap dress from Kiyonna for its ability to go from office to meeting to evening.

Retro modern.  A simple faux wrap silhouette showcases a modern print for a number that is just a little bit more sophisticated from Kiyonna.

For a level of unstudied sexiness, an abstract floral print and a subdued color palette is accented with unique angled kimono sleeves and subtle black trim.

Unique detail at side, 12 1/2″ angled sleeve, and 1/2″ wide contrast outlines neckline, empire band and along front panel of skirt.

Get all the details here.

What do I wear on New Year’s Eve? It’s an annual dilemma. It’s never wrong to get all dressed up, even if others decide to go more casual.  Following are five tips to make getting it together for New Year’s Eve fun instead of stressful.

1.  Wear a Dress. Dresses are one easy piece and don’t require matching ensemble components.  Slip it on and you are more than halfway ready!  Choose a dress that can do double (or even triple) duty – New Year’s Eve, a wedding, a cocktail party.  Even a very dressy dress can become a wardrobe staple!  We recommend the following dresses for the fabulous fit and versatility they offer:

The Kiyonna Retro Glam Lace Dress comes in black with a sparkling retro pin at the satin waist tie.

The classic Kiyonna Boudoir Lace Dress has 3/4 sleeves and comes in black lace with either nude or black lining, or chocolate brown.

Brand new Icon Lace Dress, also from Kiyonna, is a yummy confection with a brandy satin tie.

The Kiyonna Flaunt Dress is simple and flattering, but with plenty of va-va-voom!

2. Change Up your Hair.  Switch your part, curl it up or straighten it – the key is to do it differently than you do every other day.  Even short hair can be done differently – slick it back with some gel, smooth it down and add a fun clip, or back-comb the crown for some dramatic height.  Longer hair can be smoothed and twisted into a french twist or a low chignon for a classic look.  Pull back the top and sides and twist the hair once.  Push it forward and secure with a clip.  Anchor a bobby pin in front and behind the clip to keep the “puff” you just created from flattening.

3.  Add Some Sparkle (But Not Too Much!) The most dramatic effect is created by adding just one element of sparkle – metallic shoes, glitter handbag, sparkling hair ornaments, or an element of your makeup.  Too much sparkle  is risking heading into trash territory.

4. Elegant Makeup. Now is your chance to break away from the every day. Choose one feature (lips or eyes) for a more dramatic look.  A smoky eye with a  low-key, natural color on your lips (maybe even just gloss) or a neutral eye with a pop of red on your lips makes an evening look easy and inexpensive.

5. A Happy Attitude and a Big Smile.  Nothing improves your looks like your best smile and a good attitude.  Enjoy the evening and vow to make 2010 the best year yet!

Kiyonna Fierce Leopard Dress at Chique*Life

Brand new! We all love this dress for its sassy print and beautiful colors.

Animal print, updated and fierce! This wrap dress from Kiyonna is created in an updated leopard print with splashes of purple, adding adramatic glamour to the classic wrap dress silhouette.

Striking black contrast banding along the neck and ties tempers this wild print making it work appropriate yet chic enough for evening. You are sure to find this the most universal, figure flattering dress ever!

True wrap silhouette with contrast tie. There is a 2″ contrast band along neckline and front with adjustable tie at high waist, and a 2″ band at cuff.

You can see it here. Available in sizes 10 – 28.  Use coupon code KIYO at checkout for 15% off on this dress!

Avenue Pinwale Corduroy Leggings

This week’s most popular item is a great pear of pinwale corduroy leggings – great for the weekend or any time  comfort and casual style is appropriate. Paired with a tunic or cozy sweater, these leggings work with flats or boots o give you the style you want in your busy life.

This comfortable corduroy legging from Avenue in stretch cotton offers the great fit you want, with ease of movement and fashion forward styling.

Original fit is designed to sit above your natural waist. The leggings have a small slit at hem and elastic waist pull-on styling.

Black, Brown, Dark Brown, Navy, or Tan.

You can see them here. At only $19.99 they are moving fast!

We’re carrying a brand new designer!  Kingley & Posh is offering up to date classics in plus sizes.

Kingley & Posh Peasant Tunic Top

This peasant tunic top is so easy to wear.  This sexy and classic top is all about combining comfort and affordable luxury. The balloon sleeves and double cuff allows a romantic feel while the v-neck detail adds a chic and modern look. Tunic slits on the side allows for easy fit and comfort around the hips.

It comes in black or white, and is made of 97% cotton and 3% spandex.

You can see it here.

This is the Curvy Pencil Skirt from Kiyonna - a classic!

When you wear plus sizes, the idea of a figure hugging skirt can be overwhelming no matter how classic the style. Is a plus size pencil skirt a fashion faux pas or a fashion superstar? A fashion do, or a fashion don’t?

Plus size pencil skirts are definitely on the fashion superstar, definite “do” list. They are more flattering to fuller figures, because of the seaming, the length and the basic design. While a pencil skirt can help anyone look curvier, no one rocks it like a girl who’s already curvy!

Plus size pencil skirts are a perfect choice for women whose waistlines are not much smaller than their hips. While it seems counter-intuitive, they are a great choice for plus size figures.

By definition, the skirt is cut in a straight line from hip to hip. The seaming narrows the silhouette slightly to accentuate the curve of the hip, and the length – traditionally skimming the bottom of the knee – is surprisingly flattering. The waistband suggests a more cinched figure, and creates a waistline even if you don’t have a defined one!

Women with a large waist and smaller hips can wear plus size pencil skirts, too, and create the illusion of a curvier figure. If you have a small waistline and large hips you can wear pencil skirts, too, but watch the fit and get it tailored if the material bunches up or sags.

The key to happy shopping in plus size fashion is to learn what styles flatter your figure. A classic pencil skirt is just the thing. Try to avoid stretchy materials, which are not as flattering as wovens, because they tend to accentuate problem areas. You want to accentuate the parts of your figure that you love, and embrace your curves!

When it comes to plus size fashion, the best material choices for classic pencil skirts are wool, gabardine or linen. Look for skirts to be lined or with finished seaming, and perfectly fitted. The material should be matte, not shiny. The hemline should fall about an inch below the knee and the garment should be free of any ornament or fussy decorations.

Often, a pencil skirt becomes staple of the wardrobe, worn repeatedly throughout a woman’s life. Think long-lasting when you buy it, because you will wear it often. Classic black is a good color choice for plus size pencil skirts, offering a day into evening option with a quick shoe and top change. Charcoal gray is perfect for the office (wear it with purple or lavender), and a warm chocolate brown offers an on-trend statement. Try it with pink, aqua or pale green for a dynamite color statement.

How often does a plus size woman despair about finding the right bra for everyday wear? The one that makes her clothes fit right, feels good, and — dare we expect it — looks pretty?

It’s estimated that as many as 85% of women are wearing the wrong size bra! It seems a bigger challenge for plus size women, who may shy away from the triple mirror and feel too exposed in the lingerie dressing room, not to mention intimidated by the intimate nature of proper bra fitting by an expert.

But…finding the right bra with the right fit isn’t as hard as it seems, if you follow just a few simple rules:

• Measure correctly! Just to refresh your memory:

1. Wear a non-padded bra. Keeping the measuring tape parallel with the ground, measure around your bra directly under your bust after expelling all air from your lungs. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number. If the measurement is even, add 4″; if the measurement is odd, add 5″. Look in a mirror to ensure the tape is parallel to the floor. The position of your tape measure is critical. If you have the tape too high, your measurement will be too large; too low and it’s too small.
2. Standing straight, with your arms at your side, measure at the fullest part of your bust making sure the measuring tape is parallel with the floor and not binding. Round all fractional measurements to the nearest whole number. If one of your breasts is significantly larger, put some type of padding in the cup of the smaller breast to make it even with the larger breast before taking your measurement.
3. Subtract your band measurement (step 1) from your cup measurement (step 2). Generally, for each inch in difference, the cup goes up by one size. Example:
   Step 1: 37″ under bust measurement + 5″ = 42″ band
   Step 2: 45″ over bust measurement
   Step 3: 45″ – 42″ = 3″ or “C” cup
   Your correct size would be 42C

• Take some time to try on different styles and choose one that supports with smooth lines, does not cut into your back or breasts, and avoids “squashing”.

• Lift, support and comfort are all key. Many women find underwire bras to be uncomfortable, so they make the mistake of wearing a soft, non-underwire cup. There’s not enough support, especially for full-figured women. A properly fitted underwire bra should rest comfortably against your rib cage with a soft cotton casing. If the wire lifts away from your chest, move up one cup size. It’s OK to alternate between soft cup and underwire bras.

• The back band of your bra provides 90 percent of the support, so the ideal fit should be firm yet comfortable; and stretch across the middle of your back, not up around your shoulder blades.

• A word on minimizers…they compress rather than support. A bra with seams, shape and cup depth will prevent jiggling without mashing. Stick with bras that lift and center the bust line for the best look.

There’s another important reason to wear a bra that fits correctly – there may be a link between breast cancer and tight bras that restrict lymphatic drainage in the breast. There are many lymph nodes and passages in the breast and underarm area that can be restricted (and thereby unable to do their job) by tight fitting lingerie, allowing an accumulation of body waste and toxins in breast tissue.

Did you know that your bra size can change as many as six times throughout your life? Weight gain and loss, pregnancy, nursing, and hormonal changes contribute to these changes. Experts recommend getting fitted yearly to ensure optimum fit and health.

As a result of thinking about how bras complement or destroy how we look in our clothes and writing this article, I measured myself again and found that I need a bigger band size and a smaller cup size. I guess I’m off to a department store to check out styles in my new size!

Don’t sacrifice service, style and comfort because you’re embarrassed to ask for help when buying a bra. Go ahead, ask as many questions as you need to! You’ll be much happier (and more comfortable) in the long run.

Remember to check your breasts regularly and to schedule your annual mammogram!