Chique Life Blog

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!

Fashionable comes in all sizes.

Every day we are inundated with images of what it means to be a fashionable woman. And that usually entails wearing a size that is as small as possible, despite the fact that more than 40% of us wear a size 14 or larger.

The body you have is curvy and voluptuous – but most importantly it is the body that you have right now, today. And to feel good, pretty, sexy, smart, and capable, you need to dress it the right way to enhance the positive aspects and minimize the negatives. That means wearing Clothes That Fit.

The two biggest mistakes are made at both ends of the fit spectrum. Some women wear clothes that are too small, creating a tight casing that looks as bad as it feels and highlights and exaggerates figure flaws. Some women dress in clothes that are too big, thinking that they are “hiding” problem zones, when in fact they are making themselves look bigger and, quite frankly, sloppy.

Take a deep breath. The size on the tag is a number only YOU see. What everyone else sees is a confident woman in clothes that are suited to her figure and that fit correctly. So get out of those jeans and pants you can’t breathe in; and the baggy, droopy tops that you should only wear to clean the bathroom – and get into figure flattering clothes in the right size for YOU.

Where to start? Here are a few hints to get you started:

• Lingerie – Pretty Is As Pretty Does. The basic foundation for how clothes will drape on your frame.If your lingerie is too tight, you’ll get exaggerated bulges and cuts that make you look lumpy. If it’s too big, you won’t get the fit and foundation you need. Get thee to a lingerie expert and get fitted for a bra and panties that suit your figure. You need help on this, and will want to try on a variety of styles.

• Skirts – Take the A Train. An A-line skirt is the most flattering for just about any figure. It fits at the waist and skims the hips, drawing the eye outward.It won’t cling or look baggy, and it’s a great figure balancer. Here’s a great A-line skirt from the Chique*Plus store, in Fall-perfect suede in a variety of colors.

• Pants – Shoot From the Hip. Look for pants that fall at or just below your natural waist. A wider waistband is flattering, and a bit of stretch in the fabric will allow ease of motion and prevent gaps when you move. Most important is a pant that falls in a straight line from hip to ankle, which elongates the leg and hides any bulges. Designer Abby Z. makes a great basic pant that works for the office or the weekend, and Svoboda makes a super pair of jeans that hugs your curves without looking or feeling tight.
  

  The "Cate" jean from Svoboda provides a great fit.

• Tops – Wrap It Up. A wrap top is an integral part of your wardrobe. It elongates the neck, hugs your curves in a modest fashion, nips in at the waist to create an hourglass shape, and moves with you. Here’s a wonderful wrap from Kiyonna in classic white or black.
  

  This wrap blouse from Kiyonna goes from work to play with ease.

It’s critical to treat yourself with respect, and wearing the right style of clothing in the right size will give you a big confidence boost in your on-the-go lifestyle. Give it a try – you’ll see and feel the difference!

This V-neckline faux wrap with cinched waist is from Kiyonna.

Plus size dresses come in almost as many sizes and shapes as plus size women, so why feel that you are stuck with just one style? The truth is that no matter what your size, you can find dresses that flatter your shape and bring out the very best you have to offer.

When most people consider plus size fashion, they think of boxy jackets, shapeless kaftans and monochromatic color schemes. But these tried and true “tricks” for dressing a large size woman don’t really work. Think about it…if there is not just one body shape, how can there be one dress style which fits everyone? The answer is, there can’t!

The first step in finding dresses that fit well and flatter you is to determine exactly which body type you are. Be aware of your shape and, most importantly, your most attractive features, and choose styles which enhance them. Plus size dresses come in everything from A-line to wrap to two piece and even strapless. Any of these can work as long as you choose a style which fits with your body type.

Even if you are heavy you may still have a slim waist. In this case, consider styles which cinch in at the waist, like a wrap dress, which can give you a fantastic hourglass shape. If your legs are your best asset, try a shorter length skirt to enhance them. Like most of the fashion world, plus size fashion is all about finding what works for you and helping you put your best face forward.

And plus size dresses do not have to be stuck in a color rut! We all know that wearing black can be slimming, but that doesn’t mean you have to wrap yourself in nothing but. Larger women can pull off prints as long as the style of the dress is flattering and the print isn’t overpowering. And color can be your friend. Pairing up a basic like black with a punch of red or blue can actually give you a more dramatic and modern look.

The important thing to remember when choosing a dress is that plus size fashion should be about emphasizing, not hiding. Forget the baggy muumuus and tent-like shapes and don’t be afraid to show your curves. Accentuate a full bust, shapely legs or slim waist. If your eyes are your best feature, draw the attention up to them with colors that bring them out and make them sparkle.

You can also play down problem areas by choosing plus size dresses which de-emphasize them. If you have a thick middle, consider an empire waist, which brings the waistline just below the bust and is looser. Also, an A-line, which is more fitted at the top and gently slopes outward as it goes down, can be another way to draw attention away from a heavy midsection while emphasizing a full bust and/or long legs.

The thing to remember is that just because you may be larger in size does not mean you can’t find clothes that fit. Being plus size no longer means having to hide. You can be proud of your curves and with the right figure flattering dress you can show the world that there is more of you to love!